Featured Rental: Bear Footin

Bear Footin | 2BRs | Sleeps 6

Offered By: Cabins USA

Bear Footin' is a beautiful cabin located in the middle of Pigeon Forge and comes equipped with all the amenities you need. This Pin Oak Resort Cabin features amazing accessibility to all of the attractions of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg while maintaining the quiet mountain retreat we all love.


The fully equipped kitchen makes whipping up quick meals for the family easy while the barbeque grill offers a convenient and tasty way to cook those perfect steaks. Take advantage of the beautiful resort pool or play a friendly game of pool on your cabin's full-sized pool table.

Spend the nights relaxing in the hot tub or gathered around the fireplace watching a movie on the satellite system. Guests can even gaze at the stars in the comfortable rocking chairs on the deck. Whatever your plans may be, Bear Footin' is exactly what you need for a fun family vacation in the Smokies!

Featured Rental: Rocking Bear

Rocking Bear | 1BR | Sleeps 4

Offered By: Colonial Properties Cabin & Resort Vacation Rentals

Rocking Bear features the privacy you desire for your vacation getaway in the mountains, yet offers the convenience necessary to take full advantage of all the attractions. Cherish those special times with the person you love in this stunning two story log cabin located in Wears Valley.

You and your guest will enjoy a beautiful Smoky Mountain view, bubbling outdoor hot tub, and a romantic crackling fireplace. Cabin is conveniently located near Dollywood so you won't have to go far to have some fun.


After a day out in the National Park or shopping, come back and enjoy a fun-filled game of pool! Downstairs is a wonderful master suite with deck access and upstairs you will find a hidden murphy bed, just in case you have a few extra guests stop by.

Unwind after a busy day exploring the Smokies as you kick back and watch the cable TV or pop a movie in the DVD player. Step out onto one of the two decks and relax on the deck furniture as you barbeque on the grill or take advantage of the fully-equipped kitchen. This is the perfect place to spend your next mountain vacation!

Join the Crowd & Visit the Smokies

More Visitors Exploring the GSMNP in 2012

Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Are you thinking about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year? Well, you are definitely not alone! In fact, the visitation numbers in the GSMNP have already risen in comparison to last year. It's no wonder so many people have decided to travel to the area and discover the all magnificence the national park has to offer during the first half of this year already.

The temperatures were unseasonably warm during early spring, which meant great weather for all those adventurous outdoor activities the park is known for. The plant life bloomed early too, which has only enhanced the gorgeous atmosphere surrounding the majestic waterfalls and trails throughout the area. The GSMNP is the only free national park in the U.S., and gas prices have been lower in comparison to last year as well, which only makes it even more affordable for families to travel to the Smokies for vacation this year. The GSMNP is within a day's drive of one-third of the nation's population after all!

This summer, there have been some new additions in the area surrounding the park too. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge launched a brand-new roller coaster, Wild Eagle, which has drawn tourists from around the country. Many other attractions have also popped up in Pigeon Forge over the last year or so including the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud & Stunt Show, The Smoky Mountain Opry, and the Lumberjack Feud. Plus, the GSMNP was recently featured as one of America's Best Free Attractions according to Yahoo Travel.

The national park offers such a perfect location for so many family-friendly recreational activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, and swimming. Although the summer this year has been hotter than usual for the entire country as a whole, the elevation in the mountains does provide some relief from the heat as it tends to be several degrees cooler the higher you climb, and this just provides an even greater incentive for hikers to reach the summit! The creeks and waterways located throughout the park remain cool and chilly as well, and the tubing and rafting are still popular activities that help beat the heat of this steamy summer.

So, join the crowd and start planning your vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park soon. Although the summer is almost coming to a close, the fall foliage in the Smokies is always absolutely breathtaking, and the winter months provide a whole other slew of activities too. Every season is an enjoyable one here in the Smokies. Don't wait, bring your family and make some memories in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2012!

