Christmas, a magical time meant to be spent with those dearest to you, making new memories and reminiscing over old ones, all while jolly tunes and the smell of fresh bake goods waft through the air. But getting everyone together for the holidays in one place can be quite the challenge, especially if your family unit is a large one. While having a gaggle of people over for the holidays, all rubbing elbows together in your cozy but ill-prepared space, can be great fun – it can also be a recipe for chaos. Take some of the stress out of Christmas this year (while also making it a holiday to remember) by planning an impromptu getaway for you and your loved ones to enjoy at Parkside Resort! (more…)

When you visit the Smoky Mountains, there’s so much to do and see – from scenic viewpoints deep in the wilderness of the mountains to the wacky fun attractions found along the Parkway in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. But did you realize that there’s a variety of shopping centers and boutique shops that offer the perfect excuse for you to break out the wallet? With the holidays upon us and the perfect souvenir out there just waiting for you to take it home, your trip to the Smokies is the perfect time to get some serious shopping done! To help make the decision of where to start, a little easier, we’ve gone ahead and put together a list of some of the most unique shopping centers and malls in the Smokies, ready to explore!  (more…)

Christmas in the Smoky Mountains has officially begun and with the arrival of this joyous time of year comes good old Chris Cringle himself. Santa Claus has disembarked from his sleigh for the season and can be found at many wonderful destinations around the Smokies! That means, no matter what your itinerary may hold for your trip to the land of blue smoke, planning a holiday excursion to visit Old Saint Nick with the little ones will be a breeze. Continue reading to learn more about some of the festive locations your kiddos can have a Smoky Mountain meet-and-great with Santa this year! (more…)

Almost 35 years ago, the clever folks of Sevier County devised a plan to increase tourism and encourage community involvement during the off-season. An accumulation of ideas, creativity and determination led to the opening of the very first Pigeon Forge Winterfest in 1989. Thanks to this festive and innovative idea, the winter season has become one of the busiest and most successful times of the year for the Smokies in terms of tourism – and for good reason. This dazzling and seemingly endless collection of holiday light displays spans over three cities, encompassing visitors in millions of sparkling lights and miles of garland and other holiday décor. Having started as a humble attempt to liven up the Smokies during the winter season, has since become one of the largest holiday attractions in the Southern United States and welcomes visitors from all over the world looking for a festive celebration like none other. (more…)

With the harvest season come and gone, Halloween decorations are being tucked away and replaced with festive Christmas décor. In no place is that more obvious, then in the Smokies, where Christmas comes to live and thrive for roughly two months out of the year (sometimes even longer). With miles of holiday light displays, Christmas shopping, festive-themed treats, specialty events and shows celebrating the season, there’s plenty of things to do in the Smoky Mountains to get you and your loved ones in the Christmas spirit! Everywhere you look, you’ll see holiday cheer embellishing practically every street corner in the mountain towns of Sevier County, but the wonderland that is Dollywood, brings a whole new meaning to “deck the halls.” Continue reading to explore the different wonderful attractions that come with the arrival of Christmas to Dollywood. (more…)

One of the many wonderful things about the Smoky Mountains area is the typically mild weather, regardless of the time of year. On average, during the winter months, you will experience low temperatures of roughly 30 degrees and high temperatures hovering around 50 degrees. While not as balmy as a tropical destination, the winter weather in Pigeon Forge still allows for many outdoor adventures – though you will want to add a few more layers to your wardrobe in order to fend off the chill. (more…)

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a truly unique place, from the geography, to the wildlife and native plants, to the myriad of distinct climates, and even the remnants of a complicated and rich history can be found all within the boundaries of the park. For this world-renowned destination, with it’s colorful past and environmental diversity, it’s almost impossible to see and experience everything the park has to offer in one person’s lifetime but that doesn’t mean you can’t at least try during your visit. While the typical methods of exploring the park are wonderful and worthwhile, like completing a self-guided driving tour or one of the predetermined hiking trips, there are also sorts of truly unique ways to experience the beauty and majesty of America’s most visited national park in the country. While we’ve discussed some great hiking trails and viewpoints that can (and should) be on your checklist during your trip to the Smokies, we’ve also curated a list of the top seven unique ways to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for an adventure you’ll never forget!

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Here in America, Thanksgiving often invokes memories of family gathered around a cramped dining room table, weighed down with all sorts of goodies – some homemade and others not, as jovial conversation and mouth-watering aromas fill the room. But it can be difficult, in our hectic lives, to set enough time aside to spend the holiday with family, let alone find the space to host all of them in one place. This year, make your Thanksgiving absolutely unforgettable, by bringing the family, friends and festive holiday celebration to Parkside Resort. Make an adventure out of the occasion and ensure that everyone in the party has new memories to cherish forever, and ones they never would have made at home.  (more…)

Starting October 21^st of this year, an entirely new and astonishing adventure is coming to Anakeesta, after the sun sets. The first of its kind in the United States, Astra Lumina is a magical luminary night walk that will provide visitors with an experience that is one-of-a-kind and entirely unpredictable. Using a combination of lights, music, video, interactive displays and immersive story-telling, lucky onlookers will be transported to another world, a sanctuary among the starts – without ever leaving the natural glory of the Great Smoky Mountains. (more…)

October in the Smoky Mountains is a time of beautiful fall foliage, harvest-themed treats, festive décor and countless seasonal activities. Besides getting you deep in the autumn mood, The Smokies provide all sorts of unique and entertaining ways to celebrate Halloween, all month long! From family-friendly attractions, to events geared towards older spook seekers, October in the Smokies has something to offer for everyone spending the harvest season in the Land of Blue Smoke. Read on to learn more about 11 great Halloween attractions to enjoy this year during your visit! (more…)