A Pigeon Forge Pre-Christmas

If you've followed me for awhile or know me then you know that I have a deep love for Pigeon Forge. One day I'll retire there because it's my happy place. I love it... winter, spring, summer and fall. You can't go wrong there. 

Any chance I can get, I visit and I recently had the chance to go and see some Christmas shows. This was Presley's third visit to the area and I think he agrees with me... it's a pretty great place. 

If you drive to the area then a must stop is the Tennessee Welcome Center. Not only can you stretch your legs and use the restroom but you can peruse the hundreds of brochures and pamphlets on everything to see and do while you are in town. This time on our trip (the week before Thanksgiving) we were able to ride the Ober Gatlinburg. 

We stayed at the Inn at Christmas Place, which we love for several reasons. They have milk and cookies each night, Santa visits, the beds are sleeping in heavenly peace, the Christmas decor in every room and the all you can eat breakfast included in your stay.

We also saw some shows. We went to Dolly’s Stampede (formerly known as Dixie Stampede), the Comedy Barn and the Pirates Christmas Show.

We also went to The Islands to see if there was any shops we wanted to get Christmas gifts at and to eye spy the fountains. We also had the chance to let Presley ride some of their kid rides.

We had a great trip and I can’t wait to go back again. Here’s some more fun times from our trip!

7 States in 6 Days

Last week we hit the road for vacation and managed to find ourselves in seven states in only six days of travel. When we left California we flew to Denver, Colorado for our hour long layover. It was raining when we landed in Denver but it didn't delay us.

Three hours later we found ourselves in the eastern time zone and in Columbus, Ohio. A lot of people have asked me why we fly into Columbus when there's an airport closer to my mother's house. We fly into Columbus because it's the closest airport that Southwest Airlines flies into and since we have a companion pass that allows my husband to fly for the bargain price of $11.20 round trip, we will take the time to drive those extra miles.

After a few hours drive, I was reunited with my mom in West Virginia. We stayed in town for three nights and hit up some of my favorite restaurants while I was in town. While their some of my favorite places, they were new to my husband. I tried to take him to different places than his last visit. This time he got to try out Stewarts Hot Dogs and Cams Ham. He loves Stewarts and can't wait to go there again on our next visit.

While we were in town, we also visited my mother's business and hung out with her for a little bit on the one day that she had to work while we were in town. I spent many hours there before/after school/summers/etc.

In addition to visiting my mom, we all drove through Kentucky to get to our favorite place, Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This is our happy place. Each time we go there we stop at our favorites and always find something new to do as well. My mom and I determined that we've been here at least 50 times. This was my husbands second visit and he can't wait for his third. It makes my heart fill full that he loves going there.

This time while we were in town we went to the Dixie Stampede, The Comedy Barn, The Christmas Place, visited The Islands, shopped Book Warehouse, Christmas Collectibles and tons of other shops! We even stopped and saw an impromptu Elvis show.

The new attraction that we did in Pigeon Forge was the crime museum, Alcatraz East. In the winter we had seen it being built and knew that we wanted to visit it on our next trip. This place was really interesting. They had tons of artifacts from serial killers, modern criminals, Gangster days, outlaws and terrorists. One thing that was I was most excited to see...

The Ford Bronco used in the O.J. Simpson car chase. This day will always connect me with O.J. seeing as how it happened on my 10th birthday. I remember sitting in our living room as a kid and watching this unfold. We were mesmerized by the events unfolding on tv and couldn't stop watching until we knew how it was going to end. So when I was able to see the bronco up close, I was in hog heaven.

In Gatlinburg, we weren't able to ride our beloved SkyLift due to the fires that took place in the winter. It was badly damaged and had to be repaired and replaced and wasn't opening for another week. So we did something we hadn't done in years and rode Ober Gatlinburg. When we got to the top, we did some things we had never experienced and enjoyed the wildlife encounter. We got to see black bears feed, encountered raccoons, owls and even reptiles.

We also rode the Ski Mountain Coaster and it was a blast!

