What to Do – Page 8 – Smokies Guide

Grove Arcade

The Grove Arcade is one of the most interesting shopping locations in Asheville, NC. Boutique shopping and galleries line the Grove Arcade building and the eateries bring some of the best food to the foodie scene in Western North Carolina. The Grove Arcade building also has a delightful history and this building that at one point was meant to enliven the skyline and architecture of the city of Asheville.

EW Grove came to Asheville in 1910. This millionaire businessman and builder fell in love with Asheville and it still bears his name at the Grove Park Inn and the Grove Arcade. Grove built the Inn first and then decided to add some flare to the downtown area of Asheville. He designed the Grove Arcade to be a cultural center, full of shopping and restaurants in downtown Asheville. The original plan was for the Grove Arcade to be a 5 story structure with a 14 story tower on top. Grove passed on in 1927 without seeing the completion of this new project. The base was finished but the tower was never added. This 260,000+ square foot building became one of the largest in the area and was full of offices and shopping very quickly.

The federal government took over the building during World War II to help with the war effort and the building continued to see government service into the 1980s. With the 1980s, there came a move to re-energize the downtown area and in this move the people of Asheville wanted to see the Grove Arcade building returned to its original purpose. The building was placed on the register of historical places and through a massive renovation, the Grove Arcade reopened on 2002. This new version of the Grove Arcade included shopping, restaurants, markets and 42 luxury apartments. It is still the largest building of its type in Western North Carolina and it is the jewel of the downtown Asheville renovation project.

Shops

Alexander & Lehert
Andriana
Asheville NC Homecrafts
Bath Junkie
Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar
Caravans
The Challenge Golf Group
Enter the Earth
Four Corners Home
Makeup at the Grove Arcade
Mission at the Grove
Niche
Roberto Coin
Stenevson Rare Coins & Jewelry
Studio Flora Diva
Tic-n-Time
Vaquera
Virtuoso: Visual Music Eductation and Arts Lounge

Galleries

Alexander & Lehnert
Asheville NC Homecrafts
Mountain Made

Restaurants

Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar
Burgerworx
Carmel’s Kitchen & Bar
Chorizo
Modesto
Nutz About Fudge
Sante Wine Bar & Tap Room
Thai Basil
True Confessions

The Grove Arcade is some of the best shopping in Asheville, NC. Boutique shops and galleries all under one roof with a lot of history behind not only these locally owned shops but the location as well. Head down to the Grove Arcade one Saturday, get there early and grab some lunch. Hang out and people watch for a while. Drop some cash on some of of a kind merchandise and learn why THE shopping destination in Asheville, NC is the Grove Arcade.

The Grove Arcade
One Page Avenue
Asheville, NC
828-252-7799
http://www.grovearcade.com

Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Center

Tanger Five Oaks is the premier outlet shopping center in the Smoky Mountains. Locate din East Tennessee in Sevierville. You are a stones throw from Knoxville and Pigeon Forge and right at the heart of some of the best shopping in the Smokies. National name brands have made their homes in this outlet center and though they will have a selection of this years and this seasons merchandise, they also take in the merchandise that has not moved as quickly and they pass the savings on to you to move that inventory and give it a good home.

The stores at this location do change occasionally but the big names seem to remain constant. Here is a current Store Directory:

$5 Christian Bookstore
Adidas
Aeropostale
Alfred Dunner
American Eagle Outfitters
Ann Taylor Factory Store
Banana Republic
Bare Excentuals
Bass
Bath & Body Works
Bose Factory Store
Brooks Brothers Factory Store
Carter’s
Catherine Plus Sizes
Champion
The Childern’s Place
Chico’s Outlet
Claire’s
Clarks Bostonian
Coach Factory
Coldwater Creek Outlet
Corningware
Corelle & More
Cosmetics Company
Crocs Outlet
Direct Tools
Disney Store
Donna Sharp
Dressbarn
Earthbound Trading Company
Easy Spirit Outlet
Ecko Unitd.
Eddie Bauer Outlet
Family Book Outlet
Famous Footwear Outlet
Fossil
Fragrance Outlet
Gap Outlet
Gymboree Outlet
Haggar
Harry & David
Hartstrings
Izod
J Crew Factory
Janie & Jack
Jockey
Johnston & Murphy
Jones New York
Journeys
Juicy Coulture
Justice
Kaspar
Kirkland’s
Kitchen Collection
Lane Bryant
Le Creuset
L’eggs Hanes Bali Playtex
Le Gourmet Chef
Lenox Factory Outlet
Levi’s Oulet
Lids
LOFT Outlet
Merrell
Michael Kors
Motherhood Maternity Outlet
Naartijie Kids
Naturalizer
Nautica
New York, New York
Nike Factory Store
Nine West Outlet
Oakley Vault
Old Navy Outlet
OskKosh B’gosh
Pac Sun
Perfumania
Polo / Ralph Lauren Factory Store
Rack Room Shoes
Reebok
Rockport
Rue 21
SAS SHoes
Sketchers
Socks Galore by Hanes
Stride Rite
Sunglass Hut
Sunglass World
Timberland Factory Store
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger Kids
Totes / Sunglass World
Toys R Us Express
Ultra Diamonds
Under Armour
Uniform Destination
Van Huesen
Vitamin World
Wilsons Leather
Zales – The DIamond Store Outlet
Zumiez

