Prepare to be scared! Ghosts and goblins are on the prowl. Zombies roam the streets, and witches on broomsticks soar through the air. Ripley’s Fright Nights have begun in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. A month-long celebration of spooky Halloween fun, Ripley’s Fright Nights are sure to make your hair stand on end and send shivers down your spine. The highlight of any October Gatlinburg vacation, Fright Nights run through Halloween on October 31.

A popular Smoky Mountain attraction located close to cozy Gatlinburg vacation cabin rentals, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, providing year-round haunted house thrills on the site of an abandoned casket factory! Throughout the month of October, special Fright Nights shows are offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and are included in the price of admission to Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. Great fun for older children, teens and adults, Fright Nights can be a little scary for younger children. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and children under 6 years old will not be admitted. Ripley’s Fright Nights and Ripley’s Haunted Adventure are located at 908 Parkway (traffic light #8) in Gatlinburg.

This year’s spine-tingling Fright Nights theme is Backwoods Terror: You Just Made a Wrong Turn. Fright Nights fun starts with a character parade at 6:13 p.m. before visitors embark on a harrowing journey into the creepy Tennessee backwoods. Preying on your senses, chainsaws roar in the distance while the smell of the undead assaults your nose. Costumed actors leap from the dark as you creep through the dank and moldy woods. With unknown critters skittering underfoot and bats swooping from above, a new horror lurks around every twist and turn in your path. At the end of a night of heart-stopping fun, your only questions will be, “Can we go again?”

For an awesome Halloween, book your Gatlinburg vacation cabin rentals at iTrip.net today.

The Bavarian Fun Makers Band is tuning up their accordions and practicing their yodels. Oktoberfest opens Friday, September 30, 2011 at the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Open daily, the month-long traditional German festival runs through Sunday, October 30 and promises plenty of delicious Bavarian food, toe-tapping oompah music and frosty mugs of beer.

Commemorating the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig I to Princess Therese of Bavaria more than 200 years ago, Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg is an exuberant, family-friendly celebration of Bavarian food, music and bier! Festival visitors can feast on wurst, schnitzel, sauerkraut, strudel and authentic Bavarian pretzels, washing them down with a premium selection of special Oktoberfest biers. Schedule your visit so you don’t miss the Bavarian Fun Makers Band which performs at 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday and multiple times between noon and 6 p.m. on weekends. Dressed in authentic lederhosen and dirndls, they put everyone in the mood for fun with traditional oompah music, yodels, German folk dances, cow bell serenades and spirited sing-a-longs.

Conveniently located less than half a mile from Gatlinburg’s Downtown Market, Ober Gatlinburg is just a 5-minute drive from the heart of Gatlinburg. The route from the Market southwest down Parkway (US 441/SR 71) to Ober Gatlinburg makes a pleasant short walk from your charming Gatlinburg vacation cabin rentals.

October is the perfect time to schedule a Gatlinburg vacation in the scenic Smoky Mountains. In fall, vivid reds, oranges and golds splash the mountainsides with brilliant color, providing spectacular views from the comfortable porch of your Gatlinburg vacation rentals. Crisp fall weather invites leaf-scuffing hikes and bike rides through nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Plan your Oktoberfest vacation and reserve Gatlinburg vacation rentals on iTrip.net today.

The summer’s ending but the savings at iTrip.net don’t ever stop! If you’re longing for one last summer trip, book a vacation to the Smoky Mountains where you can save 20% on select cabins.

To enjoy breathtaking mountain views, attractions and relaxation, book & stay one of these Gatlinburg vacation rentals or Pigeon Forge cabin rentals by September 30 to receive the money-saving discount.  Use code: SAVE20 to receive the discount when booking.

In your cabin or chalet, you and your family can enjoy luxurious amenities such as hot tubs, wireless internet, whirlpool tubs, spacious master bedrooms and private balconies. The Gatlinburg cabin rentals have stunning views of the mountains and also are just minutes from the area’s best attractions, such as Dollywood and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

There is nothing more beautiful than fall in the Smokies when the trees slowly lose their summer green and don brilliant fall coats of red and gold. Enjoy the dwindling days of summer in the Smokies now.

