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.

Photo compliments of RC Stanley on Flickr

Before you and your family have a great time at the Dollywood theme park or at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park  have a scrumptious breakfast at one of the top 5 pancake houses in Pigeon Forge Tennessee. Yes, Pigeon Forge has great BBQ restaurants but the city also is known for its great pancake houses. The pancake houses are within easy reach of Pigeon Forge vacation rentals. Check out these great restaurants:

Log Cabin Pancake House (4235 Parkway) serves fluffy, yummy pancakes. While you’re there try some tasty country ham. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere.

The Red Rooster Pancake House (3215 Parkway) offers a variety of tasty pancakes such as E Clair pancakes, strawberry, blueberry, pineapple upside down, chocolate chip and more. The Red Rooster Pancake House also serves delicious chocolate chip waffles. Enjoy the cute atmosphere. While staying at one of the superb rentals in Pigeon Forge have breakfast at the enjoyable Red Rooster Pancake House.

Reagan’s House of Pancakes (2820 Parkway) offers a great breakfast buffet. The restaurant offers a wide selection of delicious food. The tasty pancakes are even better with delicious toppings.

 Try some light, fluffy pancakes at the Smoky Mountain Pancake House (4160 Parkway). Choose from a wide variety of scrumptious pancakes. If you’re really hungry try the combo dish with pancakes, eggs, bacon and hash browns. The Smoky Mountain Pancake House is known for its great syrup.

 If you enjoy lively, huge restaurants and delicious pancakes visit Flapjacks Pancake Cabin (2734 Parkway). Select from a variety of hot, tasty food. The omelet meal is a favorite with many visitors. Enjoy the wonderful chocolate chip pancakes. Satisfy your hunger with the huge portions served at Flapjacks Pancake Cabin.

 Have a great time while staying at one of the cozy Pigeon Forge vacation rentals.

The 2011 Tax Free Weekend in Tennessee begins at 12:01 AM on August 5^th and ends August 7^th at 11:59 PM. If you love to shop, this is a great time to visit Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee! Great shopping opportunities are within easy reach of cabin rentals in Gatlinburg TN and Pigeon Forge vacation rentals.

According to the Tennessee Department of Revenues, tax-free shopping applies to the following types of merchandise: 

• School & art supplies – $100 or less per item
• Clothing – $100 or less per item
• Computers – $1,500 per bundled package

 Pigeon Forge Shopping

Pigeon Forge includes some great factory outlet malls located along the Parkway. Grab a Pigeon Forge – Sevierville Shopper’s Guide at practically any welcome center or “brochure board” along the Parkway. The quarterly publication includes a shopper’s route map and some great discounts you may not be able to get elsewhere.

Great places to shop:

• Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall
• Pigeon Forge Belz Outlet Mall
• Tanger Outlet Mall
• Pigeon Forge Factory Outlets – The Red Roof Mall

Gatlinburg Shopping

The great thing about shopping in Gatlinburg is all of the stores are accessible by walking or trolley. There’s a ton of stores along the Parkway in Downtown Gatlinburg. While on the Parkway make sure to stop by the Mountain Mall and Gatlinburg Village Shops. Develop a shopping plan while staying at your Gatlinburg cabin rental.

Sevierville Shopping

The Five Oaks Mall, in nearby Sevierville, is also a favorite among shoppers. The mall includes well known clothing stores and much more.

There are plenty of great shopping opportunities near rentals in Pigeon Forge and near Gatlinburg luxury cabin rentals. Enjoy your tax free weekend of shopping in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee!

Get in on the money-saving action and book one of iTrip.net’s Pigeon Forge vacation rentals today!

The popular Dolly Parade on May 6 kicks off Springfest activities in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Perched atop a spectacular float, country star Dolly Parton, leads a festive parade of brightly colored floats and high-stepping marching bands through the streets of Pigeon Forge. Stepping off at 6 p.m., the annual parade draws 50,000 visitors to this charming town in Tennessee’s beautiful Smoky Mountains.

The home of Dolly Parton’s namesake amusement park Dollywood, Pigeon Forge offers plenty of exciting family-friendly activities, restaurants, theaters and entertainment. Located next door to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge also offers a wealth of outdoor activities for kids and families including hiking trails, horseback riding, nature walks, biking, zip lines, white water rafting and tubing in the summer. Scenic Pigeon Forge vacation rentals and Gatlinburg luxury cabin rentals provide a relaxing home away from home just minutes from all the fun.

You’ll find plenty of family fun in Pigeon Forge from Dollywood’s exciting rides to foot-stompin’ country shows such as the popular Dixie Stampede, Country Tonite, Tennessee Shindig and Black Bear Jamboree. Other family favorites include Terry Evanswood Magic Beyond Belief, Comedy Barn, Titanic museum, and Ripley’s Aquarium where 12-foot sharks and thousands of fish surround visitors as they walk through an amazing underwater tunnel. Kids will also love the upside down silliness of WonderWorks, a wonderland of interactive games and hands-on exhibits for kids housed in a building that sits firmly on its roof!  

