Have you ever wondered how Pigeon Forge attractions and Gatlinburg attractions draw millions of people to them every year? If you have, it's probably because you've never been there and seen the natural beauty and great family entertainment for yourself. If that's the case, let me fill you in on what you've been missing.
Located in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are cities with humble beginnings that have emerged in recent decades as premier East Coast vacation destinations. The mountains provide a grand vista for all of the shows and attractions that include theme parks and thrill rides, family-friendly recreation, live entertainment theaters and variety shows,
Because of their mountain location, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg enjoy a mild year-round climate as well as displaying the beauty of the four seasons. In fact, alot of visitors plan their annual trip to the area in the Fall to take advantage of the spectacular views of the changing leaves and kaleidoscope of colors that paint the mountainside.
No matter what time of the year you plan to visit, these Tennessee cities are ideal family vacation destinations, providing a variety outdoor fun and hundreds of compelling attractions for visitors to enjoy. To say that one Pigeon Forge attraction Gatlinburg attraction is better than the other would truly depend on your taste. But because of the volume of activities available, everyone in the family will find something that is enjoyable and very affordable.
As far as Pigeon Forge attractions are concerned, Dollywood theme park is my favorite. You can take the whole family for a day of fun and enjoy 125 acres of lively music, spectacular shows and craftsman, and thrilling amusement park rides such as the award-winning "Thunderhead" wooden roller coaster. Right next door to the theme park is Dollywood's Splash Country, which offers summer vacation activities ranging from a relaxing tube float on the Lazy River to the thrilling Big Bear Plunge white-water rafting ride.
After enjoying Dollywood, you can spend your days and nights strolling along the Pigeon Forge Parkway. This thoroughfare features more than 40 attractions for kids aged 8 to 80, from go-karts and bumper boats to miniature golf and laser tag. Pigeon Forge also has six outlet malls containing more than 200 individual stores, and if that's not enough to keep you busy, you can keep right on shopping at more than 140 other specialty stores and craft shops.
Gatlinburg has been a vacation favorite for decades and is known for its shopping, fine dining and excellent lodging choices. Visitors flock to the city 365 days a year to enjoy attractions such as horseback riding, amusement parks and championship golf courses. Gatlinburg attractions also include many specialty shops and museums to keep you entertained all day long.
One of the best Gatlinburg attractions is Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. With more fish than you can shake a stick at, you will be able to witness the 1.4 million gallon aquarium that features twelve-foot sharks and over 10, 000 sea creatures from all around the world. The tours are self-guided and you should plan at least two-and-a-half hours to do it justice.
If aerial views are on your agenda, then head on over to Ober Gatlinburg for an amazing tram ride up the mountainside to a small amusement park. Fun Mountain also features the areas longest chairlift along with some great carnival rides. There are also several smaller amusement parks that dot the area, and once you've worn yourself out on all the rides, make sure to check out the variety of food, music, and live entertainment that line the streets.
Regardless of age, people who come to experience Pigeon Forge attractions or Gatlinburg attractions will find something to enjoy as they pass time in the relaxing, fun-filled cities spread throughout the magnificent Smoky Mountains. It's all waiting for you, your family and your friends to enjoy so start planning your trip today!
Kelley Falgout is the publisher of www.FamilyThemeParkVacations.com, a vacation planning tool and continuously growing database of all theme parks, amusement parks and water parks across the United States. Be sure to stop by and enter our Photo Contest as well as find out more about Pigeon Forge attractions and Gatlinburg attractions.