Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
Have A Bearable Spring! Part 3
We've spent the past two weeks sharing information about what to do and not do in case you ever run into a black bear in the wild while visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This iconic symbol of the Smokies is a treasure here, but too often, negative human interactions threaten the lives not only of the people they encounter but also the bears themselves.
Have A Bearable Spring! Part 2
This week, we're continuing our deep dive into the world of the black bear, one of the many animal species that call Great Smoky Mountains National Park home. In our last post, we mentioned that as we get further into spring, the bear population will be emerging from its winter hibernation and set out in search of food. Mama bears and papa bears will be foraging for sustenance not only for themselves but for their cubs, which are often born during hibernation.
Have A Bearable Spring!
Now that we're heading into April, we can probably safely say that we are fully ensconced in spring, at least in terms of our general weather patterns. We've likely seen our last snowfall for a while, and we're starting to really see things warm up and bloom in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Springing Into A New Zipline Season!
Smoky Mountain Ziplines is excited to announce that we're open for our 2024 season. We've actually been at it for a few weeks, but now we're making it official. And boy, was our timing right. Our opening has lined up nicely with the arrival of spring, which has already been pretty kind to us in terms of weather. We've had some wonderful, seasonal and sunny days to ride the lines, and the overall outlook would seem to suggest that our chilliest days are behind us for a while.
Dollywood Is Open For Business
This past weekend marked the opening of Dollywood theme park's 39th season in the Great Smoky Mountains. Located in Pigeon Forge the park is undeniably the largest attraction in the area, drawing millions of visitors each year to experience its wide array of rides, attractions, shows, shops, eateries and festivals. This year, Dollywood's turnstiles opened on Saturday, March 9. We should also note that the park will be open more days this year than ever before - 280.
Food Trucks — A Smoky Mountain Dining Alternative
Anyone who has ever visited the Great Smoky Mountains knows that you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a place to eat. (We at Smoky Mountain Ziplines do not actually advocate the swinging of any cat, living or dead…) Restaurants in the Smokies number in the hundreds, offering visitors an almost mind-boggling array of choices. The options cover all types of cuisine, a broad area of locations and price points to fit any budget.
Your First Resorts For Smoky Mountain Lodging - Part Two
In our previous post, we introduced a subject that doesn't get as much discussion when it comes to choosing vacation accommodations in the Smokies. Most conversations tend to compare hotel and motel properties to those in the overnight rental market, such as cabins, chalets and condominiums. But last week, we threw another variable into the mix - the resort property.
Your First Resorts For Smoky Mountain Lodging - Part One
If you're toying with the idea of visiting the Great Smoky Mountains this year, it's not too early to start the planning process. Even if your arrival isn't until this summer or fall, getting a head start on making all the arrangements can ensure that you're not left out in the cold when it comes to air travel, accommodations or attractions.
Wintertime Fun In The Smokies
We're currently in one of those weird weather spells in the Smoky Mountains, a period of mild and comfortable temperatures just weeks after a big winter storm. The crazy thing about this place is that we could still get another big cold snap before spring arrives for good. We may even experience more snow accumulation within the next month. Anyone remember the Blizzard of '93? That didn't happen until mid-March.
Send A Smoky Mountain Valentine
There's only about a week left until Valentine's Day. A lucky few of you may already have mapped out how you want to spend that day with your spouse or significant other. But if you're like most, you probably are still squirming and sweating as the big day approaches. Maybe you're asking yourself questions like, “What's the best gift to give?” “Should we go out to dinner?” “Is there something special I can do to show my special person how I feel?”
More Fun Facts About Dolly Parton
In last week's blog, we held a belated birthday celebration of sorts for the one and only Dolly Parton by sharing a bunch of interesting facts about her life and work. The total list comprises 78 facts in all - in honor of her 78th birthday - half of which laid out in our previous post. We're back this week with 39 more tidbits of Dolly history, so next time you find yourself in a Dolly Parton trivia competition, you'll have no excuse for not winning.
Belated Happy Birthday To Dolly - Part 1
In all the hubbub about the snow and ice around here last week, some of you may have missed the fact that Dolly Parton recently turned 78. Naturally, that's of interest to us since she was born and raised right here in our neck of the woods. So in honor of her 78th birthday, we're belatedly going to share 78 facts about Dolly Parton (half this week, half next week). You might already be familiar with some of these, but we can almost guarantee that there will be a few on this list that are new to you.
Making The Most Of The Snow
If you're like those of us who live in the Great Smoky Mountains, you may have just received a lot of snow in your neck of the woods. For many, this latest Snowmageddon has caused its share of problems - power outages, burst plumbing, inability to get to stores, loss of wages and more. If you've been negatively affected in such a way, our hearts go out to you.
Hilariously Bad Reviews Of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
That's right; this post is all about BAD reviews of our beloved Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Do WE think the Smokies are a bad place to visit? Of course not; otherwise, we wouldn't have located out zipline attraction here! However, there are a few folks who have visited our area in recent years who weren't terribly impressed by their experience. And their comments are hilarious. It just goes to show you that one person's treasure is another person's trash. Although in this case, we can only laugh and shake our heads at what some of these people consider to be less than worthy.
Why Visit The Smokies Now?
It's over. The frenzy of shopping, making the rounds to visit family during Christmas, returning and exchanging unwanted gifts, staying up until midnight - or falling asleep on the couch - to ring in the new year. This is the week that life traditionally gets back to normal - or at least what most of us consider normal. Jobs resume, routines are re-established.
New Year's Eve In The Smokies
The holiday gauntlet continues this week with the departure of 2023 and the arrival of 2024. For many celebrants, that will include attending some sort of December 31 bash culminating with a high-spirited countdown to the new year. For others, that might mean staying at home and watching such festivities transpire on Times Square from the comfort of their living rooms.
Let Someone Else Do The Cooking This Christmas – Part 2
In our previous post, we suggested that perhaps you and yours take a break from cooking this year when it comes to your holiday meal. But rather than let your family go hungry, we followed up with a list of several Smoky Mountain-area restaurants that plan to be serving from their menus on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or both. This list included lots of great suggestions of mostly locally owned eateries in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.
Let Someone Else Do The Cooking This Christmas
Next to Thanksgiving, Christmas is one of the biggest holidays of the year that involve lots of food. Just as most of us did in November, families tend to gather each Christmas Day (or pretty close to it) for a celebratory/observational meal. But what if you and yours simply aren't relishing the idea of cooking another turkey or ham or whatever main dish you traditionally feature?
This Week In Winterfest
Last week, we offered some general suggestions for things that you and your family can do during the Winterfest celebration in the Great Smoky Mountains. These included outings like outlet-mall shopping, seeing live shows and touring the Winterfest light displays in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
5 Winterfest Must-Do Outings
Winterfest is in full swing in the Smokies. Through the end of February, the towns of Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg will be pulling out all the stops to make visitors' trips to the mountains ones that are full of holiday cheer. Millions of Winterfest lights and a heavy-duty slate of special events are just part of the formula that adds up to a magical experience in the Smokies.
Christmas Shopping Ideas'
With only weeks to go until Santa Claus makes his annual visit to our living rooms, we find ourselves in the midst of the holiday-shopping season. Whether we're trying to get our hands on this year's toy craze or trying to find the perfect gift for that special someone, it's the time of year when a lot of us go all out when it comes to retail spending.
Seasonal Santa Sightings
Yikes, we're only a little more than a month from Christmas. Those who haven't gotten much shopping done yet may be feeling a sense of urgency right now. But gift buying isn't the only component of the runup to the Christmas holiday. There are lots of fun things to do to celebrate the season and enjoy this magical time of year, especially if you get a chance to visit the Smokies in the next few weeks. Whether it's touring the Winterfest lights, seeing a holiday show at a music theater or visiting your favorite attraction, Christmas outings are always more fun in the mountains.
Smoky Mountain Christmas
Last week, we gave you an overview of some of the Winterfest kickoff ceremonies taking place in the Smokies this week. These events officially launch the four-month-long festival, which will run through the end of February. Highlights of the celebration will include millions of lights and light displays gleaming all throughout the county as well as holiday-themed music shows and special events taking place at businesses and civic institutions in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
Winterfest Returns To The Smokies
Where does the time go? It seems as if just days ago, we were enjoying balmy days in the Smokies, and then Halloween came and went. And now, everyone in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg is getting geared up for this year's edition of Winterfest - a four-month-long festival during which locals and visitors ramp up for a celebration of the Christmas holidays, winter and much more. If you'd like to know what's in store this year, keep reading, and we'll give you the 4-1-1.
Unique New Businesses In The Smokies
Anyone who's ever visited Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville more than once knows that new attractions, restaurants, shops and lodging properties are opening all the time. Often, these new businesses are just more of the same type of things that already exist in the Smokies. But sometimes, we hear about the debut of new ventures that seem to stand out.
Sports Illustrated Is Coming To Town
From time to time this past year, we have posted regular updates on our Facebook page concerning the 407: Gateway to Adventure development that is already well under way in Sevierville, just off Interstate 40, at exit 407. Visitors to the area have already seen the first phases of that project come online, including the new Buc-ee's location and construction on more than one hotel property.
Fall Foliage Forecast
We're starting to see some more tangible signs of fall in the Great Smoky Mountains: There's that pleasant nip in the air in the evenings and early mornings, and the midday highs are pleasant and comfortable. (Hint, hint: This is a wonderful time of year to try out our Smoky Mountain zip line and canopy tour.)
Have A Crafty Fall
The next time you drive through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, keep one thing in mind. Everything you see around you - every hotel, attraction, restaurant and retail establishment - is there because of crafts.
5 Ideas For An Early-Fall Day
For those of you who enjoy both summer and fall, September is definitely hitting the sweet spot. We can enjoy warmish days without oppressive humidity, but at the same time, the evenings and early mornings are pleasantly cool - ideal for an after-dinner outing or an a.m. workout.
Life Is A Picnic – Part Two
Is it just us, or has the weather recently taken a slight turn toward being more fall-like? It's been great to enjoy some milder temperatures and the release of the stranglehold that high humidity has had on this region for the past month or so. This recent change in meteorological fortune has made the idea of spending time outside a lot more tolerable than it was just a couple of weeks ago, and as we usher in autumn this week, it's time to start thinking about fall picnicking.
Life Is A Picnic – Part One
As we anticipate the arrival of fall and the cooler, more pleasant days it brings, this might be a good time to start planning an autumn picnic. As much as mankind has strived to shield and protect itself from the elements and create comfortable indoor living spaces, there's still something about enjoying a pleasant meal in the peace of nature that's universally appealing.
An “Array” Of Talent
This year, Pigeon Forge welcomed a new music theater to town. It's called the Mountain of Entertainment Theater, and it's located in the Parkway's theater district, in a building that has been home to several popular showplaces over the decades. Most recently, it was the venue for the Buttonwillow Civil War Theater. With balcony seating included, Mountain of Entertainment Theater can accommodate more than 500 guests.
The Gateway To Adventure
The new Buc-ee's location just off Interstate 40 at Exit 407 is the most recent and visibly tangible piece of evidence that a new multipurpose development is well on its way to fruition. The 407: Gateway To Adventure is a 200-acre shopping-dining-lodging-entertainment project that's gradually taking shape at the interchange, which is where a vast number of visitors exit the Interstate and begin the final leg of their journey toward Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants In The Smokies
Maybe vegetarianism or veganism is already a full-time lifestyle choice for you. Or perhaps you simply only prefer to take a break from meat from time to time. Or if you're like a lot of folks, you've never tried eliminating meat from your diet. But maybe you're curious about what it's like to not rely on beef, chicken and fish on a daily basis.
The Natural Getaway That's Close To Town
Smoky Mountain Ziplines is somewhat of a paradox. A lot of our guests are surprised to learn that when they come to our outpost to zip line, Pigeon Forge and the Parkway are a very short drive away (two miles). That proximity to all the other attractions in town as well as the city's abundance of shops, restaurants and lodging providers makes our canopy tour an easy thing to work into a vacation itinerary. Not having to spend a half-hour or more driving out into the remote regions of the Smokies ultimately frees up time in your schedule for other fun things.
Where To Stay In The Smokies – Part 2
In our last post, we took on a weighty topic - how to choose accommodations when planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. We discussed factoring in considerations such as what town you plan to spend the most time in, what types of activities you expect to be doing and how much money you're willing to spend.
Where To Stay In The Smokies – Part 1
Unless you intend to come to the mountains for only one day, you'll probably need to book some kind of overnight accommodations the next time you visit the Smokies. That sounds simple enough on the front end, but once you start digging deeper into all the possibilities that are out there in the world of Smoky Mountain lodgings, you'll quickly realize that the options are not only abundant, they're almost overwhelming.
Science-y Things To Do In The Smokies
With all the recent talk about getting kids back to school, let's not forget that there's still a lot of summer left. Even after school starts, there will still be plenty of warm weekends and even some wonderful fall days to get out and enjoy some time in the Great Smoky Mountains. So what if there were a way to get the kids a little bit of scientific education while ALSO having fun in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville?
The Other Side Of The Mountain
When referring to our neck of the woods, a lot of folks automatically associate the Great Smoky Mountains with the state of Tennessee. That's understandable; some of Great Smoky Mountains National Park's most iconic sites are within our state's borders, including destinations like Cades Cove, Elkmont, the many hiking trails leading to summits like Mt. LeConte and access to the highest point in Tennessee - Clingmans Dome.
Buc-ee's Food Overview – Part Two
In case you haven't already heard, the newest Buc-ee's location is now open in Sevierville, Tennessee, just off Interstate 40 at Exit 407. Currently the largest Buc-ee's in the chain - measuring 74,000 square feet inside and boasting more than 120 gas pumps outside - the store is known, among other things, for its ultra-clean restrooms - a true novelty for anyone who has spent any amount of time traveling on the road.
Buc-ee's Food Overview – Part One
Now that the new Buc-ee's location is open in Sevierville, just off Interstate 40 at exit 407, Smoky Mountain visitors have more than just another option when it comes to filling up empty gas tanks; they have more choices when it comes to filling up empty stomachs. The store, currently the largest Buc-ee's in the nation, has 120 gas pumps and 22 EV charging stations, but a good chunk of its 74,000 square feet is devoted to food. This week (and next), we're going to take a deeper dive into Buc-ee's fare, from snacks to meals.
Should You Retire To The Smokies?
It's a common story around here: We often meet people who chose to retire in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and in many cases, it all started with a vacation. It's not unusual to hear relocated residents say things like, “We came here on a family trip one summer and fell in love with the area.” And we're not just talking about people who live within a few hours of here. A lot of retirees who put down roots in the Smokies hail from places like Florida, Michigan, Ohio and beyond. Lately, there's been a large influx of transplants from the West Coast.
4 Fun Places To Cool Down This Summer
Summer arrives this week, and it's starting to feel as if the mild spring we enjoyed in the Smokies is taking its cue and bidding us farewell. The heat and humidity common to East Tennessee this time of year have been making their presence known lately, but that's no reason to think twice about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. In fact, we can offer you suggestions for several ways to enjoy your vacation and manage to keep your cool in the process this summer.
5 Reasons To Go Ziplining This Week
It doesn't have to be THIS week - but you really should plan to visit Smoky Mountain Ziplines sometime this summer, whether it's part of a full vacation in the Smokies or just a day trip from a nearby location. Ziplining is about adventure and thrills, but the overall experience is a whole lot more than that. In fact, we'll give you five good reasons to come visit our ziplines in Pigeon Forge as soon as possible.
Pigeon Forge Coming Attractions
Each year, we typically devote at least one blog post to previewing new businesses coming to the Smokies, from attractions and restaurants to retail destinations and unique accommodations. This year, however, it seems that things are continuing to change so quickly that simply doing a single preview in late winter or early spring won't effectively cover the state of development in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
Best Values In The Smokies
In case you hadn't noticed, prices have gone up on pretty much everything in the last five years or so. Unfortunately, that can have an impact on traveling, from accommodations and attractions to food and gasoline costs. So when you do make vacation plans, it makes sense that you would want to get the most bang for your buck, especially when you're having to spend more bucks than you used to in the past.
The Most Fun Bear Hunt In The Smokies
Let's get one thing clear out of the gate. It's illegal to hunt bears anywhere in or near the Great Smoky Mountains. The hunt referenced in the headline is a completely harmless one that's now taking place at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. On May 12, the theme park officially opened its long-awaited new roller coaster Big Bear Mountain.
Mountains of Laughs
Have you ever taken one of those vacations that wound up being so stressful you were actually glad to get back home? Sometimes when we travel, we let inconveniences and small problems get the better of us and let them cloud our overall appreciation of the trip we worked so hard to pay for and make time for.
How much do we love Smoky Mountain Ziplines
When most folks hear the word “ziplining,” the first thing they probably imagine is someone attached to a long metal cable and flying through the air. And that is ziplining in a nutshell. It's definitely one of the most appealing aspects of this outdoor adventure and it's what distinguishes ziplining from other recreational endeavors like horseback riding or riding roller coasters or cow tipping.
Glow-In-The-Dark Critters
It's no news flash that some animals are able to glow in the dark. Fireflies are a great example of this. In fact, many of you may already be familiar with the synchronous fireflies of the Elkmont section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which collectively begin and end their blinking spells in unison, and only for a brief window of time in early summer.
Unique Wedding Venues In The Smokies
The Smokies have long been known as the Wedding Capitol of the South. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and other nearby communities are collectively home to scores of wedding chapels and other sites where couples can say “I do” against the majestic backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. It makes sense that so many people flock to the Smokies each year to tie the knot, because the area was already well established as a honeymoon destination. It was only a matter of time before the wedding business got in on the act.
Wildflower Season
The great outdoors is starting to get a lot more colorful than it was just a few weeks ago. Tree canopies are budding into their green fullness, and flowering trees like Bradford pears and dogwoods have already seen their annual blooms come and go. However, throughout the Great Smoky Mountains, wildflowers of abundant species and colors are either in bloom or will be at some point in the next couple of months. It's wildflower season in the Smokies, and if you'd like to know more about what to see and where, continue reading.
Great Dining In Downtown Sevierville - Part 2
In last week's post, we focused our lens on just a few of the growing number of quality eateries located in downtown Sevierville. Having that kind of selection within a small footprint has proven to be advantageous for folks who live in the area who may not want to venture out into the thick of traffic on the Parkway. It also offers out-of-town visitors a respite from the hustle and bustle and a chance to enjoy a good meal in a relatively relaxed and laid-back part of town.
Great Dining In Downtown Sevierville – Part 1
If you were to cruise the Parkway (U.S. Hwy. 441) from Sevierville, through Pigeon Forge, all the way through Gatlinburg, you would pass dozens and dozens of restaurants along the way. These are the most high-profile eateries in the Smokies because of their visibility, which makes them natural choices for visitors who find themselves feeling hunger pangs.
4 Great Smoky Mountain Day Trips
Let's start with the assumption that at some point this year, you'll be vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and that you'll be basing your trip in Gatlinburg, Sevierville or Pigeon Forge - the three primary tourist communities in the Smokies. Granted, there's enough to do in those three towns (not to mention Great Smoky Mountains National Park) to keep a family immersed in good times for weeks on end.
The 4 Best Things About Spring In The Smokies
It's finally springtime in the Smokies, and with the change in season come a host of benefits for visitors of all ages. This week, we'd like to share with you just a few reasons to head to the Great Smoky Mountains in the next few weeks, whether it's for an overnight outing or a full-on vacation.
Get Ready To Zipline!
It seems like just a few days ago that we wrapped up our 2022 season here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. But our winter hiatus has already flown by, and after a couple of months of riding out the cold weather, we're preparing to get the party started for our 2023. We're checking out all our zipline cables and support structures and safety gear so that we'll be ready to give our guests the ride of a lifetime.
New Attractions And Restaurants Make Their Debut In The Smokies – Part 4
How many new businesses have recently opened - or will be making their debut in 2023 - in the Great Smoky Mountains? So many that we've devoted our past three blog posts to introducing you to many of them. And we're still not done. We're back again this week with yet another rundown of attractions, restaurants and more that will be fresh faces on the tourism scene to those of you visiting the Smokies this year. Hopefully, this will inspire many of you to plan a journey who might not have otherwise come to the mountains. Or for you diehard Smokies vacationers, we hope we've given you a whole bunch more new reasons to come back and see us again.
New Attractions And Restaurants Make Their Debut In The Smokies – Part 3
For the past two weeks, we've been passing along information about the many new attractions, restaurants, lodging providers and other types of businesses coming to the Great Smoky Mountains in 2023. From Gatlinburg to Sevierville, we've introduced you to a host of destinations you might consider including in your next trip to this area, and this week, we're going to tell you about a few more. Hopefully, these lists will inspire you to dig deeper as you plan a trip to our beautiful mountains this year.
New Attractions And Restaurants Make Their Debut In The Smokies - Part 2
Every year, a host of new attractions, shops, restaurants and lodging providers make their debut in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and 2023 is no exception. We've already seen several businesses open their doors for the first time this year, and many more are expected to come on line as the year progresses. In last week's blog post, we introduced you to a few brand-new attractions and restaurants, some of which are already up and running and some of which we won't get to experience for a few months.
New Attractions And Restaurants Make Their Debut In The Smokies - Part 1
If you've ever vacationed in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg or Sevierville, then you know that none of those cities are content to rest on their mountain laurels. In the Smoky Mountain tourism business, there's always something new around the corner to excite visitors, and 2023 appears to be no exception to that rule. From attractions to restaurants, folks traveling to the Smokies this year will see a lot of new stuff. So whether it's your first time in the mountains of East Tennessee or your hundredth, you're sure to experience something you haven't before.
Parking Tags Required For National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has long been one of the few national parks in the nation that doesn't charge an admission fee. That was actually one of the stipulations attached to one of the early land donations that led to the park's creation. But the days of completely free use of the most visited national park in the country are soon coming to an end. As of March 1, a special tag display will be required for anyone wishing to park their vehicle inside the national park.
A Romantic Valentine's Day In The Smokies
With Valentine's Day only a couple of weeks away, we thought this might be a good time to come to the rescue of any of you guys or gals who are scrambling to come up with a unique way to wow your special someone this year. No worries; it's not too late to put together a romantic Smoky Mountain getaway that will go down as one of your all-time great Valentine celebrations. Any of the following suggestions will earn you points for sure, or if you're really motivated, you could incorporate more than one of them and gain instant status as Significant Other Of The Year.
There's No Business Like Snow Business
Just last week, officials in Great Smoky Mountains National Park reported nine inches of snow at Newfound Gap and 16 inches of snow on Mt. LeConte in the wake of the winter storm that recently passed through the area. That's bad news for travelers interested in visiting Clingmans Dome (that road is closed anyway) or hiking to the summit of Mt. LeConte.
Buc-ee's Preview
By now, most people who live and/or vacation in the southern United States have probably been to, or at least heard of, the Buc-ee's chain of convenience stores. The company got its start in Texas in 1982, but in recent years, it has undergone exponential expansion through the country, particularly in the Southeast U.S. The Crossville, TN, store has been open for a few years as has the one in Calhoun, GA. These are the two that most East Tennesseans might be familiar with as they travel west and south. If you're not already familiar with the chain, just imagine the old Stuckey's convenience stores that were popular in the '60s and '70s - but on steroids.
Off-Season Options
Now that the holidays are behind us, and families are back into their work and school routines, life seems to be getting back to normal for a lot of folks. Here in the Smokies, things have slowed down somewhat. Dollywood, as well as a lot of the music theaters and outdoor attractions (like Smoky Mountain Ziplines), are on their annual winter hiatuses. But that doesn't mean you need to wait until spring to come play in the mountains.
Sugarlands Visitor Center
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in America, receiving some 9 million guests each year. While many of those people enter from the North Carolina side of the park, as well as through other entrances on the Tennessee side, most access the park through the Gatlinburg entrance, which is only a couple of miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center - a great starting point for any adventure one might plan within GSMNP boundaries.
Say Hello To A Brand-New Year!
We're within days of ringing in 2023. Although our year is merely an astronomical unit of measurement, based on the earth revolving around the sun, there's something symbolic about flipping the metaphorical calendar from December to January that instills many with a sense of hope and renewal. It's a time for saying goodbye to the not-so-great parts of the previous year and starting clean with a fresh slate, a time for New Year resolutions and approaching life with a new perspective.
Sevier County Shortcuts - Part 2
If there's one thing most people like, it's saving time, especially when it comes to minimizing time spent behind the wheel while on vacation; that frees up time to do the fun stuff that you went on your trip for in the first place.
Sevier County Shortcuts - Part 1
There are a lot of great reasons to visit the Great Smoky Mountains. But if there's one universal down side to the whole experience, it's the traffic. Even in the traditional off season, it can be slow going on the main arteries, especially the Parkway running through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Searching For Santa
For kids, Santa Claus is a pretty important dude come the holidays. After all, he's the guy that's going to deliver the good stuff for Christmas morning, so it never hurts to get in on his good side and make sure he has you down on his Nice list. Remember the scene from the beloved holiday movie A Christmas Story, when Ralphie visited Santa at the department store so he could ask for that all-important Red Ryder BB gun?
5 Must-Visit Holiday Stops In The Smokies
This year, you could celebrate the Christmas holiday in the same old places and in the same old ways if you choose. You could go to those same boring parties and play Dirty Santa for the 100th time. Or perhaps you could watch A Christmas Story on TBS for the billionth time.
Winterfest In The Smokies
Some of you may not remember those days, but once upon a time, winter was considered the off season in the Smokies. Very few businesses stayed open. There were hardly any events taking place. You might spot some Christmas lights here and there, but for the most part, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville turned into cold-weather ghost towns, hibernating until signs of life re-emerged in spring.
This Christmas, Give The Gift Of Experiences
Sometimes, Christmas shopping can be hard, especially when the person you're trying to buy for is one of those people who has everything they could ever need or want. Plus these days, a lot of our homes have so much stuff in them that we're either running out of comfortable living space or we can't even keep track of all the possessions lurking in all those closets and storage areas anymore.
Trail Safety – Part 3
We've devoted the past two blog posts to talking about how to stay safe when you're hiking the trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (or anywhere else, for that matter). So at this point, you probably assume you know everything there is to know about trail safety, right? Wrong, granola breath! This week, we're going to wrap up this series with just a few more items to keep in mind before you take on that next trek in the national park or the hiking destination of your choice. We're offering a collection of general tips and reminders to keep in mind when you're actually on your hike, courtesy of Smoky Mountain Ziplines. (At our Gatlinburg zip line attraction, we understand how important safety can be when enjoying the great outdoors in the mountains.)
Trail Safety - Part 2
Late autumn is a great time to visit Smoky Mountain Ziplines. And if you're trying to come up with even more fun things to do, Gatlinburg is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In our previous blog post, we introduced you to the topic of trail safety when hiking in the national park. With more than 800 miles of trails to explore, the park is known for its wide range of hikes, from wildflower trails to soaring mountain peaks. Considering some of the rugged terrain involved as well as ever-changing climate conditions and the varying levels of hiking experience among the millions who visit the park every year, safety should be a priority when embarking on an outdoor trek.
Trail Safety - Part 1
Autumn is a big season for hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park's 800 miles of trails offer seemingly endless paths by which outdoor enthusiasts can explore the rugged beauty of the mountains (especially during the fall color change) and witness the spectacle of features like meandering streams, majestic waterfalls and even historic structures from the 1800s. (Hiking in the park is the ideal companion activity to visiting our Smoky Mountain ziplines.
The Gospel Capital Of The South?
It may not be one of the first things one associates with a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, but gospel music has deep roots here. From music theaters to theme parks to convention halls, the many music venues of the Smokies have a long history when it comes to that particular genre. It's always been popular among the millions of people who visit the area each year, so it should come as no surprise that there have always been so many opportunities to hear it, whether it's a traditional gospel quartet or a more modern take on a classic sound.
Amazing Ziplines Around The World - Part 2
As our foliage transforms into a more beautiful spectacle with each passing day, East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains region have suddenly turned into one of the most scenic places in the nation to ride ziplines. Our Pigeon Forge zip line is starting to see an uptick in seasonal visitation as more and more people travel to the Smokies to experience the mountains and the great outdoors in autumn. And it just so happens that Smoky Mountain Ziplines delivers on all fronts, from breathtaking views of rugged peaks to some of the most thrilling zipline action in the area.
Amazing Ziplines Around The World - Part 1
Before we take you on a whirlwind tour of some of the most amazing zipline tours to be found in the world, we'll start by telling you that for most of them, you have to travel to some pretty far-flung locations. Even many of the ones in the United Stated require a journey of some significance just to get there. And that doesn't even touch on the many featured zipline companies that are located all over the planet.
Theme Park Overview – Part Three
If you thought we had already fully exhausted our exploration of theme parks in the Great Smoky Mountains, then think again. We're back with one final installation of previews of some of our favorite family-fun destinations.
Theme Park Overview - Part Two
Last week, we started a two-part roundup of the many theme parks that visitors now have access to in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. If you ask a random person on the street to name all the theme parks in the Smokies, it's very possible that the only answer you'll get is “Dollywood.” But the fact is that a number of attractions fall under the theme-park umbrella, and we've seen that number grow in recent years. Any of these destinations would be the ideal complement to a visit to our Smoky Mountain zip lines.
Theme Park Overview – Part One
For many years, theme parks weren't exactly a common sight in the Great Smoky Mountains. Dollywood (and its predecessors - Silver Dollar City, Gold Rush Junction, Rebel Railroad) and Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort were practically the lone holders of that title for decades. Smaller theme parks have come and gone over the years too (anyone remember attractions like Magic World or Porpoise Island in the '70s and '80s?), but none of them enjoyed the same popularity or longevity as its bigger-name rivals.
