Chances are that one of many reasons you decided to go with a rental home instead of a sterile hotel suite was the money saving possibilities. No need to rent multiple hotel rooms or stuff an entire family into one cramped area. Laundry is free, which means you can pack light and save room for souvenirs. And you can prepare meals instead of having to pay to eat out every single meal. The problem is, you, the chief cook and bottlewasher, are on vacation too and you don’t want to spend a lot of the time during your Tennessee getaway in the kitchen. Fortunately, you chose The Cabin Rental Store for your vacation accommodations and we have your back with this list of three easy recipes to cook while on your Gatlinburg getaway! Designed to keep you out of the kitchen as much as possible, these tasty dishes are so delicious they may even make it in to your at-home repertoire!
Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets
Simple, tasty, and healthy, this dish uses up very few dishes in the preparation. Your Publix or Kroger shopping list should be very small: butter, ranch seasoning powder, salt, pepper, chicken breasts (it’s also delicious with chicken thighs), 1 pound of small red potatoes, nonstick cooking spray, shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, and of course, aluminum foil.
Preheat the oven to 425. Mix the spices, 2 tablespoons of ranch, and 6 tablespoons of melted butter together. Divide the chicken, potatoes, and cheddar cheese amongst four sheets of aluminum foil, drizzle the ranch mixture over each meal, then form a pocket with the foil and bake for 45 minutes. Fry up the four slices of bacon in a pan for about 10 minutes before the packets are ready and crumble over the finished product.
3-Ingredient Mac & Cheese
Macaroni & cheese is such a versatile dish. It can be used as a side or a main dish, and it can be tweaked with meats and spices to create an extra-hearty version! This 3-ingredient mac & cheese is basic, wholesome, and delicious, but feel free to change it up a bit if you’re in the mood to experiment.
Your grocery list will only be three items long: 5 cups of milk, 1 pound of dry elbow macaroni, and 2 cups of shredded cheese. Bring the milk to boil in a large pot, add the macaroni noodles, and cook for 10 minutes, being sure to stir constantly. Turn off the heat, add the cheddar cheese, and stir until it’s all melted and blended and looks to be a delicious gooey mess!
Cookies and Cream Mousse
No vacation is complete without an excess of rich desserts, and this simple creation is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser! Only three items need to be added to your list: chocolate sandwich cookies, 1 ½ cups of heavy cream, and ½ cup of powdered sugar.
Start by placing a medium bowl in the refrigerator to chill; this recipe will only work when created with a chilled bowl. Separate the cream from 8 of the cookies, placing the cream in a small bowl and the cookies in a Ziplock baggie. Crush the cookies with a rolling pin (rolling a glass on its side works if there isn’t a rolling pin in your cabin). Microwave the cream for 2 minutes. Beat the heavy cream in the chilled bowl until its thick and frothy, then add in the cream from the cookies and the powdered sugar. Continuing to beat until stiff peaks begin to form. Fold in most of the crumbled cookies, saving a small amount for presentation when you sprinkle them over the bowls. Serve immediately or keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Reserve Your Cabin Rental Store Escape for Your Gatlinburg Getaway
These are just a few of the easy culinary creations you can make in our kitchens. Whether you’re a talented chef ready to whip up a feast or someone who barely knows their way around a frying pan, you’ll be able to make a money-saving meal or two during your Gatlinburg getaway. Contact us today to book your stay!
The early part of the year can be a bit slow compared to the end of the previous year. The holidays are over, the weather is gray and cold, and most people have nothing to look forward to until it’s time for their annual summer vacation. But you are not like most people. You recognize the opportunity that comes with the earliest part of the new year, and you’ve come up with a plan to combat the blues. You, treasured guest, have chosen this early part of the new decade to visit Gatlinburg, knowing that you can count on us at The Cabin Rental Store to offer up some fun events to keep you entertained. And you were right! Following this guide to early 2020 events in Gatlinburg guarantees that you will be starting off the new year in the very best of ways!
Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights, January 18th
Even if Christmas is over, it doesn’t mean that all the magic has left the mountains. The colorful lights look so pretty against the snow and mountain backdrop; we leave them up a little longer than you would expect, and you can see them all when you climb aboard our specially designed trolleys! Say one last hurrah for Christmas and enjoy the beauty without having to fight the crowds.
Winter Heritage Festival, January 24th and 25th
Winter in Gatlinburg is a special time for us, and we love to celebrate it with this special festival held at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. For two days every year, you can learn all about the history of our unique hometown with presentations given by local historians. Discover the stories behind the scenes of Myer’s Cemetery, learn about the Cherokee presence in the area and how misguided settlers chased them away, and enjoy the sounds of two of our own singing the songs of the area. A cast iron lunch costing only $10 is offered on Saturday, allowing guests to enjoy a taste of the town; beans, greens, cornbread, cobbler, and a drink is what’s being served.
Rose Glen Festival, February 22nd
The Sevierville Convention Center, located at 202 Gist Creeks Road in Sevierville, plays host to an event we in Gatlinburg anxiously await each year. The pinch of Christmas shopping beyond our budgets has been forgotten and the joy of finding treasures both old and new gets our hearts beating faster! Antique stores, flea markets and local galleries come together to feature their best products in this exciting festival; guests who have visited before know to pack light and take advantage of the laundry rooms in our beautiful cabins, leaving plenty of room in their suitcases for the treasures found at the Rose Glen Festival!
Winter Wonderland and Events in Gatlinburg
The charming beauty of our luxurious cabins shines even brighter against the snowy landscape that is Gatlinburg in the winter. Reserve your stay with us today and enjoy these events in Gatlinburg!
As we prepare to tear off the last page of 2019’s calendar, it’s only fitting that we end the year with a bang. It’s not every year that we celebrate the end of a decade, after all! This is the time for glittery parties, exciting adventures, and if you’re up for it, a visit to Gatlinburg and a stay in one of our Cabin Rental Store holiday escapes! Whether you plan on staying in and bidding the old year farewell in comfort and style or you get out there and party the night away, the next decade promises to be bright and happy when you close out 2019 with Gatlinburg events!
Celebrating in Style
Proving over and over again that comfort can be stylish, our beautiful cabins are designed to be an integral part of your holiday escape! Whether you are whipping up a batch of hors d’oeuvres in our fully equipped kitchens, watching the ball drop in Times Square on the state of the art televisions, or toasting the new year with your favorite beverage and a kiss for your loved one, you’ll be surrounded by beauty wherever you turn! Bundle up and sit out on the deck, watching the sun set over the landscape for the last time this decade, or cuddle in front of a roaring fire, thankful that your journey brought you to our doorstep; it’s these small moments that can make the biggest impact on your heart, and when you wake up in the new year feeling rested and alert, you’ll know you’ll never forget this New Years’ experience!
Add a Little Extra Shine to Your Gatlinburg Events and Celebrations
Stepping out on the last night of the year is a tradition you won’t have to forego—nor will you want to! New Year’s Eve is always a blast in the town of Gatlinburg, filled with good food, live entertainment, and punctuated with our own ball drop and an explosion of fireworks lighting up the night sky. Dress warmly for this outdoor event held at the Gatlinburg Space Needle and prepare to have the time of your life! Other entertainment options include Ole Red’s Gatlinburg Pre-Countdown Party and Gatlinburg SkyLift Park New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Viewing Party; there’s always something going on at New Year’s in our Smoky Mountains town!
It All Starts with The Cabin Rental Store
Making this special night feel even more spectacular is simple when you start it out in one of our Cabin Rental Store holiday escapes—reserve yours today and enjoy these Gatlinburg events!
