The Bead Experience: Shop and Classes

  Personal gifts are a great way to show someone that you care for them, and what better gift to give than a personal bracelet or necklace? The Bead Experience in Gatlinburg has all different kinds of beads as well as classes you can take to learn how to make certain types of jewelry. Once at the store, you can choose from Sterling Silver, Italian, High Quality, and Semi-Precious Gemstones. The shop also has a full line of tool. Some of their classes include Beginner Glass Blowing and Beginner Fusing. For a complete list of classes as well as more information about the store, visit their website:http://www.beadxp.com/

Country Tonite Theatre

If you’re bored of seeing the same old shows in the smokies, then give the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge a try. Now in its 12th season, this high-energy production has received more awards than any other show in the smokies. The shows include singing, dancing, comedy, and gospel music. For more information, visit their website: http://www.countrytonitepf.com/

Riding Stables

Everyone has seen the old Western movies where men get from saloon to saloon by riding on a horse. Today, horseback riding has become less of something you see a movies and more of something you see people doing all the time. The Great Smoky Mountains has a beautiful view and several horseback-riding stables. The names and contact information are listed below.

 Smoky Mountain Riding Stables: located in Gatlinburg. To contact, call 865) 436-5634 or visit their website: http://www.smokymountainridingstables.com/

Cades Cove Riding Stables: located in Townsend. To contact, call (865) 448-9009.

Walden Creek Stables: located in Sevierville. To contact, call (865) 429-0411 or visit their website: http://www.waldencreekstables.com/

Sugarlands Riding Stables: located in Gatlinburg. To contact, call (865) 436-5634.

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/

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.

Metcalf Bottoms

Once a family farm, Metcalf Bottoms is now a large picnic area approximately 11 miles from Gatlinburg near the Little River. The picnic area is 24 feet by 60 feet and has a capacity of 70 people. Four grills are just outside the pavilion and there are 15 picnic tables for visitors to sit at. Patrons are able to rent out the pavilion from 8 am until 3:30 pm and then again from 4 to 8 pm. The area also offers fishing streams as well as a hiking trail. For more information, visit here.