Natural Beauty, Green Fun!

Everyone is looking for ways to stay green this summer. The Smoky Mountains provide plenty of activities for your vacation that will fill your lungs with fresh mountain air. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has hiking trails that range from a casual stroll to challenging mountainside adventures. If you'd like to save gas but let someone else do the walking for you, try a horseback trail ride through the mountains or rent an ATV for the afternoon in Townsend, TN.
Located near many of the luxury cabins offered by Great Cabins in the Smokies is Cades Cove, a treasure trove of waterfalls, breathtaking scenery and natural history. Early in the morning, you can stumble upon some of the wildlife of the smokies, such as deer and maybe even a bear or two.

There are other animals to find when traveling to the Smokies. Pigeon Forge is now home to the Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo. Boasting over 400 live animals, the Discovery Zoo is located off of Collier Drive, less than 15 miles from your luxurious Great Cabin in the Smokies. The Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo gives you an all-day passport to discovering animals you might never see in person. Another all-day adventure is WonderWorks. This upside-down adventure features a restaurant on-site, to save you gas and money!
Staying green while on vacation is possible when staying with Great Cabins In the Smokies! Order a custom-made fruit basket and relax in your hot-tub on the porch while enjoying the breathtaking nature all around you.

Summer Begins in the Smokies!

The kids are eagerly awaiting the final bell to ring to signal what they have been feeling for weeks: summer is here! And with summer comes family vacations and fun! The Smokies are surrounded by plenty of activities and adventures for your family to experience.

Friday, June 13 opens Dollywood's Kidsfest! Kidsfest features shows especially for the kids, such as the VeggieTales Live! show, returning again this year by popular demand. This year the Kratt brothers, featured in PBS' Zoobomafoo series, are joining the scene for Kidsfest.

Up and down the middle of Pigeon Forge, the Parkway is bursting at the seams with attractions. Dixie Stampede is premiering a newly choreographed show this season, featuring the Stampede of the Buffalo. In the center of Pigeon Forge you will find The Old Mill Square, a historical complex complete with restaurants, a bakery and creamery, a candy shop, a pottery shop, craft shops, and of course, a working mill, all of which are joined by cobblestone paths. The mill is one of the most photographed in the country, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you are looking for something a little more fast-paced, challenge your family to a shoot-out, futuristic style at one of the Lazer Tag facilities on the Parkway, Ultrazone and Lazerport. Lazerport features a state of the art lazertag arena as well as an arcade, go-carts, and black light mini-golf. If go-carts are your primary interest, check out the Nascar SpeedPark, where on June 25, Nascar racer Kasey Kahne will be appearing! Nascar SpeedPark boasts 8 tracks where you can show your kids how it's done.

East Tennessee is home to the Tennessee Smokies. However, these particular Smokies aren't exactly the tall mountainous formations with trees... you will find bears though! Big, huggable ones that will take pictures with you and lead you as you root, root, root for the home team. The Smokies are East Tennessee's minor league baseball team, and in June their season is in full-tilt. Taking on teams such as Chattanooga Lookouts and Mobile Bay Bears, this season promises exciting home games.

The Smokies is Arts & Crafts Heaven!

The Smoky Mountain area is famous for their local arts and crafts! While staying
with Great Cabin in the Smokies, you’ll want to be on the look out for
great souvenirs for yourself and friends back home.

Nestled just outside of Gatlinburg off Highway 321, you’ll discover a world of creative
talent and even be able to watch many local artists at work! Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community , also known as “The Glades”, is a famous gathering of unique shops with
everything from weavers, quilts, and candle makers to pottery straight from the clay.
Wood carvers, painters, and craftsmen of every kind are clustered together along a
picturesque drive through the mountains. This historic 8-mile loop, established in
1937, has been designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts and Crafts Trail. Clusters of shops, galleries, and artist’s workshops invite you to wander for hours. Many offer a glimpse
into the creation of their wares.


Visit a few of these diverse talents:

GLASS BLOWERS STUDIO - Hand-blown and sculptured glass, old
fashioned hand-blown Christmas ornaments. Watch the artist!
600 Glades Road.

JOHN COWDEN WOODCARVERS - 3 generations of woodcarvers!
Birds, animals, and figures. Fruit bowls, walking sticks, bird houses.
Follow the signs with the bear in blue overalls!

BACK PORCH GALLERY-Unique leaded stain glass panels made on site.
Original oil paintings, prints, and works of art. 522 Buckhorn Road.

LICKLOG HOLLOW BASKETS-Basket making of yesteryear and
treasures of tomorrow. Handcrafted Baskets, ironwork, folkart.
The community hosts 3 spectacular shows a year for vacationing
visitors, one of the largest being the Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival at
the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

Before you head back to your cabin, have lunch at one of these unique
Glades eateries:

MORNING MIST CAFÉ - Burgers, subs, sandwiches, salads and more
Dine inside or out. 601 Glades Road.

