Few destinations offer as many opportunities to experience the great outdoors as the Great Smoky Mountains area near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

As the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg puts you on the doorstep to an amazing array of outdoor recreation. Try your luck fishing for a mountain trout in one of the many lakes, rivers, streams and ponds. Hop on your bike and experience the quaint and historic mountain village of Gatlinburg or zip into the national park and tour the Cades Cove loop.

While in the park, look around for wildlife in the extensive and diverse habitat. Or look to the trees for some amazing bird watching. The crest of the Smoky Mountains towers nearly a mile above the foothills, creating a range of elevations and topographies and microclimates ideal for nearly 250 species of birds.

The park also offers more than 800 miles of scenic hiking trails that range from difficult to easy. There’s no better way to experience the vast solitude of the national park land.

The Gatlinburg area offers a special challenge for golfers. The mountain terrain not only provides a magnificent backdrop, it creates an up and down layout that will test golfers of any skill level.

Another outdoor adventure the family can enjoy is a fun-filled horseback ride, so saddle up for a back country excursion or a guided tour. And for those seeking extra adventure, there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as a whitewater rafting trip down an untamed river like the Big Pigeon.

Now is a great time to visit the Gatlinburg area and experience the outdoor opportunities. For additional information on Gatlinburg, the Great Smoky Mountains area and accommodations like Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit http://www.gatlinburgvacationstore.com/ or http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

The 29^th Annual Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games will be held in Gatlinburg, VA this weekend, May 15-16. Official weekend festivities begin with a parade down the Parkway in Gatlinburg at 6 p.m. on May 14.On Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Mills Park, the Scottish Games will feature professional and amateur athletes competing in a variety of events such as tossing the Scottish haggis, turning the caber, Highland wrestling and the manhood stones.

Musical guests Cutthroat Shamrock, Colin Grant-Adams, Albannach and Thistledown Tinkers are among the featured entertainment during this popular two-day festival.

The events will also feature an assortment of Pipe and Drum Bands competing in individual and band events, competition of dozens of Highland dancers from across the country and border collie demonstrations.

For details on Gatlinburg discount vacation packages and lodging such as the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit http://www.gatlinburgvacationstore.com/.

The 9^th Annual Gatlinburg Ribfest & Wings celebration on April 22 is sure to be a tasty celebration of food and fun.

This highly anticipated event in the Great Smoky Mountains area features live entertainment, children’s activities, eating contests and a chance to sample a wide variety of delicious barbecued ribs and wings.  Ribfest runs from 5-9 pm with food sampling from 6-9 pm or until the wings run out. Afterward, the Gatlinburg Parkway turns into a giant street fair.

Live entertainment at Ribfest includes the classic tunes of the Beat Daddys and their soulful rock ‘n roll blues as well as the musical group Soulfinger, offering up some neo-classic soul.

A panel will judge and award prizes for the best ribs or wings in seven different categories. In addition, all of the participating vendors will vie for the “People’s Choice Award” as chosen by popular vote.

Hot wing eating contests sponsored by All Sauced Up will feature wings prepared in sauces such as “Blazing Bomb,” “Treacherous Tongue,” “Fire Pit Hell,” “Scorching Screaming” and “Next Day Disaster.” Prizes will be awarded to the “Hot Wing Eating Contest Champion of the Year.”

An armband for Ribfest & Wings may be purchased for $12 ($5 for kids).

For more information about activities, lodging and discount vacation packages in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visit www.GatlinburgVacationStore.com. For discount hotel and resort packages, including Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort and Wild Bear Falls indoor water park, visit www.WestgateReservations.com.