Maximizing Your Zipline Experience
If you haven't had a chance to visit us yet this year, there's still plenty of time left to schedule one of the most fun outdoor experiences to be had in the Great Smoky Mountains. In fact, we'll be running tours all the way through the fall season, and between the more moderate temperatures and autumnal colors to come, one might argue that our best days of the year have yet to arrive.
Think “Smokies” For Your Bachelorette Party!
Summer has traditionally been the biggest season for weddings. But although only a couple of weeks remain in this summer, any time of year can be a great time to get married when you're in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. The Smokies are known as the Wedding Capitol of the South, thanks to an abundance of wedding chapels and vendors, not to mention being one heckuva scenic location for a romantic honeymoon.
Parking Fees Coming To National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a rarity within our country's national park system. It's the most visited of them all, and it's one of the few that doesn't require an admission fee. That was a stipulation attached to one of the early land donations that helped create GSMNP in the early decades of the 20th century.
New Dollywood Coaster Coming In 2023
This may not have made the national news, but here in East Tennessee, reports of a new roller coaster coming to Dollywood in 2023 were practically the number-one headline. News of the attraction started coming out a couple of weeks ago, and since then, Dollywood fans and roller coaster enthusiasts alike have been buzzing about what's in store next year.
'Cue The Pig!
There's a restaurant for almost every imaginable style of cuisine in the Great Smoky Mountains. Between Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and other surrounding communities, you'll find eateries serving up everything from down-home Southern classic to foreign delicacies to ethnic cuisines like Indian, Asian and even breakfast-only places.
Go On A Weekday Getaway
For many people, Christmas is regarded as “the most wonderful time of the year.” For many parents of younger children and teens, however, the most wonderful time of the year is right now, August, when the kids are heading off to take on a new school year wearing backpacks stuffed full of notebooks, pens and calculators.
The Bear Essentials
At least once a year, we like to share information about bears - specifically, the black bears that live in the Great Smoky Mountains. This is an important subject, because as tourism has grown in the Smokies over the years, so has the number of incidents of interaction between bears and people. Sometimes, these encounters have resulted in harm, and even death, to humans. But more often than not, they spell trouble for the bears involved. In some cases, they can even lead to the animal's death.
The Dos (And Don'ts) Of Ziplining
Many of our first-time customers at Smoky Mountain Ziplines have a lot of questions for us, especially if they've never been ziplining before. Some of their questions are about ziplining in general, while some are about the specific way we do things here at our attraction. So this week, we thought we'd cover some of the fundamental dos and don'ts of ziplining.
Keep Your Cool - And Skip The Water Park
There's no doubt that water parks are a top travel destination in the Smoky Mountains each summer. Temperatures can be quite menacing this time of year, and when you add humidity to the situation, the result is often lots of days where it's hard to do much outside without needing a way to cool down. In that regard, water parks are naturally one of the first solutions to come to mind. They have all kinds of slides and other fun features that are guaranteed to bring smiles to faces while also helping visitors beat the heat.
We All Scream for Ice Cream! - Part 2
If you read our blog post from last week, you know that we gave you the scoop on some of the best ice cream shops in the Great Smoky Mountains. From Sevierville to Gatlinburg and everywhere in between, the communities of the Smokies have a lot to brag about when it comes to offering visitors a tasty way to cool off in the summer.
We All Scream For Ice Cream! - Part 1
There are just some things you HAVE to do on a Smoky Mountain vacation. Visiting the national park and playing miniature golf are just a couple of examples of outings that always seem to go hand-in-hand with a trip to the Smokies. Here's another you can add to the list: going out for ice cream. Vacations are a time to take a temporary break from the cares of work life and home life and responsibilities like cleaning and exercising and adhering to a diet. That must be why ice cream is such a go-to thing to do when you're out of town.
Llamas Find a Home in The Smoky Mountains
When someone mentions the Great Smoky Mountains, what's the first animal you think of? Most people would likely answer “black bear.” That makes sense, since the black bear is practically the living symbol of the entire region. A significant population of them exist in the wild in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Spend Less On Gas, More On Vacation
We're well into summer now, the busiest time of year in the Great Smoky Mountains. Folks from all over the world travel here to spend time in the national park and to drink up the unforgettable views that the mountains provide year 'round.
Have A Splashy Summer In The Smokies
There are lots of things you can do in the Smokies all year long - music shows, attractions, outlet mall shopping and even visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But there are some things you can only do in summer, and one of them is visiting a waterpark.
Downtown Flavortown
We recently paid a visit to one of our Pigeon Forge neighbors - Downtown Flavortown, the new mixed-use entertainment venue owned, in part, by TV host, entrepreneur and food personality Guy Fieri. It opened earlier this spring, but we only recently got a chance to swing by the food-and-fun destination, which is one of the anchor tenants at The Tower Shops at the Mountain Mile on Teaster Lane.
Book It
We're into the full swing of zipline season here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge. We're heading into Memorial Day weekend, which is the unofficial start of the summer travel season, so we're ready to shift into high gear as we welcome visitors from all over the country.
A Hike To Abrams Falls
Have you had a chance to visit us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines yet this season? If not, you're missing out on our amazing zipline canopy tour and some of the best spring weather we've seen in a long time. But there's still plenty of time this spring and summer to work us into your vacation-travel plans.
Fit And Fun, Part Two
Last week, we introduced you to a couple of ideas for how to combine vacation time with fitness time. And no, the two concepts don't have to be strangers. If you take our recommendations to heart, and perhaps even use a little creativity, you can discover a number of ways to get in some exercise while you're living it up in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. In fact, check out last week's post for more information on how to incorporate hiking and swimming specifically into your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Fit And Fun, Part One
Vacation time is a time to relax, unplug and get away from the everyday hassles of work and/or housekeeping. It's an escape to a setting that offers new experiences, new sights and even new foods to try. And whether you're traveling alone or with the whole family, a vacation is ideally an opportunity to take it easy.
Zipline Q&A
If you've visited our attraction, you're already familiar with our canopy tour and hopefully have some good memories of what it's like to ride some of the best ziplines in the area. It's a combination that's hard to beat - ziplines, Smoky Mountains and a beautiful spring day. Those are just a few of the reasons to book a tour with us and experience the Smokies in a way that most visitors don't get to.
Motorcycle Destinations
People use all modes of transportation to get to the Great Smoky Mountains. Most drive their own car, truck or SUV. Some fly and rent ground transportation. Many visitors to the Smokies, however, prefer the two-wheel approach to touring the scenic mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. If you're a motorcycle owner and are thinking about heading to the Smokies in the near future, then this post is for you. This week, we're going to lay out some of the best-loved destinations and routes for those who prefer seeing the sights with their feet up and their hands on the handlebars.
Dollywood Roller Coaster Preview - Part Two
If you read our blog post from last week, you saw part one of our overview of all the roller coasters at Dollywood theme park. In that installment, we introduced you to Blazing Fury, FireChaser Express, Lightning Rod and Mystery Mine. Today, we're going to wrap up Dollywood Coaster 101 with thumbnail descriptions of five more roller coasters. Hopefully, next time you visit the park, you'll know exactly which rides are right for you. And happy coasting!
Dollywood Roller Coaster Preview - Part One
Dollywood has been open for almost a month now, but millions more people are still expected to file through the theme park's turnstiles in 2022. If you plan to be in that number and will be paying Dollywood a visit sometime this year, there's also a decent chance that you'll want to ride some of the park's many roller coasters.
Budget-Saving RV Campsites
We all know that tent camping is one of the most affordable ways to spend a night in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a person could spend hundreds of dollars per night on an upscale hotel or rental property. For many travelers, however, RV camping hits that sweet spot between affordable roughing it and being able to enjoy some of the amenities of home.
Half A Day Ziplining, Half A Day ....
We're super-excited to be up and running for the year and to be officially in spring, just as spring-like weather seems that it may be here to stay. With that in mind, we hope that you seriously consider ziplining Pigeon Forge and ziplining Sevierville, Tennessee, as you make your travel plans for spring, summer and beyond.
Let's Go Ziplining!
We've only been open a couple of weeks this season, but we've already seen an entire year's worth of weather in that short span of time. We've gone from warm, pleasant days to a blizzard and then back to sunny again. Welcome to East Tennessee in springtime!
Dollywood 2022 Season Preview
Spring is a time of opening in the Great Smoky Mountains. And even though we're still a couple of weeks from the official start of that season, we're seeing many signs of opening everywhere-both in nature and in tourism. Buds and blossoms are starting to appear in trees, shrubberies and flowers, and here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we're now open for our 2022 season! In fact, we've been up and running since the first of this month, although we'll be operating on a limited schedule at first. So if you're ready to zip line Pigeon Forge this month, be sure to give us a call in advance to confirm exactly which dates we're open and to book your tour.
Unique Hikes In The Smokies
This week, we're getting an early taste of spring thanks to some beautifully sunny skies and mild temperatures. It's conditions like this that have us looking forward to launching our 2022 season at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in the very near future. But it also has thinking about all the other great outdoor opportunities that lie ahead as we head into warmer seasons.
Unique Rental Properties In The Smokies - Part Two
Last week, Smoky Mountain Ziplines introduced you to three one-of-a-kind rental properties in the Smokies. We felt they deserved a little special attention since there are literally hundreds of overnight rentals in the area, and we thought it would be worth it to share a few that really stood out from the crowd thanks to their unique features and attributes. But there are actually many more standouts when it comes to accommodations in the mountains, so we're back this week to tell you about a few more rental cabins and other lodgings that are worth a second look because of their uniqueness.
Unique Rental Properties In The Smokies - Part One
When planning a vacation or weekend getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, there are lots of decisions to be made between the time you set the dates for your trip and when you finally back out of the garage on your way to the mountains. One of the most important of those decisions is your choice of vacation accommodations. After all, this is going to be your home away from home for anywhere from one night to a week or more, so picking wisely can set the whole tone for the rest of your trip.
6 Ways To Celebrate Valentine's Day In The Smokies
With less than a week to go until Valentine's Day, it's still not too late to whip up a couple's outing that both of you will remember for years to come. But this year, the team at Smoky Mountain Ziplines would like to suggest that you think outside the box when it comes to celebrating the big day. Or better yet, you can let us do the thinking. All you have to do is continue reading to get some great ideas for how to put together a memorable day (or evening) in the Great Smoky Mountains. After all, until our zip line in Tennessee is open again for the 2022 season, we do have a little extra time on our hands.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Winter
A couple of weeks ago, we talked about all the things going on at Dollywood theme park during the winter off-season. This time around, we thought we'd shine the spotlight on Great Smoky Mountains National Park and what visitors can expect to find there during the cold-weather months.
The Dollywood Off-Season
Most anyone who has been to Dollywood knows that from March through December, the theme park is a beehive of activity, from the millions of visitors who pass through the turnstiles every season to the hundreds of employees who work hard to make sure all those rides, attractions, shows, shops and eateries are functioning at peak efficiency.
What To Do On A Snowy Day In The Smokies
If you happen to live in or are vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains region this week, you may notice that there's a lot of white stuff on the ground. Depending on your location, you may be seeing anywhere from a trace coating to multiple inches of snow. Or you may live in an area that got absolutely nothing. Wherever you may be, the fact is that places like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are a winter wonderland this week, and there's a lot of fun to be had for locals and visitors looking to make the most out of the current conditions.
Wilderness Wildlife Week 2022
First, we'd like to offer an apology for a misstatement in one of our recent Facebook posts. We had mentioned that this year's Wilderness Wildlife Week-one of the Smokies' most popular annual events-was taking place exclusively online this year. That's not true. Wilderness Wildlife Week is once again being presented as an in-person event after going totally virtual for 2021. However, because of the popularity of last year's online format, there are still some virtual components of this year's edition. This week, we'll be filling you in on the details of what to expect.
A Long Winter's Sleep
The black bear is one of the iconic symbols of the Great Smoky Mountains. But this time of year, bear sightings tend to be few and far between now that we're well into winter. This is when bears typically go into hibernation, an annual phenomenon that most folks are at least passingly familiar with, if only on a basic level.
5 New Things To Do In 2022
We're wrapping up our 2021 season at Smoky Mountain Ziplines this week. Starting next week, we'll be on winter hiatus for a few months and expect to launch our 2022 season sometime in March. If you follow us on Facebook, we'll give you a heads-up regarding the exact date. If you don't follow us there, consider liking our Facebook page to get daily posts about our Pigeon Forge zipline attraction as well as information about other area attractions, shops, restaurants and events as well as Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Fine Dining In The Smokies
A couple of our recent Facebook posts have inspired us to dive a little deeper into a subject that's near and dear to all of our hearts: food. Those posts both referred to Smoky Mountain-area restaurants that are known for their fine cuisine, so this week, we thought we'd take a closer look not only at the two eateries we've already mentioned but a couple of others as well.
Last Call For Outdoor Fun
We've been looking at the extended weather forecast for the Smokies through the end of the year, and it's a good one. We're seeing daily highs of near 50 degrees or more and not a whole lot of rain, almost through the end of 2021. That's good news if you're thinking about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains one more time to close out your vacation year. The conditions are ideal to immerse yourself in the great outdoors and enjoy the beauty and grandeur of one of the most beautiful spots in the country.
Your Guide To Outlet Mall Shopping
With just about two weeks left until Christmas, a lot of folks are starting to feel the crunch when it comes to getting all that holiday gift shopping finished in time for the big day. So many names on the list and so little time (and sometimes, money).
Christmas Shopping In The Smokies
It's not time to panic. Not yet, anyway. You still have about three weeks to wrap up your holiday shopping. So with that consolation in mind, take a deep breath and resolve to head out to the stores (or go online) and get it done this week.
Santa Sightings
Jolly ol' Saint Nick isn't due to make his annual rounds for a few more weeks yet, but if you visit the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee just about any time between now and Christmas Day, you're likely to see the big guy making a number of appearances in places like Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. No one can say the man doesn't get around.
Smoky Mountain Christmas
Lots of folks travel to the Smokies each winter to enjoy the holiday light displays shining throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is no exception. In fact, they have 5 million lights strung up all over the theme park, transforming it into a winter wonderland at night. And that's just one of many reasons to visit Dollywood during its annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival, running now through January 2, 2022.
It's Beginning To Look (And Sound) A Lot Like Christmas
Don't worry; we firmly believe in giving Thanksgiving its full due before we turn our attention toward the Christmas holiday. Once all the turkey leftovers are polished off and the Black Friday deals have been made, then all things Christmas will be fair game. But if you happen to be visiting the Smokies some time in the next few weeks, you may notice that one category of Smoky Mountain attractions has chosen to ignore that protocol.
The Dog-Lovingest Town In The Smokies
Last week, we uploaded a Facebook post that briefly mentioned a number of dog-friendly places in Sevierville, TN. The city's PetSafe Unleashed Dog Park, Burchfiel Grove and Arboretum, the Great Smokies Flea Market on Tenn. Hwy. 66 and Tanger Outlets were just a few of the local spots we named that welcome pooches of all kinds.
3 Great Reasons To Visit Smoky Mountain Ziplines This Week
If you haven't been able to visit our ziplines in the Smokies yet this year, it's still not too late to squeeze in a memorable zipline adventure with us before 2021 winds down. We still have a couple more months left before we take our annual winter break, but if you continue reading, we'll share with you three great reasons to schedule a canopy tour this week. There's still lots of fun to be had in the Great Smoky Mountains, so don't let procrastination separate you from what could be one of your best outings of the year.
Be BearWise This Fall
Autumn is the season when Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives a high number of visitors, in large part due to the beautiful fall foliage. Many of those visitors take in the scenery by immersing themselves in the park's lush woodlands, where they can enjoy up-close views of nature's color palette of red, yellow and orange.
The Science of Fall Colors
In last week's post, we talked about the arrival of the fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains. We made some estimates as to when the colors might peak in which parts of the region, and we even touched on a little about the weather conditions that are ideal for creating the brightest and most vivid color shades in the area foliage.
A Wonderful World Of Color
We may be dating ourselves here, but back in the 1960s, there was a Sunday-evening TV show on NBC called Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. The title reflected Disney's desire to take advantage of the fact that color television sets were becoming more popular and widespread in the United States. Prior to that time period, most TV shows were broadcast in black and white, so the arrival of color programming was an event in its own right.
More Fall Festivals
Last week, we gave you the rundown on this year's Harvest Celebration at Dollywood. Through the end of October, guests of the Pigeon Forge theme park will enjoy seasonal décor, fall foods, guest entertainers and visiting craftsmen-in addition to Dollywood's usual lineup of rides, shows and attractions. And it's all set against the color-changing backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains in autumn.
Dollywood's Harvest Festival
Now that we've officially reached autumn, all you pumpkin-spice-loving people can finally stop griping about summer and celebrate your favorite season of the year. And when you're visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, fall just isn't fall without Dollywood's annual Harvest Festival. This year's festival runs now through October 30 and is the perfect complement to a morning or afternoon on our zip lines in the Smoky Mountains.
Best Burgers In The Smokies
Here's the scene: You've just spent a few hours on our Pigeon Forge zip line tours. The adrenaline is still flowing. Then you notice that rumble in your belly. You need food. And the more you think about it, the more you realize you're craving a burger. A slab or two of ground beef layered with cheese, some vegetables and your favorite condiments, between two fresh buns, sounds like it would really hit the spot.
Enjoying The Cool-Down
According to the calendar, there are still officially two weeks of summer left. But anyone who has stepped outside first thing in the morning this past week or two might have noticed that the first telltale signs of fall are already here. The overnight lows and early-morning temps have been pleasantly cool, and even the daytime highs have been manageable-in the low to mid-80s with much less humidity than we had to deal with during the peak of summer.
Turning Vacation Into Child's Play
Remember that feeling you got when you were a kid in a toy store? Chances are that even as an adult, being surrounded by shelves full of toys and games at least stirs a few memories of those golden days of childhood. Truth is, a lot of us never outgrew toys at all, whether it's collecting action figures and trading cards, playing video games or even sitting down to a good old-fashioned board game.
Unique Smoky Mountain Lodgings - Part 2
Last week, we introduced you to some of the most unusual accommodations in the Smokies-three properties that are truly unique and have the potential to make your mountain stay one you're likely to remember for years to come. We're going to continue this week with a few more lodging providers that go above and beyond the traditional hotel/motel or overnight-rental formula.
Unique Smoky Mountain Lodgings - Part 1
Need to find a place to stay for that next trip to the Great Smoky Mountains? No problem! Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville alone are home to dozens and dozens of lodging providers, from mom-and-pop motels and large chain hotels to overnight rental properties and quaint bed-and-breakfast inns. It's not difficult to find a property that will best suit your family's needs when it comes to location, amenities and budget.
Conquer The Rapids!
In last week's blog, we mentioned that whitewater rafting was one of the must-do bucket-list items for anyone hanging out in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee or North Carolina. This week, we thought we'd expand on that and go on a deeper dive into one of the most popular outdoor activities in the area (in addition to Smoky Mountain Ziplines, of course). Rafting is thrilling, fun and a nice way to stay cool on a hot summer day. So grab your paddles, strap on your helmets and come along for the ride as we shoot the rapids of the Smokies!
Your Smoky Mountain Bucket List
When the movie The Bucket List came out in 2007, it popularized the notion of creating a list of things that a person should do or accomplish before he/she dies-or “kick the bucket,” as the expression goes. The main lesson is not to wait too long in life to do the things that are most important to you. Go out, seize the day and experience life's greatest moments now, while you can still do them and enjoy them.
5 Fun Places To Keep Your Cool This Summer
Our Smoky Mountain summer started off surprisingly mild, but then the inevitable happened. It turned hot-and humid. Lately, we've been in a pattern of steamy days and high heat indices that have made just about every outdoor activity a challenge.
Ziplines Then & Now
Ziplining has become a popular recreational and vacation activity in the United States in the last 10 years or so. But it's not a new phenomenon by any means. What is relatively new about ziplines is the notion of riding them purely for fun and excitement. The history of the zipline, however, shows that when they originated, they were used for more practical purposes.
Saddle Up! Horseback Riding In The Mountains
There are lots of ways to see the Great Smoky Mountains up close. You can drive through them, hike them, bike them (the pedal kind or the motor kind) and even rent an ATV to take you overland. But a lot of people overlook the fact that touring the Smokies on horseback is a simple but unique way of immersing oneself in an old-school mountain experience. It's you and one of nature's amazing creatures exploring some of the most beautiful parts of the country.
Tent Camping In The National Park
Last week, we served up a quick overview of RV camping opportunities in the Smokies area, including those inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This week, we're going to get a little more primitive and introduce you to good old tent-camping locations, and we're going to focus exclusively on the national park instead of incorporating private campgrounds.
Your Guide To RV-ing In The Smokies
As more and more folks are hitting the highway this summer, you may be noticing a lot more recreational vehicles on the road than in years past. During the height of the pandemic, lots of folks turned to camping as a safe way to travel while still enjoying the country. These days, RVs seem to be continuing that popularity streak, whether it's a full-size motorhome, a fifth wheel or an economy-sized trailer.
Coasterpalooza! Coasting Your Way To Vacation Fun - Part 2
In our last post, we introduced you to four cool alpine coasters in the Great Smoky Mountains. In case you missed it, we're not talking about the giant roller coasters at theme parks like Dollywood. Mountain coasters are smaller, downhill tracks on which one or two passengers zoom from top to bottom with the assistance of gravity and apply brakes to control their speed. Some of these coasters can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
Coasting Your Way To Vacation Fun - Part 1
In case you hadn't noticed, the Smokies have gradually turned into one of the South's number one destinations for coaster attractions. Except we're not actually talking about traditional roller coasters. Yes, Dollywood theme park has lots of those, but for our purposes, we're referring to what's generally regarded around here as “mountain coasters.” Those are the rides where you sit in a one- or two-passenger car and ride the track downhill, letting gravity do all the hard work. All you as the driver have to do is use your brake to slow down when you feel that you've worked up too big a head of steam.
Music Theater Preview - Part 2
In our last post, we provided short introductions to six Pigeon Forge music theaters as a preview of what to expect from the Smoky Mountain entertainment scene this year. This week, we pick up where we left off, with thumbnail descriptions of even more venues where music, comedy and more are alive and well and waiting to be part of your vacation plans. As we mentioned last week, unless otherwise indicated, all of the shows are located in Pigeon Forge, either on or just off the Parkway.
Music Theater Preview - Part 1
Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, summer vacation time is officially here. In the Smokies, things are really starting to get ramped up, and we expect to see a whole lot more people coming to town compared to last summer.
Your Zipline Connection In The Smokies
Smoky Mountain Ziplines isn't the only place in East Tennessee that has ziplines. But we're confident that we have more in store for vacationers than any other Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg attraction that features ziplines. Our seven-line canopy tour packs a lot of fun and memories into each two-hour outing. You'll encounter adrenaline-inducing thrills, beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery, interaction with new friends and much more. That's why anyone looking to visit the mountains this summer should consider making us their zipline connection in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Coming Attractions...
If you've ever visited the Smoky Mountain communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, you know there's no shortage of attractions designed to entertain the tourist masses. From the smallest go-cart track to Smoky Mountain Ziplines to Dollywood theme park, there are dozens of businesses in the area where job one is showing guests a good time, from the tiniest of tots to the most recent of retirees.
Mountain Mile Is A One-Stop Experience
The Mountain Mile multiuse development in Pigeon Forge offers mountains of vacation opportunity for folks visiting the Smokies. It's been in ongoing development for the past few years, and now, it's close to being fully occupied by a wide array of retailers, food vendors, attractions and more. Read on to learn the latest about what's in store.
Dollywood Springs To Life
Dollywood has been open for a couple of months already, but if you visit right now, you'll see that great things are still blooming throughout the Pigeon Forge theme park. In fact, the annual Dollywood Flower & Food Festival is currently underway, bringing more than a half-million colorful flowers to the park in the form of larger-than-life sculptures that celebrate this season of renewal. The festival runs through June 7.
The Best Zipline Value In The Smokies
You work hard for your money. So when you decide to spend it-even if it's on something fun, like a vacation attraction-you want to make sure you're getting your dollar's worth. When you visit Smoky Mountain Ziplines, that's exactly what you get-your money's worth and a whole lot more. Read on to discover exactly what your ticket price translates into in terms of fun, excitement and value. We pack a lot of all of it into a two-hour canopy tour of the Smokies.
A Celebration Of The Smokies!
Did you know we're smack in the middle of National Park Week? The annual event, sponsored by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation is a celebration of America's most treasured resources. There are more than 400 national parks across the country, and we're fortunate to have the most visited one in the nation right here in our backyard-Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
New Smoky Mountain Restaurants
If you haven't visited the Smokies yet this year, you're in luck. There will be a lot of new restaurants for you to try in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. And if you managed to miss traveling in 2020 altogether, you should really be pleased at all the new eateries that have opened their doors since your last visit.
5 Places To Go On A Beautiful Spring Day
Have you looked out a window lately? Here in Pigeon Forge, we like what we've been seeing for the past week-lots of mild, sunshiny days that make a person want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. These are the kinds of conditions that we only get to enjoy during a narrow window in the spring, so if you get a chance to do some traveling in the near future, consider heading to the mountains and making the most out of these beautiful days.
Attractions With Curb Appeal
When it comes to attractions, the Smokies suffer from an embarrassment of riches, as they say. Between Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, dozens and dozens of attractions make it their business to entertain the millions of people who visit the area every year. You'll find all kinds, from mini golf courses and go-cart tracks to outdoor experiences like our Sevierville zip line tour.
Visit The Smokies-If You Dare
Sometimes, it takes guts to have a good time. It's true. When you visit the Great Smoky Mountains, you'll discover we have a lot of attractions that are geared toward excitement but also require a certain level of courage to take that first step. This week, we're going to show you exactly what we're talking about by sharing ideas for daring ways to have fun in the Smokies.
Springtime In The Smokies
We're just a few days away from the official start of spring! The days are getting warmer, flowers and trees are starting to show their colors, and soon the local fauna will be adding little ones to their broods. Here in the Smokies, we have our own ways of welcoming the change of seasons and the emergence from our long winter hibernation. Read on to get a few ideas about things you can do on your next trip to the Great Smoky Mountains this spring.
Let The Ziplining Begin
We are officially open up for the 2021 season here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines! We're looking forward to nearly nine months of awesome ziplining action in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
How Well Do You Know Dolly Parton?
Most folks know Dolly Parton was born and raised right here in the Great Smoky Mountains, near Sevierville, Tennessee. But beyond that, how much do you know about the legendary country music singer and actor? This week, we're going to put you to the test. Take our quiz and see how your knowledge base stacks up to the fact. Then next week, we'll share the correct answers and dive a little deeper into the star's history. Good luck!
The Flavors Of The Smokies – Part Two
Last week, we talked about one of everybody's favorite subjects: food. Specifically, we talked about Southern cuisine and some of the restaurants in the Smokies that specialize in it. These included the Old Mill Restaurant, Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, Paula Deen's Family Kitchen and Aunt Granny's All-You-Care-To-Eat Buffet.
The Flavors Of The Smokies - Part One
The restaurants of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville serve up a wide variety of foods, including cuisine from all over the world. But when you visit the Smokies, it almost goes without saying that you're going to have to sit down to at least one meal that taps into the area's Southern roots. The good news is that dining options abound throughout the area when it comes to down-home cooking and all the classic dishes associated with it.
Snowbound in the Smokies
The winter storm that pushed through the eastern half of the U.S. these past few days has left lots of people buried under the white stuff. Here in the Smokies, we didn't get hit too hard, but it's winter nevertheless. We may not have seen the last of frozen precipitation for this season.
Old Mill Square Is A Slice Of History
You may not be able to tell from the six-lane Parkway running through town or the dozens of restaurants, shops, attractions and hotels, or the fact that tens of thousands of people visit each day, but Pigeon Forge was once just a sleepy little hamlet on the way to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Ziplines Around The World
Smoky Mountain Ziplines is taking its annual winter nap right now, but we'll be open for the 2021 season in just a matter of months. Technically, you could measure it days or weeks if you're the optimistic type.
The Case For A January Trip To The Smokies
Here in the Smokies, it's officially the off season. No more fall colors, no more major holidays. We're in the heart of winter, and the kids are back in school, so there really aren't many good reasons for heading to the mountains right now.
What To Look Forward To In 2021 - Part Two
Most of us are probably looking ahead in 2021 with a sense of hope for brighter days to come. Hopefully, as the new vaccines get rolled out, it will become safer for folks to travel in larger numbers, and we can get back to enjoying the Great Smoky Mountains the way we did prior to the pandemic.
What To Look Forward To In 2021 - Part One
As we say goodbye and good riddance to 2020, it's natural for us to turn our eyes toward 2021 with a sense of optimism. Coronavirus vaccines are starting to roll out worldwide, which means we have some hope that life might start returning to normal some time in the next 12 months. And that means we can begin looking ahead to a time when traveling and vacationing more closely resembles what we remember from pre-pandemic days.
Christmas Traditions Around The World
Some holidays are uniquely American. Thanksgiving, for example, is something that only we here in the United States celebrate. Christmas, however, is practically a universal holiday, observed in countries all around the globe. But that doesn't mean that folks in the rest of the world celebrate Christmas the same way we do. Yes, there are some similarities, but there are also many, many differences. Christmas traditions in some countries actually bear little resemblance to the customs we've known all our lives.
