Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort

Celebrate the Holidays at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas

TheWiseman — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:26:35 +0000

Smoky Mountain Christmas runs through December 30, 2011, at Dollywood and features four million lights, “the Smokies’ most spectacular light display” and “a lineup of live Christmas shows that celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.” Highlights include Santa’s Workshop, Parade of Lights, All Day Dining with the Coca-Cola Santa, Dollywood’s Christmas on Ice, Christmas in the Smokies (musical), Appalachian Christmas (Back Porch Theatre presentation), Carol of the Trees,
Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs (Southern gospel), Dolly’s Christmas Chapel (worship services at 5:30 PM each Sunday throughout the festival), O’ Holy Night, The Polar Express 4-D Experience and Twas the Night Before Christmas (musical).

For more information about Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood, visit www.dollywood.com.

Planning a fall or winter vacation getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains? Check out the latest deals at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort! For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Winter Magic Kickoff Features Chili Cookoff

TheWiseman — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:29:32 +0000

Winter is an exciting and magical time in Gatlinburg, with the holidays and twinkling lights approaching quickly. Are you thinking chili, too?

Offering mouth-watering recipes of homemade chili ranging from mild and delightful to wild and adventurous, the City of Gatlinburg hosts its 22nd annual Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Downtown Parkway, highlighted by the seasonal debut of Gatlinburg’s magnificent LED lights program.

This year’s event will be spiced up by the smooth Motown music of The Tams, featuring original member Charles Pope and Little Redd. The Tams have been entertaining for over 40 years and are known for such hits as, “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,” “What Kind of Fool,” “I’ve Been Hurt” and “Untie Me.”

Additional onsite entertainment will be Tuatha Dea, Hurricane Ridge, Outta the Blue, and Sheherazade Dancers.

Highlighted by the debut of the spectacular all-LED Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights program, the Chili Cookoff will feature more than 20 restaurants, attractions, civic groups, retailers, banks, and public service agencies serving more than 30,000 cups of chili as each participating group competes for a variety of awards.

Those attending are encouraged to vote for their favorite chili. These votes will be tallied to award the coveted People’s Choice Award to the most popular chili. A panel of judges will cast their votes for other awards, including: Best Presentation, Best Chili Apron, and Best Chili. Cookoff winners will be announced and trophies awarded at 7:15 p.m.
Verified chili sample providers for this event include: Corky’s BBQ, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant, Dick’s Last Resort, Fox & Parrot Tavern, Gatlinburg Elk Lodge #1925, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Great American Grill at Hilton Garden Inn, Johnny Rockets, Loco Burro Cantina, Mellow Mushroom, MountainBrook Village, Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, Partridge & Pear, Puckers Sports Bar & Grill, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Sugarlands Cellars, Citizens National Bank, Flying Saucer Bistro, Diamond Mountain Rentals/Smoky Mountain Real Estate, Sevier County Utility District, and Titanic Museum Attraction.

Although admission for the event is free, an $8 wristband is required for chili sampling and can be purchased on-site the day of the event or in advance at Home Federal Bank (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Branches), or at City of Gatlinburg Welcome Centers, with a portion of proceeds going to benefit Pi Beta Phi Elementary School PTA. Wristbands will be available for purchase onsite the day of the event at two convenient ticket booths staffed by volunteers from Home Federal Bank and Sevier County Bank.

Sponsors for Gatlinburg Winter Magic Kickoff Chili Cookoff are City of Gatlinburg, Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Hard Rock Cafe, Food City, and Coca-Cola.

For more information, please call 865-436-0500 or check the website www.eventsgatlinburg.com.

Fall Foliage Guide to the Smokies

TheWiseman — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:54:30 +0000

Nature’s annual kaleidoscope of color will visit soon the Smokies this year with great vigor. To help travelers determine where the best altitude is for leaf viewing at any given time, Gatlinburg provides updated leaf reports at www.gatlinburg.com and a fall foliage page at www.eventsgatlinburg.com. These links chronicle the descent of full-fledged color from the highest elevations of the Smokies in September to the climax of the color in November and even suggest walks, trails and short drives to take for the best viewing potential. Autumn in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a special time when a glorious leaf season lasting six to eight weeks is enjoyed by visitors as fall’s vibrant color changes travel down the mountainsides from high elevation of the Smokies to the foothills around Gatlinburg. There’s always peak color at a certain altitude. The adventure is finding out where the best leaf viewing is at the moment, and that usually requires only a short ride to the top. As you Reach Higher Ground, the colors explode into a spectacle of vivid shades of red and electrifying orange, with sprinklings of deep gold and bright yellows. The autumn colors surrounding Gatlinburg are magnificent and varied due to the amazing diversity of trees and plant life. Some 100 species of native trees live in the Smokies, the vast majority of which are deciduous. The timing of fall color change depends upon so many variables that the exact dates of “peak” season are impossible to predict in advance. Weather is a factor, but even Mother Nature has difficulty preventing the Smokies from erupting into a palette of brilliant colors barring a major storm. Basically, the Smokies are magnificent. Color displays above 4,000 feet start in mid-September with the turning of yellow birch, American beech, mountain maple, hobblebush, and pin cherry, clearly visible from such vantage points as Clingmans Dome Road. The fall color display usually reaches peak at middle and lower elevations between mid-October and early November. This is the Park’s most spectacular display as it includes such colorful trees as sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum, red maple, and the hickories. Gatlinburg is the Southeast’s premier fall color destination, offering something for all ages. Family-friendly and affordable, this walkable community nestled in the foothill of the Appalachian Mountains provides the perfect setting for fall vacations. Groups, families and couples will find something spectacular to their liking. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg boasts countless lodging, dining and entertainment options. Explore the popular Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, ride the country’s longest aerial tram, browse through hundreds of unique shops, and revel in the splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains as you Reach Higher Ground in Gatlinburg. For more information on fall travel in Gatlinburg including outstanding deals and packages, please call (800) 56-VISIT or visit www.gatlinburg.com.

