A silver anniversary for a top-rated theme park and the grand opening of an ocean liner – something you might not expect in the Great Smoky Mountains – top the list of what’s new in Pigeon Forge, TN., for 2010.

Dollywood, of course, is the theme park with the big anniversary, and Titanic Pigeon Forge, a $25 million museum/attraction, is the ocean liner. Dollywood jumps into its 25th season of mountain fun on March 27, and Titanic Pigeon Forge sets sail in early April.

Titanic Pigeon Forge

In a tourist town full of attractions, the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge may take the prize for the most unexpected. Against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains is a half-scale, permanent, three-deck reproduction of the ill-fated ship known the world over.

Titanic Pigeon Forge, a $25 million project, opens in early April to share the story of the ship, its one voyage and its 2,208 passengers and crew. The museum attraction will display hundreds of priceless Titanic artifacts in more than 20 galleries that also will contain exact replicas of the “Grand Staircase,” a first-class suite, a third-class cabin and the bridge. Interactive experiences include touching an iceberg, getting into a lifeboat and feeling the chill of 28-degree water. There’s a special area called Tot-Titanic for children 8 and younger.

Guests will receive a boarding pass bearing the name of a real Titanic passenger or crewmember. At tour’s end, each guest will learn the fate of the passenger or crewmember named on the boarding pass.

Adventure Mountain at Dollywood

Part of Dollywood’s celebration of its 25th season is Adventure Mountain, a two-acre expanse of 140 interactive elements laid out in four courses. Adventure Mountain will challenge visitors to navigate rope trails, net ladders, swinging bridges, flying islands, pulleys, moving beams and a tire traverse. Those who take on the biggest challenges will find themselves 90 feet above the park’s Wilderness Pass pathway.

Adventure Mountain, designed exclusively for Dollywood, includes Camp Teachittoomee, an area specifically for guests 42 inches and under. Camp Teachittoomee is ADA accessible. The Dollywood season beings March 27.

The Partridge & Pear at Christmas Place

The Incredible Christmas Place, the year-round Christmas emporium that expanded its scope with the 145-room Inn at Christmas Place in 2007, is adding a restaurant, the Partridge & Pear at Christmas Place. The restaurant, which promises a gourmet flair in the evening, also will serve lunch.

The chef is Aaron Ward, and one of his special touches is retaining his mother as the dessert baker. The restaurant also will feature a small bakeshop. It will include three dining rooms that can be reserved for meetings and private events. Opening is planned for June.

Slick Rock Racer at Dollywood’s Splash Country

Dollywood’s Splash Country water park is adding Slick Rock Racer, a multi-lane mat slide, for the 2010 season. Slick Rock Racer spans 300 feet and features four water-drenched lanes. Positioned belly down on mats, each rider travels head first on channels that include an initial dip to build speed. Multiple bumps along the length of the slide allow riders to gain additional momentum that propels them to the finish. The new attraction can accommodate approximately 600 guests an hour.

Slick Rock Racer joins Dollywood’s Splash Country’s more than 30 water adventure slides including The Butterfly, Mountain Scream, Mountain Twist and the 70-foot-tall Fire Tower Falls, Tennessee’s tallest twin speed slides. The 35-acre water park operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Travel Channel has recognized it twice as one of America’s top ten water parks.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Miracle Theater

The Miracle Theater has added a lavish production of the Broadway hit “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” for the entire 2010 season. “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle will be a special guest performer for five weeks this spring (March 1-April 9). The theater’s original production, “The Miracle,” joins the repertoire on March 12 for matinee performances.

Joseph,” of course, is a comical telling of the story of Joseph, his jealous brothers and one extremely loud garment. It’s a tale that spans musical styles from calypso to rock to disco to country. This Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice hit has been an audience favorite for more than 35 years.

WonderWorks

Popular magician Terry Evanswood, the youngest illusionist to perform at Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle, brings his skills in sleight-of-hand tricks, comedy and audience interaction to the 300-seat Imagination Theater at WonderWorks. The first of his more than 400 “Wonder of Magic” shows in 2010 is March 1.

Most of Evanswood’s performances will be matinees, and the “Hoot ‘n’ Holler” dinner show remains the featured evening production. Evanswood’s personal collection memorabilia from the world of magic entertainment will be showcased in the WonderWorks lobby.

Smith Family Dinner Theater

The Smith Family Dinner Theater is expanding its seating to 500 with the addition of a balcony. The primary show features country, bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll and gospel songs delivered through the family harmonies and comedy of Charlie, Jim and Charlie Bob Smith.

Country artist T.G. Sheppard performs on selected dates, and “Blast from the Past” is set for numerous matinee and evening performances. “Blast from the Past” features songs from the 50s and tributes to “Grease” and Elvis Presley.

New Magician — and a Monkey — at Magic Beyond Belief Theater

Sean-Paul the Magic Man, his telepathic wife Juliane and Frankie the Monkey are the stars of a new production at the Magic Beyond Belief Theater on the Parkway. Sean-Paul’s act includes his magic, quick-witted comedy, Frankie’s mind reading skills and “guest appearances” from birds, tigers and serval cats. The show combines sleight-of-hand tricks and large-scale illusions. Sean-Paul was captivated by magic at age 8, and he performed his first show at age 11 at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

New Lodging: Clarion Inn and SpringHill Suites Hotel

The 94-room Clarion Inn will open in March next to the Walden’s Landing shopping and restaurant development. It will offer complimentary breakfast, a hospitality room, indoor and outdoor pools and a lazy river attraction.

The 112-room SpringHill Suites Pigeon Forge is scheduled to open this spring. The property, just off the Parkway at 120 Christmas Tree Lane, will offer complimentary breakfast, a fitness room, meeting space and indoor and outdoor pools.

