The Peaceful Side of the Smokies

THURSDAY – COUNTRY TONITE

Your groups arrive in Pigeon Forge for a three-night stay. After hotel check-in, you enjoy a delicious dinner at Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, a Southern favorite. Then at Country Tonite Theater, you enjoy a fantastic show. In this fast-paced production, you will enjoy a variety of dynamic singing and dancing, sidesplitting comedy, powerful gospel and American patriotism. From the strong talent of the youth performers to the experienced veterans, the love of God, family and country resonates throughout the show.

FRIDAY – TOWNSEND, TN – PINK JEEP TOUR – FOOTHILLS PARKWAY– CADES COVEY

Your morning begins with great excitement onboard the open-air Pink Jeep Tour. Your adventure guide will narrate as you motor along “the prettiest drive in America” with scenic viewpoints offering spectacular views of the highest peaks in the Smokies.

This tour ends at the Apple Valley Mountain Village in Townsend, where your bus is waiting. Here you savor lunch at the Apple Valley Café followed by a visit to The General Store.

Then, you visit the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, a Tennessee Mountain History Museum with 13 historic buildings, including cantilever barns, a chapel, and a sawmill, smokehouse and wheelwright shop. Two galleries display Native American and early settler artifacts. Another display chronicles the evolution of transportation from horse-drawn buggies to motorized vehicles.

Also this afternoon, you journey in tourist vans, with another adventure guide, on an 11-mile, one-lane looping road into remote Cades Cove. This hidden valley is framed by picturesque mountain peaks and was hunted by the Cherokee for centuries before Europeans arrived around 1820. Many of the original 19th structures from that community of almost 300 people still stand.

Here, you are literally walking through history with nature by your side. The Cove is one of the Smokies best wildlife viewing areas with herds of white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote, turkey, raccoon, and others.

Returning to Townsend, dinner is at the Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro serving regionally inspired dishes in a rustic setting. It is also a true farm-to-table experience as they use fresh produce grown on-site.

Following dinner at the Amphitheater in the Heritage Center, you enjoy a Friday Night Sunset Concert.

SATURDAY – ANAKEESTA – DOLLYWOOD

Begin at Anakeesta, Gatlinburg’s newest theme park. Strolling across this whimsical mountaintop, you will discover quaint shopping, sweet treats and slow-smoked southern barbeque all with scenic views of downtown Gatlinburg. Enjoy shopping, live music, quick bites, outdoor seating and an elevated dining experience at Cliff Top in Black Bear Village.

The adventurous will enjoy the 16-bridge Treetop Skywalk, or will want to climb Anavista Tower for 360-degree views from downtown Gatlinburg’s highest point. You will also find meandering pathways in the multi-sensory Vista Gardens featuring music and scenic overlooks.

Then by early afternoon, you arrive at Dollywood, known for its world-class entertainment, amazing thrill rides, and family friendly adventure. At Dollywood you’ll enjoy live stage shows, the Dolly museum, real train rides, the American Eagle habitat, and for the very brave ride the Wild Eagle Coaster.

You’ll also enjoy watching Dollywood’s master craftsmen and artisans at work proudly continuing the centuries-old traditions of hand-making their arts & crafts with daily demonstrations.

Your Dollywood admission includes a dinner voucher for use in the park.