Get The Spirit Of Christmas - In The Smokies
We know that some of you out there tend to be more like the Grinch than Buddy the elf. And that's okay; getting into the festive spirit of the holiday season comes easier to some than it does others. But even if you're still feeling a little ornery about Christmas as the big day approaches, it's not too late to turn that frown upside-down and find a way to celebrate all the great things about this most wonderful time of the year.
Holiday Shopping Guide
By the time you read this, we'll be looking at about two weeks remaining until Christmas Day. With so little time left to get your shopping done, making purchases online becomes less of an option, because most retailers won't be able to guarantee delivery in time for the big day. But you can still go out and shop the old fashioned way-by going store to store. For many, that hands-on experience is still an important part of the holiday season, which is why we recommend a trip to the Smokies to finish your shopping in these remaining weeks before Christmas.
5 Reasons to go Camping in the Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains can be found along the Tennessee-North Carolina border. There are lush forests with an astounding abundance of wildflowers that bloom all year-round!
Let It Snow
We've already had our first snow of the year in the Smokies, and it was an early one. You know who's not complaining about it? The folks at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort. For them, this just means they're getting an early start preparing for a season of winter fun on top of Mt. Harrison. They have several inches of natural snow, and they are currently in the process of manufacturing more snow to add to their base, all with the hopes of opening the slopes in the very near future.
Smoky Mountain Winterfest
As the kids would say, the Great Smoky Mountains are lit!
Give The Gift Of The Smokies
Christmas is now only just weeks away. Some of you may already be counting down in days. Either way, it's time to get cracking on that holiday shopping list. If you're stuck trying to come up with ideas for all those folks this year, read on. We have some suggestions for gifts that all have one thing in common: They're unique to the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether it's something you can hold in your hands or an experience you can participate in, these are all gifts that will, one way or another, connect the recipient to one of the most fun and beautiful places in this region of the country.
Looking For The Sweet Spot
Do you have a sweet tooth? If indulging in a sugary treat from time to time is one of your favorite things, then keep reading. This week, we are going to be looking at some of the Smoky Mountain area's favorite and most unusual sweet spots. From ice cream shops to candy makers, there are lots of places where vacationers in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville can get sugared up. If you're also thinking of spending some time with us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, you can plan on treating yourself to a sweet reward when you're done ziplining Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
How To Spend Thanksgiving In The Smokies
Thanksgiving family gatherings are great, but they can be an awful lot of work. Especially if you're the person responsible for planning and preparing the meal. This year might be the year to start a new family tradition-or at least take a break from the routine of hosting the annual Thanksgiving get-together. Think about observing the holiday in the Great Smoky Mountains this year. Continue reading for some ideas on how to pull it off.
The Smokies' Spookiest Places!
With Halloween coming up this weekend, we thought this would be a fitting time to explore some of the spookiest spots in the Great Smoky Mountains. If you happen to be traveling in the area this week, consider carving out some time in your schedule to see if these locations live up to their legends. Or if you're not that daring, just read on and learn a little bit more about a number of local sites that supposedly have some creepy wrinkles in their history.
5 Things To Do On A Fall Day In The Smokies
This has probably been one of the most beautiful autumn seasons we've had in the Great Smoky Mountains in a long time. It's been a while since we've seen a fall with so many blue-sky days with mild temperatures and almost no humidity to speak of. The conditions are ripe for spending time outdoors, and when you visit the Smokies, there's no shortage of ways to do that. This week, we'll suggest just a handful of the things you can do to take advantage of the season, but make your plans soon. Awesome days like these won't be around for long.
Oh, The Leaves, They Are A-Changin' - Part 2
Since it's fall foliage season in Tennessee, we wanted to talk about all things related to the changing of the colors. So if you happen to be visiting us here in the Smokies within the next couple of weeks, you'll come in knowing everything you need to know about fall colors (and probably a lot of things you may not have even thought about).
Oh, The Leaves, They Are A-Changin' - Part 1
We thought we'd borrow a line from Bob Dylan in introducing our topic for this week. Oh, the leaves, they are a-changin' in the Great Smoky Mountains. We're well into October, and if you've spent any time in the Smokies in the last couple of weeks, you've probably noticed the transformation. The level of impact depends on the elevation, but even in the lowest of terrain here in East Tennessee, the changes are well under way.
It's A Beautiful Time To Zipline!
If you're ready to ride a zip line, Pigeon Forge, TN, is the place you want to be this weekend. We're looking forward to some beautiful weather over the next several days, complete with mild temps and lots of sunshine. The conditions are ideal to come to our outpost in the mountains and experience for yourself one of the most exciting attractions in East Tennessee.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
Fall is officially here in the Great Smoky Mountains. The calendar says so. And the weather says so. We've been enjoying some awesome autumn weather, with lots of sunshine, pleasantly cool days and slightly nippy nights. The conditions are ideal right now for Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, the annual event in which Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville celebrate all things fall. The festival is comprised of 12 weeks of individual special events designed to enhance any visit to the Smokies. This week, we'll take you through some of the highlights and point out some other great things about visiting the mountains this time of year.
Unique Smoky Mountain Lodgings
Summer's winding down, but that doesn't mean you still can't plan an amazing getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether it's just for the weekend or a whole week, the area has so much for visitors to see, do and enjoy, all set against the backdrop of some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.
How Long Could You Spend In Pigeon Forge?
We had an intriguing thought: If a person were to visit every single attraction in Pigeon Forge, how long would it take? This week, we're going to take on an unusual task. We're giving you an answer! We're going to list every attraction in town (or at least as many as we can think of) and estimate how long the average visit might last. (Note that these estimates are purely rough guesses and not based on actual data.) Then we're going to pad each guess with travel time to and from the attraction from a hypothetical hotel/motel in the middle of Pigeon Forge. We're going to assume that your day starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m. (yep, you'll be plum tuckered out), and we're going to assume that at attractions with multiple activities, including Dollywood, you participate in everything that location has to offer! We're also going to factor in one hour for lunch and one hour for dinner, and we'll assume that this trip takes place in summer.
The Smokies Have Many, Many Mini Golf Courses - Part Two
Last week, we teed up and went in search of miniature golf fun in the Great Smoky Mountains. Along the way, we shared some of the area's notable mini golf attractions, but we only had a chance to scratch the surface. This week, we have even more destinations to pass along, so the next time you're visiting the Smokies, you'll have plenty of places to choose from when it comes to putting your way around town.
The Smokies Have Many, Many Mini Golf Courses - Part One
Miniature golf: It's practically a requirement when you're visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you're headed into the Smokies for the day, the weekend or a whole week, lining up at your favorite local mini-golf course and facing off against family/friends has been a vacation staple for decades.
5 Great Ways To Cool Off In The Smokies
Schools are starting back up all over the country, but there's still plenty of summer left for folks visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. That means daily highs can still easily reach the 90s, with heat indices topping out close to 100 degrees. So working in at least one way to stay cool during a visit to the Smokies is probably not the worst idea. You might even consider coming up with a cool stop every day of your trip. If that sounds good to you, read on, and we'll pass along some of our best ideas for beating the heat when you're in the mountains of East Tennessee.
This Historic Homes Of Cades Cove, Part II
A couple of weeks ago, we took a brief tour of several of the historic homesteads located in the Cades Cove community in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These preserved structures were once the homes of some of the area's early white settlers, who lived in the cove during the 1800s and into the early 1900s, until the creation of the national park. Today, these homes provide unique glimpses into the lifestyles these frontier families lived, and fortunately, they still stand as reminders of what life was like in East Tennessee more than a century ago.
New Water Park Makes A Big Splash In The Smokies
Smoky Mountain visitors seeking relief from the heat of summer have a brand-new place to play this year. Soaky Mountain waterpark has only been open a few weeks, but it has quickly become a popular place for fans of water slides, wave pools and much more. The park is located on Gists Creek Road, just off Tenn. Hwy. 66 in Sevierville. It's just a short hop from Wilderness at the Smokies and that resort's indoor waterpark.
This Historic Homes Of Cades Cove, Part I
Summer in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is still in full swing as visitors from all over the world pass in and out of the most visited national park in America. Many of those park guests make time to tour Cades Cove, located near Townsend, TN, on the western end of the park. Ensconced by beautiful mountains, this peaceful valley was once home to a thriving community of settlers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Residents were relocated with the creation of the national park, but many of the cove's homes, churches and farm buildings were preserved and still stand as part of the tour. A 10-mile one-way road is how folks access Cades Cove today – mostly by car, but many on bike and even on foot. By visiting its historic structures, visitors are able to get a glimpse of what life was like 100 years ago and beyond, both within Cades Cove and much of the rural South in general.
Zipline News From Around The World
Every now and then, we like to check in on what other zipline attractions around the country and around the world are up to. Some of these businesses are brand new, while others are rolling out new features or ziplines. Sometimes, the news is more about the people who are doing the ziplining. In any case, we always find lots of fascinating zipline tidbits to share with our followers.
Sharing Some Imagination
There are few things that can help a child throughout his or her educational years than instilling an early love of reading. And that's the idea behind Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program that mails free books to children all over the world, from birth until they begin school. The intent is for parents to read to their children and begin nurturing a love of literacy early on, so that by the time they start school, they already have developed a passion for books. And in some cases, they may already have learned how to read.
Ziplining – A Therapeutic Experience
We all know why people enjoy ziplining. It's a lot of fun. And it's exciting. And a little scary, but in a good way. How can it not be all those things? After all, you're clipping yourself onto a metal cable and hurtling yourself through the air for hundreds of feet at a time, often with a lot of space between you and the ground. Yes, ziplining is a lot of fun.
Happy Birthday, America!
We're living through some unusual and turbulent times in our country right now, but maybe as we approach our nation's birthday, we can all find some common ground in our love and appreciation of the United States of America. If you're coming to the Smokies for 4th of July weekend, we'll give you a heads-up that some of the area's traditional Independence Day events – like the Midnight Parade in Gatlinburg and the Patriot Festival in Pigeon Forge – have been canceled for this year in the interest of public safety.
Welcome To The Neighborhood
To visit Smoky Mountain Ziplines is to experience one of the most remarkable locations in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Our canopy tour takes guests up (and back down) steep slopes, through mature hardwood forests and over gaping ravines. There are several locations on the tour that offer zipliners wide, panoramic views of the some of the largest peaks in the Smokies. When you spend two hours or more on our zip lines in Pigeon Forge, TN, you would swear that you're deeply immersed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park itself. There's a feeling of peace, solitude and isolation that allows our guests to tap into their natural surroundings and to truly unwind and escape.
5 Reasons To Zipline In The Smokies – Soon!
Since we resumed operations a few weeks ago, we've been thrilled to see more and more people booking zipline tours with us and having the time of their lives here in the Great Smoky Mountains. What are your plans for 2020? Summer is just getting started, so if you have an open weekend coming up in the next month or so, or if you have a full week of vacation time burning a hole in your proverbial pocket, you should consider planning a trip to our outpost in Pigeon Forge and getting your zipline game on.
Dollywood Is Back
It's taking place a few months later than usual, but Dollywood in Pigeon Forge has announced that it is finally reopening for the 2020 season. Next week, in fact. But as you might suspect, it's not going to be business as usual at one of the Southeast's premier theme parks and attractions. Because the coronavirus and COVID-19 still pose a public-health concern, Dollywood managers have implemented a number of changes and protocols that will affect the way they operate and the way you experience the theme park – at least until the health crisis is gone for good.
How To See The Synchronous Fireflies This Year
Normally, this is the time of year when folks would be coming to East Tennessee from all over the world to witness the synchronous fireflies of the Tremont section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You're probably familiar with them by now, but if you're not, prepare to be amazed. Tremont is home to a species of fireflies that lights up in unison during an approximate two-week period each year, most likely as part of their mating season. The national park is one of only a handful of places worldwide where this phenomenon takes place.
5 Things You Can Do Outside This Weekend
As more and more businesses reopen in the Great Smoky Mountains, life in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville is starting to resemble a typical late May/early June. It's the time of year when the weather has warmed up nicely, and more and more folks are looking for ways to enjoy the great outdoors.
We're Baaaack!
Guess what, zipline fans… Smoky Mountain Ziplines is reopening this weekend – Saturday, May 23! We're encouraged to see people returning to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and we've decided that now is the time to open our doors and welcome visitors back to our Pigeon Forge ziplines.
What Is There To Do In The Smokies Right Now?
This marks week number two of businesses in the Great Smoky Mountains reopening to the public since the governor lifted the Safer At Home restrictions throughout the state of Tennessee. And we've definitely seen more and more people returning to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg as all kinds of businesses are opening their doors again, including restaurants, shops, hotels and motels, and even some attractions.
The National Park Is Reopening
This past week saw the reopening of a number of businesses (mostly shops, restaurants and hotels) in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Visitors are starting to return to the area, and there are signs that life may gradually be returning to the old normal (although it's still too early to tell if this increased accessibility will lead to a new spike in illness rates). For now, most of the local attractions – including our zip lines in the Smoky Mountains – have chosen not to reopen just yet in the interest of ensuring guest protection. We will be welcoming guests back as soon as we feel it is safe to do so. We recommend following us on Facebook to keep up with the latest information regarding the status of our zipline attraction.
What Your Summer Vacation May Look Like
It's a big question on a lot of people's minds right now: “Will I be able to take a summer vacation this year?”
More Music Theaters From Yesteryear
Several weeks ago, we went back in the ol' Smoky Mountains time machine and took a look at some of the music theaters, shows and performers that were, once upon a time, a part of the local entertainment landscape in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Among the venues we reminisced about were Music Mansion Theatre, Louise Mandrell Theatre, Hillbilly Hoedown, Lee Greenwood Theater and Memories Theatre to mention just a few.
Fun Ways To Avoid Going Stir Crazy
Most of us have been spending a lot of time cooped up inside our homes these past few weeks. Many folks live alone, some live with just a spouse or significant other, and many have one or more children under the same roof. Regardless of your situation, chances are at least one person has started to get a little stir crazy – that restless feeling you get when you've been stuck inside for an extended period of time. If kiddos are involved, there's no doubt that you parents have heard them whine on more than one occasion, “I'm booorrrred!”
Dining Options In The Smokies
Hopefully, all of you are continuing to be safe and healthy, staying at home as much as possible but keeping your distance from other people (and even wearing a mask) when you do have to go out in public for essentials like food and medications. And of course, we hope you're staying diligent about washing your hands, both at home and when interacting with the outside world. At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we're taking some down time as well so we can do our part to help things get back to normal as soon as possible.
Remembering The Music Theaters Of Yesterday
The music theaters of Pigeon Forge are on hiatus for the indefinite future, but we at Smoky Mountain Ziplines thought we might take advantage of this lull in the schedule to look back on the history of this unique form of entertainment in the Great Smoky Mountains. The presence of theaters in this area dates at least back to the 1970s, and one of the venues founded that decade - Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre in Gatlinburg - is actually still in operation today, making it the longest continuously running show in the area.
5 Cool Sights To See Without Leaving Your Car
Every now and then, it's nice to just get away and take a scenic drive. Even if you don't plan to stop the car and get out and explore, there are lots of places you can visit in the Great Smoky Mountains that are worth the trip based only on what you can see from behind the steering wheel or through the car window. This week, we will offer some suggestions for routes you can take and sights you can see, all of which go to show that a trip to the mountains doesn't always have to be a jam-packed vacation. Sometimes, all you have to do is just show up.
It's Car-Show Season In The Smokies
Yes, when you travel to places like Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, you're likely to run into a fair amount of traffic. But when you visit our communities in spring, you may notice something unique about many of those vehicles: They're really cool looking. That's because we're getting into the heart of car-show season in the Great Smoky Mountains, a time when custom-auto enthusiasts from all over the country converge on our area to show off their four-wheeled babies. This week, we'll give you an idea of what to expect from these shows, and we'll mention a few of the specific events currently scheduled to roll into town.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines Is Open!
After taking two and a half months off for a winter hibernation, Smoky Mountain Ziplines is officially open for the season, as of this past weekend! We thought we'd mark the occasion this week by pointing out all the great reasons to visit our Pigeon Forge attraction in the mountains and add a little adventure to your Smoky Mountain travel plans. Whether you intend to come to the Smokies this weekend or perhaps wait until school is out for summer, we have a whole lot to offer our guests.
New Stuff Is Coming To The Smokies For 2020
There are just a couple more weeks of winter left, at least as far as the calendar is concerned. It's the time of year when folks are starting to get antsy about spring's arrival, and they're ready to shake off that winter funk for good. And with the dawn of a new season come hopes and dreams about what lie ahead – warmer weather and spring/summer travel plans. If you're thinking a getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains might be in order for 2020, read on. We've got the 411 on some new businesses opening their doors in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville this year. All in all, they promise to add some new perspectives to any visit to the Smokies.
Paying Tribute
When Elvis Presley died in 1977, his passing gave birth to a unique entertainment phenomenon – the Elvis impersonator, the man decked out in a leather jacket or a white-fringed jumpsuit who would belt out The King's greatest hits for his heartbroken fans. More than 40 years later, you can still find Elvis impersonators, although these days, they're more likely to bill themselves as “tribute acts.”
Staying Fit On Vacation
A lot of folks are prone to put on a few extra pounds during the winter months, which means springtime is often spent trying to shed unwanted weight in time for bathing suit season. But you don't necessarily have to wait until you hit your goal weight to commit to your next vacation this year. Read on, and we'll pass along a few ideas for how to go ahead and take that next trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, have a great time, and still get your daily dose of exercise and even decent nutrition. It's possible that the next time you come to the Smokies to visit Smoky Mountain Ziplines, you might just wind up in better shape than when you left.
5 Ways To Spend A Rainy Vacation Day
The weather here in the Smokies has truly been a broken record for the past few weeks. Rain, rain and more rain. And just when you think it's over, there's some more rain. And did we mention that it's been raining?
5 Wintertime Alternatives To Ziplining
Although our Smoky Mountains zipline attraction is on hiatus, we realize that some of you still like to have outdoor fun all year long. The biggest challenge, of course, is the weather. It's generally too cold to zipline this time of year (and lately, it seems like it just won't stop raining), but there are still a few things you can do right now that will allow you to get outside and get some fresh air and, in some cases, even a little bit of exercise. So until zipline season returns, here are just a few ideas for ways to have fun in the great outdoors of the Great Smoky Mountains.
5 Fun Things You Can Do In The Off-Season
The holidays are behind us, but the warmer days of spring and summer are still at least a couple of months ahead of us. Welcome to what is traditionally referred to as the off-season in the Great Smoky Mountains. Once upon a time, most businesses in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville would close for the winter and emerge from hibernation in the spring as folks began to return to the mountains.
5 Pet-Friendly Experiences In The Smokies
For a lot of folks, Fido and Fluffy aren't just pets; they're members of the family. So when the time comes to plan a vacation, leaving those furry friends back home in a kennel isn't always an option. That's why you see more and more pet owners bringing their four-legged loved ones with them. So this week, Smoky Mountain Ziplines would like to share a few ideas for places to go and things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains that will let everyone in the family take part in vacation time.
Scenic Drives In The Appalachians
There's a reason that more than 10 million visitors travel to Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year. The range is one of the most beautiful sights in the country, and the park offers myriad ways for guests to enjoy outdoor recreation in the midst of all that scenery. However, those who don't have the time or otherwise aren't inclined to get out and get lost (metaphorically speaking) in nature have another means at their disposal of appreciating all that eye candy. Next time you're in the Smokies – or any other section of the Appalachians, for that matter – consider taking one of the many scenic drives and tours that provide motorists with stunning views as they travel from Point A to Point B.
Don't Forget About Tennessee's State Parks
With an entire mountain range running along its spine, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is undoubtedly the geographic centerpiece of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina region. It's the most visited national park in America, receiving close to 10 million guests each year. With a wealth of hiking, camping, fishing and picnicking opportunities (and much more), GSMNP is the very reason that a tourism industry exists here in the first place. It's been that way for decades, and it will likely continue that way for decades to come.
All Aboard For Fun!
There are lots of ways to experience the Great Smoky Mountains. You can hike them, drive through them, see them on horseback or while riding an ATV. You can even see the Smokies from a helicopter flying high overhead or from a raft while on a whitewater-rafting excursion. But there's only one place you can see the scenery from a train, and that's at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City, North Carolina.
Happy New Year!
In just a little over a week, we'll be ringing in not just a new year but also a new decade. Saying “Twenty-twenty” has a nice ring to it, and if you don't have any New Year's Eve plans yet, Smoky Mountain Ziplines can offer you a few suggestions for places here in the Smokies where you can also say “So long, 2019” and “Hello, 2020!”
Christmas Day In The Smokies? Why Not?
Chances are the vast majority of you spend Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day at your own home or at the home of close relatives like parents, grandparents or in-laws. That's no surprise; Christmas is traditionally spent with family, so our homes are the most comfortable place to celebrate that holiday. But this year, consider starting a new tradition – a Christmas vacation. (Hey, it's such a great idea that they made a movie by the same name, right?) Specifically, you could spend this Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains, which allows you to do the whole gift-giving thing, but it also opens up a whole new world of possibilities. This week, we would like to share five reasons to do Christmas in the Smokies.
3 Places To Christmas Shop In The Smokies
I'll repeat that, just in case that sentence left you in a state of shock. There are only two weeks until Christmas. So if you've barely put a dent in your shopping list this season, it's time to kick things into high gear and get yourself into gift-buying mode. There's no need to panic, though. With one visit to the Great Smoky Mountains, you can easily knock out the rest of the names on your list and maybe do a lot of other fun things while you're here. Read on, and we'll give you a few suggestions about shopping destinations in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville that may just be the solution to your gift-giving woes.
Winterfest Events Keep The Season Festive
We're just three weeks away from Christmas, but in the Great Smoky Mountains, the annual celebration known as Winterfest will continue all season long, bringing lots of holiday cheer to the mountains through February. From festive décor to fun special events for the whole family, Winterfest gives visitors more reasons than ever to come to the Smokies during the off-season.
5 Things To Be Thankful For When You Visit The Smokies
Since this is Thanksgiving week, we thought it would be fitting to make this week's blog post about thankfulness. So naturally, that got us thinking about reasons to be thankful for living in or visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. There are way more than five, but for blog purposes, we're just mentioning a few of the main ones that come to mind. So keep these in your mind the next time you visit the Smokies. And Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines!
Let There Be Lights
As Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival winds down this week, we're already looking ahead to Smoky Mountain Winterfest in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. It's the time of year when all three communities get dressed up for the winter holidays in their finest apparel – more specifically, millions and millions of Winterfest lights displays.
Winter Weather Protocol
Ahh, the fall of 2019… It was one of the best two weeks we've seen around here in a long time. Seriously, it seems like we went from summer to hard-core winter in less than a month. A lot of folks around here are dealing with snow accumulation this week, both in the valley and in the higher elevations. Thankfully, the roads have been passable for the most part, and this does give visitors the opportunity to gaze upon a rare sight – fall colors in the trees while snow is on the ground.
Theaters Raise Curtains On Holiday Shows
Smoky Mountain Winterfest doesn't officially kick off for a few more weeks, but if you're eager to start celebrating winter and the Christmas holiday period a little early, your best bet might be to catch a seasonal show at one or more of our area music theaters. It's already that time of year when most of the local venues switch over from their regular-season shows to ones that are more in keeping with the end-of-year holidays. From music to costuming to appearances by Santa Claus himself, these special productions are a fun and entertaining way to kick off Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains. This week, Smoky Mountain Ziplines is sharing overviews of several of the holiday shows already under way.
5 Great Fall Hikes In The Smokies
The fall colors are finally getting into gear in the Great Smoky Mountains, which means if you want to see the area's best color show, you'll need to head for the Smokies. The colors are already better in the higher elevations, but if you want to get a unique perspective on the annual foliage transformation, we recommend seeing it on foot. A driving tour is fine, but there's nothing like a good hike to really let you get hands-on with the area's greatest nature experience. Besides that, all those great nature smells plus fresh air and even a little bit of exercise are in store. For inspiration, read on for quick overviews of five great hikes you can take in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to help you make the most of this year's fall colors. And don't forget that our Smoky Mountain zipline course is a great way to see the foliage too…
Themed Restaurants In The Smokies
When you're trying to decide where to dine out on vacation, and you literally have hundreds of restaurants from which to choose, it can often be difficult to narrow down your options. There are lots of styles of cuisine, lots of locations and lots of price points that can complicate the matter even further. So this week, we're feeding you a few suggestions for restaurants where the dining experience comes with a distinct theme. It may just be the deciding factor that helps you and the rest of your hungry travelers settle on the place that will serve you not only good food but also a unique dining atmosphere.
Fall Foliage Forecast
Most years in the Smokies, a drive through the mountains in mid-October would reveal a wondrous palette of color already emerging in the treetops. Even in the lower elevations, you'd see signs that the annual transformation of the area foliage was well under way, and in the higher elevations, the leaves might already be nearing their peak colors for fall.
5 Reasons To Go Ziplining THIS MONTH
Smoky Mountain Ziplines has been open since March, but if you think it's too late to get some ziplining action in this year, you would be mistaken. In fact, we're getting into one of the best times of the year to get out on our course and enjoy the best ziplines Sevierville, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg have in store. If you're still not convinced, read on, and we'll give you five good reasons why you need to schedule a tour with us THIS MONTH.
Time To Get Crafty In The Smokies
When autumn settles into the Smokies, there are two things you can always count on – the turning of the foliage and an abundance of craft shows and festivals. There's something about the changing of the seasons that makes this the ideal time of year for arts and crafts. They're a big deal around here about now – a bigger deal than they already are. So this week, we'll give you an overview of all the opportunities you'll have during October to get out and see what craftspeople from the Smokies – and around the country – have to offer.
There Are Still New Sights To See In Pigeon Forge!
Autumn has arrived, and even though visitation to the Smokies will surge in the next month or so as the fall colors invade our mountain landscapes, the peak tourism season around here has passed for 2019. But that doesn't mean there still aren't lots of good reasons to head to the Great Smoky Mountains for the weekend or even a full week of fall break.
Weird Zipline Headlines
One thing we do here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines from time to time is keep up with zipline-related news and events from around the world. We find that there are amazing zipline attractions everywhere you go, and there are lots of interesting people doing unique things on ziplines. We also see stories every now and then about how ziplines are used for purposes other than recreation.
A Shop For Every Interest
In addition to visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park and attractions in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, shopping is one of the top tourist activities among the millions of people who come to the mountains of East Tennessee each year. Outlet malls are one of the top draws, and craft galleries and studios also get their fair share of traffic.
Car Show Mania!
As we near the cusp of the fall season in the Smokies, cars are starting to roll into Pigeon Forge and the rest of the area. In this case, we're talking specifically about show cars – classics, vintage, hot rods, muscle cars, etc. – and the upcoming special events that show off all these fabulous rides. If you're a previous Pigeon Forge visitor, you're probably no stranger to what locals generally call the “rod runs,” but if this is a new experience for you, we'll give you an idea of what to look for as car-show season begins in earnest.
Choosing Your Smoky Mountain Accommodations
It's usually one of the first decisions you make when you're planning a trip to any vacation destination: Where are you going to stay? It makes sense to do that first, because if you don't secure your accommodations, there's not much point in planning all the other aspects of your trip first. So this week, we'll give you a quick overview of your lodging options in the Great Smoky Mountains. We won't be recommending any specific properties, but we will give you some idea of what types of properties are available so you can make the best choice to fit your time frame, budget and size of your party.
Good Food And Great Competition
There's been a trend taking place in the Great Smoky Mountains over the past 10 years or so. We've been seeing more and more dinner attractions come to Pigeon Forge, entertaining productions that combine multicourse meals with spectacular competition-based shows. The one that's been around the longest, the show originally known as Dixie Stampede, got it all started back in the '80s, and now several more have joined the ranks, giving area visitors more choices than ever when it comes to entertainment.
5 Reasons To Visit The Smokies This Week
When we say we're going to give you five reasons to visit the Smokies this week, we literally mean on a weekday, not a weekend. Now that most everybody's school systems are back in session for the school year, weekdays offer a lot of travel potential, especially while we're still blanketed by warm summer weather. So read on to discover a few of the benefits that await the August weekday traveler.
New Waterpark Coming To The Smokies
Look out, Dollywood Splash Country, there's a new water park in town. At least there will be next year, when Soaky Mountain Waterpark makes its debut in Sevierville. The 50-acre outdoor attraction will be operated by Wilderness at the Smokies Resort and will be located across the street from both the resort and the Sevierville Convention Center.
5 Things To Do In The Smokies Before School Starts
Don't let the warm, sunny days fool you. Kids (and their teachers) are getting geared up for another school year. That means it's time to put away all the swimming trunks and golf clubs and hiking gear and prepare to buckle down for a semester of homework and exams.
Want To Explore The Smokies? There's An App For That...
I think we can all agree that most of us spend way too much time on our phones and other devices these days. It's so easy to get swept away in a sea of social media, games, texting and other electronic pursuits. Too often, this comes at the cost of human interaction and basic conversation. When you visit a place like Great Smoky Mountains National Park, having your nose stuck in your phone screen is an even worse no-no. Why stare at Facebook when you have some of the most beautiful scenery in the country in front of your actual face.
Black Bear Protocol 101: A Refresher Course
Once or twice a year, we try to use our blog to spread the word to visitors about the dos and don'ts of encountering black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains. The National Park Service has a number of recommendations (and laws) in place to discourage human-bear interaction, all of which are for the benefit of both the bears and the millions of human guests that visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year.
