HIT THE ROAD TO THE SMOKIES AND REFUEL AT LOGAN'S ROADHOUSE

     The Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee offer so many fun and exciting options to couples, families and groups going on vacation, and if you can schedule a trip before or after the summer or fall season, you can take advantage all of the options that the mountains present, the attractions and the shopping and dining with smaller crowds and less traffic.

     Dolly Parton kicks off the Dollywood season with the 31st Annual Dolly's Homecoming Parade that goes up the Pigeon Forge Parkway the first Friday in May. Yes, Dolly is the Grand Marshall and her smile, good nature and welcoming spirit make you glad that you are standing on the side of the road in Pigeon Forge. Her parade is a grand event with marching bands, floats, appearances by area theater entertainers, Shriners, equestrian clubs and more. Speaking of Shriner's, they have their own FunFest Parade Saturday morning on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. You can also drive over to the Smoky Mountain Antique Toy & Pedal Car Show at Country Cascades, or join in the Annual Yellow Mustang Registry Cruise In at the Diner in Sevierville.

     There is always good shopping at either the malls, like Tanger Outlet, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community outside of Gatlinburg, or the hundreds of unique shops throughout the Smoky Mountain cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Kodak. The same goes for dining, with hundreds of options for restaurants and types of food.

     For example, Logan's Roadhouse offers down-to-earth food like burgers and ribs, plus your choice of beers, ales, wines and cocktails. There is always something new cooking at Logan's along with their signature steaks, American food options,seafood, salads and desserts.

     So do you need any more reasons to visit the Smokies? Book your trip now and for additional information, maps and coupons click on www.bestreadguidesmokymountains.com/ and let the Best Read Guide magazine help you plan your Smoky Mountain adventure.

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/.