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.

All wineries offer free tours and wine tastings

Smoky Mountain Winery

Winery Square – Suite 2
450 Cherry Street
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Tasting Room:   (865) 436-0584

Mountain Valley Vineyards
2174 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 453-6334

Hillside Winery, Inc.
229 Collier Drive
Sevierville, Tennessee 37862

(865) 908-8482

Apple Barn Winery
220 Apple Valley Road
Sevierville, Tennessee 37862
(865) 428-6850

The Great Smoky Mountain Salamander Ball was written by Lisa Horstman and the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association and published in April 1997.  It is a children’s book for ages 5-7 years old.  The book is about a young girl’s trip to the Smokies.  While camping with her family, she sneaks out of the tent and watches a salamander ball, but then is discovered by them.  This picture book will keep children intrigued.  The book is about $7.00 and can be purchased through the Great Smoky Mountains Association or other online book stores.

The Smoky Mountain Field School was started by The University of Tennessee to help people utilize the Great Smoky Mountains.   They conduct workshops, hikes and other activities to help people learn more about the mountains.  Their mission is to enhance public appreciation, understanding and stewardship of the Smoky Mountains.  Some of their course offerings are Incredible Edibles and Traditional Medicines, A Smoky Mountain Day Hike, and Tracking and Nature Observation. There are activities for all ages and abilities.  The courses are around $50 and all take place in the Smoky Mountain National Park.  For more information visit http://www.outreach.utk.edu/smoky/.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park needs volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, join the Park’s Very Important People program or VIP. A variety of areas need work, so there is something for everyone. 

Visit

http://www.nps.gov/gettinginvolved/volunteer/opportunities.htm?id=grsm for a complete list of opportunities. 

If you are ready to do some shopping, the mountains are the place to be! Check out this list of some of the outlet shopping in the area: 

A visit to the Smokies is a must in autumn. Mid-October and early November is usually the peak of color, and the best way to see the fall foliage is to reach a high elevation. If you want to drive, try Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Newfound Gap or Parsons Branch Road. If you are a hiker, try Sugarland Mountain, Albright Grove, Andrew’s Bald or Mt. LeConte.

For more information, visit http://www.gatlinburg.com/.

One of the many attractions of Gatlinburg is the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, featuring cars from The Dukes of Hazzard, Gone in 60 Seconds, Back to the Future, Elvis’ Lincoln, Dolly Parton’s Cadillac and many more. Adult tickets are $11.99, Children 6-12 are $6.99, and children under 6 are free. For more information, visit  http://www.starcarstn.com. 

Elk once roamed the Smokies before they were over-hunted, but they were reintroduced in 2001. Click the link below to hear a sound that is once again familiar in the Smokies, thanks to the elk. 

 Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYzWmKlZtrU

There is no better time to visit the Smokies than in the fall; the weather is nice, and the fall foliage is beautiful. The Tulip Poplars of the Smokies turn to bright yellow when the weather turns colder, so the mountains light up with color. The Smokies are also home to one of the tallest tuliptrees, standing 178.5 feet tall along Baxter Creek. The Tulip Poplar is also the state tree of Tennessee, so make sure to see one while you visit. 

If you are looking for a longer, but still easy trail, check out Albright Grove Trail. It is about 7 miles in length and takes you through a forest of tulip poplar, maples, and beech trees. The trail is named after Horace Albright, an advisor to John D. Rockefeller and conservationist. For more information check out this website.

Want to see a waterfall, but don’t feel like taking the hike? Bridal Veil Falls is one of the only waterfalls you can drive under. The water falls 120 ft over U.S. 64, so you can get a great view without leaving your car. There are other waterfalls in the area, so you can check this one out on the way! For more information, click here.

If you are looking for a neat souvenir from your trip to the mountains, try mining for it! If you visit the Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine, you are guaranteed a find. You can sift for gems and gold and even take your finds home. If you are interested in turning your gem into jewelry, the Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine can do that too. For more information, check out their website.

If you want to hike, but are inexperienced or have small children, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest may be the place for you. The trail through the forest is only 2 miles long and has steps built into the trail. The hike should only take 1-2 hours. The forest is named after Joyce Kilmer, poet and World War I soldier who was killed in battle. For more information about the trail, click here.

If you do not want to hike but still want to experience the wilderness of the Smokies, take a drive! Roaring Fork is perfect for a drive, offering 5 miles of scenic wilderness. You will see everything from old buildings to waterfalls as you drive through the deep forest. If you are planning to visit, booklets explaining numbered posts along the way are available at the start of the road. For more information, click here.

If you are looking to enjoy a tasty dinner or a quick lunch, make a trip to Howard’s Restaurant in Gatlinburg. Open seven days a week, Howard’s promises to offer great food, great prices, and a great time. Howard’s specializes in a famous brunch menu that includes steak and eggs and a frittata omelet casserole. They also offer a delicious dinner menu filled with homemade soups and old timey dishes. The restaurant also provides catering to businesses as well as weddings. For more information, visit here.

Every year, several craftsmen from all over migrate to the Gatlinburg convention center to display his or her skills during the Fall Craftsmen’s Fair from October 8th thru the 25th. This year is the 34th year Gatlinburg has hosted the fair and they promise not to disappoint. Several unique and talented craftsman, like potter David Howard and stained glass craftsman Charles Adams, will be attending the fair this year. Along with craftsmen, the fair also provides visitors with live music. Dennis Lee and Band will be at the fair from October 8th to 16th and Keith Longbotham and Band will be at the fair from October 17th to the 25th. For more information, visit their website.

For some good ole’ Tennessee BBQ, there is no better place than Tony Gore’s Smoky Mountain BBQ and Grill in Sevierville. While Southern music fills the air of the diner, Tony provides large portions at a great price along with his own sweet BBQ sauce. The down-home feel of the restaurant is a favorite of tourists and keeps them coming back. For a full menu, visit here.

Although Indian pudding may not appear appetizing at first, one bite of this delicious dessert will have you begging for more. Indian pudding originated in the New World, when colonists longed to make pudding but were unable to because they did not have wheat flour. Fortunately, they did have Indian cornmeal, so a pudding was created from cornmeal, milk, eggs, butter, molasses and spices. For a complete recipe, visit this site.

The Smoky Mountains are filled with interesting history and one of the most historic places is the Wonderland Hotel. The hotel was located in the Elkmont community in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Wonderland Hotel was built on land formerly owned by the Little River Railroad Company in 1912. It stayed open to the public for seven years before closing to club members only. Unfortunately, on November 15, 1992, the Wonderland hotel saw its last day of operation. The hotel was partially burned in 1995 and ten years later, the remnants of the hotel collapsed. The doors, windows, and bathtubs were set aside for permanent preservation. To watch a video on the historic hotel, click here.