5 Things Only Zipliners Are Wondering Today
You have to admit it; ziplining is a unique way to spend a morning or afternoon when you're on vacation. There's nothing else quite like it – especially in the Smokies – because it combines so many great elements. You get to spend time outdoors, you're treated to some fantastic mountain views, you get an adrenaline rush unlike any other you're likely to experience in this area, you get to spend time with family/friends, and you may very well be doing something that pushes you outside your comfort zone or possibly even gets you to confront a fear or two.
Special Programs Add New Dimension To National Park
If it weren't for the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it's possible that the Smokies area as we know it – Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville – wouldn't have developed into the tourism destination that it is today. The park itself has become one of the most popular in the nation. In fact, it's the most visited, with some 10 million guests passing through its gates each year.
Whitewater Rafting And Ziplining – The Ideal Extreme Duo
Now that summer is officially here (plus it's already been hot for several weeks now), the conditions are perfect for getting outside and enjoying a couple of extreme attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains – whitewater rafting and ziplining. The great thing about them is that almost anyone who's willing can participate in both activities, even if they've never done either one before.
5 Pigeon Forge Buffet Restaurants
One of the great things about vacationing is not having to cook. Being able to eat out makes mealtime a lot easier, because other people are doing all the preparing and serving. Sometimes, though, it can be tough for a family to agree on exactly where to eat when traveling. With so many restaurant choices (especially in the Smokies), visitors are faced with narrowing down the selection three times a day, and that can be difficult when you're trying to cater to everyone's preferences.
Pigeon Forge Attractions From Yesteryear
There are so many attractions in the Smokies these days, it's amazing that enough people visit the area to keep all those places in business. But fortunately, with millions of people passing through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg every year, it's easy to see why new attractions still come to town. It's a classic case of supply meeting the demand.
New Pricing Options
At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we're now offering new pricing options that offer more flexibility than ever for anyone interested in experiencing one of our Pigeon Forge zipline tours.
5 Awesome Things To Do In The Smokies This Week
Maybe you're not a big planner. Maybe you were thinking about traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains area this week, but you didn't already buy attractions and theater tickets online. Or maybe you've given very little thought to what you want to do once you get to the Smokies other than check into your motel or overnight rental and go wherever the wind takes you.
Firefly Etiquette
A few weeks ago, we shared information about how to enter the lottery to receive a parking pass to see the synchronous fireflies in the Elkmont section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Notifications went out on May 10, and unfortunately, most who applied online for a pass weren't fortunate enough to be selected (we actually count ourselves in that number).
Dolly Parton Unveils Wildwood Grove
Dollywood has been open since March, but the latest addition to the multimillion-dollar Pigeon Forge theme park didn't start welcoming visitors until this past weekend. If you missed the first few days of Wildwood Grove, never fear. This new themed section of the park will probably be around for a long time, and if you're planning a trip to the Smokies later this year, you'll still get to experience it while it still has “that new theme park smell.” Whatever that is…
SkyBridge Set To Open In Gatlinburg
You've probably heard of the term "suspension of disbelief," which is the mechanism that allows our otherwise rational minds to accept unbelievable premises in books, films and television. But with the opening of the new SkyBridge attraction in Gatlinburg on May 17, visitors may still need a moment or two to process some pretty unbelievable sights.
The Smokies Are More Magical Than Ever
In case you haven't noticed lately, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have become some of the most magical cities in the Smokies. We don't mean that figuratively either. These days, there are no fewer than four different live magic shows taking place at different theater venues around the area. We guess you can chalk that up to the fact that magic is universally appealing and entertaining. Mankind has enjoyed not believing his own eyes for centuries, so it should come as no surprise that when traveling, 21st-century vacationers enjoy taking a couple of hours to lose themselves in a world of impossibilities.
Ziplining – Extreme Fun For (Just About) Everyone
If you've never ridden a zipline before, you may be wondering if just anyone can step up and take that leap of faith to go sailing among the treetops like a bird. The short answer is yes – with just a few exceptions.
Time To Play The (Firefly) Lottery!
One of the most spectacular annual events in the Smokies is coming up soon, and if you want to participate, you'll have to play the lottery.
Cars, Cars, Cars!
In case you didn't realize it, we're smack in the middle of car-show season here in Pigeon Forge and the rest of the Smokies. Just in the past few weeks, we've seen several events roll into town, including the Spring Corvette Expo in Pigeon Forge, the Ponies in the Smokies show in Sevierville and the Smoky Mountain Stangs car show in Sevierville, all of which took place in March.
4 Benefits To Ziplining
Let's get one thing out of the way early: Ziplining is fun. Even if you're a little fearful in the process, you can't deny that it's one of the most exciting adventures you could undertake while on a Smoky Mountains vacation. However, if that weren't reason enough (and it should be), there are several additional benefits the ziplining experience can provide. So in addition to the sheer entertainment value, spending a morning or afternoon with us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines can enhance your life in many other ways. This week, we'll share just a few of them.
4 Things To Look For At Dollywood In 2019
Dollywood has been open for a couple of weeks now, so chances are that if you're reading this, you probably haven't made your first pilgrimage of the year yet. If that's true, then read on and discover just a few examples of what's in store if you decide to visit the long-running Pigeon Forge theme park in 2019.
5 Cool Things To Do In Pigeon Forge This Weekend
Spring officially arrives Thursday. That calls for a celebration. And we can't think of a better way to commemorate the occasion than by pulling together a quick trip to Pigeon Forge this weekend. It's not hard. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a hotel/motel room or an overnight rental on this short notice, and even if you just want to make a day trip out of it, there's plenty going on in town to fill even the most ambitious of itineraries.
Come For The Ziplining, Stay For The Events!
It's not even officially spring in the Smokies yet, but it sure is starting to feel like it. The area is starting to shake itself loose from its winter slumber and stretch and yawn its way into a brand-new season of getaway fun in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. That's true for us here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, where we've already kicked off our 2019 season and are looking forward to nine more months of showing visitors to our area how to zipline Pigeon Forge.
We are Open!
As of last Friday, Smoky Mountain Ziplines is officially open for its 2019 season! Along with the first appearance of the robin and the blooming of flowers, it's one of our sure signs that spring is just around the corner in the Smokies. Fortunately, this past off-season didn't drag out too long, and now we're excited to be opening our doors and welcoming visitors to our Smoky Mountain zip line and canopy tour.
Even MORE New Stuff Is Coming To The Smokies!
We usually spend a little time each spring sharing previews of new businesses coming to the Great Smoky Mountains – attractions, restaurants, shopping destinations, etc. This year, however, has been a banner year in terms of the number of new places planning to open their doors in 2019. There's been so much that we've spent weeks telling you about all the newcomers, and we're not done yet. Read on to learn about several cool things that you can add to your possible vacation plans this summer.
Growing Pigeon Forge Destination Offers Vacation Experiences By The Mile!
We've spent the past several weeks using our blog to highlight new attractions and restaurants and the like. This week, we're going to keep the ball rolling by expanding a little bit on a topic we touched on in last week's post. That's when we told you about August Moon Drive-In, a new indoor drive-in movie attraction coming to the Mountain Mile development in Pigeon Forge either later this year or early next year.
More New Stuff For 2019!
We've spent the past few weeks previewing lots of cool things that will be brand-new to the Smokies this year. So far, we've talked about Blake Shelton's Ole Red restaurant as well as Dolly Parton's Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show and the new Wildwood Grove addition at Dollywood theme park.
Dollywood Introduces New Section For 2019
While Smoky Mountain Ziplines is on winter hiatus, we've been taking some time to promote some other great attractions here in Pigeon Forge and throughout the Smokies area. More specifically, we've been sharing information about new points of interest that will be making their debut in the very near future – by spring, in most cases.
More New Stuff For 2019!
Last week, we told you about Blake Shelton's new dinner/entertainment venture, Ole Red, which will open in downtown Gatlinburg in March. This week, we're going to keep the ball rolling with a preview of another new attraction coming to the Smokies for 2019. Smoky Mountain Ziplines is closed for winter, but we can all look forward to spring by learning about some of the other fun places set to make their debut in the near future.
Ole Red One Of Many New Businesses Coming To The Smokies In 2019
Remember when country music celebs used to frequently lend their names to business ventures in the Smokies? Back in the day, stars like Alan Jackson, Louise Mandrell and Lee Greenwood had entertainment/dining establishments with their branding on them in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. For that matter, Mandrell and Greenwood used to star in their own shows throughout the year.
The Smokies After Dark
If you've ever visited the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, you know that a person can pack a lot of fun into a day there. But just because the sun goes down doesn't mean your day in the Smokies has to come to an end. All you night owls may be happy to know that there's a lot of excitement to be experienced after sunset as well. This week, we would like to share a few ideas for fun ways to extend your vacation day well into the night.
Will The Government Shutdown Affect Your Smokies Trip?
We're more than two weeks into the government shutdown, and as we post this, there's no immediate end in sight. In our area, the shutdown's biggest impact has been on Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here's what the park website says about it:
4 Things You Should Try In The Smokies In 2019
The paint is still wet on 2019. We've still got a fresh new year going, one in which resolutions are probably still holding strong (or maybe by a thread?) and there's a lot of positive momentum propelling us into the next 12 months.
Goodbye 2018, Hello 2019!
Can you believe we've all completed yet another trip around the sun? Once again, it's already time to bid one year farewell while ushering in a new one. And if you have travel plans to visit the Great Smoky Mountains this weekend, you're in luck. You can enjoy all the usual benefits of a trip to the Smokies, but while you're here, you can also take your pick of several different special events that will allow you to ring in 2019 in a most festive manner. This week, we'll tell you about just a few of the New Year's Eve happenings in our area for Monday night.
Spending Christmas In The Smokies
This may seem blasphemous to some of you, but there's no law that says you have to spend the Christmas holiday at your home or at the home of a family member. In fact, have you ever considered a vacation Christmas away from home? If not, this year may be the perfect time to try it, and believe it or not, it's not too late to put together an unforgettable Christmas vacation of your very own in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. The best part is that you don't have to include Cousin Eddie if you don't want to.
Ober Gatlinburg – A Downhill Experience For Winter
What's the most fun way to travel downhill in the Smokies? It's Smoky Mountain Ziplines, naturally! Our course features seven individual ziplines that take you from the top of our scenic wooded mountain to the bottom in high-speed fashion. We offer one of the longest zipline experiences in the area, and you'll discover there's nothing quite like soaring through the treetops like a bird to add a little adrenaline boost to your day.
A Holiday Shopping Guide
Here we are. Down to just the last few weeks before Christmas Day. If you haven't gotten serious about your holiday shopping yet, then now is the time. All hands on deck! This is not a drill! (Unless you just bought someone a new power drill, in which case, it IS a drill…) The good news is that if you're going to be hanging out in the Smokies any time during the next few weeks, you might find Christmas shopping to be easier than ever thanks to the wealth of retail shopping opportunities you'll find in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. In case you're not sure how to get started, read on, and we'll lay out a few guidelines for you.
Smoky Mountain Theaters Spread Christmas Cheer
During Smoky Mountain Winterfest, the communities of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville go all out to celebrate Christmas and the entire holiday period. That includes millions of colorful lights and dozens of seasonally themed events. Our local music theaters always get in on the act too, offering up special holiday versions of their usual stage productions. Whether it's music, magic or games of competition in the spotlight, if you take in a show between now and the end of the year, there's a good chance you'll wind up receiving a little extra Christmas cheer.
Take A Journey Back In Time
Lots of visitors to the Smokies are familiar with Smoky Mountain Knife Works, located along Tenn. Hwy. 66 between downtown Sevierville and Interstate 40. For four decades, this popular retail destination has attracted a growing number of customers with its immense collection of knives, accessories, apparel and sporting goods.
The Missing Link Revisited
A few months ago, we told you about a new section of Foothills Parkway that was expected to open in the fall. That future arrived last week, and with the opening of the so-called “Missing Link,” motorists, bikers and cyclists can now enjoy an uninterrupted 33-mile stretch of road that runs from U.S. Hwy. 129 near Chilhowee Lake to Wears Valley, TN.
Don't Miss Your Last Chances To Zipline!
All good things must come to an end, and here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we're looking at wrapping up our 2018 season within the next few weeks. It's nice out now, but soon, the weather conditions will get to the point where it's not feasible for us to stay open; it's just about that time of year when folks start to shy away from outdoor activities. In the meantime, however, we encourage you to take advantage of these beautiful fall days and come spend a few hours on our ziplines in the Smoky Mountains.
Winterfest Kicks Off In The Smokies
Even though we finally started getting fall weather just a few weeks ago, believe it or not, it's already time for winter in the Great Smoky Mountains. It's true. While the season doesn't officially hit for another six weeks or so, the cities of the Smokies aren't waiting around to begin celebrating that magical time of year. Several will be kicking off their own respective Winterfest activities next week, and that's just the beginning of what will wind up being four months' worth of decorations and special events.
Do Your Christmas Shopping In The Smokies
This time of year, the Smokies is packed with things to do – Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are home to tons of fun attractions, music shows and special events. And then there's Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is this region's best and most fun playground, a beautiful setting for everything from hiking and camping to fishing and picnicking.
4 Reasons To Go Ziplining This Month
Are you planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains this month? If so, you won't be alone. Besides the peak summer months of June, July and August, October is one of the busiest times of the year in terms of visitation. So if you're headed this way within the next couple of weeks or so, we can offer you several good reasons for coming to Smoky Mountain Ziplines while you're in the area.
Arrrr… Pirates Be Invading The Smokies In 2019!
Well shiver me timbers… Thar be not one but two new pirate-themed stage shows dropping anchor in the Great Smoky Mountains in 2019. We learned about last week, but for those of you who may not have heard much about either, we thought we'd pass along a sneak peek of what's in store for Smokies visitors next year.
Foliage Watch 2018
Autumn is one of our favorite seasons here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. The weather usually strikes a perfect balance during October, with moderate temperatures hovering between warm and comfortable and many sunny days that are ideal for enjoying our Pigeon Forge zipline adventure. This is also the season that the foliage throughout our region begins changing colors. It's an annual seasonal rite of passage that draws visitors from all over the world to the Smokies, just to witness the beauty that nature exudes as our leaves morph from green to a spectrum of yellow, orange and red.
Dollywood Welcomes Fall With Annual Harvest Festival
As we mentioned last week, Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is well under way in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. This annual celebration of autumn will continue through November 25, with each community participating by putting out lots of fall décor and hosting a wide array of special events.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
You can't say we don't do things in a big way in the Great Smoky Mountains. Even our special events can last for months and months. Such happens to be the case with Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, which is currently under way and runs through November 25.
The 5 Kinds Of Zipliners
Here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we've watched a lot of people ride ziplines in the years that we've been open – probably thousands of people at this point. As a result, we've come to notice that the majority of our customers fall into one of five different categories of zipline riders, based on their physical and emotional reactions to the zipline experience. There can be some areas of overlap – where one person might exhibit characteristics of two or more of the zipliner profiles – but for the most part, most people tend to fall primarily into one category.
Vacation Over? Make It A Weekend In The Smokies!
Chances are that most of you reading this have probably used up all your summer vacation time for the year. Lots of folks like to make their big vacay trips while the kids are out for summer break, and at this point, those breaks have ended for most, if not all, of you.
The Missing Link Is Disappearing!
If you continued reading past the headline, expecting a story about the disappearance of some sort of half-man, half-ape creature, we hate to disappoint you. However, what we're talking about this week is still an interesting story, and one that could have more of a direct impact on your own life.
Paying Tribute
With the recent passing of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, it made us think about how many musical greats we've lost over the years. Legends like Roy Orbison, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson – the list goes on and on – have left us, often before their time, taking with them some of the greatest voices and talents of their generations.
5 Things You Can Still Do In The Smokies
Yep, the kiddos are all back in school (Hallelujah!), so for them, summer is over, for all intents and purposes. But have you checked the calendar or a thermometer lately? Both would indicate that summer is officially still in full swing. And that means there's still plenty of warm-weather fun in store for those of us who aren't tied down too tightly by school schedules.
Clingmans Dome - You Can See For Miles And Miles And Miles
There's good news this week from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower is open once again to the public after being closed for several weeks. The tower had been closed so work crews could add surfacing to the ramp leading up to the tower, part of a major renovation project that began in 2017.
4 MORE Things NOT To Do On Your Next Smokies Vacation
Last week, we offered four suggestions for things that you might avoid doing when you're vacationing in the Smokies. These included staying glued to your phone throughout your entire trip; feeding or getting too close to bears; overlooking discounts on shows, attractions, shops and restaurants; and forgetting to factor in the weather when making your daily plans. Again, these are all things NOT to do on vacation.
4 Things NOT To Do On Your Next Smokies Vacation – Part I
If you ask friends or family what you should do when vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains, you'll probably get more advice than one person can reasonably handle. And that's OK. It's always better to have more choices than fewer when you're planning a trip. But on the flip side of the coin, you'll probably rarely get advice about what NOT to do on vacation. And that's too bad, because sometimes, knowing what to avoid can be just as beneficial as knowing what to seek out.
The Reviews Are In!
If you've never been a guest here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, then it probably wouldn't surprise you if we used this blog post to brag a little bit about our Pigeon Forge zip line adventure. After all, that's what businesses do – point out their positive attributes so they'll sound appealing to visitors.
5 Reasons To Go Ziplining This Week
If you're looking for ideas for creating unforgettable memories on your next trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, read on. This week, we're going to make our case for why a trip to Smoky Mountain Ziplines should be on your itinerary when you visit the mountains of East Tennessee. We think the evidence is overwhelming, so by the time you're done with this blog post, you may already have your phone (or mouse) in hand, making plans to come see us.
Ranger-Led Programs Add New Dimension To National Park
With some 10 million people crossing its borders each year, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. And for good reason. It's one of the largest national parks by area, and within its 800 square miles (spanning two states) are unspoiled forests, majestic mountains, pristine waterways and thousands of species of living creatures, from insects to elk.
Zipline Etiquette
Pretty much everybody that spends any time at all with us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines has a great experience. But to ensure that our guests stay safe and also enjoy themselves, we have certain rules and guidelines into place. For example, there are weight and age restrictions, and we expect our guests to dress appropriately before arriving.
Hot-Weather Survival Tips
Someone must have broken the sun. It's stuck on the HOT setting, and we can't seem to get any relief from the heat and humidity this week. And local forecasts don't call for much rain to help us out in the near future.
Educational Attractions Your Kids Will Love
Here we are, in the thick of summer vacation season, which means there's a good chance that if you haven't already, you and your family will be venturing out for some fun and play time away from home. We hope that your plans for this year include spending some time in the Great Smoky Mountains, but just because it's summer, that doesn't mean all learning has to cease when you and your kids visit our area. Here in the Smokies, we offer a number of attractions that incorporate educational components into their missions to entertain. With some of this week's suggestions, your kids (and you) can have a lot of fun and also learn a thing or two in the process. It's a summertime win-win situation.
5 Things That Will Surprise You About Smoky Mountain Ziplines
If you've never ridden a zipline before, there's a good chance there will be some parts of the experience that take you by surprise. But even if you're a seasoned zipliner, we think your first time trying out our Pigeon Forge zip line attraction will still have its share of unexpected plusses. This week, let's take a look at some of the ways you might be pleasantly surprised by your first visit to our little corner of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Hikes You'll FALL in Love With
Hopefully, you'll find some time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park on your next trip to East Tennessee. Spread out across two different states, the park offers a beautiful and scenic way to enjoy some of your favorite outdoor activities, including fishing, camping, swimming, biking and touring historic sites.
Please Don't Feed The Bears!
This has been a big topic in the news around here lately. Saying, “Don't feed the bears” has almost become a cliché in our culture, but it's based in fact, and the consequences of giving human food to wild bears can be tragic. Just this past week, a mother bear and two of her yearling cubs had to be euthanized by national park officials because park visitors encroached on the animals' territory and fed them. It's really a shame when humans disobey the rules, and the bears are the ones that have to pay for it.
Ole Red Is Coming To Gatlinburg
Who's Ole Red, you may be asking? It's not so much a question of “who” as it is “what.” When it makes its debut in Gatlinburg next year, Ole Red will be a $9 million entertainment venue presented by Grand Ole Opry member Blake Shelton in conjunction with Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.
Ziplining – A Healthy Part Of A Balanced Vacation
We definitely want you to spend some time with us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines on your next trip to East Tennessee. But chances are you're going to be in town for at least a few days, and that's a lot of time to fill. So at some point, you'll need to come up with other ways to enjoy yourselves besides whooping it up on our ziplines in Gatlinburg.
5 Ways To Save Money On Your Next Smokies Vacation
We can all agree that vacations are fun. Whether you're traveling with your kids, heading out on a romantic getaway with your significant other or just exploring the mountains on your own, spending time in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is an experience you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Tee Time!
Spring weather has been reluctant to gain a strong foothold in the Smokies so far this year, but we're still seeing telltale signs that warmer days are upon us. One of the most visible clues is that area golf courses are starting to green up and attract recreational players from all over the country. We're heading into prime golfing season, so if you're fond of hitting the links every spring and summer, you'll find a lot of golfing choices in the Smoky Mountains.
Lumberjacks Are Coming Back!
Several years ago, there was a show called Lumberjack Feud in Pigeon Forge. It ran for many years and featured exhibitions and competitions starring actual lumberjack athletes. It was all wrapped up in the context of a live show, so it was entertaining on many levels. That theater was eventually purchased by the Dollywood company and the lumberjack theme was revamped into another type of show. But this spring, Lumberjack Feud is back in the Smokies.
Guiding Your Way
At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we pride ourselves on being home to some of the best ziplines Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville have to offer. Our mountain outpost boasts seven different zipline runs that total more than 4,200 feet in cable length. It's an experience that combines treetop elevations, fast zipline runs and some of the best views you'll find in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Play Ball!
One of the sure signs that spring has really arrived is the start of baseball season. From Little League to Major League, baseball fans all over the country are gearing up to cheer on their favorite teams, and those of us who live in the Smoky Mountains are no exception. Each year, we look forward to five months of exciting baseball action with the Tennessee Smokies, a AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
Arts & Crafts Central
The history of arts and crafts in the Great Smoky Mountains is substantial. In fact, once upon a time, skills like broom making and woodworking weren't even considered art forms. They were ways of life that were necessary to survival in the mountains in the 18th and 19th centuries. But even as modern ways came to the Smokies, these craft forms managed to live on, getting passed down from generation to generation.
4 Things To Do In The Smokies This Spring
Don't let the snow and frigid temperatures that sneaked into the Smokies this week fool you. Spring is officially here, and before you know it, more pleasant, sunny days will have settled back in here for good, which means your playtime options in the mountains will be wide open again until fall. Whether you've already got a vacation to the Smokies planned for this spring or you just have a vague itch to travel that needs scratching, the possibilities are greatly expanded now that nature is laying out its welcome mat.
Dollywood 2018 Preview
In case you weren't already aware, Smoky Mountain Ziplines is open for the season. And it's looking like this weekend might be a great opportunity to help us kick off 2018 by experiencing some of the area's best ziplines, Smoky Mountains beauty and some awesome spring weather, all at the same time.
It's Zipline Time In Tennessee
Smoky Mountain Ziplines is officially open for the 2018 season! And we're excited to be back, providing our guests with an unforgettable experience that includes ziplines, Smoky Mountains and more fun than you've probably had in a long time. If you've ziplined with us in previous years, then you have a good idea of what we have to offer. But if you've never ziplined with us before, or if you've never been on a zipline at all, then read on for an overview of everything we'll have to offer this year.
5 Kid-Friendly Places To Visit In The Smokies This Year
Traveling with kids can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a challenge, especially if the tykes are around age 10 or younger. They're still at an age where they might need a little assistance from mom and dad when it comes to staying mentally occupied, not to mention the fact that the littlest of the little actually might need physical assistance in the form of a stroller or perhaps being carried from time to time as the day wears on.
What's New In The Smokies For 2018 - Part 2
We may still be in February, but you can already sense the buzz around town as spring bears down on us. It seems like everyone around here is more than ready for winter to say goodbye and for spring to return with its warmer days and its budding trees and flowers. At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we're ready to get cranked up for this season too, but until we are able to officially welcome our visitors back to zipline Smoky Mountains in 2018, we can tell you about a bunch of new and newish things to look forward to in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
What's New In The Smokies For 2018 - Part 1
February hasn't historically been considered one of the prime months for visiting the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee (although there's really never a BAD time to visit), but that doesn't mean you can't start licking your chops now and looking ahead to see what lies waiting later this year when you do finally make that next trip to the Smokies. So to help give you a sneak preview of what's in store in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville this year, read on. We can do some early unveiling of a number of new attractions, restaurants, shops and more, and in the process, we might just spark a few ideas for what your next mountain vacation may entail.
Romance Abounds In The Great Smoky Mountains
There's just a little over a week left until Valentine's Day, that special occasion when couples of all ages, all over the world, celebrate their mutual love. For many, it's a holiday of tradition, one that involves gift giving and other demonstrations of affection. This year, however, consider upping your game a little bit and making the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee the backdrop for this year's romantic festivities.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines 2018 Season Preview
It'll be another month or so before we're back open for the 2018 season here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, but we figured it wouldn't be too early to give you a taste of what we'll have going on here this year at our outpost, which offers the best ziplining Sevierville, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg have to offer.
4 Milestones In Smoky Mountain History - Part 2
Last week, we started looking at some of the watershed events in the history of the Great Smoky Mountains area – not from a geological standpoint but more from a perspective of how what used to be just a quiet, scenic corner of Tennessee evolved into one of the most booming tourism destinations in the nation.
4 Milestones In Smoky Mountain History - Part 1
We've just kicked off a new year, but this week, we thought we'd spend some time looking back. Way back…
Zipline News From Around The World
Smoky Mountain Ziplines is taking a break for the winter, but we'll be back in just a couple of months, weather permitting. However, just because things are a little quiet around here right now doesn't mean that the entire zipline universe has ceased to exist. We've dug up tidbits about all sorts of interesting new zipline developments from all over the world.
6 Tips For Dealing With Sub-Freezing Weather
Baby, it's cold outside, if you haven't noticed. This time of year, there's always a higher risk of sub-freezing temperatures, but for the last week or so, we've really been dealing with a cold snap in the Smokies, to say the least. Chances are, you have too, even if you are from outside our state.
How To Take Advantage Of The Off Season
Twenty-seventeen is wrapping up, and soon, we'll be ushering in a new year. New years are times for new beginnings, but historically, the months of January and February have been slow days in the Smokies. Tourism numbers drop during the cold winter months, and although more businesses stay open during the traditional off season than in years past, some still go into hibernation until spring. That even goes for our Smoky Mountains zipline attraction.
5 Great Lesser-Known Attractions In The Smokies, Part Three: Gatlinburg
For the past couple of weeks, we've been sharing suggestions for cool, fun places to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains. Specifically, we've been focusing on some of the lesser-known attractions in the cities of Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. This week, we're shifting our focus to Gatlinburg. Yes, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Ober Gatlinburg are among the family destinations that most folks have heard of, but this week, we want to steer you toward a few other places that may not have the same name recognition but are worthy of a visit nonetheless.
5 Great Lesser-Known Attractions In The Smokies, Part Two: Pigeon Forge
Last week, we began a series of posts focusing on lesser-known attractions in the Smokies that are worth looking into if you happen to be visiting the mountains this winter. Since we only have a couple of weeks left in our 2017 season here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we thought it would be a good idea to share some of those destinations with you, to assist you in planning any trips you might be making here during the next few months.
5 Great Lesser-Known Attractions In The Smokies, Part One: Sevierville.
Now that we're winding down our season here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we thought this would be a good time to steer you toward some other attractions that you might consider while on a winter visit to our area. (We'll be open weekends only through the end of the year, and then we'll re-open in the spring.)
4 Really Christmas-y Christmas Things You Can Do Before Christmas
Okay, all you Christmas season fans… Thanksgiving is officially over, which means that if you haven't done so already, you can finally put those trees up, string lights all over the house and blast your favorite carols at full volume, all in good conscience. No one can give you a hard time about it now.
5 Holiday Shows To Catch During Winterfest
Folks who visit the Great Smoky Mountains from November through February are always in for an extra treat, as the communities of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville host Winterfest, a four-month-long celebration of the holidays and the winter season. Each year, the area is decked out in millions of holiday lights, while each city offers visitors a wide array of special events that are related to Christmas and beyond.
5 Things To Be Thankful For This Week
Thanksgiving is next week. We all know how that works, right? We get together with family, we stuff ourselves with turkey and all the trimmings, we manage to find just enough room for a piece (or two) of pie, and then we kick back in a drowsy stupor to watch football for the rest of the day. Of course, you then proceed to eat leftovers for at least the next three meals.
4 Things To Do On Your Fall Smokies Vacation
Autumn is one of the best times of years to come to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Whether you're with a spouse/significant other, the whole family, friends or even a large group, there are plenty of good things around here to make any journey well worth your time. It doesn't matter if you plan to stay for just a weekend or an entire week, you'll discover plenty of cool things to do and places to see. So get ready to fill in those calendars; you can start by taking a few of these suggestions along the way:
Winterfest Is Coming To Light Up The Smokies!
We're only a month and a half into autumn, but here in the Great Smoky Mountains, everyone's thoughts are already turning to winter. That's because we're about to kick off a four-month-long event that celebrates that season and all the holidays that fall within it. Once again, Winterfest is coming to town, and the communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are gearing up for one of the most popular and festive stretches of seasonal celebration in the region.
