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The Smoky Mountain Navigator Blog is a resource for people planning their vacation in the Smokies. The blog has information about lodging and things to do.

elf on the shelf

Tanger Outlets’ Elf On The Shelf Scavenger Hunt is HERE

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Create a new holiday tradition at Tanger Outlets in Sevierville

’Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the town, a team of elves ensured there were no child frowns.

Following important instructions from Santa himself, a special team of Scout Elves is on a secret mission to play the most important game of hide-and-seek ever. From November 4th through December 24th, families can visit Tanger Outlets in Sevierville to partake in a special Holiday Scavenger Hunt with the Elf on the Shelf, a Christmas tradition that is sure to create lasting memories for the whole family.

Pick up your exclusive Tanger Outlets Activity Book at Shopper Services (or download a digital version beforehand) and have the most fun you’ve ever had while shopping at Tanger!

Once you’ve discovered all of the Scout Elves located throughout Tanger, visit Shopper Services to enter to win a special $250 gift card.

If you happen to visit Tanger the week of Thanksgiving, click here to check out our previous blog post that has all of the Tanger Black Friday deals you won’t want to miss (including Tanger’s extended Black Friday hours).

black friday

Top 10 Hot Christmas Shops at Tanger Outlets’ Black Friday Event

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Best-sellers that’ll check everyone off your list.

Tanger Outlets Sevierville is definitely in the giving spirit this year, as they’re offering EXTENDED BLACK FRIDAY HOURS this season!

Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24) CLOSED

Friday, Nov. 25: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 26: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 27: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

As we all eagerly await November 25th, here are some of the great deals you can expect (and some you can already claim!).

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Winterfest in Pigeon Forge

Everything You Need to Know About the New Light Displays for This Year’s Winterfest

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Find Out What’s New in 2022

Christmas comes alive in Pigeon Forge. The best time of the year is just around the corner, and the city unfolds a dazzling array of lights to kick the season off right. Pigeon Forge invested $1.5 million towards the Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail alone, and that’s not including the other displays to behold. The 2022 official Winterfest Kickoff occurred last night, November 10th, at Patriot Park, but if you missed it, don’t worry, Winterfest is here to stay until February 2023. Keep reading to see what’s new to Winterfest in 2022!

winterfest starNew Winterfest Lights 

Winterfest lights in Pigeon Forge shine from early November through mid-February and are one spectacle you don’t want to miss. See more than six million string lights that create the perfect holiday ambiance. The lights of Winterfest shine from early November through the end of February, keeping the magic alive all season long. Whether this is your first time visiting the Smoky Mountains, or you’re making a return trip, Winterfest is the perfect occasion to share special memories with family and friends.

Wonders of Light Walking Trailwinterfest

Witness Pigeon Forge transform into the Wonders of Light Walking Trail, a new Winterfest installation that will have the whole family in the holiday spirit. Featuring more than one million lights that are specially programmed to your favorite Christmas jams, the 20 new displays include walk-thru arches, enormous flowers, a 52-foot-long caterpillar, and the famous Old Man Winter. Find yourself transported to the ultimate Winter Wonderland as you walk the path lined with vibrant snowflakes, shooting stars, snow people, and more as lights that mimic fireflies light the way overhead. 

Plan your visit to Wonders of Light Walking Trail today. Admission is free and activities will take place each weekend throughout November. You can get to the Riverwalk Trail from the Pigeon Forge Municipal Parking Lot at 2936 Teaster Lane.

winterfestWonders of Winterfest Christmas Village

If you’re still looking for that perfect gift for that special someone, you won’t want to skip the Wonders of Winterfest Christmas Village. With over 35 booths featuring artisans and crafters selling seasonal and gift items, you’re bound to check even the pickiest gift recipient off your list. Admission is free and will take place each weekend throughout November. Create the perfect pile under the tree this year with the help of Wonders of Winterfest Christmas Village. 

Check out our events calendar to stay up to date on everything happening in the Smokies!

halloween girl

Top Five Places to Visit During Halloween in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

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When you’re looking for a great time during Halloween in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, look no further.  We have the scariest adventures for all ages below!

Trick or Treat at The Island in Pigeon ForgeTrick or Treating on Halloween in Gatlinburg

Looking for a way to amp up Halloween in Pigeon Forge for your kids this year? Be sure to check out the annual Halloween Trick or Treat at The Island in Pigeon Forge. There’s no shortage of fun and memories to be made when you spend the spooky season at The Island. You and your family will have a blast goblin’ candy all night long! all evening long! 