Gatlinburg will welcome the arrival of 2010 in unique style with its 22nd Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show at the Space Needle late Thursday night, December 31.

At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2010, the Space Needle area will shine with a red glow from the surrounding rooftops at the beginning of a music program which includes selected songs followed by a choreographed fireworks show produced by Pyro-Shows of LaFollette, Tennessee.

Leading up to midnight, live entertainment and music delivered by local favorite Kevin McGuire will be headquartered on the balcony of the Gatlinburg Convention Center at the Historic Nature Trail/Airport Road entrance. Performers will entertain the crowd prior to midnight at the free public event, with party favors provided by Mr. Tablecloth available near the base of the Space Needle.

“It has become a tradition for families from across America to come back to celebrate the New Year here in Gatlinburg,” said George Hawkins, Special Events Manager. “We expect to have another big crowd to help us usher in 2010 with their family and friends.”

The highlight of the evening is the ball drop from the Space Needle, signifying the old year is over and a new one has begun. Then music encouraging crowd participation and the fireworks show off the 342-foot structure will welcome the New Year in dazzling style.

The entire city of Gatlinburg celebrates New Year’s Eve in a big way with many restaurants and attractions offering special celebrations.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies offers a “Dance With the Sharks” party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. A ticket includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast, fireworks viewing from Aquarium Plaza, and two dance floors, one with an 8-piece band, the other with a DJ. Kids arrangements and programs are also available.

Popular hotspots like Blaine’s Restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere. Lineberger’s Seafood Company and T.G.I. Friday’s are right in the middle of the fireworks area below the Space Needle and offer varying packages which may include music, buffets and a champagne toast.

For information on other New Year’s parties and activities as well as lodging and dining options, please call the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at 800/568-4748, or visit their website.

The Fourth of July weekend is here and the Smoky Mountain area is ready to celebrate. Gatlinburg will start things off with their annual Midnight Parade and Pigeon Forge will be holding the town’s Patriot Festival all evening on the 4th. Both events are free and family friendly.

If you want to relax and stay a night or the weekend there are plenty of rooms, condos and cabins in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge that you can find last minute deals available.

Once you get in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area there is plenty of things to do and see, so come on up and enjoy the 4th of July in a safe, family oriented setting.

Best Western Twin Island
539 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
1-800-780-5733
When calling this number to reserve a room, please refer to the following discount code: 251530

Talk about a prime location: a landscaped island just a mile from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and near all the family friendly attractions serves as home to downtown Gatlinburg’s Best Western Twin Islands hotel. Families, couples, outdoor adventurers and groups that pour into this east Tennessee getaway every year are just five miles from Dollywood, major outlet malls; and fishing for rainbow trout. Thrill seekers also are near Ober Gatlinburg, the popular ski resort tucked in the upper reaches of the Smokies.

At the Twin Islands, guests will enjoy an outdoor pool, conference rooms, wireless Internet access, lobby fireplace and complimentary coffee. The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, but dining options pack Gatlinburg’s downtown, offering everything from barbecue and steak to pancakes and contemporary American cuisine. The hotel’s picnic area and barbecue grills are ideal for family and group gatherings.

The three story downtown Gatlinburg hotel features 112 guestrooms with river views from the balconies. Other amenities include dial up and wireless Internet access, microwave ovens and refrigerators.

Families, couples, groups, outdoor adventure seekers who come to this popular tourist destination want to leave their worries at home, and the budget friendly Best Western Twin Islands takes away their concerns about accommodations, amenities and location for carefree getaways.

To find more information about reservations at the Best Western Twin Island click here.

Stony Brook Chalets
1663 East Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
1-800-780-5733
When calling this number to reserve a room, please refer to the following discount code:
251530

Stony Brook Chalets is located in beautiful Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains from your private deck or porch.

All of our cabins and chalets offer you privacy yet you still have all of the attractions of Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountain National Park nearby. Whether you are looking for a cozy honeymoon chalet for two a large chalet for a family reunion or just something in between we have what you are looking for. one to three bedroom chalets and cabins that sleep two to eight people.

All of our chalets and cabins have central heat andair, hot tubs fully equipped kitchens, fireplaces, towels and linens, cable TV and a grill for cookouts. We advise everyone staying December 1st through March 31 to come prepared with 4 wheel drive vehicles and/or chains. No transportation is available to and from your unit. The mountains are very dangerous in inclement weather so please come prepared. no refunds are issued due to weather conditions. Four wheel drive vehicles are available for rental in the local area.

Things you might want to bring are paper towels, Kleenex, trash bags, charcoal and lighter for the grill, salt and pepper, condiments, coffee and filters, dish washing soap, detergent and fabric softener.

Some of our chalets and cabins are listed as pet friendly, if you choose a pet friendly chalet or cabin marked in the room description then bring your pet with you. there is a $50 (USD) fee for pets due at check in. Not included in the rate is a cleaning fee of $75.00 for the one bedroom $85.00 for the two bedroom and $95.00 for the three bedroom. Our goal is to make your stay in the great Smokey Mountains an enjoyable one.

515 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
1-800-780-5733
When calling this number to reserve a room, please refer to the following discount code: 251530

Town Village Hotel in Gatlinburg, Tenn., is one mile from the Smoky Mountain State Park and features a rustic ambiance. The hotel is less than one mile from Ober Gatlinburg and the Guinness World Records Museum. Space Needle and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are one mile from the property.

Town Village Hotel offers access to three pools and an outdoor spa tub. A fitness room is provided.

Guestrooms at Town Village Hotel are set up like studios or one  or two bedroom condos with jetted tubs, fireplaces and kitchens. Other amenities include high speed Internet access. Select floors offer mountain views and balconies.