Everybody Loves Ziplines!
When you're on vacation or a weekend getaway, it's often a challenge to find things to do that everyone in the family enjoy equally or is even capable of doing as part of the group. If you've ever found yourself in that camp, then consider ziplining as a must-do for your next trip to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Maximum Shopping, Minimum Travel
Most folks know that the Smoky Mountain communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are retail Meccas, places where you can shop for just about any type of merchandise imaginable. That may come in handy if you're planning to do some Christmas shopping in the area in the next month or so. But these towns occupy a large area (an entire county, actually), so if you only have a limited amount of time to devote to a shopping excursion, how do you go about choosing which places to visit?
4 Great Reasons To Come To The Smokies In October
Outside the traditional summer vacation months of June, July and August, October is the busiest time of the year in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. From Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, people from all over the world descend on our little corner of the Smokies for what is generally regarded as “the other peak season.”
Fall Colors Draw Millions To The Mountains
There are just so many great things about October. Here in the Smokies, we try to make the most of sunny days that are warm (but not too hot) and are bookended by crisp, pleasant mornings and evenings. At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, our guests get to enjoy an extra benefit – the changing colors of the foliage that blankets our mountainside outpost. Things are just getting cranked up as far as the annual transformation of colors is concerned, but in just a few weeks, it'll be prime viewing for anyone coming to check out our ziplines in Pigeon Forge.
Dig In To 5 Great Buffet Restaurants In The Smokies
Some folks enjoy dining out for the experience of being waited on by a staff of servers and enjoying their favorite foods prepared by the hands of professional cooks and chefs. Others, however, enjoy the sheer variety of foods that a restaurant can offer and find it difficult to narrow their selections down to just an entrée and a couple of sides.
The Five WORST Things About Ziplining
Don't get us wrong; we definitely think Smoky Mountain Ziplines is well worth the trip, whether it's your first time ziplining or your 100th. With the most exciting ways to zip line Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville have to offer, we can help turn any morning or afternoon into an adventure as you spend hours in our mountainside zipline course. You'll fly, you'll see stunning mountain views, and you might make a few new friends along the way.
Smoky Mountains Visitors Are Getting Star-Struck!
When you visit Pigeon Forge, TN, you never know who you're going to run into. We've heard reports of folks spotting the likes of Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Liza Minnelli and Willie Nelson. It's also not uncommon for some visitors to see Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley performing on stage.
World's Longest Zipline To Debut Soon in United Arab Emirates
How would you like to be one of the first people to ride on the world's longest zipline? Your chance could arrive soon, as a brand-new attraction offering that very distinction is expected to open by December 1. The only hitch is that you'll have to travel to the United Arab Emirates to enjoy the experience.
Go-Carts And Arcades And Golf, Oh My!
We spend a fair amount of time on this blog steering visitors toward a lot of the major attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains area. Popular stops like Dollywood, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and the Titanic Museum and Attraction naturally garner a lot of attention because of their size and popularity. We also like to play up unique destinations like our own Smoky Mountain Ziplines as well as attractions that showcase live shows or animals or wonders of the world.
7 Things You'll Enjoy About Smoky Mountain Ziplines - Besides Ziplining
Our guests come to Smoky Mountain Ziplines for one primary purpose – to experience the adrenaline-surging excitement of riding a zipline. Whether it's someone's first time or 101st, speeding through the treetops like Tarzan is just plain fun, and it's an experience we're always more than happy to share with folks in town to visit the Great Smoky Mountains.
It's Total Eclipse Time In East Tennessee!
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past several months, you're probably already aware that a rare astronomical event will have a major impact on East Tennessee next week – August 21, to be precise. That's the day that much of our region will experience a total eclipse of the sun, and portions of East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains lie in the path of totality – that is, the zone in which the sun will be totally obscured as the moon passes between it and the earth. And when you consider that the last total solar eclipse viewed from the contiguous United States was in 1979, you can see how this will be a rare event indeed.
Ripley Entertainment – More Than Just An Aquarium, Believe It Or Not!
When you hear the Ripley name in connection with the Great Smoky Mountains, the first thing you probably think of is Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, located in downtown Gatlinburg. But that's not the only place where this legendary entertainment company brings in tourists by the thousands every week. In fact, the company operates eight different attractions in the Smokies – seven in Gatlinburg and one in Sevierville. This week, we'll point out Ripley Entertainment's other local ventures, any of which would be the perfect complement to our ziplines in the Smoky Mountains.
5 Reasons To Visit The Smokies In August
Sure, you'll discover great reasons to visit the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee any time of year. But if you still haven't made it to the mountains yet in 2017, you may actually find there are a number of benefits to having waited this long. And if you decide to make the trip in August specifically, you'll discover at least five of those benefits:
4 Places To Shop In The Smokies – Other Than Outlet Malls!
If you were to sit down today and start planning a shopping spree in the Great Smoky Mountains, chances are that outlet malls would be one of the first destinations to spring into your mind. After all, outlet malls are practically synonymous with the Smokies. You'll find the biggest ones in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, and with multiple retail outlet centers and hundreds of individual stores at your disposal, it's hard to pass up substantial savings on name-brand merchandise of all kinds.
10 Great Reasons To Visit Smoky Mountain Ziplines This Summer
If you're planning a vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains this summer, chances are you've spent some amount of time trying to decide how you're going to fill your days and nights. There's so much going on around here that sometimes, we know the prospect of choosing only a few options for your vacation itinerary can seem daunting. Where does a person begin?
Theater Shows For The Non-Country-Music Fan - Part 2
Last week, we introduced you to many of the theater shows in the Smokies that don't necessarily cater to country-music audiences. After all, there's probably a perception out there that Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville offer only country music fare on their theater stages. That's true to an extent, but as we showed last week, folks who don't care for that country twang can still find lots of entertainment options in this area.
Theater Shows For The Non-Country-Music Fan - Part 1
In addition to the Smoky Mountains, outlet mall shopping and awesome family attractions, our area is known for its music theaters. More than a dozen venues in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg offer an even greater number of live shows, with show times scheduled morning, afternoon and evening, depending on the theater. Like the music-theater community in Branson, MO, the Smokies' showplaces are definitely skewed toward the country end of the music spectrum as well as close-cousin genres like bluegrass and gospel music.
The Bear Facts About Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This is a topic we try to cover at least once a year and for several reasons. First, black bears are an iconic symbol of the Great Smoky Mountains, so they're one of the main sights visitors hope to catch a glimpse of when they're in the national park. Also, as the bear population grows and the number of park visitors grows each year, it's inevitable that man and bear will cross paths at some point, so it's important to know how best to handle those encounters.
How To Eat Healthy On Your Smokies Vacation
You don't have to drive far up or down the Parkway in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville to find food. Hundreds of restaurants that cater to all types of cuisine and all price points dot the main roads of the Smokies, which should be no surprise, considering that eating out is one of the perks of being on vacation. Cooking is usually one of the top things that folks enjoy taking a vacation FROM.
5 Things You'll Take Away From Your Ziplining Experience
Why do people enjoy ziplining so much? The most obvious answer is that it's a whole lot of fun. That's a given. But that's not the only positive thing to be gained from hanging out with us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. This week, we'd like to offer you a little insider insight into some other benefits of ziplining you might not have thought about.
The Island In Pigeon Forge Is A One-Stop Family Destination
One thing Smoky Mountain visitors like so much about this area is that it offers everything they could ask for in a family vacation – all in one convenient and beautiful location. With a wealth of lodging, entertainment, attraction, shopping and dining choices available within the confines of a single county, the Smokies make it easy for visitors to meet all their vacation needs with a minimum of travel.
Cool Zipline News From Around The World
School's out, and Memorial Day is in the rear-view mirror, which means we're in full-on summer vacation mode here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. We're the highest rated outdoor attraction in Pigeon Forge according to TripAdvisor, thanks to our long-and-fast ziplines, stellar views, awesome guides and the best Pigeon Forge zip line prices you'll find.
In Search Of Relaxation? Seek, And You Shall Find It In The Smokies
In today's amped-up, maxed-out world, we could all use a little more relaxation. With the daily demands of work, family and sometimes even social pursuits, it seems like there's always something nipping at our heels that requires our attention. Over time, this steady drip-drip-drip of stimuli can lead to lack of sleep, fatigue, chronic worry and high levels of stress.
4 Ways To Make Memories On Your Next Smokies Vacation
These days, it seems that folks are always looking to acquire more stuff in their lives, but when you think about it, even the most expensive toys are of little value in the end. Like they say, you can't take it with you.
5 Great Places To Have Breakfast In The Smokies
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We're not exactly sure who THEY are, but the advice is sound nonetheless; so if you want to get your day off to a solid start when you're visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, don't overlook the importance of a substantial breakfast. The good news is that you have lots of options to choose from when trying to decide where to grab that first bite.
The Great Smoky Mountains – From Dawn 'Til Dusk
Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee can be a daunting task. After all, the traveler has almost infinite options when it comes to planning a vacation day, so trying to narrow down all those choices and fit a select few into a finite span of time can be quite challenging. Hopefully, this week's post will get you started with at least a few suggestions for how to spend a day in the Smokies and get the most out of it. In this scenario, we try to touch on as many different aspects of Smoky Mountain life as we can. The rest is up to you.
Special Events Bring National Park To Life
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the number one reason people visit our little neck of the woods here in East Tennessee. With hundreds of square miles of pristine woodlands, majestic mountains, creeks and streams, and an abundance of wildlife, the park is the ideal setting for weary souls in search of a place to unplug from the busy-ness of life and reconnect with nature. Amenities like hundreds of miles of hiking trails, picnic grounds, campgrounds, historic sites and more all add up to make GSMNP the most visited national park in the country.
The Boys Of Summer Are Back In Time For Spring
How do you plan to enjoy the warmer temperatures of spring and summer this year? If you're like a lot of folks visiting the Smokies, you could make the most of the seasons by hanging out with us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. We're back up and running for 2017, offering visitors one of the longest and fastest zipline experiences in the area. We hope you find time this year to spend a few hours with us soaring through the treetops, high above the ground, and taking in some awesome Smoky Mountain views along the way.
Special Events In The Smokies Will Add A Spring To Your Vacation Steps
Thinking about visiting the Smokies this week? You've picked a great time to travel. The weather here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines has been almost perfect – warm and sunny with some refreshing spring breezes. You might say the weather is ideal for outdoor fun like the kind you'll find at our Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg zipline attraction.
Ziplines - They're Not Just For Fun, You Know...
When you think about ziplining, the first thing you probably think of is the fun outdoor recreational activity. Just like we do every day here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, it's the kind of ziplining, where you strap on a safety harness and helmet, clip onto a zipline and go sailing off into the wild blue yonder, soaring among the treetops with the wind in your face.
Looking For Low-Cost Accommodations In The Smokies? Consider Camping!
It's official… Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, welcoming some 10 million guests each year. Most of those 10 million visitors wind up staying in a hotel, motel, condo or cabin, whether it's just for a night or two or an entire week.
Spring Heats Up In The Smokies With Special Events
Whether your next Smokies vacation has you staying in Pigeon Forge, Sevierville or Gatlinburg, zip line fun will be beckoning you from Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge. We're up and running for the 2017 season with one of the area's biggest zipline experiences, with multiple ziplines that offer more total air time than almost any other vendor in the Smokies. And with gorgeous views, hands-off braking, treetop platforms and a cool rappelling feature, this is the place that more folks are going to enjoy high-speed adventure in the mountains.
Dollywood To Kick Off 2017 Season With Festival Of Nations
Guess what's happening this weekend in Pigeon Forge…
The Smokies Offer Awesome Views And International Flavors
Millions of visitors flock to Sevier County, Tennessee each year, primarily to enjoy the majestic sights of the Great Smoky Mountains and to experience firsthand all the beauty and outdoor activities that their namesake national park have to offer.
It's Zipline Time In Tennessee!
Lots of folks can't wait for football season to start. Some can't wait for baseball or basketball season to start. And a few of you nuts out there actually can't wait for hockey season. But here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we always eagerly await the kickoff of zipline season at our outpost in Pigeon Forge. We're happy to say we're opening our doors for 2017 this Friday, March 3, and it's looking like it's going to be a coolish but sunny day – great conditions for our Pigeon Forge Zipline tours.
Hibernation 101: What Are Those Wacky Black Bears Doing Right Now?.
Is it winter? Is it spring? Who knows? Based on the weather we've been experiencing (enjoying) in East Tennessee lately, it's hard to tell. Either way, we'll take it and make the most of it, right?
Take A Hike-To Baskins Creek Falls!
The moderate temperatures we've enjoyed so much this winter have meant that many of us have been able to spend a lot more time outdoors than we normally might during this season. And since our Pigeon Forge zip line tours won't reopen for a few more weeks, we thought we would pass along an alternative suggestion for having fun surrounded by nature.
6 Things You Can Do In The Smokies For Valentine's Day
If you're like so many folks who are either married or in a relationship but haven't yet made plans for Valentine's Day, we can assure you that you're not alone. And you'll also be glad to know there's still time to pull together some spectacular plans that will hopefully knock the socks off your significant other next week.
Choosing The Right Accommodations For Your Next Trip To the Smokies
Let's say you and the fam are planning an awesome vacation to the Smokies for 2017. Whether it takes place in spring, summer, fall or winter, one of the first decisions you're going to have to make (other than locking in the dates) is where you're going to stay. That's the foundation on which your whole trip will be built, so it makes sense to give it some thought before pulling the trigger on those reservations.
New Attractions Coming To Pigeon Forge For 2017
We know what it's like to be the new kids in town. Fortunately, our Pigeon Forge zipline adventure caught on with visitors, which has led to us going strong for many years now. But since we're taking a brief winter hiatus right now, we thought we'd give you all a sneak preview of some of the attractions and points of interest that are new to Pigeon Forge for 2017.
There Are Lots Of Ways To Horse Around In The Smokies
When you were a kid, you probably heard your parents and teachers warn you not to get into any horseplay. Now that you're all grown up, though, it's OK to get into horseplay. In fact, it's something that a lot of people enjoy doing when they visit the Great Smoky Mountains.
5 Smoky Mountain Attractions You May Not Have Heard Of
If you've ever spent any time in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, chances are that in addition to the mountains themselves you visited at least one attraction in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville. This area is known for fun destinations that attract millions of visitors from all over the world; Dollywood, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and the Titanic Museum Attraction are probably familiar names even to those who haven't spent much time in this area.
4 Smoky Mountain Travel Resolutions For 2017
A new year is already under way – a blank sheet of paper upon which we will all, hopefully, write a wonderful story over the course of the next 52 weeks. As a result, this is the time of year that many people choose to make New Year's resolutions or set goals for positive changes they'd like to make in the year ahead.
Take Advantage Of Your Last Chance To Zipline This Season!
Boy does time fly. It seems like just a few weeks ago that we were opening back up for spring and introducing our new course to the public here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. But it's already been close to nine months since then, and here we are, getting ready to go on another winter hiatus.
New Crime Museum Hopes To Be A Breakout Attraction In Pigeon Forge
They say crime doesn't pay, but in the case of one new Pigeon Forge attraction, it might wind up paying off big. Alcatraz East, a new crime museum located at The Island development, recently opened to the public, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at our nation's crime history.
6 Things You Can Do In Gatlinburg This Week
You've only got a few more chances to join us here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in 2016. We'll be open this weekend, December 17 and 18 (weather permitting), and we'll be open Christmas Eve as well as every day from December 26 through January 1. So if you're thinking about coming to the area in the next couple of weeks, we hope you find some time to check out Smoky Mountain zip line and canopy tour.
Gatlinburg Re-Opens To The Public In Wake Of Wildfires
Last week's wildfires took quite a toll on the residents of and visitors to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Unfortunately, there were 14 fatalities and 145 people who were treated for fire-related injuries or illnesses. In addition, more than 1,700 structures were damaged or destroyed by the fires, and right now, there aren't even any estimates of how much all that will ultimately cost property owners and insurance companies. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, some 17,000 acres have burned in the Chimney Tops No. 2 fire, and $4.5 million has been spent to fight it.
Information About The Smoky Mountain Wildfires
No doubt that if you've been on social media or been watching local or even national news over the past couple of days, you've heard about the raging wildfires in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the neighboring communities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Thanksgiving Week Happenings In Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville
It's Thanksgiving week, and if you happen to be visiting the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee this week, you have a lot to be thankful for. After all, you're traveling in the most beautiful corner of one of the most beautiful states in the country. Awe-inspiring mountains, blue skies and crisp days all add up to a holiday-vacation setting that's hard to beat.
4 Ideas For Spending Thanksgiving Week In The Great Smoky Mountains
In case you hadn't noticed, Thanksgiving is next week. But if you're thinking that automatically means hosting a meal or packing everyone up to head to Grandma's house, then we'd like to offer you a holiday alternative. This year, consider having Thanksgiving in the Smokies. You can still do all the things you normally do – eat a lot of food, visit with family, watch football games, etc. – but this year, you'll be able to enjoy all the scenery and cool things that go along with a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Winterfest Celebrations Return to the Great Smoky Mountains
For more than 25 years, folks have been making a big deal about winter in the Great Smoky Mountains. In fact, the communities of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville have been elevating the importance of that season since 1990 with their annual Winterfest celebration.
4 Things To Do On A Fall Weekday In The Smokies
Here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we're starting to dial our schedule back a little for fall and winter. Primarily, we'll be open weekends only through the end of the year, except we will be open for a nine-day stretch during Thanksgiving week, from November 19 through 27. We'll be closed Christmas Day, of course, which is a Sunday this year, but then we'll be back open for one last 2016 hurrah, from December 26 through January 1. After that, we'll be on hiatus until spring.
6 Ways That Ziplining Is More Fun Than Standing In Line At The Post Office
We're always telling people how fun ziplining is. That's because we know how fun it is. And our previous customers know how fun it is. But sometimes, we run into skeptics – especially people who have never ziplined before – who have serious doubts about how fun ziplining really is. And strangely, one of the most frequent objections we hear is, “Yeah, but is ziplining more fun than standing in line at the post office?”
3 Must-Do Attractions In Each City In The Smokies
October is such a busy month in the Smokies. Folks are coming into town to see the fall colors and visit the craft shows and do some Christmas shopping at the outlet malls. But if you're going to be in town for a few days or even a full week, you might need to come up with a few additional ways to fill out your travel schedule. This week, we'll introduce you to three attractions in each of our three main cities – Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville – and tell you why you should consider adding it to your itinerary.
Five Must-Do Outings On Your Fall Trip To The Smokies
Maybe the kids have a fall break coming up, or maybe that time has passed but you're still looking at getting away to the Great Smoky Mountains for a few days this fall. If so, you couldn't pick a better time. Autumn is one of the peak seasons that visitors choose to travel to the Smokies, and it's not hard to understand why. Folks love those cool, sunny days and chilly nights as well as the color show that goes along with the annual transformation of our foliage
5 Ways To Save Money On Ziplining
Have you had a chance to check out our new zipline course yet this year? If not, what are you waiting for? Now that we're in October, you can enjoy our redesigned course during one of the most pleasant times of year, in terms of both weather and beautiful mountain scenery.
Fall Color Watch
Too early to start talking about fall colors, you say? Piffle, we say. It's almost never too early to start discussing the glorious metamorphosis that our area foliage undergoes every year in the Great Smoky Mountains. It's such a big deal that October is the single busiest tourism month of the year outside the traditional summer peak-season months.
This Week's Harvest Festival Events
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is officially under way in the Smokies, which means six more weeks of seasonal decorations and special events, all set against the backdrop of cooling fall weather and the annual transformation of the area foliage.
5 Good Reasons To Visit Smoky Mountain Ziplines This Week
Any day we're open for business is a great time to come see us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. The fact of the matter is that ziplining is a whole lot of fun for all ages, so spending a morning or afternoon at our Smoky zipline attraction is always going to be time well spent.
Harvest Festival Returns To The Great Smoky Mountains
On weeks like this, when the high temperatures are holding fast in the nineties, it's hard to imagine that autumn is just around the corner. But according to the calendar, there's only a couple of weeks until fall officially arrives. And here in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, that also means it's time for the annual Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, the time when the communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville celebrate the changing seasons and lay down the welcome mat for all the good things that come with the arrival of autumn.
7 Health Benefits Of Ziplining
It shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that more and more people are becoming health conscious these days. From exercise and nutrition to mental and spiritual wellness, it seems that more folks are thinking about better ways to take care of their bodies and minds, and there are certainly lots of ways for people of all ages to pursue healthier lifestyles.
Special Events Round-Up
This is always an odd time of year here in the Smokies. Most area schools have already started classes, but to look outside, you'd swear it was still summer. That's because it IS still summer, which means there are still plenty of opportunities to work in a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Whether you have the freedom to travel without regard for school schedules or whether you've still got some weekend playtime ahead of you, there's a lot going on around here.
4 Cool Things You'll Notice About Our New Zipline Course
If you've visited Smoky Mountain Ziplines in previous years but haven't had a chance to come back this year, you're in for a treat. Earlier this summer, we debuted a brand-new zipline course, which really helped us step up our game when it comes to our customer experience. It's substantially different from what you might have remembered from before, but it's definitely worth trying for a number of reasons. And it just so happens that we're going to share those reasons with you this week. Our hope is that you'll make plans to travel to the Smokies before the end of the season to experience our ziplines, Pigeon Forge, TN and all the great things our area has to offer.
Cool Zipline Attractions Around The World
We're having a great summer here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge. Although many area schools have started fall classes already, there are still a lot of families around who are milking every last bit of summer before their kids head back to the classroom. And of course, we're still going strong and will be for months to come, even after the fall term is well under way.
13 Facts About The Zipline Industry You May Not Have Known
If you think you've been reading and hearing a lot about ziplines over the past couple of years, you're not imagining things. New zipline attractions continue to pop up all over the world, because it's an activity that offers just about anyone the chance to experience the excitement of speeding through the air while suspended from a steel cable. It's fast, it's fun, and it's exhilarating. It's also an efficient way of bringing the adrenaline-charged thrill of extreme sports to the masses.
6 Things You Will See At Smoky Mountain Ziplines
We get a lot of repeat guests at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, but we also get a lot of folks who have never visited us before, or for that matter, ever ridden a zipline before. That's OK; we love introducing newbies to one of the most fun outdoor activities in the Smokies. But we do get a lot of questions from our first-timers about some of the things they'll see while taking one of our Gatlinburg canopy tours. That's why this week, we'll get you up to speed about some of the sights you'll see the next time you join us for some ziplining in the mountains.
4 Vacation Activities That Go Well With Ziplining
If you haven't had a chance to try our newly redesigned zipline course yet, we recommend that you work that into your itinerary for your next vacation in the Smokies. At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we have everything you could ask for in an outdoor attraction – ziplines, Smoky Mountains scenery, fresh air and a great opportunity to bond with family and/or friends.
5 Alternate Ways to Get to the Smokies, Part II
Last week, we gave you some helpful hints for driving to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Instead of coming into Sevierville on Tenn. Hwy. 66 from Interstate 40, we showed you three alternate routes for getting to the communities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
5 Alternate Ways to Get to the Smokies, Part I
We hope you're planning on doing some traveling in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee this summer. Between the gorgeous mountains, the national park and all the attractions, shops, restaurants and special events you'll find in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, there's enough in this area to fill weeks and weeks of vacation time.
5 Ways to Celebrate Independence Day in the Smokies
Fourth of July weekend is coming up in just a few days, which means Americans from sea to shining sea are already planning ways to celebrate our nation's independence. If you're going to be visiting the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee this holiday weekend, there are many ways you can get in on the act and give three cheers for the red, white and blue.
7 Things You Might Not Know About Smoky Mountain Ziplines
his is a great time of year to do some ziplining, especially if you're enjoying a weekend or a full vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains. But even if you're sold on the idea of ziplining, you may be trying to decide which attraction in our area will offer you the best overall experience.
5 Things You MUST Do When Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains
Whether you're planning your very first trip to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee or you've been making annual pilgrimages here since you were a wee child, there are simply some things that every visitor to the Smokies must experience at least once. We realize that not everyone has the same tastes in travel activities, but there are some to-do items on our list that we feel are musts.
The 7 Most Adventurous Things You Can Do on your Smokies Vacation
Next time you travel to the Great Smoky Mountains, consider doing a little more than just sightseeing. Maybe on your next visit, you can try some sight-DOING. We've got all kinds of ways around here to stretch the boundaries of excitement, get outside the usual vacation rut and push the envelope of fun.
7 Ways to Keep Your Cool This Summer
Remember spring? Wasn't that about the best two weeks of weather we've had in a long time? Yep, even though we've barely scratched the surface of June, those hot, muggy days of summer are already creeping into the Smokies. But that's OK; this week, we've got a bunch of tips for places to go and things to do that will help you and yours stay nice and cool, even on the hottest of days.
3 Essentials For Planning Your Summer Vacation
Schools are letting out for the summer, and Memorial Day is just around the corner, which means families all over America are probably about to start planning (if they haven't already) their summer vacations. And it turns out that the Smokies area is one of the most popular summer vacay destinations in the country, reflected in the fact that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, estimated to receive a record 10 million guests this year. Within a day's drive of two-thirds of the nation's population, it's no wonder that so many people flock to the Smokies each year to soak up some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.
7 Great Reasons to Try Smoky Mountain Ziplines
For many, simply the idea of sailing high through the air over a scenic mountain valley is reason enough to give ziplining a try. But just in case you're one of those people who might need a little more persuasion, here are seven reasons to not only try ziplining in general but to come see us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
4 Reasons to Visit the Great Smoky Mountains This Week
Honestly, there are way more than just four reasons to visit the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee any time of year. The biggest is the mountains themselves and the national park that celebrates their beauty and history. And then there are all kinds of family attractions in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville as well as outlet malls, specialty shops, arts and crafts, and restaurants.
5 People You Should Bring With You to Smoky Mountain Ziplines
If you're reading this blog, chances are you're probably either a previous customer of Smoky Mountain Ziplines or you're very interested in visiting our zipline in Tennessee in the near future. In either case, you probably already have a pretty good idea that you're going to have a great time.
TripAdvisor Ranks Smoky Mountain Ziplines as Number One!
There are several Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville zip line attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains. So how do you go about deciding which is the best for you and your family to visit? One trusted Internet source for evaluating everything from hotels to attractions is TripAdvisor, a site where folks who have visited area businesses post reviews about their experiences.
7 Things to Know Before Arriving at Smoky Mountain Ziplines
If you've been ziplining with us before at our Pigeon Forge/Sevierville zip line tour, then you're probably fairly familiar with what's involved. But for the purposes of this week's post, we'll make the assumption that you've never ziplined with us before or perhaps never ziplined at all. If that's the case, we can help make your experience even more gratifying by sharing a few tips that will help make your morning or afternoon go smoothly.
A Preview of Music Theaters in the Smokies - Part Four
We've spent the past three weeks previewing what all the music theaters in the Smokies will be presenting on their stages in 2016. So far, we've focused exclusively on Pigeon Forge, since that's where the vast majority of the theaters are found. This week, however, Smoky Mountain Ziplines will wrap up this look at Pigeon Forge venues and also show you what Gatlinburg and Sevierville have to offer in the way of live entertainment.
A Preview of Music Theaters in the Smokies - Part Three
For the past couple of weeks, we have been sharing previews of what's in store at the music theaters in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville for the 2016 season. This week, Smoky Mountain Ziplines presents even more descriptions of shows in Pigeon Forge, which is where most of the area's music theaters are located.
A Preview of Music Theaters in the Smokies - Part Two
Last week, we helped kick off the 2016 season in the Smokies by sharing several previews of what's in store at all the music theaters in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. We started out with thumbnail descriptions of several Pigeon Forge theaters in particular, and this week, Smoky Mountain Ziplines will help you sift through a few more.
A Preview of Music Theaters in the Smokies – Part One
Folks visiting the Smokies have a lot of choices when it comes to entertainment, and over the past 20 years or so, few destinations have been as popular as music theaters. Similar to Branson, Missouri, Pigeon Forge has quite a few venues that are home to a wide variety of stage productions, and even Gatlinburg and Sevierville contribute to the mix with theaters of their own.
Local Communities Welcome Spring to the Great Smoky Mountains
It seems like it's been a long time coming, but spring is finally on our doorstep in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Last weekend, we set our clocks ahead, giving us more daylight at the end of the day to enjoy outdoor activities, and nature is doing its part in the form of warmer days, budding trees and shrubs, and colorful flowers emerging from the ground after a long winter's sleep. And to make everything official according to the calendar, spring arrives in less than a week on March 21.
Dollywood Prepares To Open Gates For Its 2016 Season
In the 30 years that it's been in operation, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge has almost become synonymous with a Great Smoky Mountains vacation. Ms. Parton opened the park in her name in 1986, and ever since, it has become one of the top tourist destinations in the region, not including the national park itself. With 35 acres of rides, attractions, shows, shops and eateries, Dollywood is everything that's great about a family vacation, all wrapped up in one scenic package.
Cool Attractions Worldwide Help Introduce New Fans To Ziplining
We're getting close to our opening date here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge. But in the meantime, we thought we'd whet your appetite with some news about some other cool zipline attractions around the world that are either newly up and running or are in the planning phases.
5 Signs That Spring Is Almost Here In The Smokies
We finally made it to late February, which means it's practically March, which means that springtime in the Great Smoky Mountains is right around the corner. According to the calendar, there are still a few more weeks to go, but if you pay close enough attention, you'll see plenty of signs indicating that the doldrums of winter are about to be behind us.