In case you haven’t looked at your calendar lately, the time to start making your Christmas plans is NOW. If you wait much longer, the best adventures may be taken over by others who started their planning early! Your trip to Gatlinburg for Christmas, for example, may have to be pushed off to next year, leaving you to stay at home and deal with cranky Uncle Bob for one more year, something no one really wants to have to face at this most wonderful time of year. And because Gatlinburg during the holidays becomes even more joyous and festive, it really would be a shame to postpone the merriment another 12 months! Be sure to start planning your Christmas in Gatlinburg 2019 escape now to enjoy some of the following holiday cheer.
Silent at Night
There are definitely times when your yuletide getaway is loud and rambunctious, but once the sun falls behind the mountains and the moon rises high in the sky, the silence that surrounds your holiday escape from The Cabin Rental Store will be much appreciated. Even if you decide to stay up late to bake a batch of Christmas cookies, the peace of mind you feel knowing your children are sleeping soundly in soft beds and NOT trying to catch a sneak peak at the jolly old elf is worth the visit alone! Add in living rooms with comfortable furniture, fireplaces to tell Christmas stories in front of, and those giant picture windows with the tree you purchased and decorated on your first morning in paradise, and you know this holiday will be picture perfect!
The Spirit of Christmas
The spirit of Christmas is easy to feel upon venturing outside the boundaries of your holiday cabin. From the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade held in downtown Gatlinburg on December 6th to the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights available on different dates throughout November and December, Gatlinburg shines! The Polar Express Train Ride offers a meet and greet with Santa and a ride through the winter wonderland that is Gatlinburg, and Santa’s Claus-et offers food, gifts, and the opportunity to take a picture with your favorite jolly old elf. Prepare to have your breath taken away when you visit Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival; the skies will be alight with the reflection of thousands of lights, trees sing and synchronize their lights to the music in Carol of the Trees, and It’s a Wonderful Life is performed for guests delight in this spectacular holiday celebration!
The Warmth of a Cabin Rental Store Christmas Cabin
Each night will be better than the next when you spend your nights in one of our cozy Christmas cabins. Reserves yours today and enjoy a happy holiday with your family!
There are many advantages to choosing a vacation rental over a basic hotel room, and those advantages increase when you select The Cabin Rental Store for your vacation hideaway! Offering comfort, style, and a host of amenities that are designed to make your stay picture-perfect, our attention to detail proves we go the extra mile. Our guests deserve to be spoiled, and it shows in the amenities we offer. From the small necessities to the impressive luxuries, while not the same, each of our Gatlinburg rental properties has that something extra that lets guests know they are welcomed and treasured.
The Amenities You May Not Notice
Our job is to make your stay as close to perfect as possible, and to that end we’ve even included wine corkscrews and bottle openers in our fully equipped kitchens! The best vacations run the smoothest, and our Gatlinburg rental properties help you avoid even the tiniest hitch. Whether it’s being able to wipe up a mess with the paper towels that are already provided or run a load of clothes without having to stop at the grocery store to buy laundry detergent, every little thing you need is already in place in your stylish cabin!
Curl up in front of the fireplace on cold nights or for a bit of romantic atmosphere on a quiet Gatlinburg night. Hot tubs on the porch also offer some extra romance but also serve a practical purpose as well, as sightseeing can be tough on muscles unused to the extra walking or climbing! Simmering in the bubbling waters as you stare up at a sky filled with the light of billions of stars can heal something in your soul that you never knew needed healed.
Cable or satellite televisions allow you to slow the pace a bit. Pop some popcorn, open a bottle of wine, and spend an evening watching your favorite shows. Game rooms in some Gatlinburg rental properties are stocked with full-size retro arcade games, as well as pool tables, air hockey, and foosball. Other cabins offer theater rooms, so snuggle in on a cold winter’s night for a few hours of romance, action, or adventure!
Stay at Gatlinburg Rental Properties Where You Feel Best
Staying in one of The Cabin Rental Store’s vacation escapes will be the best part of your exciting Gatlinburg getaway. Reserve yours today!
