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Are you daydreaming of a way to beat the winter blues? Has it been too long since your last family vacation? Are you simply exhausted after the holiday season? Is it time to make some wonderful memories with your loved ones? If so, the Saddle Up! Festival in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is for you! From February 19 through February 23, 2014, the 14th annual Saddle Up! Festival will excite people of all ages in the Smoky Mountain area. This four day event will celebrate the American West and provide family friendly fun while doing so! The Saddle Up! Festival is not your average event, lasting only a few hours and leaving you left to plan the rest of your stay. This festival can encompass your entire getaway in Pigeon Forge and could easily be the whole reason for your vacation! Saddle Up! will provide you, your family and friends with endless food, learning experiences and entertainment.

If just the thought of a festival makes you hungry, Saddle Up! is a terrific place for you! Spend time at the festival sampling traditional cowboy delights and satisfy those hunger pangs. The cornbread and chili will certainly keep you warm in the cool, mountain air. Also, the Saddle Up Sampler should be a stop on everyone's itinerary! Here, you will enjoy tasty treats of the most loved western foods. For the best of both the food and entertainment worlds, make sure to reserve a spot at the Saddle Up! Dinner Theater. At the theater, you will be not only laugh at the hilarity, but also be fed a delicious and memorable meal. The Chuckwagon Cookoff is yet another way to delight yourself in the food of the American West. However, do not allow yourself to get too full, because Sunday morning boasts the annual Chuckwagon Breakfast, which ends just in time for traditional Sunday Church. Come and enjoy a hearty cowboy breakfast that will be sure to have you attempting to create replicas once back home!

Pigeon Forge's annual Saddle Up! Festival leaves all attendees feeling a bit more intelligent upon departure. Many of us may feel uneducated in the culture of the American cowboy. Unfortunately, we have not had the opportunity to learn more. Saddle Up! will help bring that culture to life! In front of your very eyes, Saddle Up! will teach you and yours all you would like to know, while engaging each of your senses. A fun activity for festival guests is to attend workshops and learn roping skills, as well as the art of cowboy cooking. Once the guests are ready to get moving, they can swing on over for a class in western dancing. This type of dancing is not only fun, but it is easy to learn and great for your health! After dancing, enjoy a little rest and relaxation watching the Western Photo/Video Presentation. Here, you will sit back and enjoy pictures from both the old and new west. To further keep your attention, real life videos and also reenactments will be showed of gunfights, horse and carriage travels and life at a saloon. People of all ages will enjoy expanding their minds and saturating themselves in this unique cultural experience.

Finally, we move to the entertainment aspect of the Saddle Up! Festival. Most people think of a festival as being full of exciting things to do. Saddle Up! does not disappoint this expectation! If music is your passion, make sure to attend any of the many concerts put on by well known western musicians. Country and Western music overlap in many ways, so there is no telling who you may see on stage! Do not forget the Songwriter's Workshop, presented to guests for no charge, while exploring the music scene. If you have a love of dancing, singles, couples and children will have a blast at the Cowboy Dance. The Cowboy Dance is traditionally on Saturday night and is always a crowd favorite. Come and show off those newly learned swing dancing skills or simply sit on the sidelines and people watch! If dancing leaves you needing to take a seat, make sure you join us for our traditional Cowboy Storytelling. Here, you will hear many tall tales from the west, some nonfiction stories and outstanding poetry. Other activities at the Saddle Up! Festival includes the Buckaroo Roundup and Cowboy Church on Sunday morning, which concludes the festival.

In summary, the Saddle Up! Festival in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is an event sure to thrill the entire family and every age range. All events are scheduled to be held at the new LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. For your convenience, many tickets can be purchased online ahead of time while making your lodging reservations. However, there are a multitude of activities that are free to attend, so be sure to check them out! We here in Pigeon Forge look forward to seeing you February 19-23, 2014, as you make priceless memories with your family and friends at the Saddle Up! Festival!

