Dollywood to Host Barbeque & Bluegrass!

Dollywood’s immensely popular Barbeque & Bluegrass festival will take place August 19 through September 5, 2011, and feature 300 free concerts – all included with theme park admission. Highlights will include performances by some of the biggest names in bluegrass music such as Ricky Skaggs, Kentucky Thunder, Riders in the Sky, Rhonda Vincent and more! In addition, attendees can savor the “country’s tastiest barbeque.” For more information, visit www.dollywood.com.

Planning a vacation getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains? Check out the latest deals at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort! For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Gatlinburg Events for Fall-Winter 2011

Autumn Colors in the Smokies
September 15 – November 15, 2011
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
September 15 – October 31, 2011
Various Locales Throughout Gatlinburg

Taste of Autumn
September 15, 2011
Gatlinburg Convention Center

Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg
September 30 – October 31, 2011
Ober Gatlinburg

Ripley’s Fright Nights
October 1-31, 2011
Ripley’s Haunted Adventure

Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
October 6-23, 2011
Gatlinburg Convention Center

Trolley Ride of Lights
November 9, 2011 – January 30, 2012
Downtown Gatlinburg

Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff
November 9, 2011
Downtown Gatlinburg

Veteran’s Day Celebration
November 11, 2011
Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza

Festival of Trees
November 22-26, 2011
W.L. Mills Conference Center

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Holiday Show
November 22 – December 4, 2011
Gatlinburg Convention Center

Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
December 2, 2011
Downtown Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg Winter Magic
January 3 – February 28, 2012
Various Locales Throughout Gatlinburg

Planning a fall or winter vacation getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains? Check out the latest deals at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort! For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Planning to Visit the Smokies this Summer?

A picturesque mountain town full of fun adventures, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, serves as the principal gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest national park East of the Rocky Mountains and the most-visited national park in the United States. Gatlinburg also boasts fine art and antiques, mountain crafts, family-friendly restaurants and live entertainment.

Planning a vacation getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains? Check out the latest deals at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort! For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Dolly Parton at Dollywood

Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains? Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort provides the ideal locale for your Great Smoky Mountains getaway. Nestled on approximately 70 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort features the 60,000-square-foot Wild Bear Falls water park (the largest indoor water park in the South), two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, fitness facility and 24-hour marketplace. Enjoy award-winning barbecue at the casual Westgate Smokehouse Grill. The adjacent Mason Jar Lounge serves appetizers and snacks along with your favorite beverage. Escape to the Serenity Spa by Westgate and indulge in a mountain hot stone massage, manicure, pedicure or facial. For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Gatlinburg Day Trips

Appalachian Caverns
420 Cave Hill Road, Blountville, Tennessee
www.appacaverns.com

Bristol Caverns
1157 Bristol Caverns Highway, Bristol, Tennessee
www.bristolcaverns.com 

Knoxville Zoological Gardens
3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee
www.knoxville-zoo.org

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
3917 St. Elmo Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee
www.ridetheincline.com

Rock City Gardens
1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
www.seerockcity.com

Ruby Falls
1720 South Scenic Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee
www.rubyfalls.com

Tennessee Aquarium
One Broad Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee
www.tnaqua.org

Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains? Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort provides the ideal locale for your Great Smoky Mountains getaway. Nestled on approximately 70 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort features the 60,000-square-foot Wild Bear Falls water park (the largest indoor water park in the South), two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, fitness facility and 24-hour marketplace. Enjoy award-winning barbecue at the casual Westgate Smokehouse Grill. The adjacent Mason Jar Lounge serves appetizers and snacks along with your favorite beverage. Escape to the Serenity Spa by Westgate and indulge in a mountain hot stone massage, manicure, pedicure or facial. For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Barnstormer Video, Dollywood

Barnstormer is a new attraction at Dollywood, scheduled to open for the spring 2011 season!

Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains? Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort provides the ideal locale for your Great Smoky Mountains getaway. Nestled on approximately 70 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort features the 60,000-square-foot Wild Bear Falls water park (the largest indoor water park in the South), two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, fitness facility and 24-hour marketplace. Enjoy award-winning barbecue at the casual Westgate Smokehouse Grill. The adjacent Mason Jar Lounge serves appetizers and snacks along with your favorite beverage. Escape to the Serenity Spa by Westgate and indulge in a mountain hot stone massage, manicure, pedicure or facial. For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Top 10 Bizarre Attractions in the Smokies

CHRIST IN THE SMOKIES MUSEUM & GARDENS
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Formerly Christus Gardens, the Christ in the Smokies Museum features incredibly realistic life-size figures in dramatic settings depicting the life of Christ, a remarkable sculpture of Christ and gift shop. For more information about the Christ in the Smokies Museum, visit www.christinthesmokies.com.

COOTER’S PLACE
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
If you were a fan of the hit TV series Dukes of Hazzard, which ran from 1979-85, you won’t want Cooter’s Place, the brainchild of Ben Jones, who portrayed, Cooter Davenport, expert mechanic and loyal sidekick to the Duke boys. Cooter’s Place features exhibits and memorabilia such as the 1969 Dodge Charger known as the General Lee, Cooter’s Wrecker, Daisy’s Jeep and Roscoe P. Coltrane’s Police Car. Make sure to browse through Cooter’s Place General Store to pick up some Dukes of Hazzard souvenirs. For more information about Cooter’s Place, visit www.cootersplace.com.

DOLLY PARTON STATUE
Sevierville, Tennessee
Country music legend and entrepreneur Dolly Parton was born in nearby Locust Ridge on January 19, 1946, and Sevier County has graciously erected a life-size, bronze statue in her honor on the lawn of the county courthouse in downtown Sevierville.

ELVIS MUSEUM
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Billed as the “World’s Largest Private Collection of Elvis Memorabilia,” the Elvis Museum is a must-see attraction for fans of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” View such artifacts as Elvis’ cars, jewelry, costumes, guns and more during your self-guided tour. At the museum’s well-stocked gift shop you can start your own collection of Elvis memorabilia. For more information about the Elvis Museum, visit www.elvismuseums.com.

MUSEUM OF SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
At the world’s only salt and pepper museum, you can view more than 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers from around the world! For more information about the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers, visit www.thesaltandpeppershakermuseum.com.

SANTA’S LAND FAMILY THEME PARK & ZOO
Cherokee, North Carolina
At Santa’s Land, you and your family can celebrate Christmas every day! Highlights include a meet and greet with Santa Claus and his elves, rides (including the legendary Rudicoaster), exhibits, magic show and petting zoo. For more information about Santa’s Land, visit www.santaslandnc.com.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN CAR MUSEUM
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Automobile buffs will have a field day at the Smoky Mountain Car Museum, which features more than 30 famous autos on display such as Elvis Presley’s Mercedes Benz, James Bond’s 007 Aston Martin from Goldfinger, Al Capone’s bulletproof Cadillc, Hank Williams Jr.’s Silver Dollar Car, “Walking Tall” Sheriff Buford Pusser’s 1968 Olds Tornado and Billy Carter’s Service Truck. For more information about the Smoky Mountain Car Museum, visit www.mypigeonforge.com.

TITANIC PIGEON FORGE
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Titanic Pigeon Forge, a half-scale, permanent, three-deck reproduction of the Titanic, contains hundreds of Titanic artifacts in more than 20 galleries, as well as exact replicas of the Grand Staircase, a first-class suite, a third-class cabin and the bridge. For more information about Titanic Pigeon Forge, visit www.titanicpigeonforge.com.

WONDERWORKS
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Known as “Tennessee’s only upside-down attraction,” WonderWorks boasts more than 150 interactive exhibits, a hurricane simulator, virtual reality sports, lazer tag arena, illusion gallery, rock climbing wall, game room, gift shop and much more. For more information about WonderWorks, visit www.wonderworkstn.com.

ZORB SMOKY MOUNTAINS
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
For the “ride of your life,” check out Zorb globe riding and experience the ultimate thrill of rolling down a hill in a large inflatable globe! It’s a one-of-a-kind experience! For more information about ZORB Smoky Mountains, visit www.zorb.com/smoky.

Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains? Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort provides the ideal locale for your Great Smoky Mountains getaway. Nestled on approximately 70 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort features the 60,000-square-foot Wild Bear Falls water park (the largest indoor water park in the South), two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, fitness facility and 24-hour marketplace. Enjoy award-winning barbecue at the casual Westgate Smokehouse Grill. The adjacent Mason Jar Lounge serves appetizers and snacks along with your favorite beverage. Escape to the Serenity Spa by Westgate and indulge in a mountain hot stone massage, manicure, pedicure or facial. For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Fall Foliage Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains

One of the best (and busiest!) times to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is during the month of October – the peak season for fall foliage when the park comes alive with a blaze of brilliant red, orange and yellow leaves. Some of the best colors can be viewed along Newfound Gap Road, the 32-mile stretch of U.S. 441 that leisurely winds from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina. Beautiful fall scenery abounds within the 4,000-acre Cades Cove valley, which features preserved pioneer homesteads, historical churches, an old mill, hiking trails and an abundance of wildlife. However, be aware that Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove are also usually the most congested areas during this time of year.

Other prime leaf-peeping opportunities include Clingmans Dome Road, which winds up to 6,643-foot Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smoky Mountains; the Blue Ridge Parkway, which stretches 469 miles, connecting Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park with Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina; Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail; and the Foothills Parkway. Suggested hikes include the Appalachian Trail, Inspiration Point on Alum Cave Trail, Look Rock Tower, Oconaluftee River Trail and Sutton Ridge Overlook. Typically, fall colors in the Smokies usually reach their peak in the mid and lower elevations between mid-October and early November, during which visitors can view colorful trees such as hickory, red maple, scarlet oak, sugar maple and sweetgum.

For more information about fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains, visit the official Great Smoky Mountains National Park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fallcolor.htm.

With great weather, colorful foliage, a multitude of lively festivals and a diversity of accommodation choices, the Great Smoky Mountains provide the perfect fall vacation destination. The fall traveler can choose from either resorts, hotels and motels convenient to downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, or rustic cabins and chalets nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. For instance, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort offers great deals on spacious accommodations that provide easy access to Smoky Mountain area attractions, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood. For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com

Fall Festivities Abound in the Smoky Mountains

One of the best (and busiest!) times to visit the Great Smoky Mountains is during the month of October – the peak season for fall foliage when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park comes alive with a brilliant blaze of red, orange and yellow leaves, as well as fresh, crisp mountain air. Some of the best fall colors can be viewed along Newfound Gap Road, the scenic 32-mile stretch of U.S. 441 that winds the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina.

An abundance of festivals and special events also take place throughout the Smokies during the autumn months. For example, the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival (through October 31, 2010) features live entertainment, old-fashioned hayrides, local crafts and more. Dollywood’s Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration (through October 30, 2010) offers the best in Southern gospel music, along with the talents of more than 100 craftspeople. Named as one of the “Top 20 Events in the Southeastern United States” by the Southeast Tourism Society, the 34th-annual Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair (October 7-23, 2010) boasts more than 200 talented artists and craftspeople in the areas of pottery, woodworking, broommaking, stained glass, basketmaking and more. Old-fashioned Wagon Rides depart approximately every 45 minutes (seasonally) from the Mountain Mall at Traffic Light #6 in downtown Gatlinburg Sunday through Thursday from 5 PM to 9 PM.

In addition, fall is the perfect time to drive through the 8-5-mile loop that comprises the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, which contains numerous studios, shops and galleries. Founded in 1937, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community has evolved into the country’s largest organization of independent artisans. Mountain crafts that can be purchased here include woodcarving, pottery, quilting, painting, weaving, candlemaking, broommaking and more. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community lies just 3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg on U.S. 321 North.

With great weather, colorful foliage, a multitude of lively festivals and a diversity of accommodation choices, the Great Smoky Mountains provide the perfect fall vacation destination. The fall traveler can choose from either resorts, hotels and motels convenient to downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, or rustic cabins and chalets nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. For instance, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort offers great deals on spacious accommodations that provide easy access to Smoky Mountain area attractions, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood. For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

1987 Dollywood Commercial

Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains this fall? Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort provides the ideal locale for your Great Smoky Mountains getaway. Nestled on approximately 70 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort features the 60,000-square-foot Wild Bear Falls water park (the largest indoor water park in the South), two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, fitness facility and 24-hour marketplace. Enjoy award-winning barbecue at the casual Westgate Smokehouse Grill. The adjacent Mason Jar Lounge serves appetizers and snacks along with your favorite beverage. Escape to the Serenity Spa by Westgate and indulge in a mountain hot stone massage, manicure, pedicure or facial. For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.