How Long Has It Been Since You've Had a Smoky Mountains Vacation?

A Smoky Mountains Vacation A Smoky Mountains Vacation is a rite of passage for many Americans. If it has been several years since you have been in Smoky Mountain TN, you should start planning a return trip. The Great Smoky Mountains feature ancient mountains, old-growth forests, striking...
How Long Has It Been Since You"ve Had a Smoky Mountains Vacation?

A Sweet Smoky Mountains Vacation Experience

A Sweet Smoky Mountains Vacation Experience The Smoky Mountains vacation memories for many are a combination of fantastic mountain views, great outdoor experiences, and the southern specialty foods especially sweet treats enjoyed. The area around Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg are a...
A Sweet Smoky Mountains Vacation Experience

Dollywood New Additions Planned in 2013 and 2014

Dollywood New Additions Planned in 2013 Dollywood, located in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, has some exciting changes and additions in store for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. These changes are sure to equal more fun for the entire family. Here is a highlight of some of these...
Dollywood New Additions Planned in 2013 and 2014

Behind The Scenes Of Jim Cameron's Titanic Pigeon Forge TN

Behind The Scenes Of Jim Cameron’s Titanic Pigeon Forge TN Visitors to the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN are thrilled by an exhibit on display from January 23 – December 31 which allows them to take a behind the scenes tour of the making of the world-famous Titanic movie....
Behind The Scenes Of Jim Cameron"s Titanic Pigeon Forge TN

The Edge Conference Pigeon Forge TN

The Edge Conference The Edge Conference is scheduled to be held from January 14, 2013 through January 16, 2013 at the Grand Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Because the event is taking place in the heart of this popular Smoky Mountains town, there is plenty for...
The Edge Conference Pigeon Forge TN

Titanic Pigeon Forge Museum Hosts 3rd Annual Ice Carving Contest

Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge Annual Ice Carving Contest The Titanic Pigeon Forge Museum will be hosting its 3rd annual ice carving competition on Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. World famous ice sculptors will be given 250-pound blocks of ice to turn into incredible creations...
Titanic Pigeon Forge Museum Hosts 3rd Annual Ice Carving Contest

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2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week 22nd Annual

Wilderness Wildlife Week When it comes to experiencing natural beauty, diverse wildlife and beautiful hikes, not many destinations in the United States can come close to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. One of the best ways to enjoy...
2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week 22nd Annual

TN Vacation To Tour All The Best Displays of Christmas Lights

TN Vacation To Tour All The Best Displays of Christmas Lights There’s no better place to plan a holiday vacation to see the best displays of Christmas lights than a TN vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains. Pack up your bags and travel to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a wide range of...
TN Vacation To Tour All The Best Displays of Christmas Lights

Trolley Tour of Winterfest Lights 2012

Winterfest Lights The Winterfest Lights Trolley Tour is an amazing way to experience the holiday magic throughout the Great Smoky Mountains without having to do any driving yourself. Hop aboard an enclosed trolley car at the Fun Time Trolley Station in Patriot Park and be whisked away to view...
Trolley Tour of Winterfest Lights 2012

Tennessee Winter Special Olympics 2013

The Tennessee Winter Special Olympics 2013 with be held from January 29 through January 30 at Ober Gatlinburg for it’s 28th annual year. Thousands of athletes with disabilities gather at this event to showcase their skills in sporting event competitions. Special Olympic athletes have a real passion for what they do and live up to their highest potentials both on the field and off. Not only are the Special Olympics about competing with one another for medals and prizes, but it is also about having fun, meeting new friends, becoming part of a team and learning new skills along the way. Children and adults are urged to train for the Tennessee Winter Special Olympics which offer three different events to compete in.

Read full post: Tennessee Winter Special Olympics 2013

Night Magic Skiing In Gatlinburg TN

A special time awaits visitors with Night Magic Skiing In Gatlinburg TN from January 2nd through 31st. Visitors can purchase lift tickets to Night Magic Skiing at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park from 6 PM to 10 PM, Monday through Friday. The resort is located at 1001 Parkway #2 in Gatlinburg. Night Skiing in Gatlinburg TN is a unique way to enjoy the scenery of the Smokey Mountains. The snowy white snows glisten in stark contrast to the dark silhouettes of the surrounding trees. Lights have been installed along the slope so that the entire family can participate in Night Skiing. Both skiers and snowboards can slide down the mountain well in the night during the event. Night Skiing is an exciting answer to the question of what to do at night in the Gatlinburg. 

