When you travel to the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas of Tennessee for a vacation or weekend getaway you will find it hard to run out of interesting things to do during your stay. Regardless of what types of activities suit your particular tastes, you are sure to find the activities that will interest you and your family.

Dollywood Theme Park

Where to Begin? Staying in Gatlinburg means that you are near the famous Dollywood theme park. This is fun for the whole family, and you can spend a day or more just riding on the rides and enjoying the many shows that are put on at the theme park. Dolly Parton really did put a great deal of work into making this one of the best theme parks in the country, and you will be able to see this once you visit Dollywood for yourself.

Great Smoky Mountains

Keep in mind that when you stay in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge that you are in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. Are you interested in taking in some hiking? If so you have come to the right place. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park in the Southern Appalachian Mountains offers a wide variety of hiking trails for everyone from the beginner to the experienced hiker. When you are out hiking, you can see the great views the area has to offer on an up close and personal basis.

Beyond the exceptional views, there is a great diversity of nature here as well. The Great Smoky Mountains has documented more than 10,000 species of plants, animals and invertebrates, and experts suggest that there may be another 90,000 undocumented species living in this area. In recognition of its unique natural resources, the United Nations has designated Great Smoky Mountains National Park as an International Biosphere Reserve.

To get a feel for what you are likely to experience when you arrive in the Great Smoky Mountains, take a minute to check out these live webcams, powered by the National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/photosmultimedia/index.htm

Water Sports

Other activities for those of you wanting to get back to nature include fishing, white water rafting, and kayaking. You will find some great fishing spots, or you could book your own white water rafting trip during your time in Gatlinburg. As if all of this were not enough, you may also fill your appetite for being close to nature by booking a vacation to Gatlinburg in the fall months, so that you can view the wide variety of changing foliage. This is one of the best places in the United States to see the rainbow of colors that the foliage produces in the fall months.

If you enjoy going to theaters and seeing plays or comedy shows, you can do that in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area as well. You can go to concerts and hear some of your favorite music shows while vacationing in Gatlinburg. These various shows are typically available on a year round basis so that no matter when you are planning a trip to Gatlinburg, you will be able to attend the shows.

The Great Smoky Outdoors

Many people think of staying in a hotel while on a trip or a vacation, but this is one area where the Gatlinburg region varies from typical vacations. In Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you can rent your own cabin to stay in instead. These cabins are amazing in the amenities that are offered, but they also retain that rustic feel that you would expect from a cabin in the woods. Some of the amenities at these cabins can include a hot tub, a pool table, flat screen televisions, and modern kitchen appliances. As you can see, you are roughing it in the woods, but not roughing it too hard.

A Lover's Paradise

A trip to the Gatlinburg area also makes a great romantic getaway. Staying in a rustic cabin with a spectacular view of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park creates an environment for some quality alone time for couples. These cabins in the woods are much more romantic than any hotel can pretend to be.

Great For Families

If you are looking for a vacation for the whole family the Gatlinburg area can help you out there as well. You will find plenty of activities that children of any age will enjoy. In addition to Dollywood, you will find attractions such as Ripley's Aquarium, the NASCAR Speed Park, and The Great China Circus.

As you might imagine you can view aquatic life in a variety of forms at Ripley's Aquarium; this place is astounding in its sheer size. The NASCAR Speed Park allows parents and kids to race around a few different tracks that is sure to be a good time. The Great China Circus puts on a spectacular acrobatic show. You will want to check for the specific schedule of the Great China Circus though if you are planning on making this a part of your vacation activities. These are just a few of the many attractions that are fun for the whole family, when you choose to spend your family's vacation in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area.

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

If you can find Interstate 40 or Interstate 75 on a map, you will be able to find your way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park fairly easily. When the two highways meet at Knoxville, Tennessee, you are almost there. Traveling approximately 25 miles to the southeast, you will arrive in Gatlinburg.

No matter what you are looking for in your vacation, you will be able to find it in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area of the Great Smokey Mountains. Start planning your vacation getaway now. You will find that you can choose from a variety of themed cabins, with a wide variety of layouts and amenities. And, if you are willing to be flexible on when you attend, you might just find some real sweetheart deals waiting for you to take advantage of them.