Experience the Great American Summer Festival at Dollywood, eastern Tennessee's premier theme park.  From June 22 to August 4, 2013, families can take advantage of extended operating hours – 10am to 10pm – and a spectacular nightly fireworks show.  Spend more time with your family this summer at Dollywood.  It’s the perfect place to enjoy thrilling rides, entertaining shows and unique attractions.  Plus, all the fun of available during the Great American Summer festival is included with the purchase of Dollywood tickets!

Some of the highlights of Dollywood’s Great American Summer include:

• Dolly’s Night of Many Colors: Synchronized to music, each evening features Paint Your Dreams across the Sky, an inspiring piece of music written specifically for the occasion by Dolly, along with other songs that underscore this colorful summertime celebration!
• My People – Dolly’s Letters Home: An all-new show that takes a look inside Dolly’s most cherished memories.  Dolly’s family, including her brother, sister and nieces, share songs and stories relating to Parton. 
• Great American Country Show: The 40-minute show features six singers and a six-piece band, as well as a special appearance by one of country music’s legendary performers along with video appearances by your favorite GAC personalities.  Featured performers during Great American Summer include Mark Wills and The Ash-Sam Project.
• Gazillion Bubbles: New Dimension: Bubbles aren't just for the bathtub anymore as the new show Gazillion Bubbles: New Dimension takes the stage in an interactive bubble world filled with lasers, spectacular lighting effects, and jaw-dropping masterpieces of bubble artistry. Note – This show does not perform on Mondays.

Don't miss out on riding Wild Eagle - Dollywood's newest coaster.  It is the first wing coaster in the country and simulates the sensation of an eagle in flight.

Discover all the fun available at Dollywood’s Great American summer with a Dollywood vacation package.  You can even add tickets to Dollywood’s Splash Country to create a fun-filled vacation in Pigeon Forge the whole family will enjoy!

There are plenty of things to explore in the Great Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg.  After you’ve discovered the splendor of the Smokies, head inside to see the interesting and engaging exhibits of museums in Gatlinburg.  Some of the best museums in Gatlinburg TN feature aquatic life, historical artifacts and Hollywood memorabilia. 

Popular Gatlinburg museums include:

• Hollywood Star Cars Museum
• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
• Ripley’s Believe It or Not
• Titanic Museum Attraction

Gatlinburg Museums with Exhibits are available at discounted prices, too, making a visit to a museum even more affordable.  Browse the full selection of museums to find an experience to add to your vacation. 

Start your day off right when you reserve Gatlinburg hotels with free breakfast.  You can choose from a variety of Gatlinburg hotels offering free breakfast, each of which cater to your early morning cravings.  Grab a cup of coffee and your favorite morning meal before you start your day of sightseeing in the Smoky Mountains. 

Hotels in Gatlinburg with free breakfast offer several options, from your traditional continental to a more expanded choice of hot foods and cereals.  As Gatlinburg is a Midwest town, biscuits and gravy are an expanded breakfast staple, as are waffles and scrambled eggs.  Standard items like bagels, pastries, fruit, assorted cereals and yogurt can be found on most all continental breakfast options.

A free breakfast in the morning is a great start to any day in Gatlinburg.  Whether looking for a little cold cereal or complete hot meal, you'll find a variety of options to ensure you find the perfect hotel for your vacation in Gatlinburg.

Join some of the Smoky Mountains best artisans at the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, scheduled July 19 through July 28, 2013.  The fair features arts and crafts from over 150 booths displaying some of the nations’ finest work.  Held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, admission is $6.


Craft Booth at the Fair

The best thing about the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is the artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale.  Plus, live bluegrass and country music is also performed.  Arts, crafts and music lovers will all want to attend this special fair. 

Hours are 10am-6pm daily, with hours of 10am-5pm on Sunday.

July 1-August 4: Great American Summer at Dollywood
Make more time for summertime with extended park hours and shows for the entire family, including nightly fireworks displays, the Great American Country Show and Gazillion Bubbles Show during Great American Summer at Dollywood. 

July 3-4:  Fourth of July Midnight Parade
For the 38th year, Gatlinburg will host a 4th of July parade that begins at midnight, making it the first celebration in the nation. Members of all military branches will appear along with vintage military vehicles, public safety agencies, and more. Grab a spot early as tens of thousands of spectators are expected.

July 4:  “Stand Here” Fireworks Finale
A fireworks display will light up downtown Gatlinburg beginning at 10pm. This fireworks show has been designated a Top 20 Event by Southeast Tourism Society.

July 4:  River Raft Regatta
The annual River Raft Regatta will begin at noon on the Little Pigeon River in downtown Gatlinburg. Enter the competition for free beginning at 10am at the Christ in the Smokies bridge on River Road. There will be prizes for the top three winners in divisions such as Ripley’s Believe It or Not entry, Small entry, Handmade Decorated entry, and Youngest entry. Call 800-568-4748 for more info.

July 8-13:  Smoky Mountains Family Camp
Spend your family vacation in the Smoky Mountains hiking, swimming, exploring, and studying wildlife. Lodging and meals are included in the cost.

July 19-28:  Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
Over 150 booths will be filled with arts and crafts of all kinds. Artisans will be on hand to give demonstrations and answer questions about their craft. There will also be live country and bluegrass music. Fair is open daily from 10-6 and on Sunday from 10-5 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. 

It’s summertime in the Smoky Mountains which means it’s time for a memorable vacation in Gatlinburg.  Surrounded by The Great Smoky Mountains, this hamlet offers a variety of things to do.  From attractions that dive into aquatic life to scenic spots straight out of a postcard and white water rapid adventures, the places to visit in the Smokies create an escape all their own.