Night Magic Skiing In Gatlinburg TN

Visitors to the Ober Gatlinburg Resort can also enjoy the facilities daytime skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, tubing, scenic chairlift, wildlife encounter, carousel, chair swing, arcade gaming center, shopping, and dining. Winter sport lesson are taught at the facility for those who want to hone their skills before Night Skiing. A visit to the Ober Gatlinburg Resort should include a ride on the scenic aerial tramway, which provides a majestic panoramic view of Gatlinburg and the surrounding gorgous Smokey Mountains.

Gatlinburg is also home to many distinctive fun-filled attractions like the Guinness World of Records Museum, Gatlinburg Ziplines Family Adventure, Haunting A Live Ghost Show, Hollywood Star Cars Museum, Mysterious Mansion of Gatlinburg, Motion Ride Movie Theater, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokey’s, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, and Shoot Em Up Cinema. Scrumptious culinary delights can be found at Gatlinburg area restaurants like the Cherokee Grill, Hard Rock Café, The Peddler Steakhouse, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Smokey Mountain Brewery, and Park Grill Steakhouse. Area shopping is plentiful in Gatlinburg at centers like the Mountain Mall Shopping Center, Village Shopping Center, and Park Plaza Shopping Center as well as many quaint boutique and gift shops in downtown Gatlinburg.

A great way to end a Night Skiing in Gatlinburg TN excursion is by relaxing at a Gatlinburg Cabin Rental with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and sugar cookies. Gatlinburg Cabin Rental options feature a wonderful array of amenities such as fireplaces and hot tubs. Both are ideal for winding down after a thrilling night of skiing. Rentals are available near Night Skiing as well as close to other Gatlinburg area attractions.

Night Magic Skiing In Gatlinburg TN

Smoky Mountain Student Bible Conference 2013

The Smoky Mountain Student Bible Conference 2013 is the place to be! This year’s conference, themed “Nothing to Lose,” provides an excellent opportunity for Christian students to get inspired and to recharge their passion for serving Christ. In attendance will be excellent speakers and top notch entertainment. Speakers include Scott Dawson, David Nasser, Ergun Caner, Brent Crowe, and Tony Nolan. Entertainment and worship leaders include the award-winning David Crowder Band, KJ-52, Kari Jobe, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Papa, Rush of Fools, Bethany Barr Phillips, Brett Younker, and Trip Lee. It is sure to be an exciting event!

During students’ free time, they will be able to explore Pigeon Forge. The question of “What to do in Pigeon Forge?” can be easily answered. There is plenty to do in Pigeon Forge! If you are up for a little fun and competition, there are opportunities for go cart racing, arcades, laser tag and miniature golf. There are many museums including the Titanic Museum where you can go back in time and become a passenger on the ill-fated luxury liner. Pigeon Forge has a plethora of shopping opportunities including the Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall and Pigeon River Crossing. Since you will definitely work up an appetite after all of this fun, dining options abound including the infamous dinner theater extravaganza The Dixie Stampede.

If asking the question “What to do in Sevierville?” the answer is the same. There is plenty to do in Sevierville! Floyd Garret’s Muscle Car Museum showcases more than 90 muscle cars. For thrill seekers, there are the Adventure Ziplines and Wahoo Ziplines. The renowned Rainforest Adventure Zoo houses over 600 exotic animals from rainforests all over the world. If you’re up for some putt-putt golf, there is Ripley’s Old MacDonald’s Farm Mini Golf. As with Pigeon Forge, Sevierville also offers all kinds of shopping experiences. From outlet malls to antique stores and flea markets, it is all available. Dining options include everything from popular chains to locally owned eateries.

