Articles by Bennie McCann
On January 14th in Pigeon Forge, TN, you can witness amateurs and pros alike turn enormous blocks of ice into stunning works of art.
Ring in the season with a celebration of music the Smoky Mountains way: a program filled with holiday-favorite tunes and stories.
Looking for something different to do this Christmas? Shadrack´s Christmas Wonderland in Sevierville, TN will dazzle you with twinkling lights, Christmas music, and lots of family fun activities.
Each November 11 we honor the sacrifices of the nation´s service members with Veterans Day celebrations in cities across the country. Gatlinburg will mark this special day with activities affiliated with the National Veterans Day Observance taking place at Arlington National Cemetery.
Step aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railway and into a world where life is more leisurely and you really can take time to enjoy the scenery. And in the Smoky Mountains spectacular views greet you with every bend in the tracks.
Inspired by Dolly Parton´s memories of her daddy and granddaddy talking about thrill-seeking stunt pilots flying over their Tennessee farm, The Barnstormer is a great place to make your own family memoires.
A Smoky Mountains getaway is a pleasure anytime. It becomes truly memorable when you plan it with someone extra-special in mind. Who better to pamper than Mom?
Visit Gatlinburg now and you'll find that, when it comes to arts and crafts, ingenuity is both a state of mind and a state of play.
If you're searching for things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the early spring, and want a little Hollywood Glamour sprinkled in, the Gatlinburg Screenfest is highly recommended.
Looking for fun the Smoky Mountain way, but a little short on cash? No problem! There's plenty to do that won't cost you a cent.
Winter is a joyous time in this small community nestled at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains
With a little advanced planning you can make the most of even a rainyday in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair features more than 200 artists in a juried show that encompasses nearly every handicraft imaginable.
The Great Smoky Mountains offer lots of choices to keep even a diverse group of ladies happy. With miles of fantastic scenery, exciting night life, and world-class shopping, every member of your group will discover too many fun things to do.
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains is a family vacation spot perfect for your next reunion.
The creak of a saddle, the soft sound of hoofs on the trail, the tangy scent of a campfire after a long day's ride. All this awaits you when you book a horseback tour of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Once again for 2010, the Tennessee Arts Commission along with the Southern Highland Craft Guild is sponsoring the Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival. This year's festival will be held on May 15th and 16th in beautiful Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Grab your rod and reel, pack up the kids, and head to the Great Smoky Mountains for two days of fun, fishing, and with any luck, a little cash.
Springfest in the Smokies celebrates the return of warmer weather and stunning landscapes with three months of activities that send the winter doldrums packing.
One of the most romantic places on earth is right in your own backyard: the Smoky Mountains. Head off for a romantic getaway this Valentine's Day.
Join an audience from across the United States as they flock to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for the annual National Youth Storytelling Showcase (NYSS), scheduled in June 2010.
When you want a Christmas celebration that seems bigger than life, Ripley's Aquarium tops the list.
Don´t spend this January stuck at home. Wilderness Wildlife Week is an inexpensive way to learn about one of the most beautiful areas of our country. Rent a cabin and enjoy an extremely affordable - and well-deserved - break after all the holiday
On a clear day you can stand at the Clingmans Dome observation tower and see over 100 miles and seven states. Bring a picnic and make a day of it.
Whether your plans are for a big ceremony or something quiet and simple, the Smoky Mountains have a lot to offer for your wedding and honeymoon.
The Taste of Autumn gives you an opportunity to taste lots of excellent food, enjoy live entertainment and help those in need… all for a very reasonable price.
Imagine a video game designed by you that becomes reality. That´s what MagiQuest is like. Create your own characters and adventures with over 150 special effects then play in real time and real life. There's nothing else like it.
You´ll feel like a time traveler when you witness a battle re-enacted just as it happened in the days of Abraham Lincoln. Don your blue or grey and head to Mills Park in Gatlinburg in June for a truly incredible experience.
From llamas to lemurs and camels to crocodiles, the Smokies offer plenty of opportunities to view exotic animals up close.
During April and May, the Smoky Mountains delivers a truly southern experience. You'll find festivals filled with delicious southern food, down home southern hospitality and some soulful southern music.
With over 150 different programs, the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage provides a week of opportunities to appreciation the incredible flowers and wildlife of the Smokies.
If you´re a cowboy or just a fan of country music, don´t miss this exciting opportunity to step back in time as you enjoy the Saddle Up! Festival in Pigeon Forge.
That´s right…the quaint town of Gatlinburg throws a street party on New Year´s Eve that gives Times Square a run for its money. This combination of music, fireworks and the traditional count down to the New Year is truly spectacular.
The Hollywood Wax Museum in Gatlinburg and Adventure Quest in Pigeon Forge have recently opened offering additional fun for you and your family to enjoy when you travel to the Smokies.
The Smoky Mountains are also filled with fun and festivals that provide lots of excitement for the whole family.
If you´re looking for shows that are new and exciting, you don´t have to go to Las Vegas or New York. Just take a drive to the Smoky Mountain Palace and see the Cirque de Chine.
During the month of October, the leaves begin to change and Mother Nature puts on her annual art show with exhibits of amazing color.
September is a fun-filled month in the Smoky Mountains. With so many activities to choose from you'll want to make plans now to visit at least once during September.
August is a hot month in the Smoky Mountains.
The Smoky Mountains will be celebrating Independence Day, of course, but Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, TN, will also have a month full of goings-on in the form of festivals.
Whitewater rafting in the Smokies makes for an excellent and exciting time everyone can enjoy. No experience is necessary, and all the equipment you need is provided.
A trip to the Smoky Mountains is perfect when you're itching to shed the long underwear and parkas. Say goodbye to Old Man Winter and welcome Mother Nature with some fabulous activities.
With no admission fee, and so much to see and do, it´s easy to understand why this is America´s most visited national park.
Whether you’re a newlywed or you’ve been married for years, it’s important for couples to get out of their routines and spend quality time together. The hustle and bustle of family life, combined with all the pressures from work, often make it difficult to do that at home. If you’re lucky you can ...
Everyone enjoys the sights and sounds of the holidays. This is the time when each rooftop is outlined in lights and ornately decorated trees are found everywhere. Christmas wreaths garnish doors and the whole world seems to smell like evergreen and cinnamon. Many families, especially those with y...
Every year, with the changing of the seasons, the Smoky Mountains come alive with a host of festivals, fairs and food cook-offs. When you add to that the excitement of skiing, hiking and other Smoky Mountain adventures, you get a special time filled with family fun and romance that leaves you with a...
by Bennie McCann
There's something about fall that adds a bit of excitement to the air. Maybe it's because school has begun. It might be the reduction in sweltering summer temperatures. Perhaps it's the thrill of football season or it could be the onset of holidays including Halloween and Thank...
Everyone enjoys some time away from home now and then. It’s refreshing to have a change of scenery and a chance to get away from it all. Maybe your idea of the perfect getaway is rest and relaxation. Perhaps you’re the shop-till-you-drop type that also enjoys great food and entertainment. Or, you m...
According to the Bridal & Wedding Market Report, Gatlinburg, TN is the number two location for weddings in the United States. Surprised? You shouldn't be. Gatlinburg is located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains surrounded by gorgeous naturescapes including breathtaking mountain views, stunning ...