Posts By: Tony Perez

About Tony Perez

I'm a people person, and I enjoy the atmosphere that working with Cabins Of The Smoky Mountains entails, interacting with different types of people and trying to relate to each one uniquely. From Michigan originally, I've been coming to the Smoky Mountains since I was a child, with family in Wears Valley. Summer fun for me is exploring the Cades Cove area, swimming in the creeks, and hiking Mount LeConte and many other trails. I love the Smoky Mountains.

Great Arcades in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

On your whirlwind trip through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you can always count on the local arcades for fun and excitement. The pinball machines, arcade cabinets, and carnival games are the star of the show, for sure, but the entertainment doesn’t end there. Go-karts, laser tag, and mini golf promise to keep you on your toes as well. Ready to have a great time? Here are some ideas on just where to go.

Great Arcades in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Image courtesy of Arcadia

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What’s The Best Time To Visit Gatlinburg?

When is the best time to visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to enjoy the Smoky Mountains? Here are the times of year with the seasonal activities and events, changes with weather and temperatures, changes in nature in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area – and how to avoid the crowds that mark this most popular place.

What's The Best Time To Visit Gatlinburg?

Image courtesy of Gatlinburg SkyLift

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The Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival 2021

The Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival opens this year with a stellar lineup of talent playing in several venues around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The 4-day festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, August 19-22, 2021.

The festival features a myriad of hit songwriters performing tunes you know, and also explaining the intricacies of songwriting in workshops throughout the event.

Image courtesy of GSF

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Best Italian in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Here are some of the best Italian restaurants and pizzas in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area. With hundreds of great restaurants in the area there are lots of great pizzas too. But whether you want a tasty slice to keep you going through the day’s adventures, or an Italian dining experience with specialty dishes, here are some of the notable places to keep on your radar.


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Best Scenic Attractions Near Gatlinburg

As the gateway town to the country’s most popular national park, Gatlinburg is a great place to start exploring the area in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The ancient Smoky Mountains are endlessly rolling and captivating to the gaze, and whether you’re looking for some beautiful creations of nature or some human-made entertainment, you’ll find some of the best scenic attractions in the area listed here to help you get started in finding some great sights.

Image courtesy of the Gatlinburg SkyLift

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Top Attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

When it comes to family-friendly attractions and entertainment, the neighboring East Tennessee towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have plenty of options available for active families. With Great Smoky Mountains National Park right next to the two towns, deciding which of these attractions are the best can be difficult, based on your personal tastes and interests, but we’ve come up with a list of five top-rated attractions in the area to help you plan your next vacation.

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Special Areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Here is a brief guide to several distinct areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, useful for the new visitor to get oriented to some of the special places and scenic natural features. Visitors to the Smoky Mountains return year after year, and discover their favorite places, gradually learning many of the countless things to do and to see in the Gatlinburg area. Here are some of the more notable.

The magic of Elkmont

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Craftsmen’s Fair 2021 – 46 Years and Unique as Ever

Celebrating its forty-sixth year in Gatlinburg, the annual Spring Craftsmen’s Fair happens July 9-18. 2021, in the Convention Center at traffic light #8.

For these 10 days, the Fair is open 10 am to 5 pm each day, with one ticket price of $10 that can extend through all the days if you want – and kids 17 and younger get in FREE with an adult.

A tiny slice of the creativity at the Craftsmen’s Fair

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Favorite Swimming Places in the Smokies

As summer temperatures heat up, this is a great time to look for ways to stay cool. Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area provide plenty of opportunities to go swimming for fun, relaxation and an escape from the heat. When you visit the park, keep in mind that there are more than 2,000 miles of streams, as well as creeks near hiking trails, picnic areas and scenic drives.

It’s a good idea to bring dry socks, towels and plastic bags for wet clothes when you go hiking in the park. You’ll also find waterfalls with swimming holes in the park, but you should always check for warning signs first to make sure they’re safe. Avoid swimming in any areas where warning signs are posted.

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