Tanger Five Oaks is located in Sevierville, as we have already discussed. If you are headed toward Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, you will pass between Walmart on the right and Governor’s Crossing on the left. The very next thing you will see on the left is Tanger Five Oaks. It is a sprawling complex of stores, setup in an outdoor shopping area. There are restaurants both in the complex and right across the street so there is no reason to not spend an entire day or more shopping at Tanger Outlet all.

Asheville Tourists Baseball

Much like their counterparts on the Tennessee side of the Smokies (The Tennessee Smokies), the Asheville Tourists were the 2012 league champions in the Class A South Atlantic League. This championship team with the odd name supplies the people of Asheville and Western North Carolina with some of the finest baseball that you will ever see in the state of North Carolina.

Baseball in Asheville dates back to 1897. Back then the team was part oft he North Carolina team and though there were certainly breaks in the history of baseball in Western North Carolina (World War I for instance), baseball has been alive and well in the city of Asheville for well over 100 years. Owners have changed, players have changed and the teams that use the minor league teams in Asheville to farm their new talent from have changed but the fact that Asheville has a great history with the sport has never changed. Currently, the team which has been based out of Asheville since 1984 and has had the name the Tourists since well before that point, is a farm team for the Colorado Rockies. They are owned by former US Senator Mike DeWine and his son Brian DeWine is the team president.

The Asheville Tourists have a couple of interesting pieces of trivia:

They are the only professional sports team that has the word ‘Visitors’ over the visiting team on the scoreboard and ‘Tourists’ over the home teams side of the scoreboard.
They also got a mention in the movie Bull Durham. They were the team that Crash Davis finishes his career at after he lives the Durham Bulls.

Asheville Tourists Mission Statement:

To provide the families and residents of Western North Carolina a special and affordable place to make memories together experiencing America’s Past Time. To intertwine the Great Game of Baseball with the community through charitable acts and community involvement. To pass the game onto the next generation and enhance the quality of life in the community, thus remembering why baseball truly is America’s Past Time.

The Asheville Tourists play ball at McCormick Field. This field was built in 1924 and was named after a local doctor. The baseball stadium seats around 4,000 people. The field was renovated in 1992 and the right field wall was heightened to about 36 feet which almost as tall as the Green Monster at legendary Fewnway Park. This is one of the great ball fields in minor league baseball.

If you are visiting the Smoky Mountains, stop by the Asheville Tourists and take in a game. Spend the day with a ball park hot dog in your hand and a smile on your face.

Asheville Tourists
30 Buchanan Place
Asheville, NC
828-258-0428
theashevilletourists.com

Gatlinburg Golf Course

Best Municipal Golf Course in all 50 States – Golf Digest

With all the majestic beauty surrounding you when you visit the Smokies, it is no wonder that people choose to come to the area to spend some time on a golf course. The majestic sweep of the mountains draw the eye to the beautiful shapes of the golf courses in the area. One of those courses that has been bringing people and clubs to spend some time outdoors is the Gatlinburg Golf Course.

Now, first things first, this golf course is not in Gatlinburg but it is the municipal golf course for the city of Gatlinburg and the only golf course in Pigeon Forge. If you have been coming to the area for a long time you know that the Gatlinburg Golf Course is located on Dollywood Lane which goes to the old entrance to Dollywood. Get on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge and find traffic light 8. Turn onto Veterans Boulevard and head up the hill away from the Parkway. When you come to the next traffic light on Veterans, turn right. You will be beside the golf course at this point. The next drive way on the right is the entrance to the Gatlinburg Golf Course. Make your tee time reservation before time and as you turn in check out the natural beauty of the area.