Winter Fun Is Going Strong At Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort
Despite what that groundhog might have said, there's still more than a month of winter left, and East Tennessee will likely see its share of cold weather and precipitation in the next few weeks. In fact, we won't be starting our 2016 season here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines until the weather warms up a little bit more. But that doesn't mean you can't make the most of the situation by turning the proverbial lemons into lemonade at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort.
The History Of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We've spent the past few weeks on our Smoky Mountain Ziplines blog traveling back in time, exploring the histories of the three main communities that make up Sevier County, TN – Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This week, we're going to wrap up our series of historical retrospectives with the story of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
A History Of Gatlinburg, Tennessee
For the past couple of weeks, we've been taking little trips back in time, exploring the fascinating stories of the people and events that led to the founding of Sevier County's three primary towns – Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We started our series with brief historical retrospectives of Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, so this week, we'll continue with a look back at the history of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and how it became the tourist destination that it is today.
A History Of Pigeon Forge
Last week, we started digging back into the history books a little bit, exploring the fascinating stories of the people and events that led to the founding of Sevier County's three primary towns – Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We kicked our three-part series off last time around with a look back at the origins of Sevierville. This week, we continue with the history of Pigeon Forge.
A History Of Sevierville
The Smoky Mountain communities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg represent the pulse of what this region has to offer, at least outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most visitors probably regard them primarily as homes to numerous lodging properties, attractions, restaurants and shops, but it's interesting to note that each town's history predates the era of tourism, which began around the 1940s and started growing in earnest in the 1980s and '90s.
Planning A Sports-Filled Vacation In The Great Smoky Mountains
Hey, sports fans! We know who you are…. You're that person who eats, breathes and sleeps sports – anything from football, basketball and baseball to cricket, golf and even curling. If it involves a ball or a helmet, chances are you're interested. You're either in the stadium or in front of the TV for the College Football Championship, the Super Bowl, the World Series, the World Cup and the Final Four of college basketball.
5 Things To Do During The “Off-Season” In The Smokies
If you'll notice, we put “off-season” in quotation marks in the title of this blog post. That's because things have changed around here in the Great Smoky Mountains over the past 25 years. It used to be that once January 1 rolled around, most businesses – especially the hotels and attractions – would close their doors and remain out of commission until spring came.
More Ziplines From Around The World…
Every now and then, we bring you news of other interesting zipline attractions located around the U.S. and around the world. And since our Pigeon Forge zip line course is going to be on winter break for the next couple of months, we thought this would be a good time to share some info about how other attractions are putting their own unique spin on one of the fastest growing outdoor family-adventure activities.
Merry Christmas From Smoky Mountain Ziplines!
This is the week that most of us adults have probably been hoping wouldn't arrive so quickly for some time now (there's never enough time to get the shopping done), and it's the week that most of our kids have probably been impatiently waiting for since last December 26.
Discover What's New And On The Horizon In The Smokies
Springtime in the Smokies is still a few months away, but it bears mentioning that that's the time of year when new attractions, shops and restaurants like to make their debuts. It only makes sense, considering that's the time of year when the tourist season starts to gain momentum after a bit of a wintertime lull.
Music Theaters In The Smokies Take A Season Turn For Christmas - Part 2
Last week, Smoky Mountain Ziplines introduced you to several music theaters that present special seasonal shows with Christmas and winter themes. Live shows in the Smokies are a fun way to spend an afternoon or an evening any time of year, but as we draw closer to Christmas Day, these holiday presentations do a fantastic job of getting even the Scroogiest soul into the spirit of the season.
Music Theaters In The Smokies Take A Season Turn For Christmas
Here in the Smokies, it seems like it's been raining for an entire week straight. At least it feels that way. But just because the weather is yucky and nasty doesn't mean you still can't have a great time if you're visiting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg this week, especially when you consider that our area is home to more than a dozen different theater shows.
6 Things To Do In The Smokies During Thanksgiving Week
Whether you plan to actually spend Thanksgiving Day somewhere in the Great Smoky Mountains or travel to visit family or host a Turkey-Day get-together of your own, there's no reason you still can't spend part, if not all, of the rest of this week here in the beauty of East Tennessee.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines Operates On Limited Schedule This Fall
Now that we're firmly entrenched in autumn, we're scaling back our operational schedule here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. For now, we're only open on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of the year, except for the Thanksgiving week and Christmas week, when we will be open on weekdays as well. After the new year, we'll be closed in January and February, and then we'll start tours again in March, once temperatures start to warm up a little.
Winterfest Keeps Things Busy In the Smokies All Season Long
Once upon a time in the Great Smoky Mountains, things started slowing down this time of year. Once the fall foliage disappeared, so did the tourists. But for the past 25 years, the communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville have figured out how to keep visitors hanging around, well past Thanksgiving and Christmas and even into the chilly months of the new year.
Zipline News From Around The World
Here at our Smoky Mountain zipline attraction, we get visitors from all over the country and sometimes from around the world. With a challenging canopy tour set up in the scenic mountains of East Tennessee, we have a lot to offer area visitors in search of thrills and adventure.
Your Guide To Fall Shopping, Part 3 – Everything Else
For the past couple of weeks, we've spent some time giving you an overview of all the shopping opportunities that await when you visit the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. We know that even if you decide to visit us to do some zip lining in Pigeon Forge, TN, you will still have plenty of time on your hands to discover what else this amazing vacation area has to offer.
Your Guide To Fall Shopping, Part 2 - Mountain Crafts
Like it or not, the holiday season sneaked up on us when we weren't paying attention, and now we're only a couple of months out from Christmas. That means it's time to get busy with all that holiday shopping so you can start marking names off the ol' list. The good news is, whether your friends and family have been naughty or nice, you'll have no trouble finding plenty of gift ideas here in the Great Smoky Mountains
Your Guide To Fall Shopping, Part 1 - Outlet Malls
The Great Smoky Mountains are obviously the number one reason that millions of people from all over the world come to our area every year. But as the tourism industry began to develop in the 1940s and '50s, folks began coming here for other reasons, including world-class attractions and, in the last few decades, shopping. That's right; for many visitors, a trip to the Smokies wouldn't be complete without making a stop at their favorite outlet mall, craft studio or specialty shop.
Start looking for fall colors now in the Great Smoky Mountains
Most of the area school systems are taking their fall breaks in early October, which means that a lot of families are going to be traveling in the Smokies in the next week or two. It's a great time of year to visit, too, because now is when the foliage is starting to undergo its annual transformation from green into the trademark oranges, reds and yellows of fall.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival Marks The Change Of Seasons – Part 2
Last week, we spent a little time telling you about some of the neat fall events and activities taking place during this year's Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival. It's a time when the leaves change colors in the mountains, the temperatures cool off and folks around here mark the occasion with lots of autumn decorations and special events in the communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival Marks The Change Of Seasons
It's official. The calendar says it's autumn, and nature is starting to agree. The days are a little milder, and the trees are starting to show the earliest hints that their annual color transformation is under way.
7 Restaurants To Consider Trying When Visiting The Smokies
Let's be honest; when you visit the Great Smoky Mountains, there are a lot of things you don't have to do. You don't have to shop at an outlet mall. You don't have to visit our local attractions (with Smoky Mountain Ziplines being the only exception, of course). For that matter, you don't even have to visit the national park.
It's A Great Week For Car Nuts In The Great Smoky Mountains
There's no doubt that when you travel to the Smokies, you're going to see a lot of cars. Sometimes, that may mean being surrounded by your fellow travelers on a busy traffic day. But other times, seeing lots of cars in the Smokies can be a good thing, especially if you're a fan of custom cars, muscle cars, fast cars and even famous cars.
5 Ways To Spend Your Labor Day Weekend In The Smokies
Labor Day weekend always marks the unofficial end of summer, but that doesn't mean you can't give that beloved season a proper send-off. This weekend in the Smokies, you'll find lots of different ways to wrap up summer with a bang and create memories that will hold you over until your next trip back to town. From special events to fun attractions to retail extravaganzas, we at Smoky Mountain Ziplines have narrowed all the possibilities down to five suggestions for ways to make your Labor Day weekend count.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute At Tremont – The Smokies' Hidden Treasure
Most folks who visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park find some way to interact with its abundant natural settings, whether it's hiking a scenic trail, fishing for trout, exploring historic structures or pitching a tent under the stars at a campground.
5 Fun Ways To Pick Up The Pace In The Great Smoky Mountains
When you imagine spending time in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, you might first think of bucolic scenes straight from a painting – images of rolling meadows and rambling streams framed by majestic mountains in the background. And while a retreat to nature can be a soothing way to settle the soul, we all have times when we want to just cut loose and go for the adrenaline rush.
Attraction News From Around The Country Shows Growth In Ziplines
Whether your Smoky Mountain vacation has you staying in Pigeon Forge, Sevierville or Gatlinburg, zip line fans and newbies alike need to set their sights on Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge. Our attraction is known for its scenic canopy tour, with ziplines that take you through our mountain treetops at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
5 Things You Should Do In The Smokies In August
August is a weird time of year here in the Smokies. Technically, it's still summer – a fact that some of these hot-and-humid days we've been having won't let you forget. But now that most schools in the region have started back, that usual peak-season level of activity on the roads and at our local attractions and shops has slackened noticeably.
7 Ways To Keep Your Cool This Summer In The Great Smoky Mountains
Spending your summer days on the go in the Great Smoky Mountains can be a lot of fun. But sometimes, the combination of our Tennessee heat and humidity can make for some uncomfortable afternoons. But that shouldn't stop you from going out and making the best of the situation.
The Great Smoky Mountains Region Is Brimming With History
Your next trip to the Great Smoky Mountains will very likely be a busy one. After all, there's so much to do here, and for most vacationers, there just aren't enough days in the week to pack in all that the area has to offer. Between visiting the national park, seeing shows, shopping, dining out and (hopefully) spending a few fun-filled hours on our zip lines in Pigeon Forge, TN, you may be so focused on the Smoky Mountains of today that you overlook the Smokies of the past.
Animal-Themed Attractions Are Fun For All Ages - Part 2
Last week, we introduced you to a host of things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains that involve animals. From Sevierville to Gatlinburg and everywhere in between, visitors can find all kinds of attractions that showcase our winged, finned and furry friends. Some activities are participatory, while some are for viewing only, but no matter the venue, you can be assured that if you're an animal lover, the Smokies is a great place to go.
Animal-Themed Attractions Are Fun For All Ages - Part 1
You'll have a lot of fun ziplining with us this summer at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. There's no place to zipline in Sevierville, TN or Gatlinburg, TN that offers quite the experience that we can at our outpost in Pigeon Forge. Our canopy tours add up to big thrills in a gorgeous wooded mountain setting.
Camping In Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Part Two
It's peak season for camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That should come as no surprise, considering that summer's comfortable nights make the conditions just right for outdoor living. It's also family vacation time, so this time of year, many of the park's 9 million annual visitors are choosing to rough it at one of the park's many camping facilities.
Camping In Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There's a lot to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from hiking and picnicking to fishing and touring historical sites. However, one of the most popular activities that visitors like to undertake each year is camping. This week, Smoky Mountain Ziplines wants to pass along some basic information about camping in the national park. We'll give you a quick overview of some of the main campgrounds on the Tennessee side of the park as well as some general information about the dos and don'ts of camping.
Getting To And Around The Smokies – Part II
Last week, we started a two-part series focusing on some of the easiest and most convenient ways to get around Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the communities of neighboring Sevier County, Tennessee – Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. After all, more than 9 million visitors make their way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year, which can really tie traffic up some days, especially during the peak season periods of summer and fall.
Getting To And Around The Smokies
Did you know that more than 9 million visitors make their way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year? That's a statistic that makes our park the most visited in the country. As a result, the nearby communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville benefit from the vast majority of those folks. After all, 9 million-plus people need rooms to stay in, restaurants to dine at and other ways of amusing themselves when they're not inside the park.
Ziplining Around The World
We've got a lot going on at Smoky Mountain Ziplines this season. Our existing canopy course and SuperZip lines are giving visitors from all over the country lots of thrills in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Our attraction near Pigeon Forge consistently gets high online customer ratings, because we have so many different zipline experiences and because we offer a lot of action for the price.
Dollywood's Splash Country Water Adventure Park Is Open For The Season
Since Dollywood first opened its gates 30 years ago, the Pigeon Forge theme park has continued to expand and grow. Developers added a whole new dimension to that growth in 2001 with the opening of Dollywood's Splash Country, a separate water park destination that occupies more than 35 acres adjacent to the original theme park.
Set Your Sights On Knoxville As A Smoky Mountain Daytrip
Last week, we suggested that if you're planning to spend a week or more in the Great Smoky Mountains, you might want to consider a one-day side trip to Knoxville, if for no other reason than to break up the pace of your week and enjoy a slightly different East Tennessee experience.
While Visiting The Smokies, Consider A Daytrip To Knoxville
No doubt, there are endless possibilities that await visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains. You could spend weeks alone just exploring the national park, not to mention the hundreds and hundreds of attractions, shops and restaurants to be found in the communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Our zip lines in Tennessee are just one example of the many ways that families visiting the Smokies can have a whole lot of fun and enjoy the beauty of the mountains at the same time.
More Attractions And Events For Car Lovers In The Smokies
Last week, we talked a little about how important cars were to our American culture. Whether our preferences are for a regular family sedan, a tricked-out custom car or a vintage muscle car from the '70s, most of us seem to be fascinated with our four-wheeled friends.
Smokies Attractions And Events Help Car Lovers Get In Gear
For about a century now, Americans have had a long-standing love affair with their cars. And it's a romance that's showing no signs of letting up either. Anyone who's traveled to the Great Smoky Mountains in recent history probably knows full well how prevalent our four-wheeled friends are. Just ask anyone who's been backed up in traffic on the Parkway on a busy holiday weekend, and he'll tell you that there's definitely not a car shortage.
Gatlinburg Gets Natural With Multiple Earth Week Events
Millions of people travel to the Great Smoky Mountains every year to enjoy the beauty and the majesty of one of the most awe-inspiring locations on earth. After all, there would likely be no tourism industry in East Tennessee at all if it hadn't been for the existence of our mountains, green valleys, diversity of flora and fauna and breathtaking rivers and waterfalls.
It's Baseball Time In The Great Smoky Mountains!
It's traditionally been one of the surest signs of spring in America – the start of baseball season. And in East Tennessee, that means the return of the Tennessee Smokies, who will play some 70 home games this year at Smokies Stadium in Sevierville.
Live Shows Keep Crowds Happy in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg – Part III
For the past couple of weeks, we've previewed a good number of the many live theater shows that will be running in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg this year. As we've mentioned in the previous installments, music shows in the Smokies are more than just the usual mix of country, bluegrass and gospel. Our stages are home to a wide range of music as well as comedy, dancing, horsemanship, magic and more.
Live Shows Keep Crowds Happy in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg – Part II
Last week, we gave you Part I of our preview of all the different live theater shows that you'll be able to find in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg this year. As we mentioned in the introduction to that installment, music shows in the Smokies are more than just the usual mix of country, bluegrass and gospel. Our stages are home to a wide range of music as well as comedy, dancing, murder mysteries, magic and more.
Live Shows Keep Crowds Happy in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg
Folks generally come to this part of the country to see the Great Smoky Mountains, but in most cases, they find a lot of other things to do while they're in town. For the past couple of decades, music theater shows have been one of the must-do outings for most people spending time in the Smokies.
Dollywood Kicks Off Its New Season With Festival Of Nations
Budding trees, blooming flowers and worm-hunting robins aren't the only signs of spring here in the mountains. The opening of Dollywood theme park each season is another sure-fire way to tell that spring is at our doorstep. This weekend, Dollywood kicks off its 30th season in the Smokies as it does every year, with the annual Festival of Nations.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines Gets Geared Up For Spring
After one of the most miserably cold and snowy winters we can remember in recent history, we're finally getting an early taste of spring and summer- even a couple of weeks before spring officially turns up on the calendar. The good news for us here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines is that we can finally start getting back to a regular seasonal schedule – that is, as long as the rain decides to give us a break.
Google Meets Zipline
So what could the Internet giant Google possibly have to do with the activity of ziplining? Interestingly, the company has added ziplining as a way to capture its Street View images in some of the world's most remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Ski Report…
Just when we thought we'd broken the icy grip of last week's winter weather, nature swoops in and dumps several more inches of snow on East Tennessee. There's an old adage about making lemons out of lemonade, and in this case, you might find the best makings for lemonade at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort. After all, snow and cold weather mean awesome conditions for skiing, boarding and tubing.
Road Closures In The Smokies
Usually, we're all about encouraging people to travel to the Great Smoky Mountains, but with all the snow and ice that's swept through the region this week, this is one of those rare cases when we'll tell you that you're best off staying put, wherever you happen to be.
Fun Smoky Mountain Facts
If your spring or summer travels take you in the vicinity of Wears Valley, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, zip line fun should be high on your list of things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains. As the weather warms up in the weeks to come, we'll be back on our full seasonal schedule and ready to give visitors a ride and an experience they'll never forget.
Wales' Underground Ziplines
Wales isn't known for much, but it's quickly developing a reputation as a place for travelers in search of fun and adventure. One attraction in Bethesda, Wales – ZipWorld – features a 100-mile-per-hour zipline, and a sister attraction called Bounce Below, which offers multi-level trampoline fun inside an underground cavern.
Historic Sites In The Smokies
Our zip lines in the Smokies may not be back up to full schedule yet, but we still have plenty of recommendations for places to go and things to do while you're in this neck of the woods. History buffs, especially, might be interested to know that there are lots of places within Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone that are of historical significance. Here are just a few to look for when you're in the park:
Limited Travel In The National Park?
Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a scenic outing no matter what time of year you travel here. But winter especially can be a tricky time of year for getting around the park. One day the weather will be cold and nasty, with ice, sleet or snow, and the next day, it can be sunny, with temps in the 60s.
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Report
Some folks may be cheering for spring to hurry up and get here, but you snowbirds know that we're in the middle of ski season, and the cold temps we've had lately are making conditions just right for hitting the slopes at Ober Gatlinburg ski resort.
4 Fun Things To Do During The Off Season
Now that the holidays are over, things tend to slow down a little bit here in the Smokies. But not too much. In fact, long gone are the days when the off-season meant three months of shuttered restaurants, shops and hotels. There's plenty going on here in the next few months, so we thought we'd pass along a few suggestions for how to stay busy – if you're not taking one of our Pigeon Forge zip line tours, that is.
Try Something New In 2015
As we sit here on the cusp of a new year, have you thought about any changes you might want to make for 2015? Have you made any resolutions about areas of your life that you might want to improve or new things you might like to try? If nothing else this next year, remember that it's never too late to take chances or to experience things you've never done before.
Christmas In The Smokies
Whether you're visiting the Great Smoky Mountains area this week or not, we hope that you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday week. But even if you're not here with us for Christmas itself, then you can still plan a fun getaway in the Smokies for this weekend. What can you do? Here are just a few suggestions.
The Zipline Roller Coaster!
Yep, you read that correctly. There is such a thing as a zipline roller coaster, and you can find it in New South Wales, Australia. Measuring a full kilometer in length, the Crazy Rider Xtreme is located at the TreeTop Adventure Park and is officially the longest curving zip wire in the world.
A Mile-Long Zipline?
It seems like in the zipline business, everyone's always playing a game of one-upmanship – trying to be the attraction with the biggest and baddest ziplines in town. Back in September, Attitash Mountain Resort in New Hampshire made a name for itself (for the time being) by opening the longest zipline run in the continental United States.
Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas
Christmas is just weeks away, but at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, they've already gotten an early jump on the holiday season. In fact, their annual Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration has been in full swing for weeks now, offering two months' worth of entertainment, holiday lights, seasonal foods and more. The festival runs now through January 3, 2015.
It's Time To Hit The Slopes!
Well, almost… Although Ober Gatlinburg ski resort hasn't yet opened its mountain slopes for skiing and snowboarding, you can still get in some early winter fun by snow tubing. Now through early spring 2015, the attraction's 10-lane tubing course is open to the public, offering zippy downhill action for ages 3 and older. Tubers have to be at least 6 years old, but ages 3 to 5 can ride with an adult.
Give Thanks In The Smokies
For some folks, Thanksgiving means time at home with family, enjoying a big meal and giving thanks for blessings. Maybe this year, though, it might be fun to shake things up a bit and let someone else do all the cooking. In fact, you could visit the Great Smoky Mountains next week, have that turkey dinner and still get to enjoy all the great things about a vacation in the Smokies.
See The Winterfest Lights By Trolley
This week, the communities of Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are kicking off their annual Winterfest celebrations, and the one element each town shares is lots and lots of holiday lights. Once you combine all the light displays in the three cities, and then add in all the lights at Dollywood, we're talking millions and millions and millions of individual lights. That's a lot of bulbs!
National Park Road Closings
We had a bit of early winter weather here in the Smokies last weekend, and it definitely had an impact on Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The mountaintops were covered in snow, and LeConte Lodge at the top of Mt. LeConte recorded nearly two feet of snowfall. As such park officials were asking visitors to stay out of the national park, but as of today's posting (11/4), the park's major thoroughfares are open on the Tennessee side.
The National Guard Wants YOU - To Zipline!
Every now and then, we'll profile different super-extreme zipline attractions around the world – almost always portraying ziplining in the context of fun and amusement. But sometimes, ziplines can be used for more practical purposes. For example, did you know that the Wisconsin National Guard just purchased two mobile zipline units as part of its ongoing recruiting efforts?
Haunted Halloween Happenings
The witching hour is drawing near, and within just a few days, Halloween will be upon us. If you happen to be visiting the Great Smoky Mountains that night or any time between now and then, there are several things you can do in the area that will help you get into the, um, spirit of the celebration.
Costa Rica's Volcano Zipline
From time to time, we like to profile extreme zipline attractions around the world, just to give you an idea of the lengths some folks are going to to push the edge of the thrill-seeking envelope, so to speak. This week, we bring you some information about a zipline outfitter in Costa Rica that makes the most of its location at the base of a volcano.
Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
In addition to the changing foliage, fall in the Great Smoky Mountains is also known for craft shows and fairs. And later this week, one of the biggest craft events in the Smokies gets under way at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The 39th annual Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair runs October 9 through 26, bringing in dozens of top crafts people from all over the United States.
Fall Colors Are Coming To The Smoky Mountains
We may just have a great recipe for beautiful fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains this year. The magic combination includes sunny days, occasional rainfall and longer, cooler nights, and that's exactly what we've been enjoying the past few weeks in this neck of the woods.
Oktoberfest At Ober Gatlinburg
It's almost as if our Smoky Mountain weather knew that fall had arrived on the calendar. We've been blessed this week with some cool nights, comfortable days, blue skies and plenty of sunshine-the perfect lead-in to one of the most popular seasons in the Smokies.
It's A Bluegrass Weekend In Sevierville
The weather is just about to be ideal for heading to the Great Smoky Mountains and enjoying some fall colors and, hopefully, also joining us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines for some high-flying family fun. If you decide to come to Pigeon Forge, TN this weekend to zipline, Sevierville, TN might be a good place to make your next stop. That's where they're having the 15th Annual Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival.
Pigeon Forge Rod Run Has New Digs
If you're a gearhead or a custom-car fanatic on any level, then you might want to set your sights on Pigeon Forge, TN this week. That's where you'll find the semi-annual Pigeon Forge Rod Run, which goes down this weekend, September 11 through 13. Formerly known as the Grand Rod Run, the event is now being held at the new LeConte Event Center.
This Week In The Smokies
Summer may be officially over, but there are still plenty of warm days ahead, so it's still a great time to come visit the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Whether you choose to explore the national park or check out one of the many great attractions in the area, you'll find plenty of ways to keep your gang entertained while you're here.
Animal Attractions!
There are lots of animal-themed attractions in the Smokies-everything from horseback riding stables and bird exhibits to petting zoos and a world-class aquarium. But there are also several attractions in the area that feature animals as part of live shows. Whether it's trained horses, wild buffalo or camels, the theaters of the Smokies are home to a menagerie of four-footed (and two-winged) stars. Here's a quick peek at just a few of the places where our animal friends share the spotlight:
What's Happening In The Smokies
If you don't currently have plans to visit the Smokies in the next few weeks, you might want to give that some consideration. Now that schools are back in session, weekday visitation has dropped off a good bit, which means the shops and attractions and restaurants aren't as crowded, and it's a good bit easier to get around town.
Ziplining… With Parachutes?
For most folks, cruising from one end of an extreme zipline to another at automobile-like speeds is thrilling enough. High above the ground, cruising along with the wind in your hair, flying like a bird, you'll find ziplining to be one of the most accessible ways for people of almost any age to experience an unbelievable adrenaline rush.
How About A Zipline Celebration?
What's a really fun way to celebrate a birthday? You might ask Charleston, West Virginia, resident Dorothy King, who recently marked her 90th trip around the sun by visiting a zipline attraction in her home state. In fact, this bucket-list outing was exactly what she had asked for to mark the occasion.
Summer's Last Hurrah
We're not even fully into August yet, but these days, kids and their parents are already going back to school in most parts of the country. Typically, the young ones are sad about it, and the parents are overjoyed, but there's still time this weekend and in the weekends to come to enjoy on last summer outing together as a family. Here are a few suggestions for ways to take advantage of being in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Fun Stuff In The National Park
First, let's just say that a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must for anyone visiting this area. Yes, it's fun to zipline in Tennessee and enjoy all the restaurants and outlet malls and attractions. But there's only one national park around here, and it's unmatched when it comes to scenic beauty and outdoor activities like hiking, picnicking, cycling and fishing.
Getting Crafty In The Smokies
Have you had a chance to visit us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines yet this summer? If not, this is a great time of year to check out our 24-line canopy tours or to fly like a screamin' demon on one of our four SuperZip lines. The weather this week will be great for being outdoors, plus our outpost is located just a couple of miles off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.
Get Into The Swing Of Summer At Smokies Park
Whether you're an East Tennessee resident or visiting the Smokies from several states away, you might be inclined to agree that there are few better ways to spend a summer night than to take in a baseball game. And we're not talking about watching one on TV either. Fortunately, we have a great place right here in the mountains where baseball fans of all ages can watch live, professional minor league action all summer long.
Celebrating July 4th In The Smokies
Later this week, we celebrate our nation's 238th birthday with the observance of Independence Day. And if you happen to be visiting the Great Smoky Mountains this Friday the 4th, or into the weekend, you'll have several choices when it comes to fun and unique ways to say “Happy birthday, America!”
This Week In The National Park
Now that summer is in full swing, our ziplines in Pigeon Forge are going full steam as families from all over the country converge on the Smokies to get their fix of mountains, scenic beauty, wildlife and natural resources.
Discounts Abound At Smoky Mountain Ziplines!
Our ziplines in the Smoky Mountains already offer the best value in the area thanks to our having the largest course with the most lines around. But this summer, we're offering several additional discounts that will help make your outdoor experience in the Smokies even more cost-effective.
Early Summer Happenings In The Smokies
By now, most schools around the country are officially out, and we're more than a week past Memorial Day. It's official; summer is here. That means that a lot more visitors headed to the Smokies this week are families on vacation. If that's you, then read on to get an idea of some of the special happenings that are taking place in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville this week.
Wales' Extreme Ziplines
Most people probably don't associate the country of Wales with extreme outdoor sports, but when it comes to ziplines, this British Isles nation is certainly making a name for itself. A company called Zip World has several different zipline runs that give thrill seekers something to talk about.
Pigeon Forge Has Indoor/Outdoor Fun
One of the neat things about vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains is that there are usually more ways to have fun than most people have hours in the day to enjoy them. The choices range from outdoor activities that connect visitors with the scenic beauty of the area to indoor attractions and shows that offer a respite from the elements, whether it's the cold of winter or the heat of summer.
The World's Most Insane Ziplines, Part II
Last week, we talked about a web article entitled The World's 6 Most Insane Ziplines, and we presented thumbnail descriptions of three of the attractions, which are located all over the globe. This week, we'll close it out with information about the other three places for extreme zipline fun.
The World's Most Insane Ziplines, Part I
We stumbled upon a web article recently entitled The World's 6 Most Insane Ziplines. This week, we'll give you a thumbnail description of three of the attractions, which are located all over the world, and we'll include a link to video footage from the first one. Check back next week for details about the other three extreme ziplines.
Zipline Trivia!
Whether you've previously tried zip lines in Gatlinburg, TN, Sevierville, TN or our own zipline course in Pigeon Forge, TN, you might have had questions about this form of recreation in general. As a popular outdoor activity, ziplining really hasn't been around as long as most types of attractions, so some of the nuts-and-bolts facts about ziplining aren't exactly common knowledge. We'll remedy that week with some Q&A-style trivia questions geared to fill in some of those zipline gaps.
We're Still Number One!
Did you know that Smoky Mountain Ziplines continues to be rated as the number one activity in Pigeon Forge, according to tripadvisor.com? That's not exactly news, however. We've held that spot for quite a while, but we think it says a lot that our customers continue to rave about us and give us such high ratings on a consistent basis.
Smoky Mountain Happenings
There sure is a lot going on in the Smokies this week. The cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville have a full calendar for the next few days, offering visitors fun things to do that go above and beyond the usual assortment of attractions and shows. Here's a peek at what's happening…
A Look at the Big Zipper Zip Line in Northern Wales
Every now and then, just for fun, we like to share what other zipline attractions around the world are doing, particularly when they are set up for extreme thrills. This latest place we came across is called Zip World in northern Wales, and its longer line, the Big Zipper, is quite a ride. It's about a mile long, and its sharp descent gets riders zipping along as fast as 100 miles per hour.
