Great Smoky Mountains Vacation

Morning Mist Village is a wonderful place to visit. Located at 601 Glades Road, from the Hwy 321 (East Great Smoky Mountains Parkway) & Glades Road Intersection.

We spent a half of a day at this quaint village. Park (or take the trolley) then walk to 25+ unique shops (and more across the road and within easy walking distance) where you will find some of the most unique items in the Smokies. They have a restaurant and an old-timey soda shop are located in Morning Mist Village.

I bought an art print from artist, Henry Parker, of a beautiful lighthouse. I enjoyed talking with him about art. If I lived in East Tennessee, I would love to open an art gallery there. But, we live too far away for that to work. After my visit to Morning Mist Village, I was inspired to make my art available online. I also enjoyed visiting the McCord Gallery We discovered we had a friend in common. Sometimes it seems as if it is a very small world.

The lovely aroma from CANDLES BY DICK & MARIE will certainly entice you to step inside. They had so many fantastic product, wind chimes, tapestries, scented oils, and of course, a huge selection of candles.

The Wood Cottage has very detailed wood carvings, plaques and more. You should take a moment to look around at the talented craftsman's work here.

If you want the true flavor of the Great Smoky Mountains, you should visit the shops at Morning Mist Village

We enjoyed our visit to the Comedy Barn They have magicians, fire-eaters, jugglers, ventriloquists, clean family comedians. Featuring live country and gospel music as well as fun barn yard animals in Pigeon Forge. They are an award winning family comedy variety show. You can check their Schedule of Events and buy tickets online.

Visiting Parrot Mountain while vacationing in the mountains is one of my families favorite things to do. If you go be sure to tell Lemon "Hello" for me. Maybe Rocky will sing "Rocky Top" for you. Parrot Mountain is an amazing place to visit. Be sure to allow yourself a couple of hours to enjoy feeding the birds and walking around the gorgeous setting. The gardens are beautifully landscaped. I so enjoy interacting with all of the beautiful birds there. Visit their fabulous website for more information and to see wonderful pictures(so you'll have an idea of what to expect).

"Frankie"

We plan to visit the Dixie Stampede on our next visit to the Great Smoky Mountains. I have been told by several people that this is a Must See Dinner show. You really need to make reservations early if you plan to attend.

A fun-filled, action-packed Dinner and Show extravaganza for everyone! It's the perfect place for families, friends and groups to gather for spectacular special effects and amazing stunts by the most talented performers in the area. It's the only place that brings together stunning performers, amazing horse feats, fantastic stunt riders, magic and audience participation with a delicious four-course dinner extravaganza for one amazing price! Plus, you won't want to miss their exciting Opening Act in the Carriage Room 50 minutes before the main show. Its all part of Dixie Stampede adventure!

Be sure to visit Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies. See schools of fish swim within inches of you including: sting rays, sea turtles, snappers, and giant sharks. Stand nose to nose with them as you gaze through 6 inches of acrylic.



Ripley's Aquarium has over 1.3 Million Gallons Of Water, 340' Underwater Tunnel,
and a very unique "people mover" for a slow ride through the aquarium. We fed the sting rays while we were there!

Take A Virtual Tour Now

Ober Gatlinburg is another fantastic place to visit while in the Great Smoky Mountains. While there you can have a Wildlife Encounter, see black bears, raccoons, skunks, flying squirrels, turtles, and snakes. They have a mountain top Amusement park that has a Bungee Run, Alpine Slide, Scenic Chairlift, Tramway, Water Rides, Bumper Cars, Mini-Golf, Spider-web Velcro Wall Jump, Zeke's Place Shooting Range, Fun House, Arcade and Indoor Ice Skating.





"Purple Mountains"




They offer eight trails for snow skiing and snowboarding. And Yes, they do have rental equipment. Dine in Ober Gatlinburg's cathedral ceiling restaurant with a fantastic view of the ski slopes. They have a nice website you can visit for rates, information and operating hours. Be sure to check out their group rates, too.

We usually will drive across the mountains to Clingman's Dome and over to Saunooke Village, in Cherokee, NC. The Cherokee Indians called these mountains, "Land of the Blue Smoke", or Smoky Mountains as we know them today.

There is a unique shopping village called the Saunooke Village and it is located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. They offer Cherokee Indian arts and crafts, homemade candy, restaurants, and more. The water mill at Saunooke Village sells fresh ground cornmeal.

While there be on the look out for the Indian Chief of Cherokee. We usually see him while we are there.

Here is another great website.