Is it Time for a Weekend Getaway
Sometimes taking a week long vacation may not fit into our busy schedules.
However, you can still get some much needed time away in just a week-end.
With its central location within the U.
S.
, the Smoky Mountains are within a days drive from any state.
The mountains, the people, and the fun make this national park an amazing family, couples, or solo vacation for anyone who needs a couple of days away from their normal every day routines.
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park receives over 9 million visitors per year, making it the most visited National Park in the nation.
The surrounding communities of the Great Smoky Mountains abound with shopping, theaters, arcades, games and more!Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and other nearby towns offer incredible shopping opportunities.
The area is filled with out-let strip malls.
The stores located in these out-let malls offer quality merchandise at deep discounted prices.
A very popular out-let mall in the area is the Tanger Outlet Mall, however there are several others in the area as well.
You will also find unusual miniature golf courses and arcades.
The arcades offer children's rides, bungee jumping, indoor skydiving, and more.
You may also take in a music show or visit one of the many Ripley's establishments.
There is always plenty to do and see in these bordering towns.
Many accommodation choices are available and very price competitive.
You may choose to book a hotel, condo, cabin, chalet or even a campsite.
The choices are endless and really depend on your personal needs and wants.
Hotels and Motels line the main parkway through the towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
All offer very attractive rooms at competitive prices.
Some have swimming pools and hot tubs.
Many offer free breakfast.
If you want something with a little more space and a little more privacy, you may choose from countless cabins and chalets being offered on overnight rental programs.
The price of renting and overnight cabin can be as low as $99.
00 a night and many offer specials that allow you to receive a free night when you pay for two nights.
Most cabin rentals come fully stocked with everything you need right down to the silverware.
All have amazing views and tranquil settings!A rental cabin is the perfect place to find peace and relaxation.
If you enjoy the great outdoors you may want to bring a tent.
There are 10 campgrounds found directly inside the National Park.
These are primitive campgrounds with no hookups; however each one offers flush toilets and running water.
Full hook-up campgrounds can be found in nearby communities and towns.
The area is known for its southern hospitality and friendliness.
No matter what type of accommodation you choose or where it is located, you will be sure to be greeted by plenty of smiles and good 'ole southern hospitality.
While you are in the area, make sure you order a big tall glass of southern sweet tea.
No Smoky Mountain Vacation is complete until you have had a few glasses! While you are here, be sure to schedule at least three hours to visit one of the most treasured areas of the National Park, Cades Cove.
The entrance to Cades Cove can be found in Townsend.
Cades Cove is an open-air museum that follows an 11-mile paved loop.
This loop can be driven or, during certain hours, biked.
There are even opportunities to horseback ride and to enjoy rides on hay wagons within this lovely cove.
Here, you will discover many close-up views of nature.
Prepare yourself to see many white-tailed deer walking leisurely along the roadside.
On occasion, you may even spot black bears along the way.
Be careful not to disturb the black bears in their natural state.
Approximately 1,600 black bears live in the park.
This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile.
Bears can be found throughout the park, but are easiest to spot in open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley.
With the various attractions and activities as well as the National Park with it's hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife and more, you will not find a more family friendly vacation destination.
There is something for everyone.
If you find yourself needing to get away from it all but do not have the ability to take a long vacation then the Smoky Mountains may be just what you need.
It gives you the opportunity to have a week-end getaway that is not only close to your home but also affordable and enjoyable.
To plan your getaway to the great Smoky Mountains, you may visit [http://greatsmokymountainvacationguide.
com/index.
htm] for a listing of attractions, lodging information, dining guides, horseback riding information, wedding information and more.
However, you can still get some much needed time away in just a week-end.
With its central location within the U.
S.
, the Smoky Mountains are within a days drive from any state.
The mountains, the people, and the fun make this national park an amazing family, couples, or solo vacation for anyone who needs a couple of days away from their normal every day routines.
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park receives over 9 million visitors per year, making it the most visited National Park in the nation.
The surrounding communities of the Great Smoky Mountains abound with shopping, theaters, arcades, games and more!Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and other nearby towns offer incredible shopping opportunities.
The area is filled with out-let strip malls.
The stores located in these out-let malls offer quality merchandise at deep discounted prices.
A very popular out-let mall in the area is the Tanger Outlet Mall, however there are several others in the area as well.
You will also find unusual miniature golf courses and arcades.
The arcades offer children's rides, bungee jumping, indoor skydiving, and more.
You may also take in a music show or visit one of the many Ripley's establishments.
There is always plenty to do and see in these bordering towns.
Many accommodation choices are available and very price competitive.
You may choose to book a hotel, condo, cabin, chalet or even a campsite.
The choices are endless and really depend on your personal needs and wants.
Hotels and Motels line the main parkway through the towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
All offer very attractive rooms at competitive prices.
Some have swimming pools and hot tubs.
Many offer free breakfast.
If you want something with a little more space and a little more privacy, you may choose from countless cabins and chalets being offered on overnight rental programs.
The price of renting and overnight cabin can be as low as $99.
00 a night and many offer specials that allow you to receive a free night when you pay for two nights.
Most cabin rentals come fully stocked with everything you need right down to the silverware.
All have amazing views and tranquil settings!A rental cabin is the perfect place to find peace and relaxation.
If you enjoy the great outdoors you may want to bring a tent.
There are 10 campgrounds found directly inside the National Park.
These are primitive campgrounds with no hookups; however each one offers flush toilets and running water.
Full hook-up campgrounds can be found in nearby communities and towns.
The area is known for its southern hospitality and friendliness.
No matter what type of accommodation you choose or where it is located, you will be sure to be greeted by plenty of smiles and good 'ole southern hospitality.
While you are in the area, make sure you order a big tall glass of southern sweet tea.
No Smoky Mountain Vacation is complete until you have had a few glasses! While you are here, be sure to schedule at least three hours to visit one of the most treasured areas of the National Park, Cades Cove.
The entrance to Cades Cove can be found in Townsend.
Cades Cove is an open-air museum that follows an 11-mile paved loop.
This loop can be driven or, during certain hours, biked.
There are even opportunities to horseback ride and to enjoy rides on hay wagons within this lovely cove.
Here, you will discover many close-up views of nature.
Prepare yourself to see many white-tailed deer walking leisurely along the roadside.
On occasion, you may even spot black bears along the way.
Be careful not to disturb the black bears in their natural state.
Approximately 1,600 black bears live in the park.
This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile.
Bears can be found throughout the park, but are easiest to spot in open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley.
With the various attractions and activities as well as the National Park with it's hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife and more, you will not find a more family friendly vacation destination.
There is something for everyone.
If you find yourself needing to get away from it all but do not have the ability to take a long vacation then the Smoky Mountains may be just what you need.
It gives you the opportunity to have a week-end getaway that is not only close to your home but also affordable and enjoyable.
To plan your getaway to the great Smoky Mountains, you may visit [http://greatsmokymountainvacationguide.
com/index.
htm] for a listing of attractions, lodging information, dining guides, horseback riding information, wedding information and more.
