This is the most fun and unique place to visit in the Smoky Mountains. Come and see what Goats on the Roof is all about.
We don't call ourselves Goats on the Roof for nothing. In the tradition of the original Goats on the Roof attraction, which has been a mainstay on the Wisconsin tourist scene for decades, we feature live goats on the roof our main building. This time of year is prime goat season, because it's warm enough for our friends to relax and graze up on the roof, but it's not too hot for them to be outside.
Now that spring is in full swing, more and more folks are heading outdoors to take advantage of these warmer days and, when they're fortunate, abundant sunshine and blue skies. Weather like this is made for outside play, especially when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. So next time you're in our area, consider either of both of our recommendations for Smoky Mountain attractions where the good times can be enjoyed during what is arguably one of the most pleasant and beautiful seasons of the year.
Did you know that Great Smoky Mountains National Park received some 12 million visitors in 2022? That's the second highest total in park history, cementing its claim on being the most visited national park in the country.
It's finally March. Even though spring doesn't officially arrive for a few more weeks, and even though we'll probably experience a few more chilly days in the Smokies, there's something about having January and February in the rear-view mirror that gives everyone hope that winter is on its way out and the warm, sunny days of spring and summer are just around the corner.
If you had driven through Pigeon Forge 50 years ago, you probably wouldn't have envisioned what that small town on the way to Gatlinburg would evolve into over the next five decades. Few cities experience that type of growth, but thanks to the tourism industry, Pigeon Forge (like Gatlinburg and Sevierville) has seen an incredible level of expansion.
If there's one absolute truth about Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg it's that there's always something new to experience: new attractions, new shops, new special events, new lodging properties. The same goes for restaurants, and in this post, we'll be introducing you to a host of Smoky Mountain eateries that you might not be familiar with. Some have been open for a little while, and some of have just opened their doors. But collectively, they expand the already broad range of dining options for folks visiting the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. So bring an appetite, pull up a chair and prepare to chow down on some of the Smokies' latest and greatest restaurants.
Trying new things can sometimes feel like a bit of a risk. Even if no danger is involved, it can be challenging to visit places we've never been or have no prior experience with. In such cases, we might ask friends who have traveled to the place we're considering, or we might read online reviews, to get a gauge of what to expect.
We're about one week into a new year, which means that a lot of things have slowed down in the Great Smoky Mountains. In the national park, several road closures are in effect due to winter weather conditions and scheduled repairs/maintenance. Most of the music theaters in Pigeon Forge are on a winter hiatus, as are Dollywood and a number of outdoor-based attractions.
Have you been out to Goats on the Roof yet this holiday season? If not, you should swing by the next time you're in Pigeon Forge. We're all decorated for Winterfest, so even after dark, our family attraction is a sight to see.
Welcome to winter, the season for snow skiing, ice skating, Winterfest-light viewing, sitting on Santa's lap, Christmas shopping and all sorts of things a person can do when visiting or vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
In our last post a couple of weeks back, we gave you a 30,000-foot overview of how Pigeon Forge will be celebrating Winterfest this season. All of us at Goats on the Roof are already in the swing of things, enjoying all the Winterfest lights, special holiday events and everything else that makes winter in the Great Smoky Mountains such a special time of year.
Now that Halloween is in the rear-view mirror, it's time to set our sights on two of the year's biggest holidays - Thanksgiving and Christmas. In the Smoky Mountains, we include both days in one big festival called Winterfest. It's actually a four-month-long observation in the Smokies - from mid-November through February - an entire season-long celebration of winter (and late fall) and the many holidays and festivities that accompany it.
Autumn doesn't get much better than it has been lately here in the Great Smoky Mountains. Most days in the past few weeks have been sunny, clear and pleasantly cool, while nights have gotten down into the 30s (but without subjecting us to freezing temperatures). Combine that with all the cool things to be found in the Smokies on a daily basis as well as all the unique special events going on in the area, and you've got a whole list of reasons to come visit the mountains in the very near future.
Here in the Great Smoky Mountains, we've definitely noticed that the evenings and mornings are getting chillier. Fall is not only officially here on the calendar, but it's starting to feel like that time of year as well. For those who live here as well as those who visit the area each October and November, that means it's also time for the foliage to begin changing colors.
Most folks on vacation probably aren't intrigued by the thought of doing a triathlon. But we think we might have come up with one that might just grab your interest, especially since it doesn't actually involve swimming, bicycling or running. Not that those things can't be fun (and beneficial), but if you're planning some getaway time in the Great Smoky Mountains in the near future, our triathlon requires no training and very little physical effort. Best of all, it lets you the participant enjoy lots of high-speed fun over the course of one great day in the Smokies.