February Fun Stuff in the Smokies
The Smoky Mountains don’t just feel like a magical place, they really are a mystical destination. The phrase “old as the hills” rings true when you really dive into the old lore of the mountains. When you come to visit, take this otherworldly tour and investigate for yourself. Here are six of the Smokies’ best kept secrets.
1. Elkmont Trollbridge
Escape to a place that really feels like a glimpse into a mythical land. The Elkmont Trollbridge is a true hidden gem that only locals know about. Hike along the Little River Trail until you reach this spot. Covered in moss and mushrooms, the Trollbridge is perfect for capturing pictures or looking for hidden fantastical creatures.
2. House Of The Fairies
This whimsical spot is only a mile from downtown Gatlinburg yet it feels like you’ve been transported into another realm. Map to this magical place, then go out and explore. Here, you’ll find towering trees and moss covered logs and boulders. Then at the end of the trail you’ll see it...an arched doorway, that looks like it’s almost cut into the side of the hill, sits with a wooden ladder leaning against the frame. Step inside and find a cool spring, filled with water that tinkles like bells.
3. Synchronous Fireflies
The synchronized fireflies that come out every year like clockwork might be more science than magic but when you’re sitting among the trees and they begin to spark in unison, flickering in and out of sight, it feels like something otherworldly. This rare phenomenon is only seen in a few places in the world and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of them.
4. Elkmont Ghost Town
Once a thriving vacation spot for the Knoxville elite, the Elkmont Ghost Town looks like a legend brought back to life. Recently restored, explore inside the homes and hike trails where you will find the remains of homes once occupied by Appalachian locals who would serve, supply and work in the town. This piece of history is frozen in time and feels like stepping back into the past.
There are many magical places in the Smokies and these are only four of them. Don’t stop here, continue to search for more mystical creatures and sprites living in the trees and hollows. To discover more, stay overnight in the mountains in a log cabin. This cabin is even called Magical Moments, which is exactly what you’ll find when you visit the Smoky Mountains.
February is an interesting month, isn't it? It's the shortest month of the year at only 28 days in length while the other months at between 30 and 31 days in length, it is primarily known for two short holidays in which we celebrate romance with grand gestures of affection towards our partners after celebrating a rodent that can predict the weather by his shade and apparently cause temporal disasters for angsting weathermen across the country, it's the month of the Super Bowl, the beginning of Lent, has the possibility of being the only month that goes without a full moon and the only month that rounds up all the leftover world revolution fractions into a whole day every four years.
Yet for all its interest, only Valentine's Day and, up to a point, the Super Bowl really directly translate into special entertainment for the Smoky Mountains and those who are interested in coming out sometimes get the idea that February doesn’t have much going on to justify a full trip to East Tennessee. Not true! Even if you have no interest in Valentine’s Day or the Super Bowl or the psionic grudge our groundhogs have against Bill Murray, the whole month of February can bring many opportunities for you to make memories with. An overwhelming amount of our attractions are still open, the snow-capped mountains that surround us add a majesty to the Smokies that can’t be reproduced elsewhere, and Bear Camp Cabins can provide you the romantic weekend getaway you and your partner deserve whether it’s close to February 14th or not!
Here’s a look at some other of our favorite February activities in the area:
Ober Gatlinburg Winter Sports
Yessir, for the rest of the month and up into March, our favorite mountaintop fun park is still the winner for the winter season with its professional, full-service winter sports slope. Bring your skis, your snowboard, your snowtube (yes, you can go tubing on the snow!) and the appropriate gear… or don’t! Ober can furnish for you everything you need to go skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing (yes, really, tubing on the snow. It’s still technically water, after all!) and more with their facilities. Heck, it can be 55 degrees out and you’ll still be able to enjoy it as they make all the snow right there on the hill. See more on Ober Gatlinburg at www.obergatlinburg.com.
Valentine's Dinner at Titanic Museum
Who would’ve guessed the Titanic ship would become a wonderful place to celebrate a romantic occasion in the Smokies? Titanic has had this little tradition for a few years now and boasts a First Class Dinner at a private “secret” room onboard. They are doing this dinner on Saturday, February 10th and more information on that can be found at http://www.titanicpigeonforge.com/group-sales/titanic-first-class-dinners.
Antiquing on Highway 66
While this occasion could be done any time of the year, the post Holiday Winterfest makes our unofficially designated “antiques district” of Highway 66 between Sevierville and Kodak a real delight for its comparatively low traffic and a higher chance of seeing some interesting antiques that people have sold or donated after the gift-giving season. There’s so many stores for treasure hunting out here - huge stores, flea markets, thrift stores and pawn shops, that trying to list them all out would be exhaustive. Highway 66 has many other excellent attractions as well and something about going out here in the colder weather just seems to work better than in the blazing hot of Summer (and we tend to prefer closer to the mountains for Spring and Fall).
And, finally, the best way to enjoy the Smokies during the month of February is one of our luxury cabins in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville or anywhere in-between! Enjoy our fabulous units and the many fabulous amenities held therein.