The course itself is built into the natural landscape of the foothills of the Smokies. And this is the reason why people love this golf course. It has been renovated twice since it was opened and it provides challenging holes ranging in length and difficulty. All told, this is a 6,281 yard course. One of the signature holes has become known as Sky Hi. This hole is only 194 yards in length, but it drops 200 feet from the tee to the green. Even the most seasoned veteran golfer is going to find the joy and fun in trying to place the ball on the green from that dramatic drop in height.

Green Fees – Fees include 18 holes with a cart

June through October and Holidays:

$60 before noon
$50 Noon to 4pm
$40 After 4pm
$30 9-Hole fee

April, May and November:

$55 Before noon
$45 After noon
$30 9-Hole fee

For more information on fees and tee times please call the pro shop (800) 231-4128. You can also reserve your tee times online.

If you are a golfer, you owe it to yourself to spend some time on this amazing course. Just once play the game you love in the setting of the Smoky Mountains. Play the full 18 at Gatlinburg Golf Course. Tackle Sky Hi and see if you are up for the challenge. If you are in town with a large group this golf course can certainly accomodate any size outing. Give Gatlinburg Golf Course a chance to show you why they are one of the top courses in the area.

Gatlinburg Golf Course
520 Dollywood Lane
Pigeon Forge, TN
865-453-3912
http://golf.gatlinburg.com

Dillard Antique Shops

One of the main draws to Dillard, Ga is the sheer number of antique shops that line the main street of this small Smoky Mountain town. Shops and galleries of ever shape and size line both sides of the road, allowing you to park your car and walk from store to store while you browse through the artifacts of a time that has passed into antiquity.

Dillard, GA is a lazy little mountain town. Home to several great inns and lots of good food, the big draw in the last 15 years has been the antique shops. Most of these shops are mall style shops were vendors rent out spaces and the owner of the building take sin the money and keeps an eye on their wares. The vendors can bring in whatever they want to sell and then the owner of the mall can have an ever changing inventory. These malls have an enormous selection of items, they are full of Americana and that really might be the biggest draw of the antique mall.

The ability to explore an antique mall, to roam through the halls and rows, browsing through stacks of paintings, clothing, furniture and the such gives you an opportunity to step back into your childhood. For most people they are getting to see things that they might not have seen since their childhoods. If you have brought your kids with you may find yourself answer tons of questions as they ask you what things are and why things are designed the way that they are. You will lose yourself reminiscing about the past, about the bed that you found that looks just like your aunt’s bed from when you were a kid, the china that your great grandmother used or maybe you found a suit that looks like the one your dad used to wear when he was younger.

Let the nostalgia of a trip back through time suck you into a full day of shopping through the antique malls of Dillard, GA. Teach your kids some history, tell stories that you might not have talked about in years and maybe you will find that piece of the past that you need to complete the collection you have been working on since you were young. The antique malls of Dillard are a destination and a shopping experience that you need to invest your time in the next trip you take to the Smoky Mountains.

Santa’s Land

Theme Park & Zoo

Right outside of Cherokee, NC is a smallish theme park that needs to be on your list of things to do at least once when you are in the Smoky Mountains. This attraction is part theme park, part zoo and all Christmas all the time. Themed as if you are visiting the North Pole, Santa’s Land is a way to capture the spirit of the Holidays during anytime of the year.

The theme park side of Santa’s Land is a huge draw. Designed with the youngest members of your family in mind, the rides and attractions at Santa’s Land provide hours of entertainment. Whether you are looking for a Rudolph themed roller coaster or a trip around the pond in a paddle boat, the attractions and rides at Santa’s Land are excellent.

Attractions:

Rudicoaster
Santa’s Express Train
Kiddie Cars
Boat Ride
Paddle Boats
Helicopter Ride
Old Fashioned Carusel
Ferris Wheel
Umbrella Ride

Also, on the theme park side of things is Santa’s Village. You step into the North Pole and get to walk the streets and lanes around Santa’s house. Visit Frosty’s T-Shirt Shop or Santa’s Snack bar. Take pictures around the elves’ homes and even get to visit the big man himself. Yep, you can get a jump on the Holiday season and surprise grandma with a picture of the kids with Santa Claus and Mrs Claus. Also, if your child is already thinking ahead to Christmas they can let Santa know what they want for Christmas.

The other side of Santa’s Land is Zoo Land.