Much to my husbands disappointment (he's not a fan of heights) we rode the Chair lift to the top of the mountain. When we got to the top we were rewarded with amazing views. While the fires did major damage in areas all along the mountains, this place will always be wonderful and it will come back in time. #mountainstrong

When our time came to and end and we had to leave, we travelled back to Columbus and this time flew into Las Vegas, Nevada for our layover. By that time we were tired and maxed out with our luggage quota. While it's good to be home, I can't wait to get back to see my mom and be in our happy place.

Heart of Dixie

 

Pigeon Forge is my absolute favorite place to go. I make that fact no secret. I'm plotting to get all of my friends to go on a vacation there together. I keep telling them about the great hotels and cabins, Dollywood and all the dinner theater shows and things to do. I think I'm finally making progress on them and we may go sometime in 2016. I'm crossing my fingers that's for sure! Here is five things you have to see or do if you are in the area...

1. Gift shop at the Country Barn Gift Shop.

 

This store has everything from bear statues, t-shirts, magnets, pens to Minnetonka moccasins. The Country Barn is also conveniently located between the gem mine and the Three Bears so you can park and hit three places all at once and within steps of each other. I always stop and shop here when I'm in Pigeon Forge.

2. The Country Candy Kitchen.

 

This place seriously has the best candy in the land. They have everything but my favorites are the chocolate covered peanuts, cashew clusters and the white chocolate dipped Oreo cookies. They also have candy apples, fresh made taffy, rock candy and of course fudge! The options are endless. I always end up leaving the store with a giant bag of sweet treats. I always go at the beginning of my trip so I can enjoy the sweets while I'm running around town then usually once more before we leave so I can bring the goodies home too.

3. A Christmas Place.

The largest Christmas store in the south also known as the mother ship calling all lovers of Christmas home. Not only do they have spectacular Christmas trees on display, they have massive Christmas Villages on display. The store also have anything and everything you could ever think of for sell that you would need to decorate your tree or village for the holiday season. They also have a rewards program and for every 250.00 dollars you spend you get 10.00 off your next purchase.

4. Star Cars!

I have been going to Hollywood Star Cars in Gatlinburg for years and they always have new cars to see in person. They currently have a huge line of cars from the Fast and Furious franchise. They also have classic cars from Twister, Batman, The Flintstones and more. They also have original movie posters and props on display. There are several cars that you can sit in and take a photo. Before going in they have several cars on display that you can see before going into the museum.

5. Titanic.

Since I was 12 years old and Leonardo hit the screen in Titanic, I have been fascinated with the real events of Titanic. When Pigeon Forge dedicated a museum to Titanic I knew I had to visit it. I've walked through Titanic a few times and each time I learn and see something new. They have artifacts lifted from the bottom of the ocean and brought back to life. They also have a recreation of the grand staircase. You'll see photos that can't be seen anywhere else and since the museum has rotating artifacts if you go twice in a year you may not see the same items as the other visit.

There is so many things to do and see in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg it could take hours and countless posts to tell you all about it. I didn't even go over the different dinner-theater shows that the town offers. The restaurants are also some of the best you'll find! So what are you waiting for? Get to town and start visiting all of these fun places!

A Chair In The Sky

Nestled next door to Pigeon Forge sits Gatlinburg. A quaint little town that can supply you with beautiful views of the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. A twenty minute ride up Crockett Mountain will leave you 1,800 feet up in the sky. The sky lift has been taking tourists to the top of Crockett since 1953. In the first three years of the lift being operational, it had taken over 100,000 people to the top.

 

 

 

The lift runs day and night and offers a variety of views to those who ride to the top. Once at the top of the mountain you can grab a bite to eat or drink. If the views aren't occupying all of your time you can shop around in the gift store. You can also take a look at the photo the lift took of you as you reached the top.

 

 

On the way up you face the mountain while you are in the chair. On the way back down you get to see the entire town and all of the mountain view. You will also travel over a small river bed while on the lift. You can see and hear the river moving behind the main strip of Gatlinburg.

 

If you have time to ride up the mountain sit in one of these orange or yellow lift chairs and ride to the top. If you go in peak season you'll be able to see all of the leaves changing colors. Bring a light jacket for sure though because at the top the breeze can be a little colder than on the ground!