If you’re looking for a wholesome alternative to the out-of-control spring break vacations often depicted on TV, keep reading. Here’s your chance to leave the beaches, Blackberrys and juvenile antics far behind. The Smokies offer much more valuable rewards including solitude, serenity, bonding, fresh air and a do-it-yourself approach to getting reacquainted with nature and your family.

When staying on budget and creating a stronger family bond is your vacation’s goal, the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee are a much better option. One of the advantages of a Smoky Mountain vacation is a substantial savings to your bank account. For less than the cost of two hotel rooms you can reserve a gorgeous log cabin for parties of up to 10. Located in and around Gatlinburg and the folkloric Smokies, you’ll find numerous cabins that give your mind a serious siesta and your body an invigorating wake-up call. These cabins are as unique as the stars they lie under.

This typically gives you more space and amenities than standard hotel rooms. And, if you have kids and would need to book two or more rooms, a log cabin will almost always save you money.

With lodging covered, the Smokies are fully prepared to satisfy your wilderness indulgences without putting a dent in your wallet. With a wide range of nature activities at hand, from fishing to horseback riding and wildlife watching, the Smokies prove that spring is the best time to take a break.

After you and your family have enjoyed Mother Nature, it’s time to treat the kids to their kind of fun. Whether staying in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge you are just minutes from a variety of big city entertainment. It’s not only a stone’s throw from over 200 specialty shops and outlet malls: it’s a hop, skip and jump from four major entertainment venues.

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>Dollywood, a Disneyland-style amusement park sprawled across 125 acres.
> Splash County, a massive water park complete with 23 water rides and slides to keep you and your family on the move (and very, VERY wet!) all day.
> Wonder Works, the ultimate entertainment attraction for the intellectually curious. From the outside this amazing hands-on museum appears to have been built upside-down (or is it *you* that is upside down?).

As for food and drink options, the usual array of family-oriented, reasonably priced restaurants and cafes are at your immediate disposal. Some cabins located near streams packed with trout, bass and other tasty fish have fully equipped kitchens and grills, where you can do your own cooking.

Are you and your family in the mood for something completely different? If so, rather than forking out (pun intended) forty dollars for a prepared meal, why not treat yourself and the family to the freshest catches of the day as you take in the picture book scenery on the heavenly confines of the private deck on your log cabin rental?

Make plans now to put a new twist on the typical ho-hum spring break vacation. Pack up the kids and head for a refreshing family-friendly getaway you won’t soon forget!

For some people, Smoky Mountain attractions are all about the serene, majestic beauty of the outdoors. For others, it’s the excitement and glitz of Dollywood or the Hollywood Wax Museum. But for a few brave souls who are in the know, the best attractions in the Smokies are all about the monsters!

We’re not talking about the mysterious Skunk Ape or famed Bigfoot roaming around, but if you’re interested in monster-sized attractions, or those that have monsters waiting to scare you, the Smokies have many to fit the bill. T-Rexs, monsters of the deep, monster trucks, and a plethora of generally creepy things all await you in the Smokies.

Monster Trucks
If you’re looking for the loudest fun you can have, look no further than Sevierville, Tennessee, where you’ll not only watch monster trucks, but actually ride in one. Each truck is 12 feet tall, has 66-inch wheels, and weighs a whopping 12,000 pounds. Each truck can carry up to 12 passengers around its dirt track.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not & Aquarium
Finally, in your tour of monster Smoky Mountain attractions, there’s the king of the odd, unusual, and creepy: Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium and the Ripley’s Aquarium. One has old monsters preserved, the other features live monsters of the deep.

As the self-proclaimed “strangest place in Gatlinburg,” the Odditorium is a creepy place with a surreal, eerie atmosphere. You can run through it, just glancing from display to display, but if you stop to read the history behind the items, it’s easy to scare yourself silly.

But a longtime favorite of all these attractions is Ripley’s Aquarium. Never mind that the middle of the Appalachian Mountains isn’t necessarily the most logical place for an aquarium. The range of fishes and sea life you’ll see here is simply astounding.

At this water otherworld you’ll be intrigued by little monsters like piranhas and jellies, and the huge monsters like the aptly named Giant Pacific Octopus, which has an arm span of 14 feet. Then there are the evil-looking sharks in Shark Lagoon. As you glide quietly on a conveyer belt underneath the aquarium, the sharks and other fishes swim above you. Look closely and you’ll learn from firsthand experience what scary teeth Sand Tiger Sharks have!

If that’s not enough to draw you, there’s hands-on entertainment as well, at the Touch a Ray pool. Here, you can lay your hands on small sharks and sting rays under the supervision of the Aquarists. Even the littlest kids in your family will be able to say they’ve pet a sea monster and lived to tell the tale.

So, if you’re looking for monster-themed adventures, these Smoky Mountain attractions have got you covered. Many will send you gleefully running for cover, too!

Perched atop Mt. Harrison, high above the picturesque village of Gatlinburg, Ober Gatlinburg offers family fun all year long. But when the snow flies, this famous resort turns into one of the only ski areasthe south has to offer – and the only one in Tennessee.

Trails for Every Skill Level

Ober Gatlinburg has something to offer skiers of every ability. From bunny hills to black-diamond runs, you’ll have a chance to learn a new skill, challenge yourself, or simply take an easy glide through the trees. Nine groomed runs wind through the trees, providing lots of fun and plenty of gorgeous scenery to enjoy along the way.

For the more adventurous, check out the Terrain Park, where you can try out some fancy moves on the many snow features designed for freestyle skiing. Grab your snowboard and prepare to challenge yourself on the ever-changing course, which includes both man-made and natural obstacles.

Not a skier? No problem. January 2012 is Learn to Skiand Snowboard Month at Ober Gatlinburg. You’ll find professional instructors ready to help you learn to navigate the slopes, plus you’ll be able to rent skis, boots, and even jackets and pants if you don’t have your own. Beginners of every age are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to try out a new winter activity.

Getting to Ober Gatlinburg couldn’t be easier. Simply head downtown to hop aboard the famous Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway and enjoy a scenic trip up the side of the mountain, free from concerns over icy roadways or traffic snarls. In addition to a leisurely ride, the view from the tram is spectacular. The Great Smoky Mountains stretch out before you, decorated for winter with a fresh blanket of white and glittering in the sunlight.

Snowy Fun for Kids

In addition to slopes suitable for all ages and skill levels. Ober Gatlinburg also has plenty of options to keep the younger members of your family entertained. The Cubbies Snow Zone provides a fun place to play in the snow under adult supervision, out of the way of the slopes and chair lifts. Build a snowman, make some snow angels, or dig a fort in the piles of fresh powder.

Besides the cold-weather fun, you’ll find other family friendly activities on site as well. Warm your hands on a cup of hot chocolate in the Ober Gatlinburg restaurant, try your luck in the arcade, or strap on your skates and practice your twirls at the indoor ice arena. For the nature lovers in your group, Wildlife Encounter gives you a chance to meet and greet the natives, including owls, raccoons, and otters. Whether you dream of being a ski bum or simply enjoy a weekend on the slopes, Ober Gatlinburg is a great choice. A variety of course options combined with lots of other available activities means even when you’re not swooshing through fine powder, you’ll find lots to keep you and your entire family occupied.