Santa’s Deer Barn – Feed the deer, pet the deer, in general you get to get up close and personal to white-tail deer like you never have before.
Baby Bears – Each year, Santa’s Land gets a new set of baby bears. Ruff and Buff, as they are always named, get fed three times a day and you will able to get up close to these wonderful little critters without the fear of mama bear getting a little too close. If you want a sure fire way to see a black bear cub in the Smokies, this is a sure-fire bet.
Kangaroos – Yes, Santa’s Land even has kangaroos. This might seem unusual but they are wonderful to watch and have become one of the biggest draws at the park.
Santa’s Goats – The goats get to roam around in their own unique environment. Climbing up and down the ramps that allow them to get to the top of the houses the live in, provides hours of entertainment. You might even get to pet on the of the goats if you feed them.
Lemurs and Monkeys – Of course, just like at any zoo, the monkeys and lemurs are the stars. Except for the baby bears, these might be the most interesting and entertaining animals at the zoo.

Santa’s Land is one of the roadside attractions that gives you a glimpse into the past. Wanting to let the kids experience the days of yore, you will not find a better place in the Smokies than Santa’s Land. Visit the zoo, ride the rides and talk to Santa himself – only at Santa’s Land.

Little River Trading Company

If you’re looking for outdoor gear just outside the national park, one place that should definitely be on your list is Little River Trading Company (LRTC) in Maryville, TN. The right gear is a must if you’re visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a number of reasons.

Many people come to the Smokies to camp, backpack, and hike. Before setting out on your adventure in the national park you look at your gear to make sure that you have everything you need on your excursion. Looking over your check list, you notice that you’ve left a jacket or maybe some long underwear at home… 10 hours away. You can’t drive back so what do you do?

Take a short drive down East Lamar Alexander Parkway and stop at Little River Trading Company in Maryville, TN. The outdoor store is literally right down the road from Townsend just outside of Walland, TN and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They have everything you need for a stay in the great outdoors. They also know everything there is to know about the gear they sell and what the types you will need during that particular season.

Little River Trading Company has gear and supplies for any outdoor adventure that you can think of. From kayaking to camping, mountain biking to hiking and climbing, they have gear and clothing for anything you have planned. There’s even a bike shop at the store. Though you can’t mountain bike in the Smokies, Little River Trading Company can certainly get you ready and set on the right path to finding trails to bike on.

A few of the Brands that you’ll find at Little River Trading Company:

Asolo
Birkenstock
Camelback
Chaco
Columbia River Knife and Tool
Kavu
Kelty
Life is Good
Marmot
Merrell
Mountain Hardwear
National Geographic
Ocean Kayak
Patagonia
Teva
The North Face
Vasque

The staff is another reason to stop by Little River Trading Company on your way to the Smokies. All the staffers have used the gear that they sale. They know the outdoors, especially the local outdoors. They hike, climb, mountain bike, camp, and repel, among other things. This isn’t some big outdoor superstore trying to get you to commit to a North Pole exploration. They’re here because they love spending time in the Great Smoky Mountains. They are experts and they can tell you what you actually need when you are backcountry camping or climbing because they have already been there and done that.

Little River Trading Company
2408 E Lamar Alexander Parkway
Maryville, TN
865-681-4141
Web

Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival

The Scots-Irish Music Festival in Dandridge is a yearly event that celebrates the Celtic heritage of the people that founded this area of Tennessee. Bringing lots of music and entertainment to the mountain town of Dandridge, TN, this festival is a celebration of all things Celtic. This is a free event mixes music, art, craft, history and a lot of fun into an all day festival of fun for the whole family.

Primarily, the Dandridge Scots-Irish festival is a celebration of the people and culture of the people that founded the towns in the mountains of the Southern Appalachians. The Scottish and Irish peopl that immigrated to the area and settled in the mountains found a land that was very similar to the land they left, especially for the people that lived in the highlands of Scotland, the Dandridge area looked like home. These people brought with them a history and culture that still influences the area to this day. At the Scots-Irish Festival, the history of the Celtic people comes to life. Scottish clans from around the area come and setup booths to help people learn more about their heritage and the places they came from.