Both Cities offer plenty of lodging accommodations ranging from rustic cabins to chain motels. There is an option that will fit any budget. So come for the Smoky Mountain Student Bible Conference 2013. Have your spirit lifted and your soul engaged. During your free time, enjoy all the Pigeon and Sevierville have to offer. Go home refreshed and ready to start anew. After all, you have nothing to lose!

Smoky Mountain Student Bible Conference 2013

2013 Knoxville RV Super Show

2013 Knoxville RV Super Show

The 2013 Knoxville RV Super Show will be held January 11th-13 at the Sevierville Events Center in Sevierville, Tennessee. Sponsored by Island View Casino Resort and Blue Sky RV Insurance, the show will feature the newest models in recreational vehicles as well as travel trailers, toy haulers, motor homes, and fifth wheels. Shoppers can view and purchase the new 2013 models as well as score excellent deals on new 2012 models. The RV Super Show will be open from 10am until 8pm on Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s hours are 10am to 5pm. Admission is only $7.00 per person and children under 12 years old enter for free. Parking is also free of charge.

Hundreds of vendors will also be on hand with products to fully outfit any type of recreational vehicle. Special guests include television celebrities from popular reality shows, and this year’s hosts are Paul Bedard from Animal Planet’s “Gator Boys” and Greg Remsburg from Discovery Channel’s “Gold Rush.” A new feature this year is a NASCAR interactive experience which includes a race simulator, a full size NASCAR racing car, and a full scale tire change setup.

Tickets can be purchased at the show or can be purchased in advance from the show website. Visitors can save $1.00 off the admission price by purchasing their tickets online in advance. The Sevierville Events Center is located at The Wilderness at The Smokies on Gist Creek Road. The Knoxville RV Super Show is located completely indoors, making it easy for those with disabilities or wheelchairs to enjoy the show comfortably.

If you’re looking for what to do in Sevierville after the show, there are many shows and theaters to entertain all ages. From family and comedy shows to productions that pay tribute to music and entertainment legends, there truly is something for everyone. There are also hundreds of dining options to choose from as well as multiple lodging choices.

The RV show is also conveniently located close to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Visitors can choose their entertainment from a wide variety of shows, museums, wineries, and specialty shops. All amenities are generally within walking distance, and Pigeon Forge offers a convenient trolley system for traveling the strip with ease. For those searching for what to do in Pigeon Forge, the options are endless!

2013 Knoxville RV Super Show

Student Celebrations Connect

Student Celebrations Connect

Dec 27-29, 2012 Student Celebrations Connect will be held at the Sevierville Convention Center. What an awesome way to add to your holiday celebrations and finish the year by coming together with others of your age and faith to focus on making your life the best it can be. This year’s student celebrations connect conference starting at 6:00 pm on Thursday the 27 with all main sessions starting with music by Brett Younker.  Featured theme for 2012 is “All This For Love” based on 2 Corinthians 5:15. Guest hosts for the event are: Toby Mac, Lecrae, Jeremy Camp, Brett Younker, David Nasser, Kyle, Idleman, Zach Hunter, and Duffy Robbins.

The student celebrations connect is a time that as high school students and college students you can be encouraged to live unashamedly for Christ and refocus your life to live fully encompassing your faith in all you do. Taking time to get away from your normal everyday routine and surroundings to be surrounded by like-minded people and encouraged and uplifted by scripture based studies and music.

You may register at the door for the event for $79 per person.  Lodging must be made on your own and you can find many options in the area to stay in hotels or get a group together and share a cabin or condo.

While student celebrations connect events are taking place there will also be leadership training opportunities with Duffy Robbins in the ballroom across the hall.  This is an opportunity to get a better understanding or just to refocus for those that want a better understanding of your teenager or those that you work with.

Fun and Games

When you are not participating in the events of the student celebrations connect you can enjoy the recreation of the facilities at the Sevierville Convention Center.  The convention center offers lodging accommodations onsite that is built around an indoor water park Wilderness of the Smokies featuring a wave pool, several water slides, surfing, and a children’s play area.  In addition to the indoor water park you will have an arcade and bowling onsite to stay entertained.  The property also has restaraunts and snack concessions onsite.

