As the Great Smoky Mountains awaken to the warmth of spring there is little that can compare to the appeal of fresh mountain air, delicate crocuses and new flower blooms straining toward the sun.  A combination of fresh rainfalls and flowers replace the smell of chimney smoke wafting from the homes and cabins dotting the countryside. In addition to the stunning view of the mountains waking up, many of the most famous and fun things to do in the area start to wake up in the spring as well. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, Tennessee lure travelers to experience the natural beauty of the area and enjoy the host of attractions. Whether you are celebrating spring break, or just taking a weekend trip to get away from the hustle and bustle, this region is ideal for kicking off the warmer months.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is known for historic sights, adventures in nature, and some very unique attractions that delight visitors young and old alike!

Two of the area’s most popular attractions that keep visitors coming back are Bill Gladwell, the Mentalist, and the Roaring Fork Nature Trail.

Bill Gladwell provides a show filled with unbelievable mind reading and hypnotist experiences. Audience participation and a show worthy of Las Vegas delight all who enter. If you want a unique experience to share with your family in between exploring the great outdoors in the Smokies, reserve a spot at this incredible show!

Take a leisurely drive over the Roaring Fork Nature Trail and enjoy rushing waterfalls, hiking trails or just pause awhile and meditate by the river. There are many photo ops as you may spot bears, deer or turkeys. Don’t miss the sunset from one of the many overlooks. This trail is perfect for those who want to explore the beauty of the Smokies but may not be able to hike up a mountain. It’s also ideal for introducing small children to the wonders of wildlife and nature.

Other highly rated attractions in Gatlinburg include: 

• Hollywood Stars' Car Museum

• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

• Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre

• Gatlinburg Trolley

• Christ in the Smokies Museum and Garden

• Gatlinburg Sky Lift

• Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway

Make an entire week out of it and visit them all. The area also hosts dozens of shopping outlets, antique malls, local oddities, artisan shops, and fine dining – so you’ll never be bored.And of course, you can’t forget to take a trip to the top of the Space Needle to get a stunning view of Gatlinburg while you’re here.

Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge is the best place to visit in the Smokies if you want to combine lots of family-friendly fun with stunning views of the mountains. This bustling area is filled with attractions, famous dinner theater shows, and much more.

Of course, when one thinks of Pigeon Forge, Dolly Parton’s Dollywood springs to mind. This famous 150-acre theme park also employs some of Dolly’s relatives who are only too happy to regale the visitors with old family stories. Near to Dollywood’s Theme Park is Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Adventure Park. 

The Soul of Motown: The Early Years is a family-oriented show of awesome performances, with the audience encouraged to sing along to the oldies. There is a fun meet–and-greet after the show. Perfect for music lovers young and old, this is a great way to spend an evening away from your hotel room!

Pigeon Forge plays host to many musical attractions. If your family loves to listen to tunes and sing along, you’ll find many places to visit. Memories Theatre features country legend impersonators such as Elvis, Garth Brooks, The Blues Brothers, Conway Twitty, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and a host of others. 

Don’t miss the Country Jamboree Breakfast Show combining a delicious down-home meal with the entertainment of the award-winning Blackwood Gospel Singers. 

Other attractions and activities in Pigeon Forge include: 

• Smoky Mountain Opry

• Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show

• Titanic Museum Attraction

• Pigeon River rafting

And that’s just the beginning! You can also go mini golfing, go-kart racing, shopping, clubbing, and more. The area is bursting with options, which makes creating your ideal vacation simple. Your group can enjoy their favorite activities and meet up again later to take in the sights.

Sevierville

Does your idea of a great vacation include a little less hustle and bustle, and a little more small-town charm? Sevierville offers easy access to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg fun, but with a slower pace of life that is great for visitors who want to relax. This region is renowned for being ideal for weddings. Spa resorts, romantic dinner spots, and beautiful photo opportunities abound.

Sevierville showcases much of the grandeur of the Smokies in combination with not-to-be-missed shows. The Forbidden Caverns offer dazzling areas of spectacular beauty, or visit the Deer Farm Exotic Petting Zoo and Riding Stables and explore the Smokies on horseback. The Sevierville Golf Club is a great course surrounded by the awesome Smokies vistas. 

While you are in Sevierville plan on enjoying one of the shows, museums or theme parks. Among the choices are: 

• Rocky Top Playhouse Improv Comedy Show 

• Adventure Park at Five Oaks

• Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum

• Uncle Bud’s Little Big Show

Sevierville also hosts many local artists, from painters to potters, so be sure to check out the local shops for unique pieces of beautiful folk art that you can’t find anywhere else. Work by a local artist makes the perfect souvenir for your trip.

The Great Smoky Mountains are home to hundreds of wildflowers all vying for their place in the sun, making this an ideal place for nature lovers to visit in the spring. While springtime heralds a new beginning, many flowers can be seen well into autumn, before the winter chill takes over. The Smokies are a horticultural wonderland with over 10 species of trillium, dwarf iris, jack-in-the-pulpit, and lady slipper orchids. The summer season adds flowers such as black-eyed Susans, Turk’s cap lily, and butterfly-weed, to the beauty. Late summer and early fall showcase the colorful sunflowers, mountain gentian, coneflowers, asters, and monk’s hood. There are over 1500 varieties of blooming flowers densely populating the Great Smoky Mountains year-round. Bird watchers will also delight in the many new arrivals when the weather warms up!

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville offer many choices of overnight accommodations from rustic mountain cabins, inns, and bed and breakfasts, to posh hotels and resorts, plus everything in between. Pets are welcome at many places, and the attractions, too numerous to list, are fun for the whole family. You can rent a private cabin tucked into the mountains to become part of the view, or stay right in the heart of all the action on the Downtown Strip – any way you prefer to visit, this region can accommodate!

Fantastic in all seasons, springtime in the Great Smoky Mountains is a particular beauty to behold as nature unfolds from its long winter’s nap and provides visitors with a natural rainbow of colors, sights and sounds. There is no shortage of opportunities in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or Sevierville, Tennessee for the visitor to enjoy.