Thursday, March 23, 2017

Fun things to do in Gatlinburg


Fun Things to do in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is located SE of Pigeon Forge on US 441. Take the parkway from Pigeon Forge traffic light # 10 continue on US 441 for Approx. 5 miles. When it comes to things to do in Gatlinburg, TN and the surrounding Smokies area, one thing is for sure—there is practically an endless supply of tourist attractions. Below are some of our favorites.
 

Ober Gatlinburg Known for being the only ski resort in Tennessee, Ober Gatlinburg is perfect for visitors planning for some fun in the snow.  For those interested in making tracks down the slopes, Ober Gatlinburg offers eight skiing trails at varying lengths and difficulty levels.  Those who just want to enjoy the scenery, though, can relax and take one of the ski resort’s three chairlifts to the top of Mount Harrison.  
 
 
Or for a more unique, exciting experience, try snow-tubing down a multi-track slide!  Kids might also enjoy seeing the animals at the resort’s Smoky Mountain Wildlife Adventure, which features animals native to the Great Smokey Mountains.
 
 

Ripley's Aquarium Voted One of the Top 5 Aquariums in the USA & the World by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice! Explore the Amazing Aquatic World Up-Close! Marvel at 12-foot sharks, the giant sea turtle, thousands of exotic sea creatures and playful penguins swimming as you enjoy the State-of-the-Art Clear Underwater Tunnels throughout! An Ultimate Underwater Experience without being wet!


Explore the lush, unique and beautiful worlds of the Tropical Rainforest, Ocean Realm, Coral Reef, and Gallery of the Seas, and the Best Shark Exhibit in the Most Spectacular Underwater Tunnel in Shark Lagoon. Enjoy entertaining dive and feeding shows in Coral Reef, Stingray Bay and Penguin Playhouse. Pet horseshoe crabs and stingrays in the Discovery Center and Touch-A-Ray Bay. Enjoy playful penguins swimming, pop up on the penguins' private beach and get nose-to-beak in Penguin Playhouse, voted by USA Today Travel 10 Best List as one of the best places to see penguins in the world! Fun-Filled family experience and MUCH, MUCH MORE!
 

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Before you head home from your Gatlinburg vacation, make sure you go around the 8-mile loop known as the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community.  The community is recognized as the largest group of independent artisans in North America.  Along the loop, you’ll see some 120 shops offering valuable items and collectibles for you to remember your Gatlinburg trip by.  Choose from candles, quilts, pottery, ceramics, jewelry, and stained glass.  You can also pick up oil and watercolor paintings and various framed photographs.
 

Gatlinburg Space Needle No trip to Gatlinburg is complete without some time up at the Gatlinburg Space Needle.  Gatlinburg’s Space Needle is a steel tower 400 feet off the ground, with an observation deck equipped with view finders providing a 360-degree view of Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains.
 
There is so mu8ch to see and do when visiting our beautiful area. We hope you can come visit us very soon! Call us today for reservations at 865-908-7935 or visit our website at www.berrysprings.com

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

The Great Smoky Mountain 6th annual Spring Wildflower Pilgramiage



Join us for the 67th Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smokies on April 11-15, 2017!

The beautiful Smoky Mountains are open for business and we can not wait for you to come see all the gorgeous spring flowers!




The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is an annual five-day event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park offering professionally guided programs which explore the region’s rich wildflowers, wildlife, ecology, culture, and natural history through walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and evening seminars. Most programs are outdoors in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  All programs are held, rain or shine.

As you probably know, a devastating fire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) moved into Gatlinburg, TN in late November, 2016. The fire burned 3% of GSMNP land (17,140 acres) from the Chimney Tops down into Sugarlands Valley. Portions of Gatlinburg contiguous to GSMNP forest land also burned. Embers from the fire drifted off many miles and created secondary fires. All GSMNP buildings within the fire zone were spared. Unfortunately, approximately 2,200 homes and businesses in Gatlinburg were severely damaged or destroyed. The GSMNP is alive and recovering. The business core of Gatlinburg is intact. Most of the hotels and restaurants were not affected by the fire.

This is a great time to observe how the wilderness recovers from fire damage. Several walks this year explore the effects of fire on a natural environment. The Friday evening program by National Park Zone Fire Management Officers, Greg Salansky and/or Rob Klein, discusses “Fire Ecology of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park”.

Other evening speakers also focus on environmental aspects of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. On Wednesday, author and outdoorsman, Charles Maynard, presents “Reading Between the Lines - Stories of Writing about the Smokies’ Waterfalls, Churches, and Trails”. On Thursday, Regional Resource Specialists and Biologist with the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division of the National Park Service, Scott McFarland, talks about his research on natural sounds and night skies in the Smokies.

Call us today 865-908-7935 or visit our website at www.berrysprings.com to reserve this spring and partake in the beauty that is growing all around us. Hope to see you soon!