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort Profile

TheWiseman — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:05:43 +0000

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort provides the ideal locale for your Great Smoky Mountains escape. Nestled on approximately 70 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort features the 60,000-square-foot Wild Bear Falls water park (the largest indoor water park in the South), two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, fitness facility and 24-hour marketplace. Enjoy award-winning barbecue at the casual Westgate Smokehouse Grill. The adjacent Mason Jar Lounge serves appetizers and snacks along with your favorite beverage. Escape to the new Serenity Spa by Westgate and indulge in a mountain hot stone massage, manicure, pedicure or facial. For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Gatlinburg Events for Fall/Winter 2011

TheWiseman — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:53:01 +0000

Autumn Colors in the Smokies
September 15 – November 15, 2011
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
September 15 – October 31, 2011
Various Locales Throughout Gatlinburg

Taste of Autumn
September 15, 2011
Gatlinburg Convention Center

Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg
September 30 – October 31, 2011
Ober Gatlinburg

Ripley’s Fright Nights
October 1-31, 2011
Ripley’s Haunted Adventure

Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
October 6-23, 2011
Gatlinburg Convention Center

Trolley Ride of Lights
November 9, 2011 – January 30, 2012
Downtown Gatlinburg

Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff
November 9, 2011
Downtown Gatlinburg

Veteran’s Day Celebration
November 11, 2011
Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza

Festival of Trees
November 22-26, 2011
W.L. Mills Conference Center

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Holiday Show
November 22 – December 4, 2011
Gatlinburg Convention Center

Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
December 2, 2011
Downtown Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg Winter Magic
January 3 – February 28, 2012
Various Locales Throughout Gatlinburg

Wild Bear Falls Video

TheWiseman — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:05:42 +0000

For more information about Wild Bear Falls at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wildbearfalls.com.

Summer Getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains!

TheWiseman — Tue, 31 May 2011 14:26:20 +0000

A picturesque mountain town full of fun adventures, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, serves as the principal gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest national park East of the Rocky Mountains and the most-visited national park in the United States. Gatlinburg also boasts fine art and antiques, mountain crafts, family-friendly restaurants and live entertainment.

Planning a vacation getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains? Check out the latest deals at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort! For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Follow Westgate Resorts on Facebook!

TheWiseman — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:49:43 +0000

Looking for information on all of the latest travel deals at Westgate Resorts? Follow us on Facebook! Visit us at http://on.fb.me/dW6TNk.

Don’t Miss the 61st-Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage

TheWiseman — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:21:39 +0000

As winter fades and the colors of spring begin to sparkle throughout the Smokies, Gatlinburg blossoms into the center of all things botanical during Great Smoky Mountain Association’s 61st annual Wildflower Pilgrimage. From April 26 to May 1, everyone from the serious botanist to the weekend gardener can experience unprecedented access to some of the nation’s leading botanical experts as well as Appalachian wildlife authorities.

“It is a rare opportunity for those with a personal love of flowers to have the same access to leaders in the field as researchers,” said Ken McFarland, a botanist and professor at the University of Tennessee. “Through seminars and intimate guided tours, each participant will expand his or her skills and knowledge of the unmatched flora and fauna of the Smokies.”

The Wildflower Pilgrimage, which dates to 1951, offers over 150 programs including an array of instructional walks and guided hiking tours tailored to meet individual walking skill ability, along with demonstrations and guest lecturers. These tours showcase the abundant varieties of wildflowers, plants, ferns, mosses, trees and shrubs, as well as birds, reptiles and amphibians, all native to the Great Smoky Mountains.

While most classes take place in the Great Outdoors, a number of educational classroom sessions and evening entertainment taking place in W.L. Mills Conference Center in downtown will round out the week’s events in Gatlinburg and the Smokies. Participating sponsors are Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains Association, City of Gatlinburg, University of Tennessee Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Friends of the Smokies, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, TVA, Southern Appalachian Botanical Society and Gatlinburg Garden Club, with local sponsors of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and NOC’s Great Outpost.

For more information, visit www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org.

Westgate Resorts: Premiere Destinations

TheWiseman — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:39:03 +0000

Westgate Resorts boasts full-service resorts and hotels in premiere travel destinations. Whether your dream vacation getaway involves lounging on sandy beaches, exploring world-class theme parks such as Walt Disney World Resort, hiking through the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, teeing off at championship golf courses in Myrtle Beach, horseback riding at an authentic dude ranch or enjoying nonstop casino action in Las Vegas, you will find a Westgate Resort property to meet your family’s needs. For more information, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.