There’s something special about living in a place where all four seasons are spectacular, and when you visit Gatlinburg in the winter, you’ll start to get an understanding of what we mean! Traditionally considered a summer or fall getaway location, the stark and rugged beauty of a winter’s day in our mountain town will take your breath away, and as the tourist crowds lessen, the peaceful quiet of a winter’s day will find its way into your soul. This guide to your winter Gatlinburg getaway will ensure you experience the true beauty of winter and the wonder of Tennessee!
Warm and Cozy
It may be cold outside, but inside one of our Cabin Rental Store winter escapes, everything is warm and cozy! Cook a pot of chili in the fully equipped kitchens, sit by a roaring fire with a book and a throw in our stylishly comfortable living rooms, or sleep late curled up in warm blankets on soft beds in our peaceful bedrooms. If you chose a cabin with a hot tub, simmering in the bubbles as steam rises into the night sky will be your favorite winter experience—and it doesn’t cost a thing! Lodges with game rooms offering full-size arcade games, mansions with pools and all the luxuries you deserve, or cozy cabins with rustic furnishings and views of the Gatlinburg landscape are all available for your getaway; these vacation homes are all about the possibilities of making this Gatlinburg getaway the best ever!
So Much to Do on a Gatlinburg Getaway
As tempting as it may be to hibernate in the luxury of your Cabin Rental Store hideaway, chances are you will want to venture out to see what Gatlinburg has to offer in the winter—and there’s almost as much to do in the winter as in the busy summer months! Winter sports at Ober Gatlinburg will keep your blood flowing, but if you seek something a little tamer to keep the blood flowing, shopping in downtown Gatlinburg is a year-round luxury! Offering everything from outlet malls to upscale malls, it’s the specialty shops that will catch your eye and your interest. You’ll find pet boutiques selling gourmet treats (Bonediggery Barkery and Gifts), Christmas stores that are open year-round (Santa Claus-et), candy stores, whiskey distilleries, gift shops and honey stores; there’s just not enough space to mention them all!
Quiet Moments
When the outside world is too loud and too present, coming back to your Cabin Rental Store winter escape brings the quiet moments you live for—reserve yours today!
What could be better than a cozy holiday retreat spent in the sweeping mountains of Tennessee? Often said to be the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is so much more than a simple mountain town. With so much to do and see during the holidays, and with that sublime seasonal crisp in the air, Gatlinburg is a perfect getaway destination to relax and enjoy the festivities of the holiday season. No matter if you’re visiting for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s, there’s always something adventurous to do during Gatlinburg holidays!
Embrace the Holiday Spirit in the Great Smoky Mountains
The holiday season kicks off right in Gatlinburg with plenty of Thanksgiving festivities to get you in the spirit of the season. Spend your mornings on a scenery filled walk or nearby hike, such as the Grotto Falls Trail, and pay a visit to the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Thanksgiving Show in the afternoon. At this annual craft show, you can browse a variety of goods from local artists, such as beautiful quilts and hand-woven baskets—it’s a terrific place to pick up some gifts for the holidays, or a unique souvenir of your own!
Endless Choices for Holiday Dining and Winter Recreation
If you don’t feel like cooking in your fully-equipped rental and would rather spend the holiday in full relaxation mode, there’s an impressive number of restaurants in town offering both Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner, such as the holiday buffet at Seasons of Ober Loft & Lounge and the Ober Gatlinburg ski resort. It’s a great excuse to hit the slopes before your holiday feast, and if it’s too early for skiing, their snow-tubing always opens the Saturday before Thanksgiving! As a bonus, you can ride the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway to the resort from town, an enjoy stunningly gorgeous scenery as you float above the Smoky Mountains.
A Wide Variety of Seasonal Events
Whether you’re here for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s, you can take a ride on the spectacular Gatlinburg Trolley Ride of Lights, a fantastic trolley ride that takes you through downtown on a magical journey amongst one-of-a-kind light displays. Other events during Gatlinburg holidays include the Winter Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales, where characters and storytellers fill the streets of downtown and carol to a mixture of Appalachian and bluegrass tunes. And Gatlinburg’s New Year’s celebration is quite grand, with a fireworks show over the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle, live entertainment, and festive downtown streets.
