By Bennie McCann

Everyone enjoys time away from home now and then. It is refreshing to have a change of scenery and a chance to get away from everything. Maybe his idea of the perfect getaway is rest and relaxation. Maybe you're the shop-till-you-drop type, which also enjoys good food and entertainment. Or, it could be the guy who wants to spend their time sunbathing and live life outdoors. We will follow the path of an exciting day tour of the Smoky Mountains and you'll quickly see that there something for everyone.

Starting in Gatlinburg Tennessee near the North Carolina border, is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With over 800 miles of hiking walk, you can see the breathtaking mountains, as well as animals and plants of the feet, or check out the stunning views while driving along the roads arts. The park offers everything from wildlife to wildflowers, and is home to a variety of plants, trees, mammals and birds. According to Service National Parks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country ".

For the fans of winter sports, Ober Gatlinburg offers eight trails for snow skiing during the winter months and a skating rink that is open all year. With an ice rink that is 140 'X 75' there is plenty of room to spend a day with no worries about the ice. If you've worked up an appetite you're in luck! You'll find lots Places to eat and shop, as the track is in the middle of a mall.

Rather get wet? Gatlinburg has many outdoor centers that offer rafting. No experience is no problem, since a professional river guide will accompany you through the white water rapids. Many places offer tubing, canoeing and kayaking, as well. If you are a little more timid, visit Wild Bear Falls Park. This park has a covered 800-foot winding river and a 306-Slide body foot. You can also enjoy indoor / outdoor hot tubs and an arcade game.

A little further down the road is Pigeon Forge, where is the ever-popular Dollywood. Here you can experience the games exciting amusement park and travel from the mountains by the steam engine. Dollywood years also offers numerous festivals around and live shows. You can shop store after store filled with crafts and an endless supply of southern cooking to satisfy their hunger. Be sure to leave room for desert! The smell of ice cream, funnel cakes and pastries may be too much to resist.

After a full day exciting and fun that you might be looking for a place to sit and enjoy family entertainment. If you are in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, a variety of theaters and dinner shows available. Tap your toes to the sounds of country music, be amazed by local magicians, laugh til 'it hurts to professional actors, or revive the music of the 50s through the 80s in any number of nightclubs. There is truly something for everyone.

No matter of interest, a trip to the Smoky Mountains offers exactly what you're looking for. There are numerous places to stay and many offer discount tickets for shows and events in the area. In fact, a small town called Valle Vista is located between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg with its own show-stopping scenery. Uses Valley is only eight to 10 miles of popular destinations, yet offers more discounts than you will probably find that the most famous cities. So, pack your bags and take advantage the whole region has to offer.

About the Author:

Bennie McCann is Reservations Manager of Volunteer Cabin Rentals specializing in Smoky Mountain rental cabins in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN. Visit them today at http://www.volunteercabinrentals.com to book cabins for weddings, vacations, reunions and other special events. © 2007, All Rights Reserved

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – A Day Tour of the Gorgeous Smoky Mountains

Kayaking Great Smoky Mountains