Tuesday, September 23, 2008

What to do if you have 1 day in Pigeon Forge, TN


If you are coming to the Smokey Mountains and only have one day to spend in the area maybe this article will give you a couple of ideas on how to make your one day in the area count! The Smokies consist of two major cities; Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Each city has many different attractions to offer. Pigeon Forge is more wide spread than Gatlinburg. The Gatlinburg area is more congested. Gatlinburg is just a small “strip” mainly. There are tons of small shops and bakeries to walk through and peruse. One of the main attractions in Gatlinburg is the Ripley’s museum and the Aquarium. There is plenty of dinner and shows in Pigeon Forge. Most of your arcades and malls are located within seconds from the main parkway in Pigeon Forge. Both cities though have great restaurants and offer either free or costly entertainment. It will depend on what kind of activities you are looking to do.
If you would prefer to be outdoors rather than shopping and resturants you could go white water rafting, tubing or kayaking. If you’re an animal lover, you could go horseback riding through the hills and valleys. There are tons of riding stables in Pigeon Forge. You can request a guide. The Pigeon River is a really good place to fish. You can purchase a fishing permit for Tennessee for a small fee. A very popular spot to hike would be Cades Cover. Cades Cove has many different trails to choose from. You could also stop and enjoy the streams along the road for time of laughter and serenity. Along the way you may run across a couple monuments and old churches. There is a lot of wildlife in the ark as well. The scenery is gorgeous and makes it a perfect area to hike in.
Don’t worry! If your idea of a good time is being inside away from animals and the weather you could take this opportunity to sit, relax and enjoy the show. Pigeon Forge is loaded with dinner and shows. Everything from country music shows, to acrobatic shows, magic shows, and more! One of the most popular dinner shows is the Dixie Stampede. This is a Dolly Parton attraction that will feed your belly as well as your heart with good times, good food and good family. Or check out the Comedy Barn where they will have you laughing all night with their humor. There is also some museums for some of your famous stars.
After your long day remember to stay in a cabin in pigeon forge for a great night sleep and a chance to get away from the noise and soak in your own private hot tub!!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Seasons of the Smokies


Each individual has different factors that depend on when they decide to take their vacation. Some prefer to wait till the warmer months to take their vacation rather than some tourist who prefer to take their vacation during the colder months. Most tourist head for the south during the summer to cool down and then up north for the winter to ski. That is not the circumstances in the Smokies. There are tons of things to do in both cold and warm temperatures. The Smokey Mountains is a terrific place to vacation during any season.

During the spring and fall months; tourist flock to the Smokey Mountain area. The scenery is absolutely breath taking. The foliage looks like a huge patched quit with all of the different colors on the leaves. The Harvest Festival begins in late September and ends at the end of October. Both communities really express their heritage throughout the fall months. On every corner the smaller shops have all of their handmade crafts and quilts on display.

The Smokey Mountain communities hold a huge variety of festivals during the different seasons. One festival that is very popular during winter is of course Winterfest. Both cities are lit up from end to end with lights and transform into a winter wonderland. Ober Gatlinburg is a very popular attraction during the winter, There are tons of activities that you and the family can enjoy. There is snowboarding, skiing, ice skating and so much more.

During the summer there is a lot of people that vacation in the Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge are. There is so many different outdoor activities to choose from. Many tourist come for white water rafting, fishing, or even hiking. The Smokies is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails around. There are plenty of streams and rivers to enjoy on those hot days. So no matter what season or temperature it is, there is always something to do in the Smokies!!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Nascar Speed Park has new owners!


The NASCAR speed park in Sevierville has been sold and is now under new ownership. This along with a few other attractions have been purchased by the same owner the PARC management team also recently purchased 5 other NASCAR speed parks in Myrtle Waves Water Park. The developer Burroughs & Chapin Company inc. is excited about expanding into the Smokey Mountain area. They will be working to enhance the families experiences while still keeping the entertainment at a great value for everyone.

