SEEKING SOLITUDE? THIS IS THE TIME TO VISIT THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS OF TENNESSEE

There is always something going on in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, but the end of March and the first part of April is an excellent time to visit the Smokies. There are activities going on throughout the area - which we will mention below - but overall visitation and traffic are down and established businesses throughout the area are re-opening and new businesses are preparing for the season.


Springfest is still happening throughout the area and local businesses are sprucing up with fresh flowers mulched flowerbeds, and the dogwoods and red buds are in flower. The whites and reds show up refreshingly brights against the new sprigs of grass pushing up through the ground. There are events at the LeConte Center and Sevierville Events Center, a Trout Tournament in Gatlinburg and Dollywood's Festival of Nations continues for the next two weeks. But other than that, this is a quiet time in the Smokies.


So why not look into a cabin from Auntie Belham's Cabin Rentals in Gatlinburg, or choose from hundreds of accommodations choices offered in the Smoky Mountains. You can choose mountainside locations or get a place downtown for convenience. Some accommodations offer fireplaces, Jacuzzis, hot tubs, theater seating, plasma TVs, game rooms and more! And you can win a stay at Auntie Belham's Cabin Rentals by entering the Smoky Mountain Lodging Facebook Contest. Go to www.facebook.com/SmokyMountainsLodgingGuide/ and "Like" the Auntie Belham's Contest Picture. You can Share and Comment if you want.

For more information on accommodations in the Great Smoky Mountains you can go to smokymountainslodgingguide.com/ and find hotel, motel, cabin, condo and chalet information and deals in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the surrounding area.

VISIT THUNDER ROAD AND OTHER SPIRITS TRAIL DISTILLERIES IN THE SMOKIES

Throughout the Great Smoky Mountains Moonshine has a long and storied history. Now that distilling has been legalized in Tennessee you can visit moonshine and whiskey distilleries like Thunder Road Distillery and homemade wineries. All you do is follow the Spirits Trail of the Smokies.

The Spirits Trail of the Smokies is a digest-sized map and coupon book that lists ten distilleries, wineries and hard cider businesses that offer locally made spirits. Normally the companies offer Free Tastings of their products or glassware, and in the Spirits Trail map you also have discount coupons for merchandise.



The map is an easy to follow guide and you can start at I-40 and Exit 407 at Thunder Road Distillery for whiskey runner's spirits like moonshine and whiskey, or go to the other side of the intersection and visit Eagle Springs Winery where wines are made from local grapes and honey. There is hard cider in Sevierville, moonshine, whiskey and wine in several locations in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

While you are in Gatlinburg you can visit the Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts show produced by the members of the Great smoky Arts & Crafts Community. They display and sell their one-of-a-kind handmade products, answer questions and give demonstrations of their craft.


Win a gift card for merchandise at Thunder Road Distillery in Kodak, TN on the Smoky Mountain Lodging Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SmokyMountainsLodgingGuide. Simply "Like" the Thunder Road Contest Pictures and you can Comment and Share. You can get an area map of the Smokies plus coupons for attractions, shopping,  dining, live shows, outdoor activities and more at
www.bestreadguidesmokymountains.com/.

THE SMOKIES ARE ALIVE WITH MUSIC, COMEDY AND EVENTS!

The Great Smoky Mountains come alive in the spring and the blossoms and buds open up as do new shows and special events. Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville all offer Springfest activities and the area theaters open up to begin the 2016 season.

The Amazing Animals Morning Show opens this week starring fuzzy, furry, feathered and four-legged performers who will amaze and entertain you mornings at the Comedy Barn Theater, which offers shows nightly. Country Tonite Theater begins their 20th season with a brand new and exciting show featuring classic and modern country singing, dancing, first class musicians and the area's only youth entertainers.

22nd Annual Show at LeConte Center Pigeon Forge

Another long-running event that is the 22nd Annual A Mountain Quiltfest hosted by the city of Pigeon Forge. The event takes place at the beautiful LeConte Center and runs from March 15 to the 19th. This event features over 500 quilts, 50+ vendors whose goal is to "connect people to the timeless art of quilting", and has received international awards and accolades.