Featured Rental: Tennessee Homecoming

Tennessee Homecoming | 6BRs | Sleeps 21

Offered By: Mountains to Sea Vacation Rentals

TN Homecoming is just that, a beautiful Douglas Lakefront log cabin with PRIVATE POOL, that beckons you to just "LIVE HERE".

With 6 bedrooms and 3 baths appointed with antiques throughout, this home sleeps 21!!!! Large cathedral ceiling living room with massive stone fireplace has tons of seating and table great for card playing.

Decorated with "shabby chic" decor that is both eclectic and put together...you will just love sharing this home with friends and family. There is a large eat in kitchen with dining and den. A four seat Kiddy table that the old and young at heart will love playing games on. There is a TV in both living areas for those who want to watch different shows. The den has a sleeper sofa too.

This house is for any large family or group that loves being together and enjoys....did we mention.... a PRIVATE POOL!!!!!!

Large wrap around porch with picnic table and HOT TUB. Full front covered porch as well.

3 main level bedrooms with one queen and the other 2 are bunk rooms. Upstairs you will find a large Master Suite with private bath. 2 other bedrooms are located upstairs. Another bath is upstairs as well. One has a queen with the 2nd bedroom also including a double bed and sleeper sofa. There is so much sleeping that 4 families with kids could stay in this one home.

Located on the North Shore of Douglas Lake between Dandridge Point Marina and Swann's Marina, on a great cove for fishing...at least that's what we hear!!!! Quiet Cul-de-sac Street; nicely wooded and private too.

Come to TN Homecoming. You will be glad you did.

Experience the Interactive Penguin Exhibit

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Presents:

The Interactive Penguin Exhibit - Penguin Playhouse

Who knew there were penguins in the mountains? Well, they're here in the Smokies at Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg, and they are just waiting for you and your family to pay them a visit in their amazing interactive habitat! These adorable little guys love to splash around and entertain you, but you don't have to just watch them from a distance. Dive in and experience all the great features that this exhibit has to offer!

Kids can crawl through the tunnel and watch as the penguins swim overhead... adults can too, if they dare to squeeze through! There is even a bubble you can pop your head into for a 360 degree view from within the water which allows you to get up close and personal with them by checking them out from every angle! It's almost as if you are swimming along side them as you make your way through the clear underwater tunnels.

It's not easy to figure out which one is your favorite, but every penguins' spots are unique so you should be able to tell them apart from one another. To make it even easier to pick out your faves, each penguin wears an armband with its name printed on it, pink for girls, and blue for boys. You will have a blast trying to get a glimpse of their names as they swish on by right in front of your very eyes. The habitat expands both indoors and out, and visitors are encouraged to see the penguins in both atmospheres.

These munchkins aren't shy either. They will swim right up to the glass to greet you, face to beak. They love to put on a show for you too. They'll float, they'll dive, and they'll waddle their way into your heart. And these guys like to make noise too! This particular type of penguin, the African Black Footed Penguin, has sounds that are so distinct, you won't soon forget them.

For the real fanatics that just can't get enough of these cute little creatures, you can interact with a penguin without the glass separating you by having your very own personal "penguin encounter" which will provide you with access to actually pet a penguin and get your photo taken with one of these magnificent birds! (Additional fee is required). Did we mention these are special penguins that have a creative streak too? Also for a nominal fee, you can watch up close as one of the penguins paints you a piece of rare artwork! They will provide you with their signature autograph in the form of an 8x10 painting made up of their unique footprints!

So, if you are curious about learning more about penguins, then the most fun way to learn more about them is to visit the Penguin Playhouse at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, TN!

Featured Rental: A Walk in the Clouds

A Walk in the Clouds | 3BR | Sleeps 14

Offered By: Eden Crest Vacation Rentals

 A Walk in the Clouds is a beautiful three bedroom luxury cabin located mid way in The Preserve Resort and offering a spectacular view of the mountains. This cabin offers fun for everyone in the family. No matter if you want to relax and get away or enjoy the action packed attractions of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. You will also enjoy all the amenities offered by the resort itself including seasonal pool privileges. Come take A Walk in the Clouds and enjoy the spectacular views offered by this beautiful cabin.

