Gatlinburg Vacation Blog

Archive for April, 2010

While the Great Smoky Mountains remain a popular autumn destination to view the vivid and extraordinary fall colors, the area offers a different kind of vivid color display in springtime, as well.

The mountainsides come alive with spring wildflowers, painting an equally picturesque scene as the red, yellow and orange hues offer in the fall. In fact, the spring and summer months are the perfect time to come and enjoy the spectacular overlooks, hiking trails, and the pure beauty of nature in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Although summers can be hot and hazy in the park, large areas lie at higher elevations, providing cooler temperatures. The road up to Clingman’s Dome, which sits at an elevation of 6600 feet, offers a number of amazing overlooks and a wide variety of hiking trails which can be accessed from either the Oconaluftee Visitors Center in North Carolina or the Sugarlands Visitors Center, in Tennessee,

For additional details about Great Smoky Mountains National Park, nearby Gatlinburg, TN and other area attractions, visit www.GatlinburgVacationStore.com.

If you’re looking for a delicious way to spend a day in Gatlinburg, TN, why not wing it over to the 9^th Annual Gatlinburg Ribfest & Wings celebration on April 22.

This fun-filled day in the Great Smoky Mountains features live entertainment,children’s activities, eating contests and, of course, a chance to taste a sampling of all the ribs and wings until the parkway turns into a street fair. The party runs from 5-9 pm with food sampling from 6-9 pm or until the wings run out.

This year’s entertainment features the classic tunes of the Beat Daddys and their soulful rock ‘n roll blues. The main stage will also feature the musical group Soulfinger, spearheading a neo-classic soul movement with original sounds.

A panel will judge and award prizes for the best ribs or wings in seven categories. And all vendors will vie for the “People’s Choice Award” chosen by popular vote.

Hot wing eating contests sponsored by All Sauced Up will feature wings prepared in sauces such as “Blazing Bomb,” “Treacherous Tongue,” “Fire Pit Hell,” “Scorching Screaming” and “Next Day Disaster.” Prizes will be awarded to the “Hot Wing Eating Contest Champion of the Year.”

An armband for Ribfest & Wings may be purchased for $12 ($5 for kids).

For more information about activities, lodging and discount vacation packages in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visit www.GatlinburgVacationStore.com. For discount hotel and resort packages, including Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort and Wild Bear Falls indoor water park, visit www.WestgateReservations.com.