A recent trip to the Smoky Mountains for a little rest and relaxation
proved more exciting than we had expected. All things considering, it
was winter, and there was plenty of snow and ice on the ground. It was
December and we left home in Pennsylvania to get a little break from the
snowy weather that had been engulfing our area since late November.
Colder than normal temperatures were also gripping our region so it
seemed like a good time to head south. Eastern Tennessee was the
destination we chose. The Smoky mountains region of the state boasts
beautiful mountainous scenery and plenty of activities during summer
months. The off-season however, seemed as though it would be a relaxing
atmosphere with warmer temperatures to go along with it.
Our stay was actually in Pigeon Forge, a clean, bustling town at the
base of the Smokies. Pigeon Forge seemed as though everything there had
been built in the last two decades. The town did have some traffic
issues thanks to some large scale road construction but it was not
enough to hamper the vacationy atmosphere that the town projects. Pigeon
Forge is home to a country themed amusement park as well as plenty of
family attractions like arcades, mini-golf, and small niche museums. All
attractions were open for business even though the weather was less
than perfect. Pigeon Forge also has more than its fair share of
restaurants. Many of these eateries are typical nationwide chains
however it has a great mix of locally owned and operated restaurants as
well.
It is just a short drive from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg and the
Smoky mountains National Park. The park was naturally decorated with
snow which made for ideal winter scenery. Gatlinburg features numerous
restaurants and bars, museum style attractions, and plenty of shopping.
It was the ideal family getaway. There is also a large scale aquarium in
town, adequately decorated for the holidays. The aquarium alone could
keep you busy for the better part of a day. Gatlinburg seemed to be a
bit shy on public parking however there was an inexpensive public access
parking garage in the center of town.
Overall we enjoyed our mid-winter trip to the Smoky mountains. Thanks
to an innovative tourist industry in the area, it turned out to be more
of a busy vacation than we ever expected.
About the Author
Chet is the webmaster of Travelowski which features information for airports including Atlantic City airport and Binghamton airport for travelers looking for specifics on airports. Visitors can also post hotel, airline, and general travel reviews.
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