Mountains of Scenic Views on the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway!

This all-around fabulous attraction gets a lot of press in the winter time, with skiing at the forefront of its spate of fun activities. However, this reviewer went in the heart of summer and was truly wowed at the family memories to be made at the top of the mountain! Hop on the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway in downtown Gatlinburg. You’ll be transported high above the treetops, into a world of scenic views that’ll have your cameras in play right away!

Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway

Don’t miss Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg September 23 – October 30, 2016!

After a nine-minute ride (2.1 miles) on the Ober Gatlinburg Aeriel Tramway, you’ll step out onto a mountain of fun at the main center of attractions. There is a huge indoor ice-skating rink, for heaven’s sake! The amusement complex also offers an arcade, mini-golf, seasonal water raft rides, a fun and fast Alpine Slide, and the new and very popular Ski Mountain Coaster!

Ober Gatlinburg was planned with the entire family in mind, and also offers hours of fun for the smallest people in your group! There is an indoor carousel, an outdoor playground known as “Kiddie Land” and a very special space known as the “Wildlife Encounter,” where you’ll find birds of prey, bobcats, river otters, bears and other animals.

My favorite part of the Ober Gatlinburg experience was the Scenic Chairlift. This attraction will take you even higher to a point that provides a breathtaking view of Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smokies. You’ll be sorely tempted to buy the ride photo! What a beautiful memory! This was a true “Gatlinburg” experience. You know you’re in a very special place as you breathe the clean mountain air and enjoy the peaceful, expansive view. I’ll be bringing all of my guests back and insisting on this attraction!

Back down at the center of things, your family can fill up at The Market, Sidewalk Cafe, The Fudge Shop, LeConte Deli, or head into the Seasons of Ober restaurant, where you can order a steak and other homemade entrees, and enjoy the view over a leisurely meal. There’s also the Loft Lounge that offers signature drink specials and a huge dance floor.

In short, Ober Gatlinburg is a mini-vacation in and of itself. You can play and eat all day long and you’ll never hear the kids complain of boredom. I give this venue five stars out of five!

And don’t forget to celebrate Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg from September 23 to October 30, 2016! Tickets for the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway are $12 roundtrip for adults, $9.50 for children ages 5-11, and free for ages 4 and under.

laurie-crater-battles-heysmokiesLaurie Crater Battles is a professional journalist, writer, mom, wife, hiker, biker, coffee and animal lover who makes her home in Farragut, TN.

COWBOY! The Life & Times of Billy Kincaid at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre in Gatlinburg!

Cowboy! The Life & Times of Billy Kincaid is now showing on select dates this September, October and November 2016 at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre in Gatlinburg. Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre is a “must-do” venue for theater and comedy lovers visiting the Smokies. Nestled in Gatlinburg in the heart of all that’s fun to do and see, this quaint venue boasts the intimate environment that’s picture perfect for the type of show these talented actors pull off. The audience is engaged as actors occasionally enter the small spectator area, bringing their at-times slapstick hilarity to life for the laughing crowd.

Cowboy The Life & Times of Billy Kincaid at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre

The Theatre, in its 40th year, features an acting troupe with true synergy. The musical comedy performed here features very engaging and professional singing and dancing, guaranteed to reel you in for a show you won’t forget! There are currently several shows to choose from, though this reviewer settled in for a night of laughs courtesy of Billy Kincaid of Cowboy! The Life & Times of Billy Kincaid.

Billy traveled far and wide (though curiously never left the Theatre), encountered several famous people from the annals of American history, and made the audience love him. He was sincere, he was a great singer, he was clumsy! Just when you thought his circumstances would undo him, Billy rose from the ashes. This particular show, due to some grown-up themes, might be best for theater buffs over 18.

The Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre box office is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on show days for your convenience. Shows begin at 8:00 p.m. Cowboy! The Life & Times of Billy Kincaid is playing on select dates in September, October and November 2016. Visit sweetfannyadams.com or call 865-436-4039 for dates and reservations!

laurie-crater-battles-heysmokiesLaurie Crater Battles – journalist, blogger, hiker, biker, mom, wife, animal and coffee lover who makes her home in Knoxville.

We’re Celebrating the National Park Service’s 100th Birthday with a #HeySmokiesVacayGiveaway on August 25th!

Let’s celebrate 100 years of one of America’s best ideas: the National Park Service! HeySmokies is celebrating in a BIG way! You could win a #HeySmokiesVacayGiveaway on the big day – August 25, 2016! How do you enter to win this fabulous vacation getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Just visit us on Facebook and Like and Comment to win! 