NIFTY FIFTIES CAFÉ - Dine in another decade! Bopper Burgers,
ChiliCheese Fries, Rockin Ribs, milkshakes, floats and sodas galore.
801 Glades Road.

WILD PLUM TEA ROOM - A special atmosphere. Children’s menu
available. Wine and beer. Lunch only.

COFFEE AND COMPANY - Roasted on site. Enjoy espresso, mochas,
capuccino. Fruit tea Frappes and Chai. Bakery treats and truffle.

In ANY season, Gatlinburg’s Arts and Crafts Community offers visitors
an exciting and colorful opportunity. You are always surrounded by
beauty while visiting your Great Cabin in the heart of the Smokies!

DOLLY PARTON PAYS TRIBUTE TO PORTER WAGONER AT DOLLYWOOD

Sevier County superstar Dolly Parton took some personal time off from her busy press schedule Saturday to celebrate the life and music of former television partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner. In her own Celebrity Theater, the singer spent an emotional and poignant afternoon singing the songs and sharing the stories of the time she and Porter spent together and the impact the legend had on all who surrounded him. Parton also took the opportunity to surprise manager, and original Wagon Master, Don Warden with an induction into the Missouri based Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. The Dollywood Theater was transformed with familiar sets from the long-running country music show and Dolly’s band, The Backwoods Boys, dressed in the signature costumes from the era. Dolly, herself, wore a Porter-inspired outfit to set the mood for the afternoon.“This won’t be a sad time,” she assured the crowd. “This will be a happy time!”

The private event was attended by Wagoner’s children and grand children and many of the Grand Ole Opry stars who had performed with him during his long and successful career. “The Porter Wagoner Show” debuted on syndicated television in 1960 and the flashy country star brought new talent Dolly Parton aboard in 1967. Parton credits his support and the popularity of their duets together, as the foundation of her own success. During the emotional memorial, Wagon Master steel guitar player Don Warden was surprised by Parton with a tribute of his own. Dressed in the original costume he wore on the famed show, Warden was gifted with a sculpture from Parton who described him as her “Angel on Earth” and told of his induction into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. When Dolly left the Porter Wagoner Show, Warden went with her as manager and has remained with her as an adviser through the years. This very special tribute marked the first time the two had performed together in 34 years. Eyes glistening with tears, Parton closed the memorial with the original version of her 1974 musical farewell to their partnership, “I Will Always Love You”. “Not a dry eye in the house,” says Sevierville media artist Jacob Timmons, who designed and manages Parton’s web empire. “The whole first row of the theater was Porter’s family, the second row was legends from the Grand Ole Opry. It was a powerful and moving expression of love”. Porter Wagoner died on October 28, 2007, in Nashville Tennessee. His career spanned seven decades.

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Bring on the Cars! It's the Pigeon Forge Rod Runs!

GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!!

Spring is in the air in Pigeon Forge, and a young man’s fancy turns to...
Hot Rods!
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is one of the most popular car show
destinations in the country and eager participants waste no time in
finding their favorite spot along the Parkway to watch the parade go
by. If your taste runs to classics, hot rods, and highly polished chrome;
Well, it just doesn’t get any better than this!

The kick-off event, SPRING GRAND ROD RUN, takes over the town
April 17-20. Fans start arriving the week before and Great Cabins in
the Smokies fill up fast. Every inch of parking space becomes part of
the show with vendors, workshops, and interactive displays sharing the
spotlight with acres of beautiful autos. Spend your afternoon browsing
down rows of immaculately restored and custom wheels....join the
parade in the evening. Checking out the spectators is almost as much
fun as the show!

APRIL 17-20 *SPRING GRAND ROD RUN: 3 straight days of classic
cars, good music, and fun folks take over the town of Pigeon Forge!
Still ready for more?

MAY 15-17 *30th ANNUAL CHEVY CLASSICS ROUND UP: Who
hasn’t dreamed of driving a hot ‘57 with all the accessories?

JUNE 6-7 *PONTIACS IN PIGEON FORGE CLASSICS: It’s all
about the fins! The bigger the better!

JUNE 17-18 *20th ANNUAL CAMARO, CHEVELLE, and NOVA
NATIONALS: A Southern Nationals Association Event.

JUNE 19-21 *GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS F-100 RUN. An all
FORD truck show. Nothing newer than 1979! 864-710-7844

JULY 25-26 *MUSTANG MADNESS: Sort of says it all!
Be prepared for heavy traffic and busy restaurants, and be sure to
book your Great Cabins lodging far in advance. Crowds are heavy, but the action-packed
experience is worth the effort. AH, the sweet smells of high-octane
fuel and burning rubber in the Springtime!!

STILL can’t get enough? Join Great Cabins in the Smokies in the Fall for:

SEPTEMBER 5-6 *SHADES OF THE PAST ROD RUN XXVI:
The REAL oldies! Rumble seats and Continental kits.

SEPTEMBER 10-14 *FALL GRAND ROD RUN: Classics and hot rods!

OCTOBER 17-18 *FALL CORVETTE EXPO: Sleek and Sassy!