Wildlife stirs and stretches, mountain peaks meet the sun’s gaze, and crystal waters begin to flow once more as spring awakens the Great Smoky Mountains…and the Easter Bunny! Hip-hop-happening events are just around the corner in the Smokies, featuring a mountaintop worship service, skillfully crafted trinkets for sale, and everyone’s favorite spring character. From celebrating at sunrise and purchasing one-of-a-kind souvenirs to hunting for egg treasures and playing at your dream cabin, make this Easter (April 21, 2019) the best one yet — with friends and family in the Smokies!
While we, of course, wrote this blog to help YOU plan your Easter vacay in the Smokies…we do have a secret agenda of our own: how many times can we say “hop” (reasonably) in one blog? Yes, all variations do count. (Answer at the end — no peeking!)
Easter Sunrise at Ober
Good morning, sunshine! It’s 6:30 a.m. on Easter morn, and the sunrise service lead by local pastors is about to begin atop Mt. Harrison. Colorful, bright hues cascade over the mountaintops as worship music fills the fresh spring air — a truly unique experience that only comes once per year in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Sponsored by the Gatlinburg Ministerial Association, Easter Sunrise at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area and Amusement Park lasts approximately 30-40 minutes and provides an opportunity to help those in need with a special collected offering. Tram rides are FREE starting at 5:30 a.m. and depart in 15-minute intervals (ends when the service begins), so be sure to plan accordingly. Or hop in your vehicle, drive to the top, and park for FREE! Should nasty weather hop on the radar, fear not! The service must go on — inside the Ober Gatlinburg Upper Tramway Mall around the ice rink.
After the soul-soothing, heartwarming service in the early morn, hunger will be a natural occurrence. Not to worry; that’s when the bountiful breakfast buffet at Seasons of Ober Restaurant swoops in to energize (sorry, the Easter rabbit’s not that kind of bunny…) you for the rest of the day! This self-service meal starts at 7:15 a.m. and will remain open until 10:30 a.m., giving you plenty of time to chat and dine with loved ones.
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area and Amusement Park
1001 Parkway, Suite 2
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
[email protected]
865.436.5423
Easter Arts & Crafts Show
Tons of handmade goods from traditional methods passed down through generations will have you hopping for joy at the Easter Arts & Crafts Show, held April 17-20 (Wednesday – Saturday) at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. From 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily, this FREE event welcomes locals and visitors alike to watch master craftsmen showcase their natural talent and carefully developed skills as well as purchase their one-of-kind trinkets, toys, art, décor, and more! All vendors are from the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, the largest group of independent artisans in the nation…meaning quality crafted items for sure!
A taste of what you may find:
- Handwoven baskets
- Landscape paintings
- Stained-glass windows
- Jewelry
- Pottery
- Wood carvings
- Bird houses
- Metal sculptures
- Quilts
- Handcrafted dulcimers
Gatlinburg Convention Center
234 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865.436.1400
Brunch with the Easter Bunny + Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza!
Hop on over to Pigeon Forge for an Easter egg hunt and breakfast or brunch with the hop master himself on April 20, the Saturday before Easter! The Old Mill Pottery House Café & Grille will host your morning Easter meal (country style) from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Door prizes and activities for the kiddos will be included at this ticketed event, so be sure to reserve your seats now before they’re sold out!
At 10:00 a.m. on April 20, Patriot Park will open their annual FREE Easter egg hunt for children 0-12. Grab your little ones — and a brand-new Smoky Mountain basket (from the Easter Arts & Crafts Show) — and hunt for eggs as fast as you can! While the kids look with excitement, take a few snapshots to capture those precious moments.
The Old Mill Pottery House Café & Grille
3341 Old Mill Street
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865.453.6002
Patriot Park
186 Old Mill Avenue
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Easter at the Cabin!
An Easter brunch at your Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg cabin with majestic mountain peaks just a hop, skip, and a jump away? Now that will make you hoppy indeed! From 1-bedroom retreats to 14-bedroom lodges, Cabins for YOU has the perfect Easter getaway for 2-54 guests with homey conveniences and bonus amenities galore. Whip up a spring feast in the fully equipped kitchen, play games in the rec loft, sip tea on the porch swing, splash in the private indoor pool, and watch an Easter film in the home theater to wrap up the festive day. Book your Easter trip online or call your Vacation Specialist at 1.800.684.7865…before the Easter Bunny hops away!
Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your memorable Easter trip to the Smokies — hop to it today!
How many “hops”? Answer: 13 (including the title, initial prompt & sneaky last line!)