HeySmokies Vacay Giveaway August 25th

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, is your park! Known as “the people’s park,” it’s an extra special place to explore, learn, be inspired, and to simply have fun! Of the 407 national parks, we think the Smoky Mountains is the greatest and that’s why we want to celebrate with you, our loyal fans!

The #HeySmokiesVacayGiveaway includes:

Two-Night Stay at SpringHill Suites by Marriott Pigeon Forge (King or Double Queen Suite)!
2 1/2-hour Hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with A Walk in the Woods for 4 Guests!
Tickets for 4 to The Comedy Barn Theater!
Tickets for 4 to the Country Tonite Theater!
$40 Gift Certificate to Hard Rock Cafe Pigeon Forge!
Tickets for 4 to Impossibilities Magic Mindreading & Mayhem! in Gatlinburg!
Tickets for 4 to NASCAR SpeedPark in Sevierville!
Tickets for 4 to Ober Gatlinburg!
Tickets for 4 to Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo in Sevierville!
15-minute Adventure Flight with Sky High Air Tours in Sevierville!
Tickets for 4 to Sweet Fanny Adams Theater in Gatlinburg!
Whitewater Rafting for 4 on the beautiful Pigeon River with Smoky Mountain Outdoors!
Tickets for 4 to Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge!
Tickets for 4 to WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge!

A vacation package valued at over $1,500! 

Enter the #HeySmokiesVacayGiveaway contest by leaving a post on our Facebook page about what you like best about the Great Smoky Mountains and “Like” the post so we can collect your entry. Easy, right? A randomly drawn winner will be selected to win. Deadline to enter is 11:59 pm ET August 24, 2016. Winner will be selected on August 25, 2016 and announced on our Facebook page!

Check out our HeySmokies video for the #HeySmokiesVacayGiveaway!

Impossibilities Celebrates 100th Show in Gatlinburg!

Congratulations to Magical Comedian Chris Collins and Master Mentalist Eric Dobell on celebrating their 100th Show in Gatlinburg! The duo opened Impossibilities – Magic, Mindreading and Mayhem in March 2016 and have been performing to sell-out crowds at the 89-seat Iris Theater located at the base of the Gatlinburg Space Needle!

Impossibilities Celebrates 100th Show in Gatlinburg

“We are so happy with how positive the response has been,” says Eric Dobell, “the enthusiasm and support we’ve received has been incredible!”

The two talented actors redesigned the intimate Iris Theater to create an environment with a cool, modern vibe that totally reflects their hip, fast-paced magic show. Bringing out the best in their audiences, Chris and Eric will have you and your family and friends cracking up with laughter and in awe of the magic and mindreading!

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit Iris Theater. Be sure to check out Impossibilities on Facebook and become a fan too! If you need to speak to someone, please call 888-482-3330.

If you’re visiting the Smokies this fall, don’t miss Impossibilities’ spooky fun special “Shocktober – Wicked Things” with performances from October 1 – 31, 2016!

Don’t Miss The Comedy Barn’s Kickin’ Chicken 5K Run and Fun Walk on September 3, 2016

Lace up your shoes and get ready for the 4th Annual Kickin’ Chicken 5K Run and Fun Walk on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. at The Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge! Always a fantastic family event, the Kickin’ Chicken 5K Run and Fun Walk raises needed funds for the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. The Comedy Barn Theater invites everyone, locals and visitors, to join the fun for a great cause!

The Comedy Barn's Kickin Chicken 5K Run and Fun Walk

Winners in all age divisions will receive medals and there’s a $100 cash prize for the 100th Finisher! There’ll be great door prizes and a silent auction.

The race course is a single loop 5k beginning and ending at The Comedy Barn Theater. The route will take runner and walkers through The Island in Pigeon Forge and on the beautiful Pigeon Forge Riverwalk Greenway.

Pre-register online at www.runsignup.com. Registration cost for adults is $25 +$3 registration fee and $20 + $3 registration fee for kids age 17 and under. Onsite registration on race day will be from 6:30 – 7:45 a.m. and cost will be $30 for adults and $25 for kids 17 and under. Registration includes race t-shirt and snacks while supplies last. For more information, call The Comedy Barn at 865-428-5222.

Visit Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center to find out more about their important work for children in the communities of Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier Counties.