Follow iTrip.net on Facebook and Twitter to be the first to find out about great money-saving offers on fabulous vacation rentals.

A vacation to Tennessee’s beautiful Smoky Mountains isn’t complete without taking in a few of the area’s wonderfully entertaining dinner shows. Pigeon Forge is the show capital of the Wears Valley, but you’ll also find some great shows in Gatlinburg and Sevierville. Whether you’ll be vacationing in Pigeon Forge cabin rentals booked on iTrip.net or plan to stay in cabins in Gatlinburg, you’ll find the valley’s hottest dinner shows are never more than 10 to 15 minutes away.

Known for gospel singing and toe-tapping country music, the Smokies offer great fun for the whole family. Dinner shows run the gamut from boot stompin’ country music at the Tennessee Shindig Show to amazing cowboy feats at the Dixie Stampede to The Grand Majestic’s exhilarating Broadway-style song and dance revue to The Miracle, a moving dramatization of Christ’s life. During your next Pigeon Forge vacation, here are some of the other must-see shows you won’t want to miss:

Jon Dee’s Hypnotized Comedy Show in Gatlinburg will have you rolling on the floor with laughter. Jon puts on a good, clean show that’s fun for adults and children of all ages. Don’t be shy about volunteering to go up on stage. The show’s more entertaining when someone in your group is in the spotlight.

Terry Evanswood Presents “The Wonders of Magic at WonderWorks”  in Pigeon Forge is one of the best entertainment bargains in the Wears Valley. You’ll be amazed by Terry’s dazzling slight of hand and entertaining delivery and find yourself repeatedly asking, “How did he do that?” Stay after the show to check out the free magic museum and buy a few tricks for the amateur magicians in your family.

Lumberjack Feud is Pigeon Forge’s newest dinner show. ESPN lumberjacks put on a rollicking performance of jaw-dropping feats including log rolling, tree climbing, axe swinging and chainsaw carving.

Find these shows and more attractiosn nearby our amazing Smoky Mountain iTrip vacation rentals.

This week iTrip is featuring its Cupola Cabin, situated in the Chalet Village area above Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The two-bedroom, three-bath cabin provides excellent views of the Smokies and the lights of Gatlinburg. The attractive living area includes plenty of window space. After a day of fun, relax in the private hot tub or perhaps play some pool in the cabin’s pool table room. Enjoy scrumptious BBQ at the popular local BBQ restaurants; you can also cook some tasty country-style meals in the wonderful, spacious full-kitchen. The Gatlinburg cabin rental also includes a washer and dryer. The cabin is a great place for those preferring a spacious rental.

Enjoy the views from the comfortable couch in the living area or perhaps from the spacious two decks situated in the back. The balcony, situated in the front of the cabin, is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. The cozy living area includes a stone, wood-burning fireplace as well as a 42″ plasma television. The master bedroom has a king-sized bed and a 28″ television. The other bedroom also has a king-sized bed as well as a 25″ television. The air-conditioned cabin also has wireless Internet, cable, and stereo.

While staying at one of the excellent cabin rentals in Gatlinburg, TN have a great time at the Dollywood theme park and the majestic Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park includes more than 800 miles of scenic hiking trails, hundreds of miles of horse trails and more than 700 miles of streams to fish in. On days you decide to stay around the cabin, you have access to the three Chalet Village community pools and the lighted tennis court.

View more photos and amenities for the Cupola Cabin. Book today with iTrip.net!

Time to pop your MasterCard and Visa in the freezer. This weekend begins Tennessee’s annual tax-free weekend and you’ll want to put your plastic on ice for a couple of days so it doesn’t start smoking when you hit the stores in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Wears Valley next weekend. No one wants to risk credit card meltdown before they get around to all their favorite Smoky Mountain shops!

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 5 and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, vacationers flock to Pigeon Forge outlet malls and nearby shopping centers to hunt for bargains and stock up on clothing, computers, and school and art supplies. While Tennessee’s annual tax holiday doesn’t apply to all items (click the link for details, limits and restrictions), the savings are significant enough that many people time their Smoky Mountains vacation to coincide with the state’s tax-free weekend. There’s a reason for that: Tanger Outlets in Sevierville!

