Yearly Archives: 2016

Shopping in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge boast some of the finest and most diverse shopping opportunities in the region. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding areas are teeming with a variety of stores, from small artisan boutiques to world-famous brand flagship stores.The next time you’re in town be sure to reserve time for some outstanding shopping experiences.

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Smoky Mountain Weddings

No matter what time of year the two of you are planning your wedding day, the Smoky Mountains provide an abundance of atmosphere, elegance, and sheer beauty to enhance the special event. With the mountains as a scenic backdrop along with lush landscape, privacy, and exceptional accommodations, romance is guaranteed to fill the air from morning until night.

Smoky Mountains Setting

Choosing the perfect setting and season is at the top of the list when planning a wedding. Whether you choose Cupid’s month of February when mountain vistas and cool breezes abound or you prefer the busier months of May and June when the Smoky Mountains are bursting with colorful and fragrant flowers and trees, Smoky Mountain weddings are magical and create the perfect atmosphere for your wedding day.

Images courtesy of Carles-Witt Event Planners

Image courtesy of Carles-Witt Event Planners

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After the Fire, Life in Gatlinburg Gets Back to Normal

All of us here in Gatlinburg appreciate your concern and your prayers during the recent wildfires.   We know many of you were worried about us and concerned about the Smokies.

The fires are past and we’re fine. Please be assured: the Smokies are still great, and we still live in a beautiful area.

The fires burned an estimated 15,000 acres – that’s about 23 square miles. But Sevierville County is almost 600 square miles in size, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park is over 800 square miles. Depending on where you drive, you may see little or no evidence of the fire.

Downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are fine, and none of the major attractions were burned. Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Amusement Park was unaffected and is open for skiing. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are hosting their annual Winterfest, and we’re looking forward to a great Christmas. The Smokies are back in business.

We did lose some cabins, but nearly 90% of our cabins are untouched by the fire. Immediately after the fires, we either rebooked guests in affected cabins, placing them in a comparable cabin in an unaffected area, or we refunded the guest’s money.

We have over 340 cabins untouched by fire and waiting for you. Come and have a great vacation with us.

Pet Friendly Cabins in Pigeon Forge

pets2Pigeon Forge has earned its reputation as one of the most hospitable and friendly towns in Tennessee – we have many Pigeon Forge cabins available for accommodation. Families with pets love to stay here, soaking in its mix of a festive attitude and peaceful, pet-friendly attractions.

Drive a short ways southeast of Knoxville and the city life melts away into a whole new world. Pigeon Forge, cupped in the foothills of the Appalachians and nestled against the entrance of the National Park, is a charming and family-friendly town that makes an ideal home base for exploring these mountains. (more…)

Christmas In The Smokies Bluegrass Festival 2016

Let’s have some bluegrass for Christmas! It’s time for the Christmas In The Smokies Bluegrass Festival again, happening in Pigeon Forge December 7-10, 2016. Led by Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, the festival features a host of great performers at Smoky Mountain Convention Center at 4010 Parkway (close to Light #8) in Pigeon Forge.

Tickets are available at the door (including a general admission ticket), and the music starts at 5 pm on Wednesday the 7th. Shows start at 4 pm on Thursday, and 11 am on Friday & Saturday. And on Friday there’s a late-night jam session after the show. This is a family-friendly good time.

bluegrass

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Touring the Christmas Lights of Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

With millions upon millions of Christmas lights in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and throughout the area, what are some of the best ways to see them? You can choose to drive yourself around town, take a scenic aerial tram or mountain coaster ride, or take advantage of local holiday transportation and travel by trolley. Here are the best ways to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit and join other revelers for Christmas fun and festivities.

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are winter wonderland destinations and both cities will be lighting up the night sky during the holiday season with festive displays and many millions of lights – often animated or synchronized to music – in celebration of Christmas. Each city has scheduled events running from November through January and February.

Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland

Gatlinburg Winter Magic

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Thanksgiving & Christmas Craft Shows 2016

Craft_Show_View_1-544x363How do you know that the holidays have arrived in Gatlinburg, TN? For many people, visiting the Thanksgiving and Christmas craft shows at the Gatlinburg Convention Center is a time-honored family tradition that starts the holiday season.

The Thanksgiving Craft Show is held from Tuesday, November 22 through Sunday, November 27. As a stark contrast to typical Thanksgiving week shopping events, you can shop a vast array of products hand-crafted by local artisans including pottery, wood carvings, candles, quilts and plenty of gift-worthy decor.

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November 2016 Events in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

November in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge marks the changing of the seasons with multiple events celebrating winter. Moving from the colors of fall into the glitter of Christmas, this time presents a host of things to do in Gatlinburg and the whole area. Early in the month, the two towns turn on their millions of Christmas lights, joined by Sevierville in a coordinated series of lightings and celebrations, beginning the Winterfest and Winter Magic festival seasons that last into February.

Snow tubing at Ober Gatlinburg

Snow tubing at Ober Gatlinburg

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Winterfest 2016 in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

The lights are coming on for winter in the Smoky Mountains as Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg take a day each on November 7, 8 and 9 to kick off the 2016 Winterfest and Winter Magic celebrations with millions – and millions – of Christmas lights strung across the towns. Festivities abound as each town turns on its lights in the midst of celebration, food and live music.

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