This Week's Special Events
If you're staying in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee this week, you've picked a busy one. In addition to all the usual attractions, shows, shops and restaurants at your disposal, there's a pretty full calendar of special events taking place in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Here's a quick overview of what's going on:
What To Expect At Smoky Mountain Ziplines
We get a lot of repeat customers here at our Smoky Mountain zipline attraction. Once people experience the exhilaration of speeding along a suspended zipline at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, they seem to get an itch to come back and do it all again.
Where To Stay In The Smokies
Freakish winter storms notwithstanding, this is a great time of year to visit the Smokies and take a spin on our zip lines in Pigeon Forge, TN. We're moving into our regular schedule for the season and with temperatures rebounding nicely the rest of this week and moving into April, this is the ideal time to come to Smoky Mountain Ziplines. Crowds are down until Memorial Day weekend, and it's getting sunny and warm enough to really enjoy some zippy outdoor fun on one of our canopy tours or SuperZip runs.
A New Season At Dollywood
One of the sure signs of spring in the Smokies is when Dollywood theme park opens for the year. The Pigeon Forge attraction gets things kicked off this weekend with its annual Festival of Nations celebration. The festival is celebration of the music, culture and food of nations from all over the world, and this year's event welcomes some new and familiar faces alike to the hills of East Tennessee.
Plan Your Zipline Celebration
Earlier this month, May Mead of Greensboro, North Carolina, celebrated her 90th birthday by ziplining in Costa Rica. That made her the oldest person ever to ride the lines at Wingnuts Canopy Tours in Samara, Costa Rica.
We're Open On A Limited Schedule
We don't know about the other zip lines in Gatlinburg, Sevierville or Pigeon Forge, but at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we're getting the early jump on spring and opening our lines to visitors in search of fun and excitement for the family.
Ziplines Are Saving The Rainforests
Most of us probably think of zipline attractions as being purely for fun. But in Costa Rica, zipline operators are actually helping save endangered rainforests by preventing those lands from being destroyed and developed for other purposes.
Saddle Up!
This week, you may want to bring your best cowboy hat, boots and spurs when you come to Pigeon Forge. That's because the 14th annual Saddle Up! event is back for another great week of cowboy-themed entertainment and activities.
Special Events Roundup
Just because our Pigeon Forge zip line tours are on hiatus for the winter, that doesn't mean there's not a lot going on around town in the month of February. In Pigeon Forge alone, there are several special events taking place that offer new ways to get out and see what's what. Here's an overview:
Smoky Mountains Trivia
Our Pigeon Forge zip line attraction will be open for the season in just a few weeks. In the meantime, you could already be making plans for your next trip to the area. In addition to ziplining, of course, we strongly recommend that you spend some time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. So this week, we've got some information that will help you learn a lot about the park and the mountains themselves.
World's Tallest Water Slide
Can we all agree that it's time for these cold temperatures to head back north where they belong? Unfortunately, the fact is that we're probably looking at six to eight more weeks of wintry weather, depending on what Mr. Groundhog says. But that doesn't mean we can't look ahead and start dreaming about warmer days and summer fun.
More Extreme Ziplining…
While we're on hiatus here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we can at least whet your appetite for the 2014 season with some tales about some of the extreme zipline attractions from around the world.
A Titanic New Exhibit
Right now, there aren't many opportunities to get out and do any ziplining in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville, but that doesn't mean you still can't have some fun with the family on your weekend getaway or vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Cold Weather Travel Tips
It's a good thing we're on hiatus for a couple of months, because right now is definitely not a week in which riding a zipline would be much fun. With single-digit lows and highs in the teens, it's the kind of weather that can not only be un-fun, it can also be downright dangerous if you're not paying attention.
Happy New Year!
The Great Smoky Mountains aren't just a great place to visit in fall and summer. In fact, there are plenty of reasons to hang around in winter too, especially as we prepare to ring in a new year. To that end, there are several things going on in the area this week that will help you usher in 2014 with a bang.
Happy New Year!
The Great Smoky Mountains aren't just a great place to visit in fall and summer. In fact, there are plenty of reasons to hang around in winter too, especially as we prepare to ring in a new year. To that end, there are several things going on in the area this week that will help you usher in 2014 with a bang.
Ziplining To The Extreme
It seems now that ziplining has really caught on worldwide, zipline operators are in a never-ending competition to one-up the next guy. Here's the latest example we found while scouring the Internet. One zipline outfitter in Nepal (you know, the country where you'll find Mt. Everest) has literally taken the activity to new heights by opening a line that's a mile long and offers a vertical drop of nearly 2,000 feet during that span.
Look Out Below!
Part of what makes ziplining exciting is the fact that you're pushing yourself to do something that's probably outside your comfort zone. As human beings, we're simply not used to hanging in a harness from a cable strung high in the trees and speeding along at 40 miles per hour across a ravine. And while safety is our number one objective, ziplining does give you the feeling of living on the edge.
Zippin' Granny!
If you've been using your age as an excuse not to try riding a zipline, then we've heard about a Texas grandmother who will put you to shame. For her 90th birthday this October, DeAlva Mast celebrated by riding a zipline in Costa Rica as part of a Central American and Caribbean cruise. Accompanied by her sister-in-law and four of her daughters, Ms. Mast took a jungle zipline tour at a port of call, during which she experienced a sense of adventure and created fond new memories.
A Fickle Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days doesn't look great. They're calling for cold temps, rain and even some snow in the Smoky Mountains in the days leading up to Thanksgiving Day. But don't despair, travelers. Things are going to pick up and warm up just in time to enjoy a great post-Thanksgiving weekend in the Smokies. Here are a few ideas for what to do:
Award-Winning Ziplines
If you're looking for a truly outstanding Smoky Mountain zipline adventure, you'll want to spend a few hours on one of our canopy tours. Why? Smoky Mountain Ziplines has been awarded tripadvisor.com's Certificate of Excellence for the past two years.
Smoky Mountain Winterfest
According to the calendar, autumn's going to hang around for a few more weeks. But in the Great Smoky Mountains, folks are already thinking about winter. That's because Smoky Mountain Winterfest offers four full months of fun ways to celebrate Christmas and enjoy the entire holiday season.
Weekly Fall Color Update
The fall foliage colors are really peaking now in the low to middle elevations. Most of the leaves above 3,500 feet have fallen, and they're starting to drop here in the lower levels too, so this may be one of the last good weeks for viewing and photographing.
5 Great Ways To See The Fall Colors
Now that the fall colors are nearing their peak in the Smokies, this would be a great time to visit the area and see them for yourself. Here are a few suggestions for fun ways to view this spectacular annual transformation.
Never Too Old For Adventure
Have you ever wondered if you're getting too old to try new and adventurous things? If so, then maybe you should take a cue from 60-year-old Sue Austin from Tallahassee, Florida. After spending all of 2012 traveling the country and trying out different adventure activities like kayaking, surfing, parasailing and snorkeling, Austin decided that she liked ziplining best, so she set out on a journey to ride a zipline in every state of the country.
A-maze-ing Smoky Mountain Fun
We've got another fabulous fall weekend coming up, which means if you're out exploring Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, zipline fun should definitely be on your agenda. And at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge, you'll go farther, faster and longer, and you'll get the most value for your dollar as well.
Say “I Do” To Ziplining!
Check out the attached video, which shows a North Carolina couple ziplining into their wedding ceremony at a local attraction. It just goes to show that ziplining can be incorporated into just about any social function.
Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival
The 9th Annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival takes place at the Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in downtown Gatlinburg October 4 through 6. This event showcases local, regional and nationally known artists who are considered tops in their fields. Exhibitors are chosen by a jury, presenting works that range from ceramics and glass to watercolor and woodworking. $10,000 in prizes is at stake.
Zipline At Any Age
This past Labor Day, a 91-year-old Ohio woman celebrated her birthday by riding a zipline at Van Demark Farm in Sidney, Ohio. The woman, Audrey Myers, was quoted as saying, “'I saw it on TV, and it looked like so much fun, and I just always wanted to do it. Didn't think I'd get the chance, though, but I just always wanted to.''
Dumplin' Valley Bluegrass Festival
If you are vacationing in the Smokies this week and are longing to hear some of the homegrown sounds of Tennessee, Sevierville should be one of your primary destinations as the 14th Annual Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival returns to town September 19 through 21. This popular annual music event takes place at the Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park off Tennessee Hwy. 66 near Interstate 40.
National Park Ziplines
There aren't any places to enjoy ziplining within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but thanks to Smoky Mountain Ziplines, you can enjoy the high-speed fun of this popular outdoor activity just a few miles from the park. And our setting delivers plenty of scenic beauty and tranquility of its own.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines Emphasizes Safety
Safety is always one of our top concerns at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. We provide safety gear for all our customers, including harnesses, gloves and helmets. We also send two experienced guides out with every group. They make sure all participants know the safety rules, and they also lead and follow every group of guests as they make their way across each line of our canopy tour.
A Zipline At The Mall?
Next time you happen to be traveling up in Edmonton, Alberta, you might want to explore the West Edmonton Mall, North America's largest entertainment and shopping complex. At 5.3 MILLION square feet, it's the size of a small city, featuring two hotels, 10 attractions, 100 dining options and more than 800 retail stores.
Experience The Zip!
If you've never taken a ride on a zipline before, here's a video that will give you a pretty accurate idea of what it's like. Of course, you won't be able to experience the sensation of speeding along at nearly 40 miles per hour, like you can at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. And you won't be able to feel the wind in your face. But this video does give you a feel for the sights and sounds that go along with taking a zipline adventure.
Ziplines Good For The Economy?
There's no doubt that the combination of ziplines, Smoky Mountains and a warm summer day adds up to a great way to spend a day. Ziplining has all sorts of benefits for the vacationer, including fun, adventure, beautiful scenery, fresh air and quality time with friends and/or family.
Extreme Zipline Video
How's this for extreme? Imagine riding a zipline that is 2,000 feet tall, more than a mile long and reaches top speeds of nearly 90 miles per hour. If you'd like to give it a try, all you have to do is travel to Nepal, where this extreme zipline attraction recently opened in the Himalayas. Check out the video here:
This Week In The National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a wonderful place to hike, camp, fish, explore and more. But in addition to the usual activities, park visitors can also participate in a wide range of ranger-led programs designed for all ages. Here's a snapshot of what's going on this week.
National Park Video Tour
Just as we have videos on our website that introduce you to the fun and excitement of our ziplines in the Smoky Mountains, we thought that this week, we'd post a video that will give you a thumbnail sketch of what it's like to spend some time in the Great Smoky Mountains themselves.
Zipline Quiz
Just for fun this week, let's see how good a job our web site has done at providing you information about our zip lines in Pigeon Forge, TN. No pressure, no grades – just a quick and fun way to challenge your knowledge and possibly learn a little more about what we have to offer here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines Is Kid-Friendly!
Ziplining is one of the most in-demand activities for families looking for fun and excitement in the Great Smoky Mountains. But if you want a zipline experience that's truly enjoyable for just about everyone in your family, you won't find it in Sevierville or Gatlinburg. Zip line adventure at its best awaits you at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge.
23rd Annual Patriot Festival
What a week it's going to be in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee as we celebrate the birth of our nation here in the Great Smoky Mountains. One way to experience true freedom is to experience our Pigeon Forge zipline tours, which allow you to zoom through the air among the treetops. You'll have a bird's-eye view of all the great mountain scenery as you feel the exhilaration of the wind rushing through your hair.
Zip Your Way!
At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we offer multiple ways to enjoy the fastest fun in the hills, and if you're looking for the area's best ziplines, Pigeon Forge, TN is the place to be. Because we offer more zipline runs than any other place in the Smokies, we are able to offer our guests a variety of packages, guaranteeing an adventure for every budget.
Ripley's Aquarium Hosts Kid's Fin-Tastic Summer!
If you are a parent of a young child, you're probably already a seasoned veteran when it comes to fielding that age-old kid's question, “What is there to do? I'm bored!” If you happen to be in the Smokies this summer with your children, you'll find answers to that question at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, which is hosting an event called Kid's Fin-Tastic Summer!
The ABCs Of The National Park – Part IV
This time of year is one of the best times to visit Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It's warm and sunny, and the rolling foothills surrounding our course are in full greenery for the season. However, once you've tried out our ziplines, Gatlinburg will lead you directly into Great Smoky Mountains National Park – another must-do summer outdoor adventure. It's one of the most beautiful areas of the country, and it's free. You can't beat that.
The ABCs Of The National Park – Part III
If you're looking for the ideal conditions for enjoying our ziplining in Pigeon Forge, you couldn't pick a better time of the year than right now. But if you're visiting the Smokies, we hope you also take some time to make the most of the national park itself. It's one of the most beautiful areas of the country, and it's free. You can't beat that.
The ABCs Of The National Park – Part II
If you're looking for the ideal conditions for enjoying our zip lines in the Smoky Mountains, you couldn't pick a better time of the year than right now. But if you're visiting the Smokies, we hope you also take some time to make the most of the national park itself. It's one of the most beautiful areas of the country, and it's free. You can't beat that.
The ABCs Of The National Park
This is the time of year to get outside and make the most out of your time in the Great Smoky Mountains. We recommend taking a two-pronged approach to your outdoor experience.
Ziplining: What's Stopping You?
Ziplining used to be the domain strictly of adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers. And while soaring through the treetops at high speed is always good for a nice jolt of adrenaline and more than a few thrills, the activity has become much more accessible to the rest of us in the past 10 years. In fact, there are even TV commercials now showing people taking new strides in their lives by trying out a zipline for the first time.
A Pigeon Forge Homecoming For Dolly
It's one of the annual highlights of springtime in Pigeon Forge-the annual Dolly Parade, featuring Dolly Parton herself as the parades grand marshal. This year's event takes place this Friday, May 10 at 6 p.m. As many as 50,000 spectators are expected to line the Pigeon Forge Parkway to get a glimpse of everyone's favorite hometown girl.
People Are Talking—About Ziplines
They say that word-of-mouth advertising is the best kind, and hopefully that applies to zipline attractions as well. Because our customers here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines have been using a lot of nice words to describe their experiences. Here are just a few customer reviews posted on the TripAdvisor website:
It's Earth Week In Gatlinburg
All this week, folks in Gatlinburg are finding fun and interesting ways to celebrate Earth Day and help preserve our planet's resources. And the good news is that you don't have to be a local to participate. Here's a quick overview of what's in store.
5 Reasons To Visit Smoky Mountain Ziplines
It seems that Mr. Sun has decided to hang around for a while in the Smokies, so we're getting geared up (figuratively and literally) for another big season here at our Pigeon Forge zip line course.
How To Spring Into Warm Weather
This week seems to be that week so many of us have waited for during the recent long, cold winter. The weather looks as if it will be, for the most part, warm and sunny, providing lots of great opportunities for getting outside and making the most of the change in seasons.
Would You Like Guides With That?
Most of us have probably spent some time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park or visited Gatlinburg, TN before. But when was the last time you had an expert give you a guided tour of either destination? If the answer is “never,” then you might want to look into what the city is offering visitors as part of Gatlinburg's Smoky Mountain Spring—free guided hikes in the Smokies and tours of Gatlinburg.
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Show
This weekend, one of the area's most popular arts and crafts shows returns to the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show runs this Thursday through Saturday (3/28 — 3/30). Presented by the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community in Gatlinburg, this event showcases a wide variety of work courtesy of the community's dozens of talented artists and crafts people.
World Storytelling Day
Did you know that this Saturday is World Storytelling Day? If not, consider heading to Gatlinburg that day to give a listen to some of the area's best storytellers. Presented by the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association, this one-day event features humorous and historically based stories to showcase the culture heritage of the Smoky Mountains.
Springfest in the Smokies
It's warming up here in the Smokies, slowly but surely. And regardless of what the weather is like, the calendar says it's time once again for Springfest. That's when the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville offer guests a wide range of special events designed to celebrate warm, sunny days and nature's new, colorful floral garb.
Flying High In The Smokies
There's something about looking down on the earth that fills people with a sense of awe and wonder. That's easy to do in the Smokies, especially considering all the beautiful mountain peaks that dominate the landscape. This week, consider a couple of different outdoor activities that will definitely provide you with a change in altitude.
An Extreme Zipline Video
A few weeks ago, we posted a link to an extreme zipline experience in South Africa. This week, we're linking to a feature story broadcast on Good Morning America last summer. This one features what is billed as the longest, highest and fastest zipline attraction in the country, in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
Saddle Up!
This week, one of Pigeon Forge's most popular events comes back to town, helping to bridge the gap between Winterfest and the arrival of spring in the Smokies. The 13th Annual Saddle Up! event, February 21 through 24, is a great way to tap into the cowboy lifestyle as it offers up four days of cowboy-style entertainment and cultural activities.
We're Back!
Since the first of the year, we've been taking a short break during the off-season. But as of this Friday, February 15, we'll be back for another great season of fun at our Pigeon Forge zip line attraction. We feature a total of 24 different ziplines, which makes us the largest zipline course in the Smokies, providing you up to three hours of high-flying excitement. Our course covers all the bases, too, starting out easy for newbies and then gradually working up to some of the highest, fastest and longest zipline runs in the area.
A Crazy Zipline Ride!
At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we offer more fun than any other zipline in Sevierville, TN or Gatlinburg, TN. In fact, we have more lines, more speed and offer more value than any other zipline vendor in the Smokies. You can spend an entire morning or afternoon touring our 24 ziplines, some of which are the fastest in town.
Warming Up To Outdoor Fun
We're looking at some unseasonably warm days here in the Smokies this week, so whether you're already here or planning to arrive in town within the next few days, consider putting a few hours on our Pigeon Forge ziplines on your list of fun things to do while you're here.
3 Vacation Mistakes To Avoid
It's chilly now, but we'll bet you can almost feel the sun on your shoulders as you dream about traveling to the Smokies later in the year. That's a great idea, but when making your plans, you might want to avoid some of the common pitfalls. Separate yourself from the rookie travelers by taking note of these mistakes.
You Pick The Experience At Smoky Mountain Ziplines
If you've ever been ziplining in Sevierville, TN or Gatlinburg, TN, you might have had a fun experience at one of the other local zipline attractions. But only at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge will you find as much zipline fun as we have to offer at so competitive a price. In fact, with 24 ziplines on our property, we can offer you a wide range of experiences at multiple price points.
A Beautiful Weekend In The Smokies
At this point, forecasts are calling for a gorgeous weekend ahead. There will be some rain in the middle of the week, but that's all supposed to clear out and leave us with sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s over the weekend. That means it's a great opportunity for anyone visiting the Smokies to shake off the wintertime blues and make the most of a rare mild January weekend.
An Easy Resolution To Keep
Did you make any New Year's resolutions for 2013? If so, what was it—to lose weight? Learn how to handle money better? Spend more time with your family? A lot of people believe they could use a little more excitement in their lives, and one of the easiest ways to achieve that goal is to experience the thrill of ziplining.
At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, We're A Better Business
If you talk to anyone who's experienced the high-flying thrills of a tour with us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, chances are you'll hear nothing but rave reviews. Similarly, you'll read overwhelmingly positive reports about our canopy tours and SuperZip slides on the TripAdvisor website.
5 Ways To Save Money On Your Smokies Vacation
Everybody loves going on a vacation or weekend getaway, but nobody likes shelling out too much hard-earned dough. So whether you're coming to the Smokies for Christmas or planning ahead to a family trip next spring break or summer, here are some tips to consider that will help you keep your costs down.
4 Ways To Catch The Christmas Spirit In The Smokies
Are you a confirmed Scrooge during this time every year? If so, there may still be hope for you yet. Spend a weekend or a full week in the Smokies within the next couple of weeks, and we can almost guarantee that by the time you leave, you'll have dropped “Bah, humbug” from your vocabulary altogether. Here are a few suggestions:
Ober Gatlinburg Is A Winter Tradition
Ober Gatlinburg ski resort is open all year long, but it's about this time of year that the mountaintop attraction really starts to sparkle. As the temperatures continue to drop, the conditions will become just right for enjoying all kinds of wintertime activities.
Fly Like Santa
As we all know, Santa breaks out his giant sleigh and team of ready reindeer every Christmas Eve and loads the sleigh with lots of toys for all the good girls and boys. Then he spends the entire night flying through the air as he makes his speedy annual trip around the world.
Thanksgiving In The Smokies
Looking for a way to shake up the Thanksgiving holiday? This year, consider spending Turkey Day in the Smokies. The forecast for this week is terrific—sunny, with highs in the low sixties—which means great weather for either Black Friday shopping or perhaps walking off some of that pecan pie with a hike in the mountains.
Arts & Crafts Galore
Since 1937, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community has been known for its authentic mountain craftsmen and artisans, all showcased together in a collection of studios and shops along a eight-mile motor loop in Gatlinburg. It is the largest group of independent artisans in North America, proudly preserving the craft heritage of the Great Smoky Mountains on a year-round basis.
What To Do In Pigeon Forge
Just because the seasons are changing for the cooler doesn't mean there still aren't tons of things to do when you visit Pigeon Forge this fall and winter. Here's a quick list of suggestions for you to consider, whether you're traveling alone, as a couple or with the whole family:
Christmas at Dollywood
The temperatures have dropped and the leaves have dropped with them, which means that winter isn't far off. But that doesn't stop folks in the Smokies from getting an early start on celebrating the season. In fact, at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, their annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival gets under way this Saturday, November 10.
It All Adds Up To Fun
If you've never experienced the excitement that comes with riding a high-speed zip line, Pigeon Forge is where you need to be this week. That's where you'll find us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. There are several companies in this area that offer ziplining fun, and each makes its own claims as to what it has to offer. But Smoky Mountain Ziplines has more than one reason to clip on to one of our trolleys and hang on for the ride of a lifetime.
Don't Take Our Word For It…
It's very easy for us to say that our Pigeon Forge zip line tours are the best around—not just in town but also in the whole Smokies region. After all, we have to admit that we're a little partial to all the fun you can have at our scenic little corner of the foothills. But don't just take our word for it. Check out the online ratings site TripAdvisor, and see what our previous guests have had to say.
Cities Of Fun
Visitors to the Smokies often wonder, “Which city is best to visit—Pigeon Forge, Sevierville or Gatlinburg?” Fortunately, this is one of those situations where any and all answers are correct. There's no need to limit yourself to one destination. Each of the three cities that make up our tourism region has its own unique attributes and opportunities, so the more you can squeeze into your itinerary, the better.
Zipline Quiz!
It's time for another test of your zipline knowledge. This week, we're going to see how much you know about Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge. The good news is that we allow cheating. All the answers can be found throughout our website. Score the most points and crown yourself the Trivia Master for the day.
Add Ziplining To Your Harvest Celebration
A lot of schools are out on fall break this week, which just happens to coincide with the kickoff of Dollywood's annual National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration. Running October 3 through November 3, this month-long festival is a great way to get out and experience everything that's great about the Smoky Mountains in autumn. And if you visit on a weekday, while the kiddos are out of school, you can beat a lot of the weekend crowds and enjoy shorter lines for rides, shows and attractions.
The Perfect Outdoors Weekend
As those first signs of fall settle into the Smokies, more and more area visitors are getting the itch to get outdoors, enjoy those cooler temperatures, sunny days and fall colors. Here's suggestions for a couple of great ways to do that if you're visiting Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains this weekend.
Make It A Pigeon Forge Weekend
At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we think we've got a great location. The surrounding foothills offer up rugged mountain scenery, with narrow ravines that snake their way through the hilly terrain, creating the perfect environment for our 14-line canopy course. With long lines and speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, we think our location near Pigeon Forge is why, when it comes to choosing the best place to zipline, Gatlinburg and Sevierville aren't able to deliver the total package.
Trends In The Zipline Industry
As the nation's zipline industry continues to grow and expand, a number of trends have emerged as zipline operators work hard to attract customers and distinguish themselves form the competition.
Zipline History
While attractions like our Pigeon Forge zip line have become quite popular in just the last few years, the zip line itself has been around in various forms for centuries. This simple device that moves people and things from one place to another via rope or cable can be found in cultures all over the world—and often as a basic means of transportation rather than as a form of entertainment. For example, in mountainous countries, ziplines are a way for people to get around, and in remote areas of China, ziplines are used instead of bridges to cross certain rivers.
Happy Labor Day
This weekend, most of us get to enjoy a much-needed three-day weekend thanks to the annual Labor Day holiday. The observance was created as a way to acknowledge and reward the American worker with an extra day of leisure, so that means you have three chances this weekend to come and recreate with us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines.
Cosby—The Forgotten Side Of The Smokies
Some areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park just seem to get all the attention. The 11-mile loop around the Cades Cove community, the synchronized fireflies at Tremont and high-altitude viewing sites like Mt. LeConte and Clingman's Dome are definitely among the most visited sites in the park.
Whitewater Rafting In The Smokies
In some ways, whitewater rafting is a lot like ziplining. They're both adventurous outdoor activities that most people can try with no previous experience whatsoever. Naturally, we're a little partial to ziplining here, but in addition to paying us a visit at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we think you should also consider trying your hand (actually, both hands) at whitewater rafting.
Old Mill Square
Pigeon Forge has only been an incorporated community for a few decades, but its history can be traced back much further than that. One of the city's true landmarks, The Old Mill & General Store, stands as a testimony to the fact that folks were calling Pigeon Forge home a long, long time ago. This historic structure has been operating on the banks of the Little Pigeon River since 1830.
Your Perfect Day In The Smokies
Let's practice a little visualization this week. Close your eyes and try to imagine your ideal vacation day. At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we think we could be an important part of that vision. Just imagine—ziplines, Smoky Mountains and everything that Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville have to offer at your disposal.
Some Cool Ideas For Summer In The Smokies
It goes without saying that flying through the air on a high-speed zipline run is one way to beat the summer heat. But there are other ways to stay cool as well. Once you've experienced our ziplines, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are all great places to go to find other attractions that will make those hot days a lot more tolerable.
24 Ziplines Of Fun
If you've always wanted to give ziplining a try but haven't yet, what are you waiting for? There are lots of places in the Smokies to choose from, but if you're looking for the city with most ziplines, Pigeon Forge is your destination. That just happens to be where you'll find us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, which is less than two miles off the Parkway, in the heart of the Smokies.
Summertime Thrills
Music theaters and fun museums are nice, but for some folks visiting the Smokies, nothing short of an adrenaline rush will do the trick. There are several attractions in this area that will help you get that thrill-seeking fix, and no previous experience is necessary.
Beat The Heat On Our Ziplines
Just in case you haven't noticed, it's been a little hot down here in East Tennessee lately, just like it has been throughout most of the Southeast. We know you don't want to let a little heat keep you from getting out and enjoying the Smoky Mountains this summer. After all, what are you going to do—stay holed up in your hotel room or cabin all week long?
Safety First At Smoky Mountain Ziplines
From time to time, it's important that we stress to our customers (old and new) that safety is always our primary concern when you come to visit our zip lines in the Smokies. It's a priority from the moment you step on our property until we see you off safely at the end of your adventure.
Pigeon Forge Has It All
In the big scope of things, Pigeon Forge is a pretty small town. It only runs a few miles north and south and has a year-round population of only a few thousand. But anyone who has ever been to the town knows that they pack a whole lot into that small package. So much so that a vacationer could fill an entire week with fun and never leave the city. Now, we know there are also a lot of great reasons to visit Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But just to put things into perspective, here's what Pigeon Forge has to offer.
The World's Most Extreme Zipline
At Smoky Mountain ziplines, our lines are higher, longer and faster than any other ziplines in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville. But we have to admit that we can't lay claim to the world's most extreme zipline attraction. That honor goes to a zipline run in Sarangkot, Nepal, which boasts a 656-yard vertical drop, more than a mile of length and speeds of up to 87 miles per hour! Check out this video:
The Ideal Zipline Location
When you compare all the area zipline attractions by location, one thing begins to stand out about Smoky Mountain Ziplines. Our ziplines in Pigeon Forge offer the ideal combination of seclusion and accessibility.
Ziplines Are Rising In Popularity
There's nothing fancy about zipline technology. In fact, it's pretty simple stuff that Sir Isaac Newton figured out hundreds of years ago. But there's something about strapping on a harness and letting gravity pull you from one high point to another across a great distance that conjures up feelings of excitement and adventure.
Barbeque & Bluegrass
Delicious Southern barbecue and toe-tappin' bluegrass music. The two seem to go together like Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner did in the 1960s. You'll get plenty of your favorite down-home delicacies and roots music to boot at the annual Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival at Dollywood. The festival was traditionally offered in the fall, but this year, it will fit in nicely with the awesome spring we've been having this year. The dates are May 26 through June 10.
The Road Less Traveled
In most cases, the easiest way to get to our ziplines in Pigeon Forge is to take Conner Heights Road off the Parkway at the southern end of Pigeon Forge (it's the last traffic light before The Spur). Conner Heights, turns into Mill Creek Road, and you'll find our outpost just 1.5 miles from the Parkway, on the left.
Ziplining Equipment
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive—especially from first-time zipliners—is, “What kind of equipment will I need to go ziplining?”
Special Deals At Smoky Mountain Ziplines
When you consider the fact that we offer 18 ziplines' worth of fun and a variety of pricing points designed to accommodate everyone from beginners to all-out adventure enthusiasts, you can see how Smoky Mountain Ziplines already offers more value than any other Pigeon Forge, Sevierville or Gatlinburg ziplines.