Veteran tax-holiday shoppers recommend arriving at Pigeon Forge cabin rentals at least a few days before the weekend to become familiar with Pigeon Forge’s four factory outlet malls, scope out the merchandise at different stores, check out potential savings at downtown specialty shops, and develop a shopping plan for the weekend.

Some family groups on a mission to lock down school wardrobes split up to maximize bargain hunting. At lunchtime, everyone meets at one of the area’s many family-friendly restaurants (Old Mill Restaurant and Log Cabin Pancake House are family favorites) to show off their purchases and regroup for the afternoon. With outlet malls, shopping centers and many stores open around the clock during the tax holiday, vacationers have plenty of time to hit all their favorite stores and still have time to enjoy Pigeon Forge’s beautiful scenery and exciting attractions.

Since you’re in the mood to save, why not take it one step further and save 20% on iTrip’s Smoky Mountain cabins. Use code SAVE20 and book any of these cabins conveniently located to the area’s best shopping!

Months of careful planning, weeks spent attending to hundreds of tiny details, and days riding the emotional roller coaster of pre-wedding jitters finally culminate in one joyous moment of bliss that is all too quickly followed by hours of celebration with family and friends. The modern wedding is not for the faint of heart! After you’ve danced the last dance and waved good-bye to the well-wishers, what better place to begin your life together than in a cozy, secluded cabin in the woods? After the hectic pace required to get to the alter, newly-married couples need some downtime together to relax, enjoy each other’s company and revel in their new status as man and wife. Luxurious cabins in Gatlinburg, TN provide the perfect setting for an idyllic honeymoon.

In the heart of Tennessee’s gorgeous Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are unique honeymoon destinations where new couples can create special memories that will last a lifetime. Luxurious Pigeon Forge vacation rentals offer spacious master bedrooms with comfortable king or queen beds, Jacuzzi bathtubs, romantic fireplaces, private hot tubs, swimming pool access and stunning mountain views. Some vacation rentals in Pigeon Forge also include home theaters, private pools, pool tables, free Wi-Fi and more.

Honeymooning couples can hike the trails in nearby Smoky Mountain National Park, rent bikes for a scenic tour of country roads, ride horses along shady mountain trails, tube down lazy creeks, explore Dollywood’s attractions, enjoy dinner and a show, experience white-water rafting, browse through eclectic shops and art galleries in search of the perfect honeymoon memento or just sit on the porch of cabins in Gatlinburg, TN and sip champagne while watching the sunset dip slowly behind the Smokies’ undulating peaks. That’s romance!

For a unique honeymoon, reserve your romantic Pigeon Forge vacation rentals or cabins in Gatlinburg TN on iTrip.net.

There are plenty of fun things to do and see near Pigeon Forge. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Dollywood theme park attract thousands of visitors.  The area also has great BBQ. Before it’s time to go back home, grab some unique souvenirs for you and friends and family members.

Black bear salt and pepper shakers sold at the Pigeon Forge Pottery, are fun gifts and no two are alike. Add some fun to the kitchen table with adorable bear salt and pepper shakers. They’ll remind you of your fun vacation. The store is within easy reach of rentals in Pigeon Forge.

The Pigeon Forge Pottery also sells unique black bear figurines in all shapes and sizes. Cute bear figurines bring smiles to faces of all ages! Friends and family members will gladly accept these gifts.

The Great Smoky Mountains scrapbook is great place to put the wonderful photographs you took while visiting the park. The cover is embossed with golden green foil script with the name Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (Sold by the Great Smoky Mountains Association).

Enjoy the look and feel of a pewter Mt. LeConte Replica Benchmark. The original is situated on Mt. LeConte. A great memento that can also serve as a paperweight. (Sold by the Great Smoky Mountains Association). Cabins in Gatlinburg, TN are popular with tourist visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Beautiful Cabin in Fog Mt. LeConte note cards are one of a series of attractive images of winter on Mt. LeConte. It’s a favorite with tourists. (Sold by the Great Smoky Mountains Association).

If you’re visiting the Smoky Mountains soon, go to iTrip.net to affordable rentals in Pigeon Forge and cabins in Gatlinburg.