The Smokies Best

The Smokies Best
Our beautiful back yard!
Showing posts with label Pigeon Forge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pigeon Forge. Show all posts

June 5, 2011

The Pool is OPEN!!!!


The pool was opened early this year, we had it ready mid-May.  And we had several people using it then!  But then Memorial Day brought us some seriously warm weather and now we see guests enjoying it everyday.



June 4, 2011

A Big Welcome to Our Neighbors

We have a new jewel in our crown here in Wears Valley!  Old Smokies Produce has moved in to the Big Red Barn on the property just in front of Cove Creek Resort.  Owner John Marzucco and his right hand man Jose have been working hard the past few weeks to get situated and ready for the season.  Fresh watermellon, Grainger County tomatoes, cucmbers, yellow and green squash, corn, and more!  Be sure to come by and visit John and meet the Valley's newest member.  Right beside Old Smokies is McGill and Sons Pony Rides with some super cute goats and miniature ponies.  Alvin McGill is a lifelong resident that has been offering pony rides here in the Valley for a few years now.  The kids can have fun while you get fresh produce for dinner! 


It has been great for the guests that come to Cove Creek.  We have had several guests enjoying a watermellon by the pool. 

April 27, 2011

Top 10 Things Smoky Mountain Visitors Want To Know.....So here it is!

Planning a visit to the Smokies or its surrounding areas?  We know what you are looking to do so here are our honest and unbiased suggestions!

#1  Shopping:  Tanger Outlet Mall for serious bargain shopping and they have coupons on their website.  But for unique boutiques and in a beautiful setting, don't miss the Village in Gatlinburg.

#2  Scenic Drives:   Well, it really just depends on what you want!  The best way to figure that out is to go to Sugarlands visitors center and get information on all of the roads in the park.  Or click here for the park's day planner.

#3 Eating at Unique Restaurants:  The Greenbriar Restaurant is rich with history and has great views in the evenings.  The Park Grill is always a favorite.  It has the cabin feel with murals on the walls and great atmosphere.  The food is good and they have an incredible salad bar.  Both are open for dinner only.

#4 The Smoky Mountains:  Well, I always suggest staying somewhere that you will have a good view of the mountains (shameless plug for our resort......every site has a great view!).  If you are interested in getting into the mountains and being in nature, the park has many walks or hikes and they vary from easy to difficult.  If you have children and/or you have a stroller, several of the walks and hikes are still available to you.  Click here for trail maps.  Please note many of the trials do not allow pets, please don't feed the wildlife and be sure to take all trash to an appropriate container. 

#5 Historic Sites:  The Park is home to nearly 80 historic structures—houses, barns, churches, schools, outbuildings, and grist mills that have been preserved or rehabilitated. The best places to see them are at Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Oconaluftee, and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Self-guiding auto tour booklets are available at each place so you can understand the history behind every historic site.  

#6 Live Music:  In the evening during the summertime you can listen to live bluegrass at Settlers Village in a little white gazebo in the parking lot.  Occassionallly street musicians can be found among the Gatlinburg shops, and mostly perfom bluegrass as well.  There is no charge to listen but if you appreciate what you hear be sure to let them know.  Dollywood is also a great place to find a variety of music and they are home to the Kingdom Heirs.                         .

#7 Dollywood:  Pretty self-expanitory.  Just jump on thier site and you can see everything that is going on and plan your visit with show times, what the rides are and where they are.  They have a "Play Another Day" offer where you actually get two days at Dollywood for the price of one day.  And offer "Splash and Play" where you have three full days at Splash Country and Dollywood; and you can combine the two parks however you like.  (We do offer these tickets at our office, and you can purchase ahead of time to avoid waiting in line!)

#8  Antique Shopping:  Rebecca's Thyme, Yesterdays Antiques, and Bears Valley Antique mall.   These are only a few and an attraction in itsself is the Flea Market where you will find lots of antiques and anything imaginable.

#9 Hiking and Biking:  See numbers 2 and 4.  In Townsend they have a bike trail that is really nice and easy, click here.  And there is Cades Cove which is a little more challenging.  The smokies offers all levels of hikes and trails to explore on foot just click here for a day planner.

#10  Art Galleries:  Paul Murray, Alewine Pottery, G Webb, and definitely Arrowcraft gallery; all in Gatlinburg.

And there you have it!   If you have any questions just give us a call or send out an email, we will give you the best answer we know.  We hope you enjoy our beautiful back yard!

December 18, 2010

Top 10 Christmas Light Shows: Look How We Ranked!

Congratulations to us, we took the #1 and #4 spots.  We aren't too surprised!






Christmas Light Shows
1.Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland, West Knoxville and Bristol, Tenn.
2.Silver Dollar City, Branson, Mo.
3.Oglebay Festival of Lights, Wheeling, W.Va.
4.Smoky Mountain Winterfest, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, Tenn.
5.Trail of Lights, Austin, Texas
6.Magical Nights of Lights, Lake Lanier, Ga.
7.Holiday Festival of Lights, Charleston, S.C.
8.Enchanted Garden of Lights, Chattanooga, Tenn.
9.Louisville MEGA Cavern, Louisville, Ky.
10.Southern Lights, Lexington, Ky.

Source: America's Best Online.net

December 14, 2010

Our Great Local Legend: Dolly!!!