The Top Five Things to Do in Gatlinburg this Summer include:

1) White Water Rafting: Brave the Pigeon River and go whitewater rafting in Gatlinburg.  There are several outfitters to choose from, all of which provide guided services on the upper and lower section of the river.  The upper section features Class III and IV rapids, while the lower section is more leisurely with Class I and II rapids.  Choose the adventure best for you and enjoy a beautiful day on the river.

2) Visit the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook:  Simple yet stunning, a visit to the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook doesn’t cost a thing but is something you’re sure to remember.  From this spot, you can see the mountains and downtown Gatlinburg.  It’s especially beautiful in the fall, but the lushness of summer doesn’t disappoint.

3) Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies:  This expansive attraction takes you on a journey through “life under the sea.”  Ripley's Aquarium exhibits feature a variety of aquatic life and an interactive area is a fun place to play and learn with the kids.  Explore Penguin Playhouse, Stingray Bay and Coral Reef, then take a journey on moving 340-foot long glidepath through the Shark Lagoon.

4) Take the Scenic Route:  Take a ride aboard the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway or the Gatlinburg Sky lift for fantastic views of the Smoky Mountains.  With Ober Gatlinburg you ride in a comfortable gondola to the top of the mountain, where sweeping vistas as well as an ice skating rink and family amusement rides.  The Gatlinburg Sky Lift is a more laidback approach as you ride in open air ski-lift style chairs.  At the top you can explore the gorgeous views and setting in front of you.

5) Go Ziplining:  Add some extra excitement to your vacation with a Gatlinburg zipline .  Several companies, including Foxfire Mountain Adventures and Adventure America, offer scenic zipline adventures.  Zipping through the air past lush canopies and splendid mountains is rush I highly recommend! 

Looking for adventure on your Gatlinburg vacation?  If so, we recommend taking to the sky and going on a ziplining tour.  There are a variety of ziplines in Gatlinburg, all of which feature unique settings and fantastic views of the Smoky Mountains. 

Easy and fun to do, ziplining is an activity the whole family can do together.  Reputable ziplining companies have set up ziplining cables on unique courses through forest groves and Smoky Mountain landmarks.  You’ll fly through the air, zipping past trees, mountains and Gatlinburg attractions.  While reaching speeds up to 50mph you feel the rush and excitement only a Zipline adventure can provide. 

Gatlinburg ziplining options include:

• Adventure America Ziplines:  River crossings, rock cliffs, waterfalls, Rabbit Hole repel, sky bridges, wildlife & more are the things that make the Pigeon River Canopy Tour a once in a lifetime trip.  Waterfall and River Ziplining Tours are available. 
• Adventure Park Ziplines :  You can zip day or night at Adventure Park.  Their course features seven ziplines that range from 450 to 2,500 feet long. 
• Canopy Tours at Foxfire Mountain:  Foxfire Mountain Adventures Canopy Zip Line Attraction has the highest, longest and most scenic zip lines in the Smokies, with up to 1/4 mile long zip line over 200 feet above the forest floor.  There are seven ziplines in all, and they traverse forest canopy, creeks, open meadows and  Lost Mines Falls.
• Zipping in the Smokies:  Hosted by Rafting in the Smokies, this zipline course is located on a wooded island in the middle of the Big Pigeon River and is one of the more unique courses in the Smokies. 

Reserve a ziplining adventure in Gatlinburg for one of the best ways to experience the outdoor fun of the Smoky Mountains! 

Fun Stop Family Action Park

Enjoy a day of play when you vacation in the Smokies.  Recreation Attractions in Gatlinburg offer plenty of ways for families to have fun together. Choose one of the recreational Gatlinburg attractions to enjoy during your visit to see all the ways to play in Gatlinburg.  From golfing to go-karts to whitewater rafting, there are plenty of things to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. 

Recreation in Gatlinburg, Tennessee includes:

• Bent Creek Golf Course
• Fun Stop Family Action Park
• Rafting in the Smokies
• Tennessee Smokies Baseball

Reserve tickets to any of the recreational attractions in Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a fun day in the Smoky Mountains. 

On your Gatlinburg vacation discover things to do the entire family will enjoy.  Engage in a day of fun at interactive attractions in Gatlinburg that let you experience the best family fun Gatlinburg has to offer.  Kids and adults alike will have fun visiting attractions that are interactive, interesting and one-of-a-kind.


Ripley's Old McDonald's Mini Golf

Some of our favorite Gatlinburg interactive attractions include:

• Adventure Park Ziplines
• MagiQuest
• Ripley’s Old McDonald’s Mini Golf
• Speed Zone Go-Karts
• The Tomb Family Adventure
• WonderWorks

Choose from Reserve Gatlinburg’s selection of interactive attractions.  From zipping through the skies of the Smokies to racing at go-kart tracks to playing a round of putt-putt, attractions in Gatlinburg give you plenty to do…the only thing needed is you!

When you visit Gatlinburg you want to enjoy the great outdoors and fresh, mountain air.  Gatlinburg hotels with non-smoking rooms let you breathe in the refreshing mountain air without having to deal with cigarette smells or smoke.  A variety of hotels with non-smoking rooms are available, each catering to guests who prefer smoke-free environments.

Park Place Condominiums

A few of the Gatlinburg hotels with non-smoking rooms include:

• Brookside Resort
• Old Creek Lodge
• Olde Gatlinburg Rentals
• Park Place Condominiums
• River Edge Motor Lodge
• Sleep Inn and Suites

Stay smoke-free on your Gatlinburg vacation.  Browse Reserve Gatlinburg’s full selection of smoke-free properties to find the one perfect for your vacation needs.