Woodworking at Arts & Crafts Easter Show

The Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show begins on the 22nd and runs for 5 days at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, featuring handcrafted products from the Arts & Crafts Community. Dollywood's Festival of Nations begins March 19th and runs for 12 days.


If you are planning on a trip to the Smokies you can win accommodations, theater tickets and a restaurant gift card just by going to www.facebook.com/SmokyMountainsLodgingGuide and "Liking" the Contest picture. Share and Comment if you like.
The winner will stay at the Comfort Inn Apple Valley - a three-time winner of the Comfort Inn of the Year Award - and they receive tickets to the Comedy Barn Theater in Pigeon Forge, and a gift card to the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant!
You can find out more information about all of these locations and get coupons too at www.bestreadguidesmokymountains.com/.

A TASTE OF ITALY IN THE TENNESSEE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

The Great Smoky Mountains are known for many things and great dining is one of those things. You don't normally think of Italian food when you come to the mountains, but diversity is one of the great dining options that you have when you come to the Smoky Mountains.

The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant is family style dining with endless bread sticks and salad, and an ever changing menu of Italian-style appetizers, entrees, wines, drinks and desserts. They serve lunch and dinner and also provide take-out meals. They offer specials, catering, lighter fare options and coloring sheets and games to keep kids busy. Their decor is tastefully Italian with comfortable booths and tables and offset nooks, but it is the food that makes the experience.

After a day of riding rides, hiking or shopping in the Smokies, there is nothing better than sitting down for a good meal. If its lunch the Olive Garden offers their endless soup, salad and bread sticks, the create your own pasta bowls and lunch combinations, and several options of lighter fare meals.

In the evening you can try traditional Italian dishes like Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Shrimp Alfredo, or try one of the specials that Olive Garden offers. There are 9 chicken options, 8 seafood offerings and 4 beef entrees in additional to the delicious specials that keep the menu fresh and exciting. Relax, have a glass of wine and enjoy conversing with friends and family over a fabulous meals prepared and served with style and grace.

Chicken Parmesan

Shrimp Alfredo

The Olive Garden is conveniently located on the Parkway in Sevierville, across the street from Tanger Outlet, and close to attractions, theaters, movie theaters and accommodations. If you would like to win a gift Certificate to the Olive Garden in Sevierville, TN, please go to the Best Read Guide Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BRGSmokyMountains. Simply Like the photo and Share it with  your friends or Comment if you want.

For more Smoky Mountain information and coupons for dining, attractions, theaters, outdoor attractions and deals on accommodations, go to www.bestreadguidesmokymountains.com/.

THE GREYSTONE LODGE - A GATLINBURG TRADITION

The Greystone Lodge has been a Smoky Mountain tradition for visitors looking for clean, modern and convenient accommodations in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Greystone is located on a mountain stream and is right across the street from the Ripley's Aquarium close to restaurants, shopping and attractions.


The Greystone has recently completed their renovation and they offer Executive Rooms, Suites, Family Suites, Standard Rooms and Cottages for even more space and privacy. All rooms have private balconies, flat panel TV's, mini-fridges and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have Jacuzzis and gas fireplaces to give your romantic get-a-way that special touch of sitting together in front of the fire.

Every day you can begin with a free hot breakfast before you start your adventure. You can walk right out of our front door and go to Ripley's Aquarium, Mountain Mall, No Way Jose's or out onto the Parkway to explore the many unique and fun shops and attractions that populate the street. In the summertime you can enjoy the outdoor pool with water slide, toddler splash area and remodeled patio area around the pool.

Greystone offers free parking and the meeting rooms are great for family get-togethers, meetings, conventions, wedding receptions or conferences. And the 24-hour Business Center offers hot beverages
For your chance to win a stay at the Greystone go the Smoky Mountain Lodging Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SmokyMountainsLodgingGuide and Like the Greystone picture. You can Share or comment if you like. Also you will find information about restaurants, attractions, theaters and coupons at the Best Read Guide site at www.bestreadguidesmokymountains.com/.