Coasts & GoblinsScary Coaster

Rocky Top Mountain Coaster is hosting their annual Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Coasts and Goblins, and it’s one event you won’t want to miss! As if being the longest alpine coaster in East Tennessee wasn’t already enough–with over nine minutes of fun!–during this Halloween weekend, the track is lit with lights and things that go bump in the night! You’ll be outrunning ghosts, goblins, and ghouls so you’re in for a scare! 

 

 

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skyfly

Fly High Above the Nation’s Greatest Sights With SkyFly: Soar America at the Island in Pigeon Forge, TN

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Ever wanted to visit Niagara Falls? See Mount Rushmore? Experience a race at Bristol Speedway?

Vacations, meant to relieve stress, often achieve the opposite effect, especially when figuring out travel accommodations. Plane tickets are expensive, gas prices are sky-high (no pun intended), and oftentimes most people can only afford to vacation one week out of the year, so it’s important that it’s done right.

So, how is a person meant to travel and see the world in a timely and inexpensive matter? 

Welcome to SkyFly: Soar America, your one-stop tour of the world located at The Island in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  Continue reading →

wonderworks

Top Secret Information You Need to Know About WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

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Have you ever wondered why the building is upside down? How you’re expected to walk through a building where the floor is the ceiling? How the building harnesses high-voltage electricity and can simulate its own earthquakes? Read on to discover the secrets that Professor Wonder never intended to share.

prof wonderFirstly, agent, just so you know what you’re getting yourself into, let’s begin with who Professor Wonder is. Years and years ago, on a small, remote island in the Bermuda Triangle, a man was hard at work in his top-secret laboratory, operating on a trial-and-error system to harness the power of a tornado when something went awry. Very, very awry. 

The experiment suddenly became a major error by generating winds much stronger than the Professor was intending. The swirling vortex became too strong to harness, and the winds lifted the building from its foundation and carried it miles across sea, land, and traffic until plopping it (upside down!) in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 

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Anakeesta

Discover a Mountain of Fun at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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Whether you’re searching for a prime date spot, a day of fun for the whole family, or a solo outing, Anakeesta has everything you need to make memories that will last a lifetime. 

The mountains are a place for fun and adventure, somewhere the masses can gather to discover the beauty of nature and find endless entertainment. Never-ending opportunities are awaiting you in the Great Smoky Mountains at Anakeesta.

Read on to discover five of the best attractions in the park.

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shopping bags

Top Five Shops Worth Jumping Ship When Visiting The Island in Pigeon Forge

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Whether you’re a party of one or a family of five, this Island in landlocked Pigeon Forge, TN has just what you need.

Constructed with the goal to bring affordable fun for families visiting Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, The Island is the one-stop shop for all things that a family outing or vacation needs to be one for the books. With a 200-foot-tall observation wheel and a multi-million dollar show fountain, there’s something for everyone.

For the shopping-lovers out there, you won’t want to miss out on what The Island has to offer.  Continue reading →

Family in the Smokies

Set Your Sights on Family Fun With Smoky Mountain Navigator

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Spanning Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountain Navigator has you covered from Knoxville to Asheville. You can expect over 100 money-saving coupons to ensure this vacation is the best one yet!

The Smoky Mountains are the treasure of East Tennessee, and Smoky Mountain Navigator is your best chance at seeing all that the mountains have to offer. If you’re looking for the best, most money-conscious way of visiting Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, or Sevierville, Tennessee, then be sure to request a FREE coupon book to be sent right to your home! In it, you can find coupons for everything from festivals, accommodations, vacation packages, and everything in between.

Plan your perfect vacation to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, or if Gatlinburg is more your style, join in on the couponing fun. If Sevierville is more your speed, don’t fret. Smoky Mountain Navigator has your back. 

Continue reading to learn what each location has to offer!  Continue reading →

Zipline in the Smoky Mountains with climb works

Top Fun Outdoor Things to do in Gatlinburg

The Smoky Mountains are a beautiful place to be. Nestled beside the Smokies is Gatlinburg, and there are tons of fun things to do in Gatlinburg! When you are in the mountains though, the best things to do are actually experience them! That’s why we made a list of the best outdoor things to do in Gatlinburg so you can enjoy the sights and sounds!
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