Gatlinburg Vacation Blog

Archive for the ‘Great Smoky Mountains National Park’ Category

Great Smoky Mountain National Park remains the most visited national park in the nation. While a vast majority of its more than 9 million annual visitors arrive in the summer and fall color seasons, winter offers up a unique opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts.

That’s especially true for those who enjoy winter sports activities. Ski season opened at Gatlinburg’s popular Ober Mountain on Jan. 3.

Ober Gatlinburg features nine trails serviced by two quad lifts, one double lift and one surface lift. The Resort also offers terrain for all abilities, from beginners experiencing snow sports for the first time, to seasoned experts headed to the moguls and the terrain park.  

Snow tubing is another popular activity at Ober Gatlinburg in addition to skiing, snowboarding and ice skating.

For more information about Ober Gatlinburg, the aerial tramway, restaurants, shops and more, visit www.obergatlinburg.com/. Or if you would like to learn more about discount Gatlinburg resort accommodations and vacation packages, go to www.westgatereservations.com.

With Fall just around the corner, there is plenty of excitement and anticipation for upcoming events throughout the spectacular Great Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Gatlinburg offers one of the best seats available for viewing the amazing fall color season in the Smokies. The mountain village also provides easy access into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And from September 15 to October 31, Gatlinburg will be celebrating its annual Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival.

Gatlinburg kicks off the exceptional fall season with a variety of events as the warm days and cool, clear nights help transform 800 square miles of lush green mountain forest into brilliant shades of orange, yellow and red.

One of the highlight festivals is the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair from Oct. 6-23, 2011. The festival, now in its 36^th year, features area artisans and craftspeople demonstrating their special talents and skills while answering questions and selling their unique artwork. Meanwhile, downtown Gatlinburg is decorated for the festivities with elaborate storefront decorations.

For more on Gatlinburg events and resort accommodations such as Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, please visit www.WestgateReservations.com.

There’s nothing quite like soaking in the sunshine and fresh air amidst the spectacular Great Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. In fact, the Gatlinburg area is teeming with outdoor recreational opportunities that the entire family can enjoy.

With hundreds of lakes, rivers, streams and ponds, the area offers up some of the nation’s best fishing, particularly for mountain trout. Drop a line in the water along the Little Pigeon River in downtown Gatlinburg.

Another popular family activity in Gatlinburg is biking. Pedal off to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a tour of beautiful Cades Cove. Bicycling around the Cades Cove loop provides one of the best ways to experience one of the most picturesque areas in the park.

The National Park is also ideal for hiking, with more than 800 miles of trails ranging from beginner treks to more challenging. Whether you want to hike for an hour, a day or a week, you’ll find an option that fits your plans. A Guided Nature Service can help provide a more educational and in-depth look at the Smoky Mountains. Or you can visit one of the park’s many visitor information centers for help in planning the perfect hike.

While out on the trails, you might also want to look to the trees since the National Park is also a premier location for bird watchers. From the foothills to the higher elevations, the Smokies offer a wide variety of topographies to host an extremely diverse number of habitats and microclimates for birds. As a result, nearly 250 species of birds have been found in the park. Approximately 60 species are year-long residents of the park while 120 species breed in the park. Still other species use the park as a vital stopping point during migrations.

Other recreational options in the Gatlinburg area include golf, horseback riding and white water rafting down the Big Pigeon River.

For more on Gatlinburg attractions and Gatlinburg discount vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

Majestic mountains, exquisite art, creativity, children’s programs, music - add it all up and you have the 7^th Annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival.

The special event, held in downtown Gatlinburg, TN adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a two-day street fair to be held May 14-15.

The prestigious event highlights top artists in their fields and participating exhibitors are chosen by jury in 16 categories ranging from ceramics and glass to watercolor and woodworking. In all, a total of $10,000 in prizes and purchase vouchers is at stake.  

The fun-filled festival is free to visitors. However, the event is an annual fundraiser for the internationally renowned Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, the Sevier County Arts Council and the Gatlinburg Boys & Girls Club art program. 

Don’t miss your chance to experience some of the very best arts and crafts in an area well known for its exceptional craftsmanship.

For details on Gatlinburg and discount Gatlinburg vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains the most visited of America’s many national parks. With more than 9 million visitors a year, the Great Smoky Mountains offers 800 square miles of spectacular scenery spanning much of Tennessee and North Carolina.

The Grand Canyon, despite its remote location, comes in a distant second to the Great Smokies in terms of visitors, with more than 4 million guests per year.

All told, the U.S. national park system spans 84 million acres and encompasses everything from mountains to seashores to the White House.

While a majority of National Parks are free year round, the National Park Service offers a number of fee free events throughout the year at those parks that do require an admission fee.

There’s no better time to celebrate the beauty, diversity and history of America’s 394 parks than during National Park Week, April 16-24, 2011. The parks will be waiving entrance fees everywhere and holding special events ranging from scavenger hunts to guided nature hikes.

Other remaining fee free days in 2011 include: June 21 (first day of summer), Sept. 24 (Public Lands Day) and Nov. 11-13 (Veteran’s Day weekend).

A long list of National Parks offer visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service Family as Junior Rangers. Interested students can complete a series of activities during their park visit, share their answers with a real park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger badge or patch and a Junior Ranger certificate.

For more information on the U.S. national parks, visit www.nps.gov. Or go to www.westgatereservations.com for the latest on the Great Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, TN including discount Gatlinburg vacation packages.