Perched atop one of the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains, “A Walk In The Clouds” will make you feel like you can do anything in the world—even walk in the clouds! Step away from the everyday stresses of your normal life, and head for the hills of East Tennessee, destination “A Walk In The Clouds.”

This luxury, log cabin accommodates up to 14 people, so you can put together a fun-loving group and enjoy luxury, nature and first-rate entertainment together and be able to make all those back home jealous with your fabulous stories about “A Walk In The Clouds.”

Start your story off with tales of how you dominated the pool table and air hockey table in the game room and then exaggerate the size of the awesome fire you built in the beautiful stone fireplace in the great room. Recounting the beauty of the night sky as witnessed from your own hot tub on a private deck will surely elicit some jealous thoughts, as will the photos from the culinary masterpiece you created in the fully-equipped kitchen!

Since the cabin features all of the practical amenities you need for any length of stay, such as washer, dryer, central heat/air, free long distance and free Wi-Fi, you can concentrate all your efforts on having fun and creating stories to be retold for a lifetime.

For additional fairy-tale fodder, be sure to visit the unique attractions and entertainment options to be found in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Take in an energetic dinner show or make big waves at Dollywood’s Splash Country.

With all of these fabulous opportunities for fun, you will not soon forget the amazing time you had while enjoying “A Walk In The Clouds.”

Take Flight On Dollywood's Wild Eagle

Dollywood's Newest Addition:

America's First Wing Coaster - The Wild Eagle

If you are planning a trip to Pigeon Forge, you have got to check out the newest ride at Dollywood, the Wild Eagle! What's so special about this "wing coaster"? Well, it's the first of its kind in the U.S., so it's like nothing else you've experienced before. If you are a coaster fan, you are in for a wild ride you won't soon forget. You will literally be seated on the eagle's wings which reach out over either side of the tracks leaving only air above and below, and it literally feels as if you are surging high above the Smokies at lightening speed. Okay, maybe it's not really that fast, but a whopping 61 mph is fast enough, especially at an astounding 210 feet high! Plus, height and speed are only the beginning of the list when referring to all the great features this coater has to offer.

This ride isn't called "wild" for nothing, the 3,127 ft. track consists of an eerie climb, intense heart-dropping decline, vertical loop, zero-g roll, immelman, corkscrew, giant flatspin, camel back hill, and a spiraling figure-eight twist element all travelled in under 2.5 minutes leaving you exhilarated and craving to go at it again! So get ready to be whipped around in all directions, climbing, diving, and twisting around the track, with your arms and legs outstretched and exposed with nothing to confine or restrain them.

The Wild Eagle is fun for kids and adults alike, but there are some height restrictions you should be aware of before jumping in line to wait your turn just to ensure that you are within the limits. The minimum height allowed is 50 inches, and the maximum height is 78 inches (6 feet, 6 inches). Fortunately, the wait to board typically won't be too long though because both of the trains feature four seats in each row of the seven cars for a total of 28 riders on each train.

Dollywood chose the eagle theme for the ride not only because it encompassed the wing feature of the ride so well, but also to honor our nation with such an iconic symbol. In addition, the park also strived to draw attention to that fact that it's the homeland of the American Eagle Foundation, whose efforts have been instrumental in increasing the eagle population which spurred their removal from the endangered species list. In fact, the theme isn't restricted to the ride alone, it's carried throughout an entire section of the park. You can even see some our county's very own national birds in person in the eagle aviary at Dollywood!

It's sure is great to be able to feel a sense of patriotism as you glide along the tracks of this wild ride. If you aren't sure you're brave enough to fly on the edge of these eagle's wings just yet, you can simply check out the video below for a virtual ride. Then, if you decide you are ready to take to the sky on the Wild Eagle, hurry and head on over to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge to experience the full effect!