 

Student Celebrations Connect

Parker's Knife Collections

Parker’s Knife Collections

The Parker’s Knife Collections convention is scheduled to be held on December 6th through the 8th of 2012 at the Sevierville Convention Center in Sevierville, Tennessee. Located just minutes away from the popular Smoky Mountain town of Pigeon Forge, there is plenty to see, do and enjoy in the area when visiting for the convention. This premiere antique knife show is one of the best in the country and can only be found in the Great Smoky Mountain area.

This year’s Parker’s Knife Collections show will be held at the brand new, state-of-the-art facility, the Sevierville Convention Center. Located directly off of Route 66, visitors will easily be able to find the convention for their convenience. Hundreds of vendors set up their tables inside of the convention center to bring visitors a wide range of the finest knives and hunting related items for sale. Purchase antique knives, make trades with other vendors and meet other individuals who have the same interests as you do. Many attend the convention simply to look around and browse the items for sale.

Vendors and collectors at the Parker’s Knife Collections show are highly knowledgeable hobbyists. Whether you’re searching for a pocket knife or a particular knife, you are sure to find it while browsing the convention vendor tables. Many of these vendors have been collecting since they were children and have lots of stories to share about their finds. This knife show has been around for the last 20 years and continues to expand today.

What to do in Sevierville
When attending the Parker’s Knife Collections show, visitors will find lots to see and explore in the area. From exciting day time attractions to nightly spectacular shows, everyone will find something to enjoy here. Fishing and hiking trails, 18-hole golf courses, shops and restaurants are just some things that you will find in Sevierville when attending the knife show.

What to do in Pigeon Forge
During your visit to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, you’ll find an abundance of activities to keep each traveler entertained. The Dollywood amusement park is one of the most popular attractions in the south, offering many different rides, shows and experiences for adults and children. Rock climbing, mountain biking and zip-lining are just a few fun outdoor activities that can be enjoyed in Pigeon Forge. Other popular things to do here include the Titanic Museum Attraction and WonderWorks.

Parker"s Knife Collections

Resurrection 2013 Puts Focus On Participants' Relationship With God

Resurrection 2013 Puts Focus On Participants’ Relationship With God

Resurrection 2013 Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Resurrection 2013, a weekend of spiritual revitalization, is coming in January to the Gatlinburg, TN Convention Center. This important weekend retreat, geared toward middle school and high school students, strives to give youth a prime worship and growth experience and has done so since its inception nearly 20 years ago. The event has grown so large since its early days that it now requires two separate weekends of worship, fellowship and teaching to handle the more than 12,000 students and leaders who descend on the Gatlinburg Convention Center from around the area and even outside the state.

Resurrection 2013 is a time for youth to develop a closer relationship with God and with other youth group members as well as their leaders and mentors. In 2013, the youth conference will feature two separate sessions the weekend of January 18-20 and one session the weekend of January 25-27. In addition to dynamic speakers and rocking, celebratory music, participants have the opportunity to share their own talents during the conference via an audition process.

Prayer is an essential part of the Resurrection 2013 spiritual retreat. A prayer room will be available for anyone can use as needed, whether he’s a student or an adult leader. The Prayer Path, a special prayer labyrinth that includes multi-media presentations, will be offered to participants during Saturday sessions. The Prayer Path strives to help youth and adults alike deepen their relationships with the Lord as they examine their walks of faith. A Leaders Prayer Breakfast, scheduled before the Saturday morning sessions, helps the adult leaders and mentors lift up the needs of their groups and the retreat itself in prayer.

While the weekend retreat primarily focuses on the spiritual growth of the participants, there’s still time for fun and relaxation. Gatlinburg is a family vacation spot that offers a multitude of activities young people will enjoy. From go-karts to video game arcades, a museum dedicated to the cars of Hollywood stars, or Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies there are so many things to do that group members will have trouble choosing just one or two options. If the weather cooperates, groups may even be able to enjoy some skiing in Gatlinburg.

