There is still a lot to do in the mountains in the winter, if we are not snowed in, of course. Gatlinburg’s Winter Tunes and Tales event is a four-month long celebration of the Smokies in the winter. This event includes everything from old-fashioned hayrides to a festival of lights, even a New Year’s Eve ball drop. The event will kickoff Nov. 4 and end sometime in February so do not miss out. Click here for more information and a complete list of events.

If you are up early and ready for breakfast, check out the Donut Friar at the Village in Gatlinburg. The Donut Friar makes freshly baked donuts, cinnamon bread and pastries every morning, and will even serve you a latte, cappuccino, or espresso with it! For hours and locations, click here.

Tomorrow, James Rogers will perform in Pigeon Forge at the Smith Family Theater. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.; for tickets call 866-399-8100.
For James Rogers website, click here. For taste of his music, click here.

The Smoky Mountain Dance Theater Company presents The Nutcracker “Sweet,” with performances at 7 p.m. in W.L. Mills Auditorium on both Nov. 27 and Nov. 28. For more information, contact 865-680-7369.

Although dogs are not allowed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are a few designated areas where your furry friends are welcome. Dogs are allowed to be in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but they must be on a leash. The Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail are two walking trails where both dogs and bicycles are allowed. For more information, visit the National Park’s website.

Want to have fun at dinner? Try out Gatlinburg’s Hard Rock Café and enjoy music, fun and good food. Visit the website for the menu and hours of operation.

For some great music, check out The Pigeon Forge Community Chorus. With over 40 members from surrounding areas, the chorus performs a medley of patriotic and gospel music. The Pigeon Forge Community Chorus will do a free holiday concert tonight. For more information, call 865-429-7350.

If you want to get into the Christmas spirit early, visit the Festival of Trees in Gatlinburg. Running from November 24th until the 28th, the Festival of Trees displays dozens of ornately decorated Christmas trees. Located in the W. L. Mills Conference Center, visitors can enjoy this display for free. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit their website: http://www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=16

Local art galleries are a great way to experience local culture and most of them have a minimum fee or no fee. Gatlinburg is home to several great local art galleries. Some of the best ones are listed below.

Alice Moore Gallery: an arts and crafts community in Gatlinburg.
To contact, call  (865) 436-0327. 

American Legacies: Gatlinburg log cabin art.
To contact, call  (865) 430-4301.

Appalachian Gallery and Frame
To contact, call  (865) 436-2477.

Beneath The Smokies: offers photography and work by Ken Jenkins, a nationally known photographer.
To contact, call (865) 436-3460.

Church Mouse Gallery: features fine art, prints, and pottery.
To contact, call  (865) 436-8988.

For a sweet treat to satisfy any age, visit Aunt Mahalia’s Candies in Gatlinburg. The shop has been cooking up old fashion candies for over 50 years. Some of the most popular candies include fudge, chocolate, crunchy brittle, and other homemade assortments. Aunt Mahalia’s only uses the freshest, finest ingredients and has been using them since 1939. For more information, visit their website: http://www.auntmahalias.com/StoreFront.bo

From November 5 until February 28, visitors in Gatlinburg can experience mountain scenes and colorful winter displays along Hwy. 321. Located next to Parkway, River Road features an enhanced, romantic arched walkway with a pair of 40-foot swans and several ornate floral representations. Lights line the streets of Gatlinburg and invite people of all ages to come and see the beautiful landscape. Winter Magic also delivers quartets of holiday carolers and Winter Magic Tunes and Tales, where visitors can meet characters and storytellers, and listen to music. For more information, visit their website: http://www.gatlinburgwintermagic.com/

  Personal gifts are a great way to show someone that you care for them, and what better gift to give than a personal bracelet or necklace? The Bead Experience in Gatlinburg has all different kinds of beads as well as classes you can take to learn how to make certain types of jewelry. Once at the store, you can choose from Sterling Silver, Italian, High Quality, and Semi-Precious Gemstones. The shop also has a full line of tool. Some of their classes include Beginner Glass Blowing and Beginner Fusing. For a complete list of classes as well as more information about the store, visit their website: http://www.beadxp.com/

