SPRING ROD RUN DRIVES INTO PIGEON FORGE

You know its spring in the Smokies when you can hear the blast of dual pipes from a beautifully restored muscle car making its way gracefully down the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, TN. The Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run brings in the finest examples of four-wheeled artistry and dedication with hundreds of highly-polished American cars and trucks on display along the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.

The Spring Rod Run also ushers in another season of fun in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee where you can enjoy indoor attractions and top quality shows like the Impossibilities Show in Gatlinburg, Country Tonite and Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show in Pigeon Forge. And there are many more great live entertainment theaters in the Smokies.

If you are looking for outdoor activities, the Smokies have an abundance of traditional fun and eco-tourism and extreme outdoor attractions. There is ziplining, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, rope courses, ATV trail rides, tubing, hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains and zooming down the mountain on an Alpine Coaster. And of course there are go-kart tracks, miniature golf courses, petting zoos, and the newest attractions in the area, trampoline parks!

Spring in the Smokies is also a good time to explore the Spirits Trail that will lead you to moonshine distillers, home made wine makers, cider brewers and whiskey distillers. The Smokies are home to the original, illegal moonshine makers, but now that it is legal Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Kodak are now popular areas to see how the distilling process is done and to get a free 'taste' and take home a few jugs and moonshine and wine souvenirs.

Accommodations are varied and plentiful in the Smokies but making reservations is recommended. In Gatlinburg one of the hotels that has been providing convenient, clean rooms and a great experience is the Best Western Twin Islands, right on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. There are plenty of dining opportunities near by like Blaine's Bar & Grill, a long-standing Gatlinburg dining tradition.

So drive into the Smokies for great springtime fun and adventures and get your road map for coupons and information at  www.bestreadguidesmokymountains.com/.

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.