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.
It's an unwritten law of vacationing: When you take a trip, you have to buy souvenirs. Well, you don't HAVE to, but it's kind of a thing that people do. Whether it's a keepsake you're purchasing as a way to remember a trip or a gift you're taking home to friends and family members who got left behind, souvenirs are always tangible evidence of a remarkable traveling experiences.
As human beings, we seem to have a natural affinity with bodies of water. That would explain why so many of us head to the ocean for summer vacations or why we can spend days and days on the lake, enjoying recreational fun like water skiing, tubing, jet skiing and more.
Ideally, your summer trip to the Smokies this year is a full week-long extravaganza, giving you plenty of time to do a lot of cool things - everything from an adventure in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to full days at multiple major attractions. And that would still leave enough time to fill in with shopping, shows, special events and dining out.
Memorial Day weekend was the unofficial kickoff to the summer vacation season. Most schools are out, and it's the time of year when families are making their big annual getaways. We certainly hope your travel plans this year include a trip to Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains. We're excited about what the next few months have in store for us at Goats on the Roof.
We have to admit that Goats on the Roof is an unusual attraction. There's only one other place in the country that has live goats living on its roof, and that's the original GOTR in Wisconsin. We're pretty proud of that. There's something to be said for being unique.
Ask five different people and you'll probably get five different definitions of what qualifies as camping. For some, it's not truly a camping trip unless a tent is involved. For others, motoring about in a 40-foot RV with all the amenities is also considered camping.
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.