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/

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.

All wineries offer free tours and wine tastings

Smoky Mountain Winery

Winery Square – Suite 2
450 Cherry Street
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Tasting Room:   (865) 436-0584

Mountain Valley Vineyards
2174 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 453-6334

Hillside Winery, Inc.
229 Collier Drive
Sevierville, Tennessee 37862

(865) 908-8482

Apple Barn Winery
220 Apple Valley Road
Sevierville, Tennessee 37862
(865) 428-6850

Albright Grove Trail

If you are looking for a longer, but still easy trail, check out Albright Grove Trail. It is about 7 miles in length and takes you through a forest of tulip poplar, maples, and beech trees. The trail is named after Horace Albright, an advisor to John D. Rockefeller and conservationist. For more information check out this website.

Bridal Veil Falls

Want to see a waterfall, but don’t feel like taking the hike? Bridal Veil Falls is one of the only waterfalls you can drive under. The water falls 120 ft over U.S. 64, so you can get a great view without leaving your car. There are other waterfalls in the area, so you can check this one out on the way! For more information, click here.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

If you want to hike, but are inexperienced or have small children, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest may be the place for you. The trail through the forest is only 2 miles long and has steps built into the trail. The hike should only take 1-2 hours. The forest is named after Joyce Kilmer, poet and World War I soldier who was killed in battle. For more information about the trail, click here.

Roaring Fork Motor Natural Trail

If you do not want to hike but still want to experience the wilderness of the Smokies, take a drive! Roaring Fork is perfect for a drive, offering 5 miles of scenic wilderness. You will see everything from old buildings to waterfalls as you drive through the deep forest. If you are planning to visit, booklets explaining numbered posts along the way are available at the start of the road. For more information, click here.

Annual Pumpkin Festival

 

Come discover the beauty of the Smokies this fall during the Annual Pumpkin Festival. Feast your eyes on the gorgeous landscapes that the mountains provide in the fall with many festivities and activities that this festival withholds. The Wears Valley Farmer’s Market presents the Annual Pumpkin Festival, running from September 15 through October 30, which is located in Wears Valley, TN. Nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, the festival offers a wide arrangement of seasonal mums to fresh produce and pumpkin carving. Along with arts and crafts, this festival has a wide assortment of happenings to satisfy any family’s desire. 

 

Capture the essence of fall this year during your trip into the Smokies with the Annual Pumpkin Festival: http://www.wearsvalley-farmersmarket.com/pumpkin-festival.html .

The Little River

The Little River provides around 51 miles of incredible scenery in the Southeast.  It begins in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and joins the Tennessee River and Fort Loudon Lake in Knox County.  Portions of the river are used for whitewater rafting and tubing while other portions are much calmer for fly fishing and wading.   The Little River brings people from all over for events like Trout Fest and tournaments.  Cabins line parts of the river for beautiful vacationing spots for those who love to be outdoors.

Wears Valley

Wears Valley is considered to be one of the most scenic areas surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains.  It has become a popular vacationing spot with all that it has to offer.  From visiting the Smokies to whitewater rafting and tubing Wears Valley offers something for every outdoor enthusiast.  The shops in Wears Valley are unique and fun places to visit as well.  Wears Valley provides something for every age group, and it’s very convenient to Gatlinburg – so you can take a day-trip and extend the magic of the Great Smoky Mountains.