What To Do On Your Winter Vacay
Posted by Leif Palmer in Pigeon Forge Attractions
Understandably, summer and fall are the peak times for travel here in the Great Smoky Mountains. The weather is warmer (or the leaves are changing colors), and the kids are usually out of school. It only makes sense that these are the times when most families plan their vacations and getaways in the mountains of East Tennessee.
But just because we're smack in the middle of winter doesn't mean you can't get a lot out of a winter vacation in the Smokies. Read on, and we'll lay out eight reasons why this is a great time of year to head for the mountains.
1. The mountains are always beautiful – Whether they're cloaked in green, transforming into a kaleidoscope of colors in fall or completely barren of foliage in winter, the Smoky Mountains are always majestic and awe-inspiring. In fact, the snow-capped peaks of winter make a terrific backdrop for those vacation photos.
2. Rates are lower on accommodations – While you're staying in a Tennessee cabin, lodging rates are generally less expensive in winter, making your stay a bigger overall value. We have a wide range of overnight rental properties available this time of year for any size function, and our location near Pigeon Forge, TN, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park makes Timbercreek Cabin Rentals an option worth considering.
3. Less traffic, shorter lines – Getting from Interstate 40 all the way through to the national park is much easier this time of year. Bumper-to-bumper traffic is a rarity, and at local attractions, restaurants and shops, the lines and waits are often nonexistent.
4. Most businesses are open year 'round – With a few exceptions (Dollywood, some hotels and music theaters), most tourist-oriented businesses are still open January through March. There are plenty of attractions, music theaters, restaurants and shops that stay open all year long. Even some outdoor attractions like horseback riding are still available. And as we mentioned above, you can generally expect shorter lines and waiting times at these businesses.
5. The national park – Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open year 'round, especially some of the more easily accessible areas like the Cades Cove auto loop. In winter, however, we do recommend checking the park website (http://www.nps.gov/grsm/) to see if any roads are closed due to inclement weather. And while it's OK to hike the trails in winter, we encourage you to exercise caution and make sure you're properly clothed and equipped for such a journey.
6. Winterfest lights – The communities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg keep their Winterfest celebrations running through February, which means you can see all the beautiful light displays through most of the winter season. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg offer trolley tours of the lights on a limited schedule beginning in January.
7. Special events – Winterfest also means lots of special events and festivals taking place in the Smokies in the early months of the year. Look for annual favorites like Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge and the New Year's Eve celebration at the downtown Gatlinburg Space Needle.
8. Shopping deals – The outlet malls around here are already known for offering great savings on name-brand merchandise, but after the holidays, many stores mark their inventory down even further, meaning you can pick up some really good deals. Who knows? Maybe this will be the year you get all your Christmas shopping done before summer.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in the Smoky Mountains. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.
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Gatlinburg Hiking Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge Attractions Places To Eat Places To Eat Rental Cabins Seasons Smoky Mountains Sevierville Smoky Mountain Attractions Smoky Mountains Things to Do Wears Valley