Trolley Ride of Lights

Five dollars will get you more than just a footlong sub: In Gatlinburg, it can get you a ride on the Trolley Ride of Lights. From November 4 until January 30, you can enjoy a guided trolley ride of Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays. The departure of the trolley takes place from Mass Transit/ Trolley Center at Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza every night at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30. For more information, visit their website:http://www.ci.gatlinburg.tn.us/transit/trolley.htm

Cheese Cupboard & Hofbrauhaus Restaurant

Hungry for a good reuben? Do not hesitate anymore and visit the Cheese Cupboard and Hofbrauhaus Restaurant in Gatlinburg. The Cheese Cupboard is on the bottom floor of the building and has several different kinds of imported and domestic cheese. Upstairs, however, the building houses the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, a small restaurant that holds about six small tables. The Restaurant offers a little something for everyone with a menu including reuben sandwiches as well as brats and pretzels and everything is reasonably priced. To see a full menu and learn more about the Cheese Cupboard and Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, visit here http://thegreatsmokeymountainsparkway.com/_rest/gdhofbra.htm

Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival

Do you want to get into the Christmas spirit early? Then attend the Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, which runs from November 7th until January 2nd. Dollywood will demonstrate exactly how bright it can be with over four million Christmas lights. The festival also gets visitors in the mood with several Christmas shows. This year, Babes In Toyland and Christmas In The Smokies return as favorites from previous years. If you are looking for something for the little ones to enjoy, check out Santa’s Workshop, where larger-than-life-sized toys and an 18-foot Christmas tree provide wonder. For more information, visit their website : http://festivals.dollywood.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=95

Cycles in The Mountains: Rentals

Bicycling is one of the most enjoying activities to experience in the smokies. Bicycles can travel on most roads within the park and cyclists can traverse the parkway’s unfinished portions. Do not worry if you want to cycle in the smokies but are not able to find a bicycle to ride- Cades Cove offers a bicycle rental. The Cades Cove Bicycle Rental Office is open seven days a week and has a large assortment of single speed bicycles for rent by the hour. The rental office also has accessories and safety equipment for visitors to rent. If you are interested in renting a bicycle, visit their website: http://www.cadescove.net/bicycling_cades_cove.html

20th Annual WinterFest in Pigeon Forge

Looking for something fun to do in the mountains during the fall? Check out the 20th Annual Winterfest Kickoff in Sevierville. During this festival, you can experience the beautiful fireworks along with free food and entertainment. Winterfest also brings together local business like Dollywood, Christus Gardens, and Ripley’s aquarium to present the most festive Christmas light displays in East Tennessee. However, the festival is not just about twinkling lights. It also includes holiday shows, snow skiing at Ober Gatlinburg and great discounts on lodging. For more information, visit here:http://www.smokymountainwinterfest.com/

Winter Magic Cook-Off and Chili Cook-Off

Warm, mouth-watering chili during the cool fall: What could be better? On November 4 from 5 to 8 pm on River Road and Ripley’s Aqarium, Gatlinburg will be hosting the 20th Winter Magic Cook Off and Chili Cook Off. The event is highlighted by the LED Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights program and live entertainment. Over 20 vendors gather and serve up kettles of chili for everyone to sample. After sampling, the visitors will vote for the best chili and the winner will be awarded the People’s Choice Award. In addition to visitors voting, the judges will vote and award first place for Best Taste, Booth Presentation, Apron Design, and Most Unique Chili Name. For more information, click here.

Townsend Visitor Center

When visiting Townsend, the Townsend Visitor center is a great guide to the city. The center has several books dealing with hiking and hiking trails, buildings, and the history of the area. The visitor center also has several events such as art exhibits, assorted crafts, photography, and woodturning. For more information, click here.

Sweet Fanny Adams Theater and Music Hall

If you are ready for a show, check out Sweet Fanny Adams Theater. It is the best place for live comedy and musical entertainment in the mountains, and it was named a National Historic Treasure by the city of Gatlinburg. For ticketing and show information, visit http://www.sweetfannyadams.com/.

Because Tennessee has such rich culture and heritage, several places in the mountains have been designated as part of the Tennessee Heritage Trail. The trail was created to both preserve and share Tennessee’s culture and is divided into 3 parts. The Arts & Crafts Trail will show visitors the various creations of Tennessee’s past, including pottery, baskets and other folk art. The History Trail takes you back in time to meet the people and events that shaped the course of Tennessee culture, and Gatlinburg’s part of the this trail is of course, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The third trail, the Music Trail, exposes the different types of music in the region, including bluegrass, country, and other folk tunes. The locations on the Music Trail in Gatlinburg include The Old Heidelberg Dinner Show, Smoky Mountain Travelers and Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. Click here for more information and a complete list of locations.

Halloween in Gatlinburg

With beautiful fall colors and scary attractions, what better place to spend Halloween this year than in Gatlinburg?  One of the most frightful attractions is the Mysterious Mansion, which provides patrons with a walk through spooky hallways and passageways. The attraction also offers dungeons, witches and ghosts, and a moderate entry fee. Another ghoulish attraction is the Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, which offers an unbelievably scary tour of the old Grimsby and Streaper Casket Company. The adventure is filled with characters that go bump in the night and promises a good scare. If haunted houses are not your cup of tea, several stores in Gatlinburg offer trick or treating. The Old Smoky Candy Kitchen and The Village in Gatlinburg both hand out delicious treats for everyone to enjoy.