Lodging in Gatlinburg is group friendly. There are a number of large cabins available for weekend rental that can sleep from a dozen to over 50 people easily. These cabins have kitchen facilities that can be utilized to prepare meals as an alternative to purchasing restaurant meals. No matter what a youth groups’ needs are, accommodations are available that will help make members’ participation in Resurrection 2013 both memorable and life-changing.

Resurrection 2013 Puts Focus On Participants" Relationship With God

Cute Bear Really Waves Hello - Tips for spotting bears in the Smoky Mountains

Spotting black bears in the Smoky Mountains is something that you may want to do while you are in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park in their natural environment. Not many people get the chance to have a cute little bear wave at them though but one viewer got just so lucky and was also able to video it to share with you.

The bear in this video is not in the Smoky Mountains and is a Kodiak Bear.

Facts about black bears.

• Black bears are the only species of bear found in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
• Black bears is the second largest native mammal native to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, only slightly smaller than the elk.
• Black Bears can be found in forest areas from Maine to California and Canada to Mexico making them the species of bear in North America that has largest distribution area.
• Approximately 1,500 black bears are known to live in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
• Black bears prefer areas that are thick grown areas of the forest preferable with oak/hickory trees and the undergrowth from rhododendron, mountain laurel, and berry bushes give them both hiding and food sources.
• Black bears eat the acorns from white oak trees, the fruit from cherry trees, and berries from blackberry, blueberry, and huckleberry bushes.
• Black bears most important sensory is smell, they have more than a hundred times the smell receptors in their nose than a human nose. Black bears also have excellent hearing and see images in color but only see nearsighted.
• The largest male black bear ever captured in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park weighed 400 pounds and the largest female weighed 227 pounds.
• The Great Smoky Mountain National Park regulates that visitors cannot intentionally approach a black bear closer than 50 yards.

Tips for the best chances for spotting black bears in the Smoky Mountains.

• Black bears are naturally found in forest areas and are commonly seen where there are berry bushes or in white oak tress in the fall.
• Black Bears are more active at dawn and at dusk and will be more likely to be seen.
• Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park has a very high amount of berry bushes and plant life that attracts black bears. So not only is Cades Cove the easiest accessible area to humans that black bears may be it is also an area that has a higher density population of black bears.

Cute Bear Really Waves Hello - Tips for spotting bears in the Smoky Mountains

Crossroads Ministries 2013 Gatlinburg TN

Crossroads Ministries 2013 Gatlinburg TN

Crossroads Ministries is hosting a gathering of people on January 18th, 2013 through January 21, 2013 at the Gatlinburg, TN Convention Center. They are hosting a number of specialized events and activities. The goal of the Crossroads Ministries gathering is to help visitors to the event socialize with each other as well as better themselves physically and spiritually. The event is open to all ages.

There are a variety of activities scheduled during this event. These activities include fellowship, aerobics. weight-lifting, athletics, and other various programs.  Discussion, socialization, and the exchange of ideas is important because they contribute positively to the community. As such, fellowship will be offered to visitors of the event who wish to participate.

Many physical activities are planned for the Crossroads Ministries event. Athletics are an important part of learning teamwork and bettering ourselves and our lives. Weight-lifting and aerobics are among the physical activities that are scheduled for this event.

If you choose to attend the Crossroads Ministries event, and do not live in the immediate area, you may later find yourself thinking about what to do in Gatlinburg. The city is located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. Because of this, there are many outdoorsy activities for families to partake in during visits.

Hiking and trail walking are healthy family friendly activities to enjoy. There are many nature trails with excellent scenery in the area just waiting to be utilized. Fishing is another family friendly activity that the area is known for. Looking out over the sparkling mountain waters while bonding with friends and family is an amazing way to unwind at the end of the day.

If you’re looking more for indoor activities, there are many to choose from. These include but are not limited to laser tag, golf, putt-putt, rope climbing, ice skating, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, and the movies. These activities are always available in the area.

The Crossroads Ministries will provide many days of fun and fellowship for attendees. It will be an excellent way to boost physical, social, and spiritual needs. The event will be held at the Gatlinburg, Tennessee Convention Center which is located at 234 Airport Road in Gatlinburg, TN.

Crossroads Ministries 2013 Gatlinburg TN