Looking for some 4th of July-themed desserts or festive savory dishes for a summer cookout? Check out these 6 easy and tasty recipes that are perfect for the cabin on the 4th of July or any summer day! Cheddar Bacon Ranch Corn | delish.com | 10 servings Ingredients ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened 1 packet ranch seasoning Freshy ground black pepper 10 ears corn 2 cups shredded cheddar 6 slices cooked bacon, finely crumbled Freshly chopped chives Ranch, for drizzling Directions Heat grill to medium high. In a small bowl, stir together butter and ranch seasoning and season with

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You drink green beer for St. Patrick’s Day, hunt eggs for Easter, decorate the tree for Christmas, overstuff yourself for Thanksgiving, dress up like superheroes for Halloween, and set off fireworks for the 4th of July. So what do you do for International Goof Off Day (March 22)? Take off work, skip school, and find some fun and silly things to do for the day! Whether you love the great outdoors, need a laid-back day away from work, or want to find some family fun that the kids will love, too, you’ll find it all in the Smokies. Read on

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Springtime in the Smokies. It’s synonymous with wildflowers, fireflies, and…hot rods? That’s right! Every spring, the Smoky Mountains play host to the biannual Pigeon Forge Rod Run! Scheduled in the spring and the fall, this Rod Run is one of the largest car shows in the South and one of the most anticipated events in Pigeon Forge. And the good news is, you’ve still got plenty of time to get your engines revving and join the action for 2017! This year, the Spring Rod Run, presented by Tennessee Moonshine, is scheduled for Thursday, April 6, through Saturday, April 8. Plan

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No matter what holidays you celebrate, there are some that are most well-known: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukah, St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s Day, Easter, Halloween, July 4, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day…but did you know that each month there are dozens of other off-the-wall holidays to celebrate?! Tomorrow (March 2) is our new favorite – Old Stuff Day – and we’re celebrating with a history lesson on the Great Smoky Mountains. The area has a rich history, comprising everything from music and the arts to moonshine and pioneering women. Many of the things

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If you’re wondering when to plan your fall visit to Gatlinburg, the month of October is the perfect choice—not only because that’s when the fall foliage of the Smoky Mountains will be at its peak, but also because you’ll have the chance to check out Ripley’s Fright Nights, which start at the beginning of the month! From October 1–November 1, 2016, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure will present its 18th-annual Fright Nights! This year’s theme is “Movie Monster Madness.” Prepare to travel back in time as Ripley’s takes you through 85 years of Hollywood’s scariest monsters! You can check out Ripley’s “Movie

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Thinking about the best time to plan a family vacation to the Smokies? How about October?! Not only will you have fabulous weather and gorgeous fall foliage, but you’ll also have access to tons of October-only events like the annual Trick or Treat Kick Off Karnival! Hosted by Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies*, the Trick or Treat Kick Off Karnival is a great option for families who want to trick-or-treat in the Smokies but don’t know the neighborhoods. Instead of wandering unfamiliar streets, bring your family to Ripley’s Aquarium in downtown Gatlinburg for an afternoon of Halloween fun! All things

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You know who you are—our treasured Cabins for YOU guest who values your grandmother’s old sewing machine more than her diamond earrings, or who has an entire room in your house dedicated to yarns and fabrics, or who is more comfortable in your paint-stained overalls than just about anything else. Whatever your craft of choice, this blog is for you! But even if you aren’t crafty yourself, you can still appreciate these craft-tastic events coming up in Gatlinburg: the Fall Craftsmen’s Fair and the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show. You don’t have to know how to paint to

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The Smokies are full of spooky ways to celebrate Halloween! From the Fright Nights at the Ripley’s Haunted Adventure attraction (also a Cabins for YOU partner*) to the Mysterious Mansion in Gatlinburg, you’re sure to find something to celebrate Halloween during your October visit to the Smoky Mountains. While you’re in town, be sure to add to your Halloween must-do list a visit to the Gatlinburg Space Needle, where you can join one of the biggest Halloween events in the Smokies: the month-long, frightfully fun event known as Shocktober! Beginning October 1 and running through the end of the month,

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The Smoky Mountains are known for their grandeur year-round. Winter brings a wonderland of snow and ice, summer is alive with lush green trees, and spring ushers in wildflowers and stirring wildlife. But fall…fall is the crown of the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s the time when the landscape completely transforms. The leaves on the trees begin to change, effectively painting the mountains with hues of gold, red, and orange. It’s one of the most popular times to visit the Smokies because of the scenery, but it’s also a favorite because of everything happening in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Fall festivals

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