When it comes to spectacular scenery, the Gatlinburg, Tennessee area has much to offer, including sweeping vistas, colorful wildflowers and miles of rolling mountains.

Located adjacent to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg remains a popular destination among Tennessee’s mountain villages, and for good reason. It’s also home to many of the area’s most scenic viewpoints.

Gatlinburg visitors can take a glass elevator more than 400 feet up to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle where an observation deck provides a vivid and wondrous 360° view of the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. You’ll also enjoy a distinct bird’s eye view of Gatlinburg. The view is a panorama of beauty during any season, any time of the year.

Another popular viewpoint is from the Gatlinburg Sky Lift. Climb aboard the Lift and you’ll glide peacefully over the Little Pigeon River on a slow and spectacular 500-foot ascent to the top of Crockett Mountain. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled on the landscape below you as the mountain terrain is also home to a variety of wildlife.

You’ll find a truly awe-inspiring view of the Great Smoky Mountains and Douglass Reservoir from the upper viewing area at Douglass Reservoir Overlook. Meanwhile, the lower overlook offers a picture perfect view of Douglas Dam and the French Broad River Basin.  

Inside The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll also find Laurel Falls. One of the area’s most scenic hiking trails, this 1.3 mile pathway was originally built in 1935. The wide trail is completely paved and easily traveled by all ages until it reaches the 75-foot Laurel Falls. Beyond the falls, the trail is less heavily used and ascends through mostly virgin forest to a fire tower on Cove Mountain.

You’ll also find amazing mountain and creek views from your villa at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg. For more information on discount accommodations, visit www.westgatereservations.com today.

Springtime is a time for rebirth in Gatlinburg’s Great Smoky Mountains. Flowers pop out of the ground in vivid colors. Trees turn green with a burst of new growth and leaves. Birds chirp and other wildlife begins emerging from a winter slumber. Frost and snow melts from the high country and sends water cascading down spectacular water falls.

While the Smoky Mountains are best known for the brilliant fall color season, spring may be an even more beautiful time to experience the Gatlinburg area. In addition to the amazing scenery that surrounds you, you’ll also find an abundance of spring events and activities that highlight the town’s annual Springfest celebration from March 11 - June 6, 2011.

Throughout this three-month celebration, Gatlinburg visitors and experience the transformation into spring. While the mountainsides explode in color with wildflowers, Gatlinburg’s streets also bloom with baskets of flowers and plants throughout the city. Live entertainment can be found along city sidewalks, providing a welcoming atmosphere.

Members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community will display their beautiful and unique handcrafted wares at the Gatlinburg Convention Center during the annual Easter Arts & Crafts Show held April 21-24, 2011.

On Easter morning, April 24, visitors can also join in the local tradition and attend Ober Gatlinburg’s 13th annual Easter Sunrise Service. Starting at 5:45 am, you can enjoy a free tram ride to the mountain where the Easter service takes place at 6:30 a.m. Complimentary parking at the resort is also provided for those who prefer to drive. A breakfast buffet is also available at the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant.

Another popular Gatlinburg event is the annual Ribfest and Wings celebration on April 28. The smell of hickory-smoked barbeque fills the air and you’ll have an opportunity to sample secret sauces on delectable ribs and wings from more than twenty vendors from all over the Southeast. The festive downtown party also features free entertainment.

The 61st Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage takes place April 27 through May 1. This event is ideal for hikers and nature lovers and offers the chance to see the Smoky Mountains’ delicate wildflowers in bloom. The five-day event offers more than 150 different hiking tours of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, as well as exhibitions, demonstrations, classroom lectures and motor excursions.

Gatlinburg’s bevy of Spring events continues May 13-14 with the Scottish Highland Games. All Scots are invited to join in the Scottish parade to kick off the event. Following the parade, Mills Park in Gatlinburg becomes competitive ground for the annual Scottish Festival & Games where clans meet and activities feature Highland athletic events, bagpipe competitions, highland dancing, border collie demonstrations, entertainment and whiskey tasting, along with food and merchandise vendors.       

Finally, the Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival, a family-oriented festival featuring juried artists from around the country, takes place on Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza and River Road, May 14-15, 2011.

It’s all part of the fun and entertainment that fills the Gatlinburg area in springtime. For more on these events or to get information on discount Gatlinburg vacation packages and accommodations, please visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/ or http://www.gatlinburgvacationstore.com/.

Stumble it!

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.

Gatlinburg, TN offers fun for everyone, any time of year. Now’s the time to head for Gatlinburg for some serious winter fun, starting with Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort, located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.

With 8 trails serviced by two quad and one double chairlift, Ober Gatlinburg keeps you on the well groomed slopes. Or, those looking for fast thrills while sitting down, check out the snow tubing area.

Take the 120 passenger Aerial Tramway to the top of Ober Gatlinburg and you’ll also discover a fun-filled mall and amusement park complete with an alpine slide, indoor ice skating, restaurants, shopping and more.

You can experience a discount Gatlinburg vacation package any time of year. But winter offers a unique opportunity to get out and enjoy the snow like never before!

Check out www.WestgateReservations.com for special discount rates at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, TN. The resort even offers an amazing indoor water park - Wild Bear Falls - for year-round swimming fun.

Gatlinburg discount vacation packages can also be found at www.GatlinburgVacationStore.com.