And then there is the music. Live entertainment is scheduled for the entire weekend. From pipe and drum bands to bands specializing in Celtic rock and roll, there is something for everybody and a stage to entertain both the young and the old. Along with the musical acts, the Scots-Irish Festival also brings in dancing. Some of the best Highland dancers from around the region come to strut their stuff on various stages around the festival. Here is a brief list of just some of the entertainers that were in attendance at the 2012 event in September:

Champion Highland ancer Claire MacMillan
Champion Irish Dancer Katie Carver
The Celtic Martins
Knoxville Pipes & Drums
Nashville Pipes and Drums
The O’Kennessee Strings
Thistletown Tinkers

Add to all of this action a craft and art show and you have a Saturday of fun in beautiful downtown Dandridge. Great music, plenty of entertainment and all kinds of dancing a history abound at the Scots-Irish Festival. Make sure that you plan to be there for the whole event and while they have not announced the date for next year yet, you can check their website and they will have that date up soon. Stay in beautiful Dandridge, TN or maybe in one of the adjoining cities and have a great time will you enjoy the Scots-Irish Festival.

Dollywood’s Splash Country

Dollywood added on to their amusements here in the Smokies when they built Splash Country in 2001. And though the number of months they are open each year is limited due to the climate, while they are open they are one of the best waterparks in the country. With activities aimed at each and every member of the family and acres of fun, water themed attractions to explore. From an enormous wave pool to a lazy river and everything in between, Splash Country has it all.

Here are a few of the many features and areas in Dollywood’s Splash Country.

Bear Mountain Fire Tower – 7 slides adorn this multi-level kid’s play area. With slides, ladder, splash down pools and water dripping all over the place, this area is an oasis for childrens that are a little older and who need a little less supervision in their play time. Oh, and by the way, on top of the Fire Tower is a bucket that dumps 300 gallons of water all at once. You probably find your child standing in the splash zone.

The Cascades – A swimming area with a few slides that becomes the perfect place to let the younger members of your party float and swim and play in the cool water on a hot summer day.

Down Bound Float Trip – Otherwise now as the Lazy River, this is the float spot for most people visiting Splash Country. Grab an inner tube and hit the water. The jets in the Lazy River keeps the water flowing in the right direction and also keeps you floating in the right direction as well. You get watch the other activities happen around you as you spend some time floating in quick contemplation.

Little Creek Falls – This is an area especially for the youngest members of your family. A wading pool for the little ones is only about ankle deep in places for the adults. Your youngest can play in the water and enjoy the freedom they have by being in a place designed just for them.

Mountain Waves – A fantastic wave pool that houses thousands of gallons of water and is big enough to fit even the largest crowds. Throughout the day you will hear the klaxon go off letting everyone know that the waves at the wave pool are about to begin. The water starts to undulate and then the people in the deepest section are riding waves and troughs that are 5-6 feet deep.

Dollywood’s Splash Country
1198 McCarter Hollow Road
Pigeon Forge, TN
865-428-9488
http://www.dollywood.com/waterpark.aspx

Ripley’s Moving Theater

Ripley’s has several attractions in Gatlinburg. One of those, that brings the people in year after year is the Moving Theater. This is called a 4D experience due to the fact that the seats you are sitting in move along with the action on the screen. This gives you that completely immersive experience of being in the movie.

The concept is pretty easy to grasp. You buy a ticket at the box office, the way that you would at any other theater. You choose the show you want to see and then you step into the lobby to wait your chance to go into the theater. But when you enter the theater, this is where the traditional experience at a movie changes. You pick your seat in a line of chairs that have seat belts and hand holds on them. You sit down and strap yourself in. The movie starts and the cation starts as the chair you are in begins to jiggle, shake and move in correlation to what you are seeing on the screen. Swaying left and right, the action sequences that are being played out in the short film you watch is even more impressive due to the fact that you are moving along with the action. The 3D effects that you are experiencing with your eyes is made all the more amazing when your equilibrium is set into motion by the motion of the chair you are sitting in.

Ripley’s Moving Theater is easy to spot. The top of the theater is adorned with a gigantic animatronic T-Rex. Certainly they have had shows in the past that featured dinosaurs of every size and the T-Rex will make sure to be visible and loud enough that you will hear him before you see him. The Moving Theater is located right on the Parkway and if you are walking the strip, you will pass this landmark at some point. ALso, if you are looking for Ripley’s Haunted Adventure then you will find the Moving Theater located right next door.

Bring the kids to Gatlinburg’s only 4D experience. Step off the Parkway and into the cool recesses of a theater. Strap yourself into one of the seats and prepare to take an adventure. With 3D glasses in place the fourth dimension, that of movement, awaits you around the next action sequence and chase scene. Get your blood flowing at Ripley’s Moving Theater.

Ripley’s Moving Theater
904 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN
865-436-9763
http://www.ripleys.com/gatlinburg/your-visit/ripleys-3d-moving-theater/