It's not surprising that we have an affinity for Dolly Rebecca Parton.  The singer, actress, writer and philanthropist is the darling of our area.  Not only is she talented (writing over 3,000 songs in her lifetime) but she posseses a unique wit and charm.   She hasn't forgotten where she came from and continually gives to the communities of Gatinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.  She began the Imagination Library to provide books for children from birth to kindergarten.  Her inspration for the Imagination Library was her father who couldn't read or write, not from a lack of desire, but from a lack of opportunity.  She stated that she wanted to “put her money where her mouth is – and with such a big mouth that’s a pretty large sum of money”, and so she did.  Tennacious, intuitive and gracious she continually gives to the community in ways that aren't announced or read about.  Her affiliation with Dollywood and Splash Country and her own Dixie Stampede creates thousands of jobs and is a major economic contributor for the area.
  
So, enjoy just a few quotes from our "Book Lady" Dolly listed below.  Let us know your favorite or send us one we may have missed!

 If you time your vist just right you may get a glimpse of Dolly, she regularly returns to her Smoky Mountain Home and stars in the yearly kickoff parade for Dollywood each spring.  


1. I still close my eyes and go home - I can always draw from that.

2. I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else.

3. If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.

4. If you talk bad about country music, it's like saying bad things about my momma. Them's fightin' words. 

5. I look just like the girls next door... if you happen to live next door to an amusement park.

 
6. Storms make trees take deeper roots.


7. The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.

8. We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

9. You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try. 

10. You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap!

11. I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I also know that I'm not blonde. 

 

November 30, 2010

Top 10 things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

1.  The number one of all number ones........The Great Smoky Mountains National Park!  With over 800 miles of trails for the beginner or the experienced hiker, fishing, picnicking and viewing the abundant and diverse wildlife.  You can tour by car or foot. There are visitor centers where you can get trail information, hours of operation and the complete history of our park.  http://www.nps.gov/grsm

2. Dollywood/Splash Country - Whether  you come in July or January this is a must do. The best deal is the Play Another Day or the Splash and Play.  You really want to have at least two days for both parks.  The day you go to the second park doesn't have to be a consecutive day, just within about 5 days.  These tickets are available at our office! http://www.dollywood.com

3. Dixie Stampede - This show is great to see year after year because annually they change the show.  You have to choose if you want to cheer for the "North" or the "South".  You are served a meal that has generous portions, be sure not to pass up the creamy vegetable soup, it is delicious and pretty famous.  And for an added twist, you get to eat with your hands!  Kids love it.  Hours and show times vary, and they have a Christmas show for the holidays.  The best place for tickets is on their site:  http://www.dixiestampede.com  (see #5 about combo tickets).

4. The Titanic -  This is the newest attraction and it really is all that and more.  When you arrive you are given a boarding pass that has the name of an actual passenger or crew member.  You will learn a lot of very interesting facts about the ship, the crew, and the passengers.  You will want to order your tickets on line, don't just simply go there, as they have guided tours and they do sell out quickly.  Go to: http://www.titanicattraction.com (see #5 about combo tickets).

5.  Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies - Amazingly enough, one of the best aquariums in the country.  Right here in our backyard.  They have special events and featured animals.  Plan on a full day here, they are open 9am to 9pm during the week and on weekends from 9am to 11pm.  There is a restaurant on site or you can pack your lunch and eat outside over looking the river.  They offer special combo tickets for the Titanic and Dixie Stampede as well as others on their site:  http://gatlinburg.ripleyaquariums.com

6.  Tuckaleechee Caverns - This is a really neat thing to see, and its very affordable.  Guided tours run every 15 to 20 minutes.  The total length is about one mile and there are about 400 steps (up and down) throughout.  This is a special treat on a hot summer day. They are open 7 days a week during the summer season. Go to:  http://www.tuckaleecheecaverns.com.  Before or after your trip to the caverns plan on a stop at the Tuckaleechee Trout Farm, where you can catch your own trout and they will serve it up to you:   http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/tuckaleechee_trout_farm_restaurant

7.  The Glades Arts and Crafts Community - An historic 8 mile loop designated as Tennessee's Heritage Arts and Crafts Trail.  The largest group of independent artisans in North America, established in 1937.  You will find artisans that paint, whittle, sew, weave, cast and carve to create baskets, brooms, candles, quilts, jewelry, pottery, silver smithing, leather, dolls, scrimshaw, leather, dolls, stained glass, wearable fashions, photography, art, food and so much more. http://www.gatlinburgcrafts.com/

8. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts - Nationally renowned center of contemporary arts and crafts education.   Five galleries and a book and supply store are open to the public year-round.  Featuring artisans from all over the country and they offer classes to the public as well.  Formally began in 1968, from the Pi Beta Phi settlement school (next door).  Arrowmont is rich with history of Gatlinburg and it's local artisans. http://www.lib.utk.edu/arrowmont/index.html

9. Beltz Factory Outlets - Can't leave out the best place to shop!  You can spend all day here, it is an attraction all it's own.  Several restaurants are here too.  Check out: http://www.belzoutlets.com

10. The Comedy Barn -  Good clean fun for all ages.  Millions of people can't be wrong, and even Paul Harvey endorses it! http://www.seymourherald.com/entertainment/2004/apr/27/3721/
Their site:  http://www.comedybarn.com/

There you have it.  It would be impossible to do and see all of our list in just a few days, but you can come back and see us anytime!