One hundred thousand Americans will gather in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, at midnight on July 3rd to lead the nation in celebrating Independence Day with the first Fourth of July Parade in the country. Gatlinburg has been proudly kick-starting July 4th with its Midnight Parade for 37 years, and 2013 is year number 38. (more…)
Blog Archive
Gatlinburg Chalet Rentals vs Cabin Rentals

Cabin or Chalet? Blue Mist View
What’s the difference between a chalet and a cabin? In today’s Smoky Mountains, in the world of vacation rentals, these words can mean very different things to different people, and certainly not what they originally meant. Bottom line, always check on the features of your Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg rental – cabin or chalet – to make sure you’re getting the things that are important to you. (more…)
Best Show in the Smoky Mountains? Try Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge

image courtesy of Country Tonite
In Pigeon Forge there’s one show you don’t want to miss and it’s Country Tonite. The spectacular show features a variety of song, choreography, comedy and costume, impressive for the sheer quality of the talented performances and the seamless flow of the fast-paced, dynamic show. (more…)
Dollywood Great American Summer 2013
The first day of summer is also the first day of Dollywood’s Great American Summer, from June 21 through August 4 this year. Hours of opening become 3 hours longer, now from 10 am to 10 pm every day. But that’s just the start. (more…)
Great Smoky Mountain Wheel in Pigeon Forge: Opening June 21, 2013

image courtesy of The Island
There’s a very cool new ride for all the family opening in Pigeon Forge this Friday, June 21. It’s the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200-foot tall observation wheel offering spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains. (more…)
Rainbow Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A nice picture of Rainbow Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, during a hike last year. The water falls 80 feet and makes rainbows on sunny days. The hike is moderate to difficult, about 2.6 miles from the trailhead. The trail continues another 4 miles to the summit of Mount Le Conte. Check the Park web site for more details. (more…)
Gatlinburg Offers Free Trolley Service on Parkway Again for Summer of 2013

image courtesy of Gatlinburg Trolley
Free Trolley service in Gatlinburg starts June 14 along Parkway again this year, marking 2013 as the third year that Gatlinburg has offered this tremendously popular service. (more…)
Andrews Bald in the Smoky Mountains
Andrews Bald is a short, moderate hike from Clingmans Dome, and it’s a great place with a fantastic view. Balds are high-elevation grassy meadows. Most of the trail is shaded, but here’s an open part of the trail, followed by a taste of the view, in a couple of pictures shot by Kelseah Lawson. (more…)
Rhododendrons Blooming in Smoky Mountains
Ah the rhododendrons are blooming – it must be summer! Taken by our favorite Smoky Mountains photographer, Dean Brown. (more…)
Smith Family Theater

image courtesy of Smith Family Theater
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are bursting at the seams with talented performers and high-quality entertainment, and you can prove this to yourself any evening with dinner theater in Pigeon Forge, at the Smith Family Dinner Show.