 Going to dinner is a popular activity in the smokies, and Greenbrier Restaurant in Gatlinburg is an unforgettable dining experience. The Greenbrier Restaurant is a log cabin that was built in the late 1930’s and owned by Mrs. Moffet. Dean and Barbara Haden purchased the restaurant in 1980 and Barbara still runs the restaurant today. Greenbrier’s menu has everything from old favorites, like fried cheesesticks, to fancier dishes, such as lobster tails. To see a complete menu, visit their website:http://www.greenbrierrestaurant.com/

If you’re bored of seeing the same old shows in the smokies, then give the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge a try. Now in its 12th season, this high-energy production has received more awards than any other show in the smokies. The shows include singing, dancing, comedy, and gospel music. For more information, visit their website: http://www.countrytonitepf.com/

For good food, a good time and good service, visit the Cherokee Grill in Gatlinburg. Referred to as “Gatlinburg’s Great Steakhouse” by their website, the Cherokee Grill offers fresh fish, seafood, chicken, appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and mouth-watering steaks. Along with great food, the Cherokee Grill offers a great view of the mountains as well. For more information, visit their website: http://www.cherokeegrill.com/

Everyone has seen the old Western movies where men get from saloon to saloon by riding on a horse. Today, horseback riding has become less of something you see a movies and more of something you see people doing all the time. The Great Smoky Mountains has a beautiful view and several horseback-riding stables. The names and contact information are listed below.

 Smoky Mountain Riding Stables: located in Gatlinburg. To contact, call 865) 436-5634 or visit their website: http://www.smokymountainridingstables.com/

Cades Cove Riding Stables: located in Townsend. To contact, call (865) 448-9009.

Walden Creek Stables: located in Sevierville. To contact, call (865) 429-0411 or visit their website: http://www.waldencreekstables.com/

Sugarlands Riding Stables: located in Gatlinburg. To contact, call (865) 436-5634.

If riding a bike through the smokies does not sound appealing to you, then maybe riding a motorcycle through the smokies is more of your thing. The Smoky Mountain Motorcycle Adventures, a group that gave personal motorcycle tours through the Smoky Mountains, was created in 1987 and when the founder had to give up personally guiding tours in 1991, he created the Smoky Mountain Adventure Maps so motorcycle riders can guide themselves. The maps start at thirty dollars, but this fee ncludes six different maps for six different locations throughout the smokies and a map for lodging. For more information on how to purchase, visit here.

Every year on November 11, veterans are celebrated for serving our country. Gatlinburg is hosting its own Veteran Day Celebration this year. In order to honor veterans, Gatlinburg gather musical talents and speakers and puts on a display at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza downtown. Admission is free, so this event is something that anyone can enjoy. For more information, visit their website: http://www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=14

Five dollars will get you more than just a footlong sub: In Gatlinburg, it can get you a ride on the Trolley Ride of Lights. From November 4 until January 30, you can enjoy a guided trolley ride of Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays. The departure of the trolley takes place from Mass Transit/ Trolley Center at Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza every night at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30. For more information, visit their website:http://www.ci.gatlinburg.tn.us/transit/trolley.htm

Hungry for a good reuben? Do not hesitate anymore and visit the Cheese Cupboard and Hofbrauhaus Restaurant in Gatlinburg. The Cheese Cupboard is on the bottom floor of the building and has several different kinds of imported and domestic cheese. Upstairs, however, the building houses the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, a small restaurant that holds about six small tables. The Restaurant offers a little something for everyone with a menu including reuben sandwiches as well as brats and pretzels and everything is reasonably priced. To see a full menu and learn more about the Cheese Cupboard and Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, visit herehttp://thegreatsmokeymountainsparkway.com/_rest/gdhofbra.htm

Do you want to get into the Christmas spirit early? Then attend the Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, which runs from November 7th until January 2nd. Dollywood will demonstrate exactly how bright it can be with over four million Christmas lights. The festival also gets visitors in the mood with several Christmas shows. This year, Babes In Toyland and Christmas In The Smokies return as favorites from previous years. If you are looking for something for the little ones to enjoy, check out Santa’s Workshop, where larger-than-life-sized toys and an 18-foot Christmas tree provide wonder. For more information, visit their website : http://festivals.dollywood.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=95

