If you are looking for any Christmas decorations for the house, office, or anywhere…the chances are pretty good that you’ll find it at The Christmas Place.  There, you will find over 50 themed Christmas Trees, ranging from the Old West, to Gingerbread, to trees of many different colors.  Have you ever seen an upside down Christmas tree?  Well, venture on over to the Christmas Place and you’ll see just that.

Of course, what’s a tree without lights?  The Christmas Place contains one of the largest selections of lights anywhere.  From the usual red, blue, and green blinking lights, all the way to snowmen to peppermint candy, you’ll find what you’re looking for…and beyond.  One of the most unique sets of lights, at least to my eyes, is the ones with the theme of Hamburgers and French fries.  To say they are different would be an understatement.

There are all kinds of home decorations that you will find at The Christmas Place.  One of my favorites is a television that when turned on, has a Christmas village inside it, with holiday music coming out of the speaker.

And, there is so much more.  If you know a sports fan, you can find decorations to please fans of almost every major SEC and professional team in just about any sport.  I have picked up many a Dallas Cowboys decoration over the years.  You can also pick up many of the essentials at The Christmas Place, from Christmas cards to stockings to many of the classic musical sounds of the season—ranging from Bing Crosby to Dolly Parton.

Look across the street from The Christmas Place, and you will find one of the newer hotels on the Parkway—The Inn At Christmas Place.  Open for just a little over two years, the Inn offers a complete Yuletide experience, whether it’s in the heat of July or during the holiday season.  Each suite is decorated in Victorian holiday style, and many of the rooms come equipped with fireplaces.  What better way to spend the holiday season?

Santa Claus appears at the Inn for breakfast and milk and cookies quite frequently from May through December, and the hotel even serves a delicious breakfast each morning—with omelets (one of my weaknesses!) made fresh, and to order.

Basically, if you consider yourself to be a person that loves the holiday season, you need to schedule a visit to The Christmas Place, as well as The Inn At Christmas Place.  If you’re not in the spirit when you arrive, chances are you will be by the time you leave the parking lot!

More Info & Directions:

The Christmas Place
2470 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN
(800) 445-3396

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The Inn At Christmas Place
119 Christmas Tree Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN
(888) HOLY-NIGHT

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Family Inns of America (218 Ski Mountain Road, 865-436-3300): This affordable lodging chain offers 24 locations throughout the area.  In Gatlinburg, as well as Pigeon Forge, you will find the suites to be very comfy—and easy on the wallet, as well.  In addition, pets are welcome.

Ramada Inn (756 Parkway, 865-453-1823): For years, tourists have come to depend on this veteran hotel chain for the best in lodging, and the Gatlinburg location is no different.  They do accept pets, but there is a $25 fee.

Park Vista Hotel and Convention Center (705 Cherokee Orchard Road, 1-800-421-7275): Once again, there is a $ 25 deposit, but upon seeing this hotel up close and personal, it might be hard to imagine you (or your pet, for that matter) possibly having any more luxurious accommodations.  It’s truly a sight to behold.

Microtel Inn Gatlinburg (211 Historic Nature Trail, 865-436-0107): This hotel allows two dogs less than 20 lbs. each for the more-than-affordable fee of $10 per pet.  One of the best dollar values you will find for your pet!

Red Roof Inn Gatlinburg (309 Ownby Street, 865-436-7813): One of the newer hotels in the area, they are more than accommodating when it come to the furry ones.  Pets under 25 lbs. can experience all of the hospitality that Red Roof Inn has to offer for only $10 each.

These are just a few of the pet-friendly hotels in the city, but also keep in mind that there are several chalets and cabins around that will also allow animals to inhabit their quarters.  The fees might vary from what a hotel or motel charges, but it just might be worth it to have your pet with you on your trip.

But, wait…there is one more option.  In nearby Sevierville, you will find the Smoky Mountain Pet Resort (1868 Country Meadows Drive, 865-428-7099).  Here, you will find what just might be the perfect way to treat your pet to a trip to the area.  With indoor and outdoor kennels, and play areas for both small and large animals, this business provides a worry-free way for both of you to enjoy your vacation.

Hopefully, this gives you a little insight into what might make your trek to the mountains a little more enjoyable for all involved—dogs and cats included!