From Tennessee’s best ribs & bar-b-que at Taste of Calhoun’s Tennessee to the Funnel Cake Company, Gatlinburg has award winning restaurants and specialty stores around every corner.  Start your breakfast off at Pancake Pantry because they don’t care what time you wake up.  Enjoy great food at Alamo Steakhouse & Saloon, Black Bear Jamboree and Dixie Stampede.  Or spend a romantic evening after a hike through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at The Burning Bus, a Gatlinburg legend since 1975, located next to the park.  The decor balances rugged splendor, fieldstone, warm woods, rare birds, crystal and candlelight.  In Gatlinburg, there are endless shows, attractions, and shopping.  Book a discount Gatlinburg vacation and save your money for the entertainment at www.gatlinburgvacationstore.com

Wild Bear Falls Indoor Water Park is the largest waterpark at more than 60,000 square feet and 300,000 gallons of water which flows through the park daily.  This mountain themed world-class family indoor water park features state-of-the-art retractable roof making it the perfect waterpark all year round.  Features include Cades Cove Lazy River, Clingman’s Dome, Laurel Falls, a mezzanine with a restaurant, retail shop and electronic game room.  Wild Bear Falls is idyllic for parents and children of all ages.  While at the waterpark, vacation on the premises at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort. Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort is the ultimate family vacation.

Come shop for your hiking gear in Gatlinburg, Tennessee at one these specialty hiking shops - Smoky Mountain Outfitters, The Day Hiker or The Happy Hiker.  Stay with us, while on your Great Smoky Mountain National Park adventure.  We have luxury cabin rentals perfect for relaxation after a day of hiking.  Our log cabin villas come with a garden spa tub located in the master bathroom.  Plus, we have the largest indoor waterpark in the South on the premises, Wild Bear Falls Indoor Waterpark!  Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort is your hiking vacation destination!

Put your trust in Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, where you can lounge in your luxury log cabin villas by the stone fireplace or in the master bathroom garden spa tub.  Our natural trails lead you right into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  From attractions to shows to shopping, Gatlinburg offers a spectacular vacation to remember.  We offer tickets specials to Country Tonite, The Comedy Barn Theater, Black Bear Jamboree, Smoky Mountain Jubilee, and Wonder Works just to mention a few.  Click here for more Tickets Specials! Plus, we offer 4 Days | 3 Nights Gatlinburg vacation packages.

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort is located adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Venture off on one of many nature trails into the beautiful Smoky Mountains national park.  Our log cabin resort, located in Pigeon Forge Gatlinburg Tennessee, offers everything from garden spa master bathroom tubs to 300,000 gallons of indoor fun year round at the largest indoor water park in the south, Wild Bear Falls Indoor Waterpark.  Plus, the world-famous Dollywood theme park is only 10 minutes away.  Book your log cabin Smoky Mountains adventure today!

Gatlinburg offers a mountain of fun any time of year.  One of the area’s year round hot spots is Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park and there’s plenty of action at the top of the mountain any season. One of America’s largest Aerial Tramways departs regularly from downtown Gatlinburg, going directly up the side of Mount Harrison to the Ski Resort and Amusement Park. The two 120 passenger counter balanced cars provide a fun and scenic experience for all ages.

Even during the summer months, the amusement park offers plenty of downhill action, with fast water slides and a weaving, wandering and dipping descent down an 1,800-foot Alpine Slide.  A braking system allows you to control the speed of your sled as it races down the mountain curves, straight-aways and even hairpin turns.

You’ll also find a wide variety of other activities and attractions, including an indoor ice skating rink that’s open year-round.

In observance of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2009, the park is joining with its partners and neighboring communities to plan a wide variety of visitor activities surrounding this noteworthy milestone. Through a host of recreational opportunities and educational experiences, the celebration will showcase the Park’s significant cultural heritage, highlight the Park’s achievements in preserving its biologically diverse natural resources, and be an occasion to examine the current and future challenges facing the Park’s continued health.

Along with the Park’s planned activities, over 75 neighboring community events are part of the official 75th anniversary calendar. A 75th anniversary website, http://www.greatsmokies75th.org/, will be updated periodically to give visitors current information on the anniversary events planned in the Park as well as those being held in outlying communities that compliment the Park’s mission.