Bicycling is one of the most enjoying activities to experience in the smokies. Bicycles can travel on most roads within the park and cyclists can traverse the parkway’s unfinished portions. Do not worry if you want to cycle in the smokies but are not able to find a bicycle to ride- Cades Cove offers a bicycle rental. The Cades Cove Bicycle Rental Office is open seven days a week and has a large assortment of single speed bicycles for rent by the hour. The rental office also has accessories and safety equipment for visitors to rent. If you are interested in renting a bicycle, visit their website:http://www.cadescove.net/bicycling_cades_cove.html

Looking for something fun to do in the mountains during the fall? Check out the 20th Annual Winterfest Kickoff in Sevierville. During this festival, you can experience the beautiful fireworks along with free food and entertainment. Winterfest also brings together local business like Dollywood, Christus Gardens, and Ripley’s aquarium to present the most festive Christmas light displays in East Tennessee. However, the festival is not just about twinkling lights. It also includes holiday shows, snow skiing at Ober Gatlinburg and great discounts on lodging. For more information, visit here: http://www.smokymountainwinterfest.com/

Warm, mouth-watering chili during the cool fall: What could be better? On November 4 from 5 to 8 pm on River Road and Ripley’s Aqarium, Gatlinburg will be hosting the 20th Winter Magic Cook Off and Chili Cook Off. The event is highlighted by the LED Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights program and live entertainment. Over 20 vendors gather and serve up kettles of chili for everyone to sample. After sampling, the visitors will vote for the best chili and the winner will be awarded the People’s Choice Award. In addition to visitors voting, the judges will vote and award first place for Best Taste, Booth Presentation, Apron Design, and Most Unique Chili Name. For more information, click here.

When visiting Townsend, the Townsend Visitor center is a great guide to the city. The center has several books dealing with hiking and hiking trails, buildings, and the history of the area. The visitor center also has several events such as art exhibits, assorted crafts, photography, and woodturning. For more information, click here.

If you are ready for a show, check out Sweet Fanny Adams Theater. It is the best place for live comedy and musical entertainment in the mountains, and it was named a National Historic Treasure by the city of Gatlinburg. For ticketing and show information, visit http://www.sweetfannyadams.com/.

Because Tennessee has such rich culture and heritage, several places in the mountains have been designated as part of the Tennessee Heritage Trail. The trail was created to both preserve and share Tennessee’s culture and is divided into 3 parts. The Arts & Crafts Trail will show visitors the various creations of Tennessee’s past, including pottery, baskets and other folk art. The History Trail takes you back in time to meet the people and events that shaped the course of Tennessee culture, and Gatlinburg’s part of the this trail is of course, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The third trail, the Music Trail, exposes the different types of music in the region, including bluegrass, country, and other folk tunes. The locations on the Music Trail in Gatlinburg include The Old Heidelberg Dinner Show, Smoky Mountain Travelers and Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. Click here for more information and a complete list of locations.

With beautiful fall colors and scary attractions, what better place to spend Halloween this year than in Gatlinburg? One of the most frightful attractions is the Mysterious Mansion, which provides patrons with a walk through spooky hallways and passageways. The attraction also offers dungeons, witches and ghosts, and a moderate entry fee. Another ghoulish attraction is the Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, which offers an unbelievably scary tour of the old Grimsby and Streaper Casket Company. The adventure is filled with characters that go bump in the night and promises a good scare. If haunted houses are not your cup of tea, several stores in Gatlinburg offer trick or treating. The Old Smoky Candy Kitchen and The Village in Gatlinburg both hand out delicious treats for everyone to enjoy.

Wears Valley Ranch is located in Sevierville and offers a Christian children’s home and school that provides bible teaching, individualized education, and unconditional love. The ranch provides a great service to children in crisis situations and they are always looking for new volunteers to help keep their services going. Some of the current projects they need volunteers to help with construction, landscaping, painting, and cleaning. Volunteers can be of any age as long as they are willing help and a sign a release form. The Wears Valley Ranch also provides housing for volunteer groups in their camp cabin. If you are interested in volunteers, visit here.

Once a family farm, Metcalf Bottoms is now a large picnic area approximately 11 miles from Gatlinburg near the Little River. The picnic area is 24 feet by 60 feet and has a capacity of 70 people. Four grills are just outside the pavilion and there are 15 picnic tables for visitors to sit at. Patrons are able to rent out the pavilion from 8 am until 3:30 pm and then again from 4 to 8 pm. The area also offers fishing streams as well as a hiking trail. For more information, visit here.