Last week, I shared about going to Disney in my article “10 Tips For A Magical Disney Vacation.” This week, I decided to stick with the topic of travel, since it's summer and many people are making vacation plans (or wishing they were.)

The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville area is a favorite vacation destination for my family, and so many other people. Personally, I’ve been to the Gatlinburg area many times and still enjoy going back. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing, fun-filled, or adventurous vacation, Gatlinburg has plenty to offer!

Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing, so to make it easier on you, I’ve broken this down into three important sections:

1.The View

In Gatlinburg, it’s all about The Great Smoky Mountains. You’ll be able to see the mountains and the view from basically anywhere, but there’s some cool spots to check out. If you like the outdoors and want to see the mountains and some animals, check out Cade’s Cove; it’s an 11 mile loop you can drive or bike through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. In Cade’s Cove, it’s very possible to see deer, bears, and other wildlife roaming around.

If you want a REALLY good view of the mountains check out Clingman’s Dome, which is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. Many of the rental cabins are up in the mountains and have great views as well; a cabin is always a great place to stay while visiting The Smoky Mountains.

2.The Food

If you’re like me, you eat a lot of food on vacation! I have some favorite restaurants that I MUST eat at every time I’m in Gatlinburg, but I like to try some new ones too. If you’re heading to Gatlinburg soon, I highly recommend visiting: The Apple Barn (230 Apple Valley Road in Sevierville), The Old Mill (175 Old Mill Avenue in Pigeon Forge), and Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen (131 The Island Drive in Pigeon Forge).

These three restaurants all serve “home cooking” type of meals! I’ve been to The Apple Barn and The Old Mill too many times to count, and they’re delicious every time. Paula Deen’s is on my “To-Do list” for my next trip; I’ve heard so many good reviews online and from friends (and it’s Paula Deen, so it has to be good, right?) There’s also several dinner shows in the area that I’ve heard great things about, including The Dixie Stampede and the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show.

3.The Fun

In Gatlinburg, there’s always something fun to do. There’s plenty of outdoor activities, shopping, and sightseeing. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for food, fun, and shopping, you should definitely check out The Island. At The Island in Pigeon Forge, there’s several stores and souvenir shops and plenty of restaurants including Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen and Timberwood Grill. For fun, you’ll want to ride The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel; it’s a 200 foot tall Ferris wheel with a ton of cool lights on it!

At the Island, they also have a huge fountain where the water dances to the music, you don’t want to miss this! Downtown Gatlinburg has hundreds of shops and restaurants that are worth checking out too, and lots of entertainment. Throughout the area, you can find hundreds of museums and shows to check out, including: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Hollywood Wax Museum, as well as several go-cart tracks and places to play putt-putt golf.

If you’re looking for a good view, good food, and good fun, plan a trip to The Smoky Mountains soon. You won’t regret it!