Gatlinburg has taking small steps the last 30 years to reduce their impact on the environment while blending in with the natural beauty that surrounds the city.  Some of the recent changes that have been made include adding recycling containers for businesses and residents, changing the lighting at the Conference Center and Convention Center to compact florescent light, introducing a new fuel conservation policy for city vehicles, and joining with Sevierville and Pigeon Forge to open a new composting center to serve all three communities.

The Green Initiative Program provides certificates for Chamber of Commerce members that sign up and complete the necessary requirements to be an environmentally friendly business. The business must evaluate their operations, set specific goals and make changes to reduce their environmental impact. Currently, 25 percent of Chamber members participate in the program. For a full list of  green businesses click here.

In the past year, more programs have been launched to improve their community and educate visitors on how to reduce their carbon footprint. On June 16th, Great Smoky Mountains National Park launched a “Do Your Part” initiative to educate visitors on how to lower their impact on the environment while in the park and at home.  In late May, the first hotel seeking green certification opened its doors in downtown Gatlinburg.  The Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg has all the amenities of a luxury hotel and is on track to become the LEED certified  from the  U.S Green Building council.  The Nantahala Outdoor Center announced it will open up a new location in Gatlinburg that will also seek the LEED certification.

This year’s Winter’s Magic Kickoff and Chili Cook Off will feature custom designed LED energy efficient lighting. The city of Gatlinburg has spent the last 3 years converting the winter lighting from 85 watt incandescent light bulbs to quarter-watt LED lights. Other future plans include converting  all of the city’s traffic signal lights to LED bulbs, trying to make all special events zero waste events, developing more green events and meetings, and for 75 percent of Chamber of Commerce members to be certified as green by the end of 2009.

Gatlinburg is making tremendous strides to make their community green and educate visitors on ways to reduce their environmental impact.  By being environmentally conscious, Gatlinburg will encourage visitors to take eco-friendly steps to help reduce  harmful effects on the environment and keep the area beautiful for future generations!

Gatlinburg is a favorite travel spot for vacationing families, honeymooners and anyone looking to get away from it all for a few days. The hotels in Gatlinburg pride themselves on offering the right combination of services to make your stay in Gatlinburg as relaxing and memorable as possible. Regardless of which Gatlinburg hotel you choose, you will find that it is located conveniently close to all the major attractions and activities that have made Gatlinburg so special, including the National Park sites.

Local attractions, such as the Gatlinburg Craftsman’s Fair on Glades road, are just a short drive away. In many cases, you can also park your vehicle at your Gatlinburg hotel and simply take the trolley to the sites you wish to see for just a quarter. Outlying attractions are not difficult to reach either and are also included on several trolley stops for a small additional fee.

Gatlinburg offers activities and attractions for every member of the family regardless of taste. For those who like a bit of adventure, you might consider Ripley’s Believe it Or Not; where visitors can encounter some of the world’s most astonishing collections of curiosities. No visit to Gatlinburg would be complete without a ride on the Ober Gatlinburg, the aerial tramway that transports visitors to a mountaintop recreation park filled with exciting activities such as shopping, ice skating and more.

After a long day of exciting sightseeing, visitors can come back to their Gatlinburg hotel for a relaxing and peaceful night of sleep in order to rejuvenate for another day of exciting fun and adventure. If you’re looking for something to tickle your funny bone be sure to stop by the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre for two hours of rousing and hilarious fun. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen and it’s only in Gatlinburg.

Dining in Gatlinburg is a sheer delight, with numerous styles of cuisine offered; ranging from down home southern cooking to gourmet dishes that would do any international chef proud. Visitors can opt to visit one of the many fine dining establishments in Gatlinburg or grab a convenient dinner and bring it back to their Gatlinburg hotel while they relax.

Regardless of your purpose for visiting Gatlinburg, do be sure to spend at least some time enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds Gatlinburg. If you like hiking, you’ll find over 600 trails to enjoy. The angler in the family will love the hundreds of streams available. Everything is easily accessible from your Gatlinburg hotel, some even offer transportation and equipment rentals. Come enjoy all that Gatlinburg has to offer, all the while enjoying the great accommodations and service at your Gatlinburg hotel. Gatlinburg welcomes your family. Don’t forget to bring your camera and your sense of adventure; we look forward to seeing you.