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a stunningly beautiful place to live or visit. You will find mile after mile of the most gorgeous scenery you could ever imagine. Read further for some excellent ideas as to where you can find the most scenic drives throughout the gorgeous Smoky Mountains and beyond.

Newfound Gap Road

A most popular drive, it begins in Gatlinburg, crests at 5,000 feet and descends into Cherokee 30 miles later. In addition to a multitude of forest ecosystems, you will see Sugarlands Visitor Center, Chimney Tops, Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome Road, Ocanaluftee Valley and Mingus Mill. There are plenty of places to pull over, enjoy a picnic, trail-heads where you can do a little hiking and breathtaking views.

Cades Cove Scenic Drive

An 11-mile loop that lets you stop and see churches, barns, restored homesteads and a working gristmill from the first settlers who came to the Cove between 1818 and 1821. You can stop to hike or camp if you like and expect to see much wildlife including turkey, black bears and white-tailed deer.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

This six-mile one-way loop will take you along some of the fastest streams on the way to see gorgeous waterfalls. You will see Grotto Falls and the Place of a Thousand Drips. If you feel like it, stop at Noah "Bud" Ogle's farmstead for a walking tour and a hike to Rainbow Falls.

Explore the Greenbrier

You will see the most colorful wildflowers and vibrant Porter's Creek along this six mile road. If you are up to a four mile hike, you can pull over and see the tallest falls around, the Ramsey Cascades. Bring a fishing pole if you like as the trout are plentiful year-round.

Elkmont

This is home to the famous synchronous fireflies. You will also see more than 70 abandoned structures of the old Elkmont community. Stop and explore the surroundings. There are camping facilities, hiking trails and trout fishing.

Clingmans Dome Road

Just off the Newfound Gap Road, this 7-mile long side road will take you to the very top of Clingmans Dome which is the highest peak in Tennessee as well as the highest peak along the Appalachian Trail. When you get to the dead end, park and take a short half-mile hike to the observation tower for some beautiful views. Take your binoculars so you can enjoy the wildlife. It is said that on a clear day, you can see seven states from this observation tower.

Balsam Mountain Road

Enjoy this 9-mile drive through the mountains. Depending on what time of year you visit, you can expect to see bright and beautiful wildflowers or the leaves changing to reds, oranges and yellows. There are several overlooks that offer fantastic photo opportunities of the mountain vistas.

Cataloochee

This is a 6-mile drive up the mountain to the historic Cataloochee ski area. Wildlife is extremely abundant so bring your camera and your binoculars and drive extra carefully.

Cherokee Orchard Road

This historic 3.5-mile road leads to six trail heads should you want to get out and hike. They are Baskins Creek Trail, Bullhead Trail, Grapeyard Ridge Trail, Old Sugarland's Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, and Trillium Gap Trail. There are several stops available to picnic and see the many waterfalls along the drive.

Lakeview Drive

Also known as the Road to Nowhere, this 6-mile stretch of roadway was a gift from Swain County to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s. The road simply dead ends, and at that point visitors tend to take the ferry across Fontana Lake to sunbathe or swim and visit the old graveyards.

Rich Mountain Road

During your 7-mile drive, keep your eyes open for the rare shagbark hickory trees. You will also see the Primitive Baptist Church which is a great favorite of photographers.

Heintooga Ridge

This leisurely 6-mile drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Heintooga Ridge picnic area will take you through both the Blue Ridge Parkway National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Enjoy a picnic at the Heintooga Overlook while surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains and expect to see a lot of wildlife.

Parson Branch

This historical road is filled with stories of brave mountain dwellers who defended their homes against Confederate soldiers. You will have a lovely ride between coves and dams with many places to stop and take a walk.

Taking an auto tour through any of these areas will be a wonderful experience for you. Bring the entire family and make a day of it with a picnic or even have a weekend camping and fishing trip. This is the kind of beauty that will stay with you forever and you will be making memories that your family will cherish for a lifetime.