What Happens In Vegas
Last week the Clark County Nevada Planning Commission approved plans for a zipline attraction to be built that will scoot Las Vegas tourists between the Luxor and Excalibur resorts. The lines will run day and night and send riders a total of 800 feet at speeds that reach 30 miles per hour.
Take A Picture—It'll Last Longer
The Smokies are one of the most photographed areas in the country because of its majestic mountains and abundant wildlife. If you enjoy capturing nature at its best, you might be interested in the Spring Photography Workshop at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, running April 20 through 23.
A Week To Remember
This week marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the H.M.S. Titanic, which struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage on April 14, 1912 and sank within hours, killing thousands of passengers.
You Get A Line, And I'll Get A Pole
There's something fishy going on in the Smokies this weekend, and it's not too late to get in on the action. The 13th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament takes place this Saturday and Sunday, and it's a great chance to put your angling skills to the test as you compete with folks from all over the country for more than $10,000 in prizes.
The Wild Eagle Swoops Into Dollywood
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge kicks off another big season in the Smokies this weekend, and one of the new attractions that fans are looking forward to is the debut of the new Wild Eagle roller coaster. The $20 million addition to the theme park is being hailed as the first steel winged coaster in the United States, which means that passengers sit on either side of the track rather than on it or under it.
Spring Is Almost Here!
Although this past winter has been one of the warmest on record, spring still doesn't officially arrive until next week. But don't tell Mother Nature that, because she's already given us a head start on spring-like temperatures here in the Smokies. Look for temperatures in the 60s and 70s all week, with plenty of sunny days in the forecast.
Not All Ziplines Are Alike
As you travel around this part of the Smokies, you're bound to run across more than one company advertising its zipline course. It seems that just in the past few years, they've been springing up everywhere. But before you are lured in by the first sales pitch you hear, take some time to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. When you do, we think you'll still agree that our Pigeon Forge ziplines are the best thing going around.
Zip Quiz!
Let's have a little fun this week and test your zipline knowledge. So put on your thinking caps. And also remember that if you're looking for fun in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg or Sevierville, zipline action at its best can be found at Smoky Mountain Ziplines!
Ziplines Rise In Popularity
In case you haven't noticed, zipline attractions have become very popular in Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It's an easily accessible activity that most people can participate in, and the payoff is high thrills, speed and excitement. And that's reason enough for more and more zipline businesses to keep springing up in this area.
Your Best Zipline Buddies
Just in case you're worried that we're going to just turn you loose on a zipline course with no assistance whatsoever, you can put those fears to rest. At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we send out experienced guides with every group.
What's SuperZip?
SuperZip is just our biggest, baddest zipline run here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. If you plan to do any ziplining in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville, you won't find anything fiercer than the four lines of fury we have at our Pigeon Forge outpost.
Zipline Dress Code
Well, there's sort of a dress code. Here are a few things you'll need to know about what to wear before you go ziplining with us.
A Sunny Weekend
Just in case you're not in the Smokies area when you read this, we thought we'd let you know that the weather forecast for this weekend is calling for mostly sunny skies with highs in the low 50s on Saturday. That surely does sound like great ziplining weather to us, so if you haven't already, make plans to give us a spin this weekend at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge.
Stormy Weather Options
People often ask us if we run our Pigeon Forge zipline tours in the rain. Yes, we do, unless conditions include strong winds, extremely heavy rain or lightning. After all, we're all about safety first around here. So for the rare occasion that we don't have tours running, we'll give you some options for what to do on a rainy day in the Smokies.
Wheee! Wheee! Wheee!
Have you seen the Geico commercials starring Maxwell the pig? You know, the one where he's riding in the back seat of a car and crying “Wheee! Wheee! Wheee!” all the way home? In the latest ad featuring Maxwell, we actually see him squealing with delight, trademark pinwheel in hand, as he's zooming his way along a zipline! He aptly describes the experience in the commercial as “Pure. Adrenaline.”
Never Too Cold For Outdoor Fun
Here we are in January, but evidently no one has told Mother Nature. We've had some pleasantly mild days so far this winter, which makes the conditions ideal for enjoying some outdoor fun in the Smokies. Here are a few suggestions for ways to take advantage of the unseasonably balmy days:
A New Year's Resolution
The start of a new year always brings with it a clean slate and the promise of new beginnings. Maybe one of your New Year's resolutions could be to do something exciting that you've never done before. If one of those things happens to be ziplining, then Smoky Mountain Ziplines is a great place to get started!
Last-Minute Gift Ideas
If you've still got names on that Christmas list that still haven't been crossed off, you can go from naughty to nice pretty quickly with some last-minute shopping in the Smokies. Here are a few ideas to get things kick-started:
Fueling Up in the Smokies
So you're planning to do some ziplining on your next trip to the Smokies? Our Smokey Mountain zip lines should do a great job of feeding your need for speed, adventure and excitement. But after a full afternoon or morning of clipping up, taking off and flying through the air, you may have a hunger of a different kind.
The Most Christmasy Place In The Smokies
Some of you Scrooges out there are still having a tough time getting into the mood of this holiday season. Well here's a sure-fire way to turn that melancholy into holly-jolly. Start by checking in at the Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge and check out the area's most seasonally festive lodgings. This hotel is decked out for Christmas 365 days a year, from tasteful décor and beautiful trees and lighting displays that spread Yuletide cheer winter, spring, summer and fall.
Shopping Strategies in the Smokies
With Christmas stampeding toward us like a bull dressed in red and wearing a white beard, it may be time to consider getting some of your holiday shopping done while you're having fun in the Smokies. Of course, for many of you, shopping is a fun activity in itself, and if that's the case, here's an overview of some of the best places to find unique merchandise and moneysaving deals.
Take Advantage of the Mild Temperatures
We may be just on the brink of winter, but autumn is still having a last hurrah this week thanks to a forecast of unseasonably warm days. Looks like highs are going to be in the upper 50s to mid-60s throughout the week with rain-free days, for the most part.
Celebrating Pigeon Forge By Night And By Day
This time of year, seeing the sights in Pigeon Forge isn't an activity that's limited to daylight hours only. Now that Winterfest is in full swing, the city's millions of Winterfest lights provide a big bowlful of eye candy once the sun goes down.
Be Thankful for the Smokies
Whether you're fortunate enough to live in this area or you just make it out this way once or twice a year, the beauty and majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains are cause for even the most jaded of visitors to be thankful this time of year. The most visited of all the national parks, its GSM's 800-plus square miles encompasses unspoiled forests, pristine streams and some of the highest peaks east of the Mississippi River.
Make Ziplining a Winterfest Event!
This season, lots of holiday lovers and cold-weather fans will be descending on the Great Smoky Mountains as Winterfest returns to Sevier County for its 22nd big year. Winterfest is a four-month-long celebration not just of Christmas but of everything that makes this region great during the winter season. Once upon a time, winter was referred to as the “off season,” and while it's still not as big as summer and fall, more and more people have been traveling to the mountains to enjoy the area in a whole different kind of atmosphere.
We're Easy to Find!
While our location gives our guests a genuine, out-in-the-wilderness experience, full of rugged timber-filled terrain, our Smoky Mountain zip lines are remarkably easy to find.
Getting The Best Views of the Smokies
We're smack in the middle of peak fall foliage time here in the Great Smoky Mountains, and there's no doubt that if you're visiting this week, you'll want to get the best views of the leaves. But just as there's more than one way to skin a cat, there's more than one way to gain a little perspective when it comes to fall color watching.
Why Zipline in the Smokies?
If you're reading this from the comfort of home, perhaps you're researching different places to go ziplining, whether you're a first-timer or a repeat zipper. Sure, there are plenty of places around the Southeast—or the country, for that matter—that offer zipline adventures.
Safety First
If you've never been ziplining before, you may be wondering if it's a safe recreational activity. Let us put any fears you may have to rest by assuring you that safety is our number one priority from start to finish at Smoky Mountain Ziplines.
Fall Is Starting To Show Its True Colors
The change is usually subtle at first, but if you take a close gander, you'll notice that the leaves are starting to turn colors in the Great Smoky Mountains. In the higher elevations, the transformation has already begun, but even in the lower regions, you can already see blips of yellow, red and orange starting to appear in the summery greens.
Getting Lost in Smoky Mountain Fun
Here's an idea for a double-header of family fun if your travel plans are bringing you into the Smokies within the next few weeks. This particular combo takes you to extremes, from high-flying, up-in-the-air adventure to a disorienting, down-to-earth challenge.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines = Entertainment Value
There aren't many other attractions you can visit in the Great Smoky Mountains that let you spend as much time and have as much fun as Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge. At mini golf courses and go-cart tracks, you're done before you know it, or perhaps you can squeeze a couple of hours out of a music theater show or a museum.
Speed Demons Welcome
You can make your next trip to Pigeon Forge a celebration of things that go fast if you combine our zip lines in the Smoky Mountains with two upcoming special events that cater specifically to the car lover in all of us.
Shopping and Zipping in the Smokies
Here's an idea for a fun two-part outing that's bound to please everybody in the family. Consider spending half a day with us at our zip lines in the Smokies and the other half of the day engaging in some retail therapy. Whether you zip first and cool off in the shops or follow up your bargain hunting with one of the biggest adrenaline rushes in the area, you're bound to put together a plan that will leave everyone smiling by day's end.
Take A Weekday Vacay
Now that most schools are back in session and the harsh summer heat has settled down a good bit, this is a great time to consider visiting Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains in the middle of the week. Midweek traffic drops off considerably compared to the weekends, and waits for lines at most attractions are way down as well.
It's A Bird, It's a Plane… It's SuperZip!
Not that ziplining isn't extreme enough of an adventure, but if you want to take this recreation to it's extreme extreme, then set your sights on our SuperZip course.
What's Up, Cool Breeze?
It's going to be another scorcher this weekend, folks, but don't let that deter you from looking for good times in the great outdoors. In fact, short of taking a plunge in a pool, ziplining is one of the coolest things you can do—in more ways than one—outside this summer.
Ziplining—That Extra Something in the Mountains
There are lots of things you can do in the mountains, especially in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can hike, swim, fish, camp, explore historic sights, take photos, go on scenic drives, picnic, ride horses and more. But there's one thing you can't do in the national park and that's experience the beauty, thrills and excitement of riding a zipline.
The Coolest Birthday Party in Town
Let's say you have a child with an upcoming birthday (or an adult, for that matter). You could trot out that old celebration standby—a pizza party at a certain rodent-themed restaurant—or you could unleash a birthday bonanza like no other by hosting a Smoky Mountain zipline adventure for your child and some of his or her soon-to-be-closest buds.
Zipping and Tubing—The Knockout Punch to Summer Heat
Here's a suggestion for the ideal one-two combo this summer—an activity plan that will let you get outside, have fun with the whole family and stay cool while you're doing it. First, spend a morning with us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. Our Pigeon Forge canopy tours will provide you and your gang with hours of excitement in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Located in a hillside ravine setting, our zipline experience offers 360-degree scenic beauty, complete with abundant views and peaceful wooded terrain. Our canopy tour offers you 14 different zipline runs that will thrill while keeping you cool as you fly through the air like a breeze. And visiting in the morning will help you beat the worst of the daytime temperatures.
Made in the Shade
Summer means warmer temperatures, which means being able to have fun outdoors. But it also means having to be careful not to get overheated when the mercury is on the high end of the stick. The good thing about ziplining is that it lets you get outside and enjoy being outdoors in the summer, but at the same time, the nature of the activity helps you keep your cool.
Celebrate Your Independence
The Fourth of July weekend is coming up, which means it's time to celebrate not just the independence of our nation but also your own personal independence. That means not settling for the same old attractions and vacation activities that you've been doing for years. It's time to make your declaration of independence and try something new and different by taking a zipline adventure in the Smoky Mountains.
The Fastest Fun in the Smokies!
Some people just feel the need—the need for speed, as they said so famously in the movie Top Gun. If your idea of fun is all about fast-paced action, then Pigeon Forge has several options for you. The Parkway is home to several amusement providers with go-cart tracks, where you can burn rubber speeding around hairpin turns. Other attractions offer bungee jumping, allowing you to build up a little freefall speed as you plummet from dizzying heights. There's also an indoor skydiving attraction where you're actually motionless but suspended in mid-air on a column of wind air generated by a giant propeller underneath the wire mesh floor. It simulates the sensation of a real high-altitude freefall.
Picture-Perfect Weather!
We've finally gotten a break from the heat here in East Tennessee. That means if you're headed to the mountains any time this week, you need to shuffle those outdoor fun activities to the top of your list of vacation priorities! One thing we can always recommend is taking an excursion into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Especially in the middle of the week, when tourism numbers a little lower than the weekend, it's a great time to get out on the trails and do some hiking or pitch a tent in one of the park's campgrounds. Don't forget to bring a fishing pole for some trout fishing and a camera for capturing images of all the great scenery. (Also don't forget that you'll need a fishing license if you plan to do some fishing.)
Gatlinburg Hills & Pigeon Forge Thrills
Looking for something to do next weekend that'll break you out of that vacation rut? If you're traveling in the Smokies the weekend of June 18, we've got some suggestions that'll let you experience some of the best entertainment and fun the area has to offer—and all of it with Smoky Mountain Flair.
Managing the Summer Heat
There's no getting around it—hot weather has settled into to Tennessee, and it's not even officially summer yet! But don't let that deter you from having some outdoor fun when you're visiting the Smokies. In fact, ziplining is the ideal warm-weather outdoor activity. And when you're thinking zip line, Pigeon Forge, TN is the place to go—home of Smoky Mountain Ziplines.
Curve Balls and Straight Lines
In geometry, they say the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. That's true, especially at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, where you'll also find the shortest distance between yourself and a whole mess of hair-raising fun. At our mountain zipline courses, you can hook yourself up with as many as 18 different ziplines, each of which takes you on a direct path from a launch platform to a landing platform. And along the way, you'll experience exhilarating speeds, awe-inspiring heights and the feel of the wind in your hair on a fine summer day. You'll start out on our 14-line canopy course, where wooded mountain foothills set the scene for hours of family fun, and then, if you wish, move on to our SuperZip course, where the highest, farthest and fastest zipline action in the Smokies awaits your arrival.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines Has It All!
If you're looking for the best place to zipline in Tennessee, you've found it at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. We're located just outside Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains tourist Mecca of Sevier County. Whether you're staying in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville, our zipline experience is easily accessible by car and easy to find.
The Fine Art of Ziplining
Maybe that title is a little misleading. Maybe ziplining isn't exactly a fine art. But if you hang out for a while with us at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge, you'll find it to be a beautiful and inspiring experience all the same.
An Escape From The World
Had enough headlines for a while? Between Charlie Sheen, the royal wedding and Osama Bin Laden, there's enough chatter and information overload going on around school, the office and the Internet to make your head spin. What you need is some time well spent in the great outdoors of the Smoky Mountains, where you can clear your head, get some perspective and escape from the real world for a while. Or maybe we should say that it would be your escape to the real world.
All You Need Is The Desire To Have Fun!
One of the great things about Smoky Mountain Ziplines is that we provide virtually everything you need to have a high-flying great time in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. We only ask that you bring one thing—an eagerness to have fun and experience a true sense of adventure!
Fun and Beauty in the Great Outdoors
Spring is in full swing in the Smokies, which means you have more and more opportunities to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the mountains and all that they have to offer.
Choosing Convenient Accommodations
If you're planning to visit our Smokey Mountain zip lines this spring or summer, at some point, you'll have to make decisions regarding your accommodations. There's a wide range of lodgings available here in the Smokies, and what's best for you should take several factors into consideration, including geographic location and the size of your travel party.
Have A Nature-Themed Weekend With The Kids
Now that spring is here, it's time to take full advantage of all that nature has to offer. Maybe your kids are out for the week on spring break, or maybe all you can do is a weekend getaway with the whole family. In either case, here's an idea for some specific things you can do with the kids to make the most out of your time in one of the most scenic, outdoorsy places in the country.
Fun and Value
These days, more people are watching where their hard-earned dollars go, even when it comes to playtime. When you're on vacation, chances are you're a little more selective about where you spend your money, which means that when you're traveling with the family or as a couple, you want to pick the activities that let you get the most bang for the buck.
Celebrate Spring the Zipline Way
It's finally here—spring—that season when nature slowly awakes from its long winter slumber and comes back to life with sunshine, warmer temperatures and beautiful blooming flowers and trees. And what better way to mark the occasion by doing a little ziplining in Pigeon Forge? At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we know how to get you out in the midst of nature's spring spectacular and help you have a blast in the process.
What Is A Canopy Tour?
In the process of researching Smoky Mountain Ziplines, you've probably seen a number of references to our canopy tours. What's a canopy tour, you may be wondering?
What You Need To Know Before Ziplining
It's true that virtually anyone can zipline, even if they have absolutely zero experience ziplining. But before arriving at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, there are a few things that will be useful for you to know so that you can be prepared to get the most out of your experience.
More Vacation Ideas
Last week, we gave you a few suggestions as to how you might spend a typical day in the Smokies. Naturally our plans have you coming out and spending a few hours with us at our ziplines in Pigeon Forge, but this week, we thought we'd throw out even a few more ideas for ways you and your family can do the Smokies right while zipping your way to an unforgettable vacation.
Make Smoky Mountain Ziplines A Part Of Your Balanced Vacation
It's no understatement to say that there are enough things to see and do in the Great Smoky Mountains to fill up weeks and weeks of vacation time. Sometimes the challenge becomes narrowing down all those choices and picking just the right activities for you and your family.
It's A Great Week For Ziplining!
Depending on where you currently live, you may or may not know that we're going to enjoy some unseasonably warm temperatures in the Smokies through this weekend and into early next week. Highs are going to be in the 60s and even into the low 70s one day.
Big Adventure That's Big on Safety
Hooking yourself up to a zipline that's suspended high in the air and speeding from tree to tree like a bird is truly one of the most adventurous and memorable experiences you can have in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Making Mountain Memories
While the Smokies offer a lot of different ways for folks to have fun, sometimes it's easy to get lost in the shuffle of all the attractions, theaters, restaurants and shops. Those things are great, but sometimes visitors to the area fail to see the forest for all the trees. In other words, it's too easy to overlook the Great Smoky Mountains, even though they're pretty hard to miss!
A Sweetheart of a Ride
OK, fellas—let me plant this seed somewhere in your brain, and you can do with it what you will. Valentine's Day is coming up in just a few weeks, right? And perhaps you're the romantic type who is looking for a unique way to tell that special someone “I love you” or perhaps even pop the big question: “Will you marry me?” Instead of the traditional dinner and flowers routine, try sweeping her off her feet with a uniquely fun ride on our zipline in Sevierville, TN.
Fun That Outlasts the Competition
Let's be honest. Just about all of us have had that experience where we plunk down a big chunk of our hard-earned vacation money on an attraction or activity that just didn't seem to measure up. Maybe it wasn't what you expected or maybe the experience just didn't last very long, leaving you feeling as if you were a little short-changed.
Get A Snowflake's View of the Smokies
Anybody notice all that white stuff on the ground? If you're in the area and hail from a much warmer climate, we call this stuff “snow.” It usually doesn't make its first appearance until well into the new year, but this winter, we've already had a white Christmas and a big early-January snowfall. If you're currently not in the Smokies and are planning a trip here, you'll get a chance to see the mountains in all their snow-covered glory.
Your Total Zipline Package
How do we help you zipline? Let us count the ways. At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, our course, staff, facilities and amenities all add up to one amazing package, making us the best ziplines Pigeon Forge, TN has to offer. For that matter, we're the best zipline experience in the area!
A New Year's Resolution
It's that time of year already, when we're winding down at the end of one year and looking ahead to the next one. It's the time when many of us start making resolutions for the new year. If you fall into that category, have you considered resolving to try something new in 2011—perhaps something tremendously fun that's also a little outside the box?
Beginners Welcome!
One of the greatest things about ziplining is that virtually anyone can participate, even if he or she has never hooked up to a zipline before. Unlike high-thrill activities like skydiving and bungee jumping, ziplining is a completely accessible recreation, suitable for anyone who falls within our age and weight requirements.
Zipline Your Way To Chills & Thrills!
Too cold to go ziplining, you may be thinking? No such thing! It may be a little nippy out there this week, but don't let that stop you from getting out and experiencing one of the most memorable thrills to be had in the Smokies. At Smoky Mountain Ziplines, we believe that any time is the right time to zoom your way through our forest treetops and discover the true meaning of “chills and thrills.”
Get Out Of The Attraction Rut
There are dozens of fun attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains, offering more ways to fill your vacation hours than you could possibly squeeze into one trip. But be honest. Do you find yourself doing the same things every time you go on vacation with your spouse or family? Have you had your fill of go-carts and miniature golf courses? Are your tired of the arcades and all the indoor attractions that keep you from enjoying the fresh air and scenic beauty of the great outdoors?
SuperZip—The Ultimate Challenge
Looking for the biggest, baddest ziplines in Tennessee? Your search begins and ends at Smoky Mountain Ziplines in Pigeon Forge, home of the awesome SuperZip course. That's four side-by-side ziplines—each 800 feet long and 100 feet high—that are ready to rock your world with a zipline experience that's truly extreme. SuperZip will take you higher and faster than any other zipline course in the Smokies.
Give The Gift That Zips!
Looking for a holiday gift idea that'll really stand out from all the others? We know you always try to give the people on your list something special, and what we've got in mind can't be wrapped, and it's too big to stuff in a stocking. But it is something they'll definitely never forget. This year, give your friends and loved ones the unforgettable experience of ziplining in the Great Smoky Mountains. We have gift certificates available that not only say Merry Christmas in a fun and exciting way but let the people who receive them know that you care.
The Smokies Have Something For Everyone
One of the greatest assets of the Great Smoky Mountains and their neighboring communities is that there's something to suit virtually anyone's idea of the ideal vacation or getaway.
Ziplining—The Accessible Adventure Activity
Maybe you've only seen people enjoy ziplines on television. If so, perhaps the sight of folks speeding along a metal cable high above the ground might have seemed a little intimidating to you. But if you're thinking that ziplining is akin to jumping out of an airplane with a parachute or bungee jumping off a tall bridge, then allow us to present ziplining in a whole new light.
Smaller Crowds Adds Zip To Your Fall Travel
Now that Halloween is over and there are a few weeks yet until Thanksgiving, this is actually a great time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains. There's a nice fall nip in the area, and winter's harshest temperatures are still weeks away. There's still some nice fall foliage on the trees, Winterfest is about to get underway, and now is a great time to start doing some Christmas shopping at the local outlet malls.
Make Way For Winterfest!
The leaves may be changing colors, but it won't be long before they're gone altogether and winter starts to settle into the Great Smoky Mountains. But in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, that's just when the fun is getting started thanks to Smoky Mountain Winterfest, a four-month-long celebration of Christmas and everything's that great about being the Smokies in winter.
The Best Ziplines In The Smokies
If you're looking for the best place to zipline in Tennessee, shop around, but in the end, we're confident that you'll find Smoky Mountain Ziplines to be the best ziplining experience in the region.
Oh, The Leaves They Are A-Changin'
Been outside lately? The weather in the Smokies has been absolutely picture-perfect during the past couple of weeks, with cool nights and mild, sunny days. And this time of year, that's the perfect recipe for great fall foliage.
Ziplining—The Hiking Alternative
There's no doubt that hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains is one of the top activities for the millions of people who visit this area each year. It's a great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Smokies, get some fresh air and bond with family and friends. Some folks, though, enjoy their outdoor recreation at a slightly higher speed, and that's where ziplining emerges as the high-energy outdoor activity alternative.
Questions to Ask – Part 2.
There are a number of zip line operators in the area, but not all of them are the same. So before you choose which location to visit, you might want to call ahead and ask a few questions, to make sure you're getting the best ziplining experience for yourself and your family or group.
Questions to Ask – Part 1
There are a number of Smoky Mountain zip line operators in the area, but not all of them are the same. So before you choose which location to visit, you might want to call ahead and ask a few questions, to make sure you're getting the best ziplining experience for yourself and your family or group.
Adventure For The Not-So-Adventuresome
Let's face it. Not all of us have the will or the nerve to freefall from an airplane. Or base jump off a high, sheer cliff. Or bungee jump from a bridge. Those activities require not just sheer bravery (or stupidity, depending on your perspective) but also a certain amount of training and skill. So how can the rest of us get that sense of adventure but without so much risk?
We're Great for Groups!
If you're visiting the Smokies as a group, you probably already realize that planning group travel isn't as simple as planning a family vacation. Everything must be done on a larger scale, and trying to find fun group activities is no exception. Many don't allow groups to experience much interaction throughout the activity or, in some cases, to even stay together as a group.
Take Advantage of the Pre-Autumn Lull
Believe it or not, we're actually smack in the middle of one of the best times to visit the Great Smoky Mountains. Once schools are back in session, the number of visitors to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville drops off significantly, which makes everything a little easier for visitors—from booking lodgings to not waiting as long in lines for attractions to spending less time in traffic.
Ziplining—Part of Your Well-Balanced Vacation
One of the toughest parts about being on vacation in the Smokies is choosing from all the activities available in the area. There's enough going on here to fill several months' worth of vacations, so when you're planning your hard-earned play time, it's important to prioritize.
We're Zipping Toward Autumn!
It's hard to believe, based on the record-setting heat we've seen in the Smokies this summer, but autumn really is just around the corner. And that means the cooler temperatures of fall will blow in as a welcome relief before you know it, in just a matter of weeks, really.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines—More Zip for the Trip!
No doubt, there are several zipline operators to choose from in the Smokies. But of all Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg ziplines out there, Smoky Mountain Ziplines is the obvious choice when it comes to getting more airtime. And after all, when you're talking about ziplining, time actually spent flying through the air is what it's all about.
Ziplining—Something New in the Smokies
Chances are, this won't be your first trip to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, which means you've probably done and seen it all when it comes to family-fun activities. After all, Dollywood has been around for 25 years now, and other good old standbys like miniature golf and go-cart racing have been around the area for decades as well.Find Adventure in the Smokies at Smoky Mountain Ziplines
If you're planning a vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains, you've probably already learned that there's more to do in this area than you could possibly squeeze into one vacation. Even when it comes to Smoky Mountain attractions alone, there are dozens of things to do to keep the whole family entertained, from go-cart tracks and music theaters to animal-themed exhibits and amusement parks, and that's just scratching the surface.Smoky Mountain Ziplines—Family Bonding at its Best
Are you having trouble unplugging the kids from their cell phones and iPods this summer? Are you considering having them surgically removed from those video-game controllers and TV remotes? If so, then you're family may be in need of a zipline intervention. And when it comes to getting the whole gang together for some family fun time, our Pigeon Forge ziplines are definitely what the doctor ordered.
The Best Zipline Value in the Smokies!
We realize that once you decide to take a zipline tour, you've got plenty of options when it comes to choosing a local zipline company. There are several Smoky Mountain zip line operators in the area, so you may be wondering what sets us apart from the others.
Don't Forget to Look Around!
There's a right way and a wrong way to do everything, and that philosophy applies to our Pigeon Forge zip line adventure too. When you get started, your guides will equip you with all the necessary gear, including a helmet, body harness and leather gloves. And once you're out on the course, you'll also be given a set of instructions that will help you get the most out of each line.Learning How to Zipline
Anyone who has ever experienced ziplines in the Smoky Mountains knows that this exciting recreational activity is a safe way to find thrills in the great outdoors. First-timers, however, may have questions about what kind of skill or experience level is required to go ziplining. The good news is that virtually anyone who falls within our age and weight guidelines can participate, even if he or she has never done so before. And no, we don't just send people out on our highest and fastest ziplines right off the bat. As with any activity, you have to crawl before you walk, and at Smoky Mountain Ziplines we start everyone off on a short, slow zipline that's only a few feet off the ground. That's where your guides will go over all the safety instructions as well as the procedure for exiting a launch platform, what to do while traveling along the zipline and specific hand signals that tell you when and how much you should brake. Of course, everyone gets a practice run. From there, the 14 ziplines in our canopy tour gradually get longer, faster and higher, giving everyone a chance to get comfortable with the experience. So by the time our biggest lines come into play, you'll be able to zip like a pro!Keep Your Cool This Summer with Smoky Mountain Ziplines
Summer is well under way here in the Great Smoky Mountains, and if you're looking for a way to enjoy the great outdoors without feeling too much of the sun's sizzle, our Pigeon Forge zipline tours are a unique alternative.
We are all about safety!
One issue that's bound to cross your mind when ziplining—especially if it's your first time out—is safety. Let us start by telling you that our Pigeon Forge canopy tours and Super Zipline course are designed with safety in mind and that our experienced staff of guides is continuously focused on keeping all zipline customers safe while enjoying their outdoor adventure. All ziplines are rigged for maximum security, and each participant is issued a safety harness with carabiner clips, protective gloves for steering and braking, and a safety helmet.Canopy Tour or Super Zipline?
Those of you who have done a zipline course before know how much fun it is to fly through the air like a bird and see the world from a whole new perspective. But if you've never joined us here at Smoky Mountain Ziplines, you may be curious about exactly what kind of zipline experiences we offer.
Enjoy the Smokies the Zipline Way!
How High & How Fast are Your Zipline Tours?
“How high are the lines, and how fast do you go?”• These are two of the most common questions we hear at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. Sometimes people are asking because they're a little afraid of heights. Sometimes it's because they want to make sure they'll get the most out of their adventure. Whatever the reason, we have the answers.