Mix fun with great home cooking when you visit Pigeon Forge’s historic Old Mill where flour has been milled since 1830. If you’re feeding hungry teens, Mama’s Farmhouse serves up excellent all-you-can-eat southern cooking. For barbeque, Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que is the place to go; and no trip to Pigeon Forge would be complete without breakfast at the Log Cabin Pancake House.

Join the fun in Pigeon Forge; book your Gatlinburg luxury cabin rentals and Pigeon Forge vacation rental on iTrip today.

Easter is a wonderful time to gather the family for a mountain vacation in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge in Tennessee’s scenic Smoky Mountains. The natural beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park draws millions of vacationers to southeastern Tennessee every summer, but a spring visit to the Smokies is less crowded and more relaxing while still offering plenty of family-friendly activities, particularly at Easter.

Located at the Tennessee entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg takes on a festive air with Springfest, a 3-month celebration of spring. Tulips, daffodils, pansies and wave petunias decorate city streets; and entertainers stroll the downtown Parkway, delighting visitors as they poke in the charming shops and galleries that line the Parkway.

If you’re looking for a memorable souvenir of your trip, visit the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community display from April 20 to April 23 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center where you’ll find unique handcrafted items by local artists.

Belz Outlets near Pigeon Forge will host the Belz Outlets Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 2-10 at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 22 in the parking area. Afterwards, check out the bargains at the Easter Sidewalk Sale from April 21 to 23.

Gather the kids on Saturday, April 23 for the Easter Egg Hunt & Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Pigeon Forge Community Center. Breakfast is served at 8 a.m. with the egg hunt at 10 a.m.

Celebrating Easter morning at the Ober Gatlinburg Sunrise Service on the top of Mt. Harrison is a memorable experience. The view of the sun rising over the peaks of the Smokies is spectacular. Complimentary tram service to the mountain resort is available before the 6 a.m. service. Stay for the breakfast buffet to enjoy the view a little longer.

Don’t miss Easter in the Smokies; book your Gatlinburg luxury cabin rental or Pigeon Forge vacation rental on iTrip.com today.

There really isn’t a bad time of year to visit the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area.  Travelers looking for outstanding food, beautiful natural scenery and southern hospitality will have no trouble finding it all year long in these quaint and quiet towns at the foot of the Smoky Mountains. 

A cabin in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge will give you and your family the unique opportunity to spend your vacation getting back to nature or enjoying some of the east coast’s finest attractions.  You’ll get access to hundreds of miles of incredible hiking, fishing and horseback riding in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park or you can spend your days getting wet and wild at Splash Country.  Visitors to this area will also enjoy incredible golf courses, outstanding shopping or the opportunity to escape it all and simply spend a few days relaxing.

While there is no doubt that vacationers can find something for every member of the family to enjoy in the Gatlinburg area all year long, this time of year holds a unique opportunity for entertainment.  Beginning on March 26^th those who book Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge vacation rentals will have the opportunity to take in the incredible Dollywood Festival of Nations. 

The Dollywood Festival of Nations  features the finest food, music, art and dance from all over the world all within easy reach from your Pigeon forge or Gatlinburg vacation rental.  This festival brings a unique and culturally enriching event to a destination that is already loaded with the potential for incredible experiences. 

The Dollywood Festival of Nations only runs for one month and shows finish on May 2^nd.  This is an experience that every member of the family will remember and enjoy so make sure to book your Pigeon Forge vacation rental or cabin rental in Gatlinburg, TN with iTrip now so you don’t miss out.

Big theme parks can be a treat for the kids, but few often have the right mix of entertainment options for the whole family to truly enjoy. That’s where a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is different. Pigeon Forge is located at the foot of the incredibly beautiful and scenic Smoky Mountains. A trip to this wonderful country town literally has something for every member of the family to enjoy. 

Pigeon Forge is home to one of the country’s most wonderful theme parks, Dollywood, which is loaded with rides and amusements for the kids and entertainment options for adults as well.   You’ll also be able to take a gander inside of the Guiness Book of World Records Museum, the Dinosaur Walk Museum and take in any number of incredible live shows in Pigeon Forge.

This quaint country town makes for a great family vacation destination any time of year.  If you book your Pigeon Forge cabin soon though, you’ll get to join in on the award-winning fun at the 11^th annual Saddle Up Festival.

Saddle Up! runs from February 24^th through the 27^th and contains some of the most wonderful country fun, food and entertainment imaginable.  The Saddle Up! festival, like the host town itself, has something that everyone can enjoy and appreciate.  You’ll be able to sample a wealth of rich and delicious country foods at the annual Chuckwagon cook off, shop for special souvenirs for friends and for yourself at the Western Marketplace and dance the night away at the Western Swing Dance.

Once you’ve worn yourself out from a full day of events, excitement and entertainment, your Pigeon Forge cabin or Pigeon Forge condo will provide the perfect place for rest prior to beginning the next big day.  If you want a vacation with options to suit absolutely everyone in your family, an affordable cabin rental in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee could be the perfect destination.

Search for your perfect Pigeon Forge cabin or Pigeon Forge condo today!