Featured Rental: The SS Wild West

The SS Wild West | 4BRs | Sleeps 10

Offered By: Little River Realty and Cabin Rentals

The SS Wild West features 3 levels loaded with amenities! This log cabin offers so much to do that you're bound to enjoy your vacation in the Smokies more than ever. Take in beauty of nature from the privacy of this wooded setting as you gaze through the wall of windows then step outside and sway on the swing or relax in the hot tub on the deck. Soak in the whirlpool tub at the end of a long day exploring the area attractions. Cozy up to either of the 2 gas log fireplaces on those cold winter nights or kick back and be entertained by any one of the six cable TVs, two DVD players, and the VHS player. Challenge your family and friends to a game on the pool table or foosball table.  Don't bother packing a ton of clothes, just throw a load in the stacked washer/dryer. Sit out on the deck at the picnic table and barbeque some food on the charcoal grill. Enjoy the convenience of having such easy access to this cabin off the main Wears Valley Road. With accommodations for up to 10 adults, this cabin rental is all you need for your family or friends to get together and make some memories that will last a lifetime!

Featured Rental: Arrow Point

Arrow Point | 1BR Cabin

Offered By: Diamond Mountain Rentals

Arrow Point is a beautiful 1 bedroom suite or couple's getaway with all the amenities including a large front deck with some outstanding seasonal (winter) views. The living area is complete with wood-burning fireplace, cable TV with DVD/VCR, wireless internet and ethernet cable available. This cabin features a fully-equipped kitchen and dining area. The master bedroom is complimented with queen log bed, cable TV and master bath with large stone border whirlpool tub, shower and double-sized vanity. A futon in the living area provides additional sleeping accommodations. Secluded and covered hot tub is on the back deck for the perfect relaxation. This cozy cabin is nestled in the heart of the Arts & Crafts Community and only 5 minutes from the Gatlinburg "strip".  It's the perfect cabin for a romantic getaway with that special someone!

Featured Rental: A Bear's View

A Bear's View | 2BRs | Sleeps 4

Offered By: The Chalet Company

A Bear's View is an extraordinary chalet rental that is ideal for your next vacation getaway! Any bear would be extremely lucky to get the chance to hibernate here! This Gatlinburg chalet is the perfect choice for two people or two couples that want to share vacation magic, "Paws Down"! This 2-level chalet is beautifully decorated and has mountain view. Internet access. Main level features living room with gas fireplace, TV/VCR/DVD, fully-equipped kitchen and dining area. 2 bedrooms each with king bed and TV. Full bath in hallway between bedrooms, but does not connect to bedrooms. Deck with charcoal grill and deck furniture. Upper Level is loft area that offers a spacious game room with pool table, sitting area, wet bar, TV and CD player. Bath with jacuzzi. Washer/Dryer. Enjoy the hot tub from the covered gazebo of this gorgeous chalet that faces the terrific mountain views on your next trip to the Smokies!

Fourth of July in the Smokies

Every year Gatlinburg kicks off Independence Day with its Fourth of July Midnight Parade, and families line the streets to watch the floats and marching bands go by in honor of our nation's heroes.

Since several thousand spectators travel to take part in this event every year, some folks begin lining up their chairs along the route early in the morning to claim their spots before the crowds stroll over.

The floats accumulate at the start of the parade route on the night of July 3rd and roll out as the clock strikes midnight and the 4th of July begins.

The night air comes alive with the sights and sounds provided by the parade entertainment. It is truly a spectacular event to take part in as soldiers, veterans, and military personnel from all five branches are represented at the front of the parade. Musicians from the 100th Army Band follow behind with a soundtrack of songs that captivate the American spirit of patriotism that this holiday represents.

Bands also perform concerts throughout the day on the fourth at Ripley's Aquarium Plaza and admission is free. Pigeon Forge will also host free concerts on the fourth as well.


About an hour after the sun sets, at approximately 10 p.m., the fireworks display will commence, and can be seen all throughout the downtown Gatlinburg area. The show will be about 20 minutes in duration.


It's no wonder nearly 100,000 spectators take part in these phenomenal events. The Smoky Mountain area is the perfect place to celebrate Independence Day in tribute to all who have served our wonderful country!