Three of Our Favorite Things To Do in the Smokies

It’s officially the season of hot apple cider, warm blankets, and pumpkin patches. It’s also the season for fall festivals, and the Smoky Mountain area is full of them!

Here are three festivals you can enjoy while on your Smoky Mountain vacation.

1. Dollywood Harvest Festival

If you love Dollywood and the fall season then you won’t want to miss this event! From early September to late October this annual celebration marks the best weather and some beautiful fall foliage in the Smokies. Stay late into the evening to see beautifully carved pumpkins, lit up and on display. During the day you’ll enjoy fall themed food, and colorful leaves all throughout the park.

2. Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair

In early to mid October the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair heads into full swing. Artisans from across the country gather to peddle their wares while musicians serenade the crowds. You’ll see everything from woodworking and pottery to handcrafted jewelry and leatherworkings. If you have an appreciation for handmade goods then this event is for you.

3. Wears Valley Fall Festival

The Wears Valley Fall Festival takes place in mid October and is a favorite event for locals. Come experience the hundreds of vendors, melodic live music, and incredible Southern cuisine. If you’re interested in a true rustic, Appalachian festival with plenty to do and see for the whole family, then this one is for you.

No matter the festival you choose you’ll need a place to stay. Choose from one of our many options at Bear Camp Cabin Rentals today!

Three of Our Favorite Things To Do in the Smokies

Fun Things To Do In The Smokies, Easy As ...1,2,3

One of the great advantages to visiting or living Sevier County in the Tennessee Smokies is the sheer variety of activities you can find and enjoy here. If you were to do one activity or visit one place each day for a full year, you still wouldn't experience the full spectrum of what our little area can offer you. The area offers a very wide dynamic of activities as well - whether you want something packed with action or something quiet and atmospheric to enjoy, the Smokies has you covered.

In recognition for the encroaching Autumn season, in this article, we've chosen a few places that are a little less advertised than other attractions and also perfectly mesh well with the vernal bliss. Let us take a look:

1. The Village in Gatlinburg

Part of what makes the Gatlinburg so irresistible an area is that you can find reverent hints and traces of our European roots throughout the city. Our Appalachian ancestors had ancestors that came from England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany and the surrounding countries and we put those roots prominently on display.

Nowhere is this more evident than The Village in downtown Gatlinburg. This exquisite little complex is located across the street from the Guinness World of Records where the Pancake Pantry is and it is a memorable experience unlike anything else in the area. Lined with red brick and built to look like a cozy little hamlet not far from Tolkein's Hobbit Shire, there are over a dozen boutiques, some iconic eateries, sitting tables, two fountains and even some seasonal decorations to perfect the atmosphere.

Recommended visits to the Village include:

* Alewine Pottery

* The Silver Tree

* Celtic Cottage

* The Donut Friar

* Lamplight Gallery

* The Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & The Cheese Cupboard

* The Hayloft

* Thomas Kinkade

* Verbena's Body

* The Pancake Pantry

2. The Arts and Crafts Community

Tourism in the Smokies began well, WELL before we ever had Dollywood, the Aquarium or even Ober Gatlinburg. Back many generations ago, our tourism was the Arts and Crafts Community of Gatlinburg where people would come from miles and miles around to get handcrafted chairs, rugs, pottery, glasswork, tools, clothing and more. This is still true today and many of those who operate the wonderful stores out in today's Arts and Crafts community are descendents of those from generations ago.

The Arts and Crafts Community is located in a particularly mystical section of Gatlinburg off of Highway 321 called "The Glades". It is an 8-mile loop where you can find dozens and dozens of stores along with some unique places to eat. The experience completely captures the spirit of the Smoky Mountains and you could plan the spend the whole day out there before you get fully satisfied.
Recommended visits to the Arts and Crafts Community include:

* Cliff Dwellers Gallery

* Blackwolff Knives

* Covered Bridge in the Glades

* Gatlin County Leather and Gallery

* Jim Gray Gallery

* Ogle's Broom Shop

* Ownby's Woodcrafts

* The Ship Pub

* Paul Murray Gallery

* Santa's Claus-et

3. Governor's Crossing

On the other side of the our focus today is out a fun spot out in Sevierville that you could spend anywhere from an hour to an afternoon or longer at - Governor's Crossing in Sevierville is a worthy location to bring your family or group to during your stay in the Smokies.

Governor's Crossing is located off the main parkway that connects Pigeon Forge to Sevierville and is across the street from the Wal-Mart Super Center. Governor's Crossing offers multiple restaurants, an outlet mall with several huge stores, the Sevierville movie theater, the TopJump Trampoline Park, the Rainforest Adventures Zoo and is close to the NASCAR Speedpark and, subsequently, the huge Tanger Outlet Mall.

The Governor's Crossing stores include:

* Books-a-million

* Hibbett Sports

* GNC

* CATO

* Bon Worth Factory Outlet

* Jo-Anne

* Your Scrapbook Superstore

* Hillside Winery

The Governor's Crossing restaurants include:

* TGIFriday's

* The Roaming Gnome Pub and Eatery

* Texas Roadhouse

* Fuddruckers

* Applebees

* Buffalo Wild Wings

* Quaker Steak and Lube

These areas and many more are very easy to get to from our cabins here at Bear Camp Cabins and are guaranteed to make your Smoky Mountain getaway memorable! Reserve one of our cabins today at 1-800-705-6346.