They are also maintenance for the facility that encourage a clean safe atmosphere for the “leisure pursuits” of everyone who attends.

What they paid for this property was not released but we are sure that for the amount of people who visit Pigeon Forge every year that paid a good and fair price. There is no information that I could find about the former owners but I think that the park will do well with a new fresh face full of ideas for this attraction.

Other properties that PARC Management properties include but is not limited to Frontier City, Dairen Lake theme park, Magic & Crystal Falls and Splash town. It recently acquired seven former six flags properties in a transaction valued at about three hundred million dollars.

So be sure not to miss going by the Speed Park to visit and check out the new changes.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Vacation on a Budget in Pigeon Forge, TN


Why should going on a vacation break your wallet? There are several ways you can vacation and still get more for your money. It all starts with what you book and what time of the year you come. Some of the major attractions offer discount tickets so be sure you shop around for those. Eating out at restaurants is fun and helps the family cook have a vacation from cooking but eating at the cabin for some meals could help you save more money.

Pigeon Forge cabin rentals offers many cabins in the “cabins under $100” range. This means the rent cost is under $100 a night. If you don’t need all the extra amenities in your cabin to make your stay wonderful then these cabins are perfect for you. Just because you’re getting a cheaper price doesn’t mean you’re getting a cheap cabin though. Most of the “cabins under $100” are popular cabins and have amazing views. They all have hot tubs and fireplaces and some of the have pool tables. You’re still getting a great cabin but it’s not costing you an extra fortune. Going to the Smoky Mountains with a group of people could also cut your costs if you were to split the total cost. Coming during the low season can also save you money. Going when everyone else will be there such as the July 4th holiday, Thanksgiving, Spring Break, Christmas, etc. will cost you more also. If you go during the low season you pay a cheaper price and there are also not as many people in town. Prices are always inflated during peak times of the year.

Everyone wants to go to the major attractions while they’re in town but few people know that you could actually save a small portion of money at those places too. At the Gatlinburg Welcome Center you can get a coupon book that could take a dollar amount or percentage off from your total at the attraction. If you go in larger groups you could also get a group price. Sometimes booking in advance will also save you money and if you book on the internet you might get a deal as well.

We understand that everyone in the family goes on vacation, even the “family cook”. Yes, they do deserve a break from the kitchen but instead of eating out every meal why not cook at the cabin? This will save you money from having to pay for your meal and tip the waiter. Most of the cabins have fully equipped kitchens available for your use so why not use them?

There are many things you could do to save money while on this vacation to the Smokey’s. Things like parking at the trolley stop and riding a trolley everywhere, booking last minute to get a better deal, and carpooling will save you extra money as well. Just because you’re going on vacation doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune, and you shouldn’t have to.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Rebecca Romijin visits Pigeon Forge, TN

Rebecca Romijin can and visited the Great Smokey Mountains in Pigeon Forge, TN last week. She came from her home in New York city and was apparently drawn to the same type of things that everyone else is who vacations here, Dollywood. Romijin is inspired but Dolly’s life and her works, which many were originated from Pigeon Forge, TN. The area where Dolly Parton was born and raised. She specifically came for the benefit show on Sunday afternoon where she sat on the second row and sang along. She was also honored with a private meeting with Dolly before the show. Rebecca also attended the popular Dixie-Stampede. Where the north went against the south in a battle filled with tricks, fun and more. She had a wonderful time and a fun filled weekend in Pigeon Forge, TN an weekend she is sure not to easily forget.

For those of you who do not know Rebecca Romijn is a star on the hit show “Ugly Betty” where she plays a hot and sexy business owner. The show airs on ABC and has been running for several seasons. She is currently pregnant and getting ready to go on maternity leave. She is expecting twin girls in December.

Pigeon Forge, TN was proud to have her come and experience what so many people come across the world to find. The slowness and peacefulness of the Great Smokey Mountains of eastern TN. You will surely leave this small town rested!