If you live in Tennessee or are planning to visit in the winter, be sure to check out the various winter events in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. If you have never gazed upon the Smoky Mountains in the winter months, you definitely need to visit the Smokies around Christmas time.

Pigeon Forge Winterfest - Nov 5th to Feb 28th

Pigeon Forge Winterfest takes the harshness out of winter chill and converts into a city of wintertime merriment. Connect with winter lovers in events in cities cushioned adjoining the Smoky Mountains. Foothill summits and whirling snowfalls syndicate to deliver the best wintertime atmosphere for holiday adornments. This is an enchanted period when every mountain dweller holds cider sips, mountain melodies, and candy samplers. Unearth the best homespun chocolate and world-famous artists producing everything from coverlets to earthenware to hand-hewn fixtures. If you are shopping for presents in the Smoky Mountains, a gift of fare is a symbol of affection. East Tennessee is a winter utopia. Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and the other towns of the Smoky Mountains will glimmer and sparkle as five million lights shine in merriment of the holiday season.

Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights - Nov 13th to Jan 25th

Guests can take in the holiday essence from the coziness of a Gatlinburg Trolley by riding the tranquil Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights. The particularly assigned trolleys transmit their visitors on an unforgettable trip, letting everyone go through the mystic phenomenon of Gatlinburg Winter Magic. Spectacles containing creatures native to Great Smoky Mountains National Park are part of the course. A lot of the ageless exhibitions guests have gotten used to over the past 23 years have been transformed to efficient LED. Whimsical snowmen, pirouetting cascades, a cluster of global youngsters, and a gleaming rocking horse have just entered the cast. The trolley is warmed so you will be able to revel in all the celebratory wonders without fighting the cold weather. Moreover, riders will be provided with information from well-informed tour guides who are familiar with Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and all of the Smoky Mountain Area.

Festival of Trees - Nov 26th to Dec 1st

Encircled by the sparkling illuminations, resonances, and aromas of the winter season, shop the numerous handmade showpieces and artistry objects, and revisit the delights of reveling in Christmas in the Smokies.

Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show - Nov 26th to Dec 1st

Distinctive handcrafted Thanksgiving souvenirs crafted by affiliates of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are presented as they hold their yearly Thanksgiving show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

Nutcracker "Sweet" - Nov 29th to Nov 30th

Delight in this holiday custom performed in Gatlinburg by the Great Smoky Mountain Dance Theater; with shows at 7 pm.

Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade - Dec 6th

The City of Gatlinburg encourages you to dress warmly and produce a lively amount of holiday merriment. Gatlinburg's yearly Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade voyages throughout downtown Gatlinburg to the ovations of an excited throng of over 80,000 viewers. Exhilarating for children and adults alike, the procession contains over 100 parade admissions, in excess of a dozen marching bands from Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama; and massive helium inflatables make for the boulevards.

Christmas on Ice - Dec 6th to Dec 7th

Revel in the essence of the wintertime holiday as resident skaters flaunt their abilities on ice to the jingles of holiday music at Ober Gatlinburg's ice stadium.

New Year's Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show - Dec 31st

Gatlinburg will applaud the entrance of the New Year in exceptional panache near the meeting of Parkway and Historic Nature Trail at the foot of the Space Needle. At the stroke of twelve, the Space Needle expanse will sparkle with a red luminosity from the adjacent roofs at the start of a music program, which contains particular songs shadowed by a composed fireworks display. Approaching twelve o'clock, well-liked melodic amusement will be headquartered on the veranda of the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The climax of the night is the ball drop from the Space Needle, indicating the previous year is done and a new one has arisen. The whole City of Gatlinburg rejoices New Year's Eve in a great way with numerous eateries and magnetisms posing distinct merriments. Trendy hotspots are right in the heart of the fireworks zone underneath the Space Needle and present differing packages which might contain music, feasts, and a champagne salute.