Come Spend Gatlinburg Holidays with Us in Gatlinburg
If you’re looking for a special place to spend the holidays, Gatlinburg is a terrific destination. Whether you want to spend the holidays cuddled up by the fireplace in your vacation rental or exploring the rugged outdoors of the Great Smoky Mountains, or partaking in one of our many seasonal events, Gatlinburg is calling your name! Give us a call today to start planning your Gatlinburg holidays escape in your dream cabin in the Smoky Mountains.
Sometimes when traveling to a new place, you unexpectedly come across a special vista point that takes your breath away and makes you wonder how many spots like this you have missed before. Generally, we have a specific activity in mind during our travels: The Grand Canyon in Arizona, Disneyland in California, or the Empire State Building in New York. But who thinks about those special views that make you thankful you live in this world when trying to make sure you’ve packed for the weather or that you remembered to check in 24 hours in advance so as to get a decent seat on your flight? Why, we do, of course, and this guide the best spots for Gatlinburg sightseeing will be just the thing to ensure you don’t miss a thing during your Tennessee getaway!
Gatlinburg Sightseeing – Clingman’s Dome
The best place to start, in our mind, is at the top and Clingman’s Dome, located at the end of Clingman’s Dome Road and offering views that spread out over 100 miles on the clearest days, although air pollution can cut the visibility down to only 20 miles. Easy to get to, you take US441S to Newfound Gap Road to Clingman’s Dome Road, enjoy the seven-mile scenic drive to the large parking lot and then a short walk on the steep trail that leads you to the observation deck and those views!
Newfound Gap Road
You’re basically here already, so why not continue the tour of Gatlinburg sightseeing that will stop your heart—if only for a second! Discovered to be the lowest pass through the Great Smoky Mountains, cooler temperatures and views of the stunning landscape that surrounds you makes this area one of our favorite places to visit during the summer. In the fall, the landscape appears to be on fire when the trees are at their colorful best. Located just a tenth of a mile past Clingman’s Dome Road, Newfound Gap Road may be closed due to snow during the months of December through March, so plan accordingly.
The Gatlinburg Space Needle, 115 Historic Nature Trail
Sometimes the best views are accompanied by fantastic restaurants, fun arcades, and cool places to shop—at least when you’re in Gatlinburg and you visit the Gatlinburg Space Needle! It’s very simple to get to, just take US-321 S (also known as East Parkway) to Historic Nature Trail. You’ll know you have arrived when you look up and see the Space Needle! Take the glass elevator to the top, enjoy the breathtaking views of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains found 407 feet up in the air, and wish that you never had to leave this spot ever again.
Wait, There’s More
While we can’t guarantee that the Gatlinburg sightseeing views from your Cabin Rental Store vacation escape will be as spectacular as the ones from the points listed above, we can promise that in most cases, they will be stunning, peaceful, and relaxing. Reserve your vacation rental today!
Not all vacations are created equal, and your Gatlinburg getaway is proof! Offering the quiet, the exciting, and the unusual, every moment of your stay will be better than the one before it. And because we want our guests to have the time of their lives, our guide to not one, not two, but THREE unusual Gatlinburg activities and attractions in our favorite Tennessee town will ensure that this vacation is one you will never forget, and the words “I’m bored” will never be heard!
The Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
Salt has gotten a bad reputation lately, and pepper is now the spice du jour, but once upon a time both spices were treated equally and given unique and unusual places in which to rest. The Salt & Pepper Shaker museum celebrates those golden days with its collection of over 20,000 sets gathered from all over the world! Featuring shakers of all forms—from apples to zebras—it’s a fun way to fill the extra minutes of your getaway. The attached store also lets you take replicas of your favorites home for your own table! Don’t miss one of the best Gatlinburg activities!
See the Synchronized Fireflies in the Smoky Mountains
Guests will have to wait until the second week in June to see this magical natural show (it’s never too soon to start planning next year’s summer escape!), but for two weeks the fireflies of the Smoky Mountains light