SPRING BRINGS QUILTFEST, AMAZING ANIMALS AND MORE IN PIGEON FORGE!

March is an exciting time in the Great Smoky Mountains as winter begins to ebb and spring begins to flower, and it is a great time to visit, especially in Pigeon Forge.

In March most of the theaters are re-opening and "The Amazing Animals Morning Show" kicks-off at the Comedy Barn on March 15th. The next day the 22nd Annual A Mountain Quiltfest begins at the LeConte Center. For more information on this huge event that draws quilters from throughout the United States, visit www.mypigeonforge.com/events/quiltfest/.



Of course, the Easter Bunny hops into town to visit with kids at the Christmas Place and to Patriot Park for an Easter Egg Hunt. It is also Irish Month at the Titanic Museum Attraction and Dollywood's Festival of Nations begins on March 19th.

Springfest blooms throughout the Smoky Mountain cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville in the middle of the month, and the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community puts on the Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show showcasing unique handcrafted gifts and products. Also, many of the craftspeople are creating their products during the show. So you can see that there are lots of events and activities going on, in addition to the live theater productions, fun attractions and outdoor activities that are starting their season. Shopping is always in season in the Smokies and eating is always a good experience with the wide range of restaurants and menu items offered throughout the area.

Now you can win a lodging, theater and restaurant package with the Smoky Mountain Lodging Combo Contest currently running on the Lodging Facebook page. Like, Share or Comment on the contest picture at www.facebook.com/SmokyMountainsLodgingGuide and you could be a winner! View the hotel video at www.smokymountainslodgingguide.com/hotels/Sevierville/18919. Don't forget that you can also win the weekly contest of theater tickets, restaurant gift cards and attraction tickets at www.facebook.com/BRGSmokyMountains, the Best Read Guide Facebook site.

Come visit the Smokies in the spring, and enter the Facebook contests to win tickets, gift cards and accommodations.

THE OLD MILL - ONE OF MANY GREAT REASONS TO VISIT THE SMOKIES

The Old Mill - Pigeon Forge, TN

     The Tennessee Smokies is an area rich in history, activities, live shows and hundreds of retail and outlet shops that delight and entertain millions of visitors every year to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Townsend and Cherokee, NC. Here are some reasons for you and your family or group to make the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee your next vacation destination.

Fall in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee

     First, the weather. Temperatures are normally mild all year long making your trip and your stay in the Smokies a pleasant experience any time of year. Summer is fun, especially with all of the outdoor activities to pursue like rafting, ziplining, horseback riding, four-wheeling, hiking, biking, go-carting and mini-golf. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have hundreds of outdoor activities and Sevierville hosts NASCAR Speedpark, ropes course, stables and ziplines. Many of these activities continue into the fall months, but even then, horseback riding, four-wheeling and hiking are even more enjoyable in the cooler temperatures and with colorful leaves falling around your ankles.

Cozied-up in a cabin near Gatlinburg

Winter is normally temperate but there are cold days and even snow. Ober Gatlinburg offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing and skating, and most of the attractions, like the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, operate during the winter, except on the most extreme of days. The colder weather provides a perfect excuse to huddle in a cabin in the woods, stoke-up the fire, and enjoy the company of your friends and loved ones. As the weather warms and Mother Nature unveils her finest greenery and flowering colors, the Smoky Mountains provide a beautiful and welcoming backdrop to a weekend or pre-summer vacation. There is always something to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - like the annual Wildflower Pilgrimage - and theaters are opening with new shows and the attractions welcome visitors with open arms.

Pottery House Cafe & Grill

I mentioned the Old Mill in the headline so it is natural to expect that eating, and eating well, is one of the many satisfying things to do in the Smokies. The Old Mill Restaurant is a historic building offering great Southern Food with outstanding Southern Hospitality. Their sister restaurant, Pottery House Cafe and Grill, sits across the street and offers healthy and unique menu options, all of which are well prepared with fresh ingredients and absolutely yummy! Naturally there are dozens of other restaurants that call the Smoky Mountains home, and you can dine on almost any kind of food especially Smoky Mountain favorites like barbecue and trout. Of course local restaurants specialize in burgers, steaks, skillets, pancakes, diner food and more.

Whatever your reason for coming to the Smokies, we can accommodate your needs and desires. Variety is the spice of Smoky Mountain life and you will find unlimited choices on housing, shopping, dining, attractions, outdoor activities and general entertainment. For lodging information please go to http://smokymountainslodgingguide.com/. There you can check out area hotels, condos and cabins. And for coupons, information, events, video and more check out the Best Read Guide site at http://www.bestreadguidesmokymountains.com/. Enjoy your stay in the Smokies!!