Tennessee Winter Special Olympics - Jan 27th to Jan 28th

Survey and applaud as athletes contend for the gold and receive medals at their yearly Winter Games event. Happenings consist of skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding.

Given the state of the economy and individual financial circumstances, many people are looking for ways to have budget friendly vacations. There are numerous no-cost and inexpensive activities to enjoy while spending time in Gatlinburg. Many of the most cost-effective things to do include experiencing the natural beauty of the area and merely require the gas to drive there and possibly a couple of dollars in donations for upkeep.

City Parks

Gatlinburg has a variety of green spaces where guests may relax, enjoy family time or just take in the view. Herbert Holt, Mills and Mynatt are the three largest parks and each features covered pavilions, ball courts, sports fields and picnic areas equipped with grills. Other amenities include hiking trails, horseshoe pits and skate parks along with streams that permit fishing. When wanting to get a little relief from the summer heat, local swimming holes, like the Midnight Hole, provide the chance to take a dip for free.

The Village

Fans of window shopping might take in this unique location situated on Parkway avenue. The area features 27 boutique shops, stores and eateries constructed in a beautifully landscaped European village like setting having old world charm. Admire the architecture, the greenery and the captivating multi-tiered water fountain.

The Arts and Crafts Loop

The eight-mile journey takes guests in a loop that travels past the shops of approximately 120 artisans hard at work creating a vast array of items using centuries old, hand-crafting techniques. Driving around, visiting the shops and watching live demonstrations costs nothing. The selection of crafts created include everything from basket weaving and handmade candy to the traditional instruments used for playing mountain music.

Take the Trolley

If preferring not to drive, for a nominal daily fee of $2.00, guests have the pleasure of traveling around Gatlinburg and through the loop via the iconic trolley buses. The vehicles journey through various sites in Gatlinburg in addition to nearby communities. Approximately 20 vehicles make the 50-mile trek continually throughout the day and into the night. Guests need only pay the one-time fee and choose the preferred route.

Winery Square

Named for the popular Smoky Mountain Winery, the square also has an old world charm and a few shops and attractions. The winery offers complimentary tours of the facility. Guests might also merely stop in to browse through the gift shop and indulge in free taste samples of the 20 wines produced here. The Smoky Mountains Farms Jams & Jelly shop creates a delicious variety of jams, jellies and syrups. The venue offers free samples to the public.

The Salt and Pepper Museum requires a small $3.00 admission fee for guests over the age of 12. However, guests may recoup the cost, as the venue discounts the cost of admission from the total if purchasing items from the gift shop. The facility contains over 20,000 salt and pepper shaker sets collected from around the world. The museum also features the largest known pepper mill collection. The reviews from past guests indicate that visitors of all ages find the collection interesting and appealing.

Cooter's Place

Fans of the television series Dukes of Hazzard make a point at stopping at this facility owned and operated by Cooter himself, Ben Jones. Jones, along with his wife established a free museum and gift shop featuring memorabilia from the show that includes the famous General Lee. Throughout the year, celebrities from the show stop by for autograph signing events. The facility also offers an indoor 18-hole miniature golf course and a go-kart track. However, entrance fees apply though family discounts are available.

The Great Smoky Mountains

One can hardly visit Gatlinburg and not venture into the spectacular Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Three entrances into the expanse exist in Gatlinburg alone. There are no entrance fees and activities enjoyed in the park also cost nothing. Every year, all year long, guests enjoy hundreds of miles of driving and hiking trails that lead to amazing overlooks, cascading waterfalls and numerous historic homesteads.

The clearly marked hiking trails range from easy to difficult and span anywhere from 2.5 to 16 miles in length. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Cades Cove and Newfound Gap are some of the more popular routes to begin exploration. The abundance of wildlife found here include everything from dozens of bird species to elk, deer and the infamous black bear. Guests also have the chance to view various species of wildflowers blooming at different times throughout the year and the amazing rainbow of colors in the fall.