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Things To Do In Tennessee Tag

By Greg Ward Five straight days of 90 degree temperatures this past May has made for an early summer. Summers in Sevier County mean parades, fireworks, bullfrogs, crickets, and the occasional overheated car stuck in traffic on Hwy 66. Tourists trying to beat the heat have made Dollywood’s Splash Country the nation’s most visited water park.

One of the great parts about traveling is learning the culture of the area you are visiting. Being able to get involved makes it even better. In Gatlinburg, not only can you see the crafts and arts being made, you can even take part and make your own.

Last summer, my family and I had the amazing honor to be part of the PBS television show “Getting Away Together” as it filmed in the Smoky Mountains.  We have always said that we were like walking billboards for the area, as we are not shy about telling our friends of our love of the Smokies and giving them tips and pointers as they plan their own vacations here, but we never dreamed that we would have the opportunity to share our story with so many people!

Cades Cove at sunsetI just had to get involved in this blog today after looking at those images on Facebook. I am not really sure if you follow Visit My Smokies on Facebook (I think you should) but yesterday we shared amazing images of one of our favorite areas, Cades Cove. Each image is simply spectacular and makes all viewers want to visit our Smoky Mountain Area. By the way, this is The Smoky Mountain Girl, special guest for today.

Oh the many choices available to the outdoor enthusiast in East Tennessee! Take your pick--morning turkey hunts and afternoon stream smallmouth bass, morning stream trout and afternoon crappie, morning sauger or walleye and afternoon lake largemouth bass, tailrace trout, stripers, bluegill, catfish, or a simple walk in the woods to take in the spring rebirth of a multitude of wild flowers, shrubs, and trees.

There’s a lot of history here in the Smoky Mountains, from the places to the people to the communities. And if you’re like me, you enjoy knowing a little about the place you’re going to visit. Even if it is just to impress the locals that you’ve done your homework.

One of the lesser-known areas of our Smoky Mountains is Wears Valley. Named for a Revolutionary War veteran, Samuel Wear, who built a fort near the entrance to the valley, it runs parallel to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This beautiful valley offers a variety of things to do while you’re here and a great place to have a wedding, meeting or retreat.

For most of us, taking a vacation means traveling in a car or a plane to reach our destination. A plane usually gets you there faster, while a car trip usually costs less and lets you enjoy the scenery. There is another option that involves taking your vehicle and your home at the same time – that’s right, an RV.

Usually when I travel, I stay in a hotel. And that’s probably true for most travelers. But when I can, I like to find a bed and breakfast for a different perspective of the area. Lots of times, a B&B is an old farmhouse, or historic building, with a more intimate feel and a chance to get to know the owners and the other visitors. We’ve got several in Sevier County, and this time, we’re going to look at the Blue Mountain Mist Bed and Breakfast and Cottages.

As I’m sure many of you know, this year is the 1,516 anniversary of Valentine’s Day. Ok, maybe you didn’t know that, but you do know that on Tuesday, Feb. 14, there will be romance in the air. That means cards, candy, flowers, poems, a set of 4 new tires (hey, romance is different for everybody). And perhaps the one thing that most symbolizes romance is a wedding.

The flurry of the holidays is over and for most people, it’s time to get back to the routine –school, work, weekends, school, work ,weekends, etc. And while many of you may think that doesn’t leave time for a vacation, you’d be oh so wrong! There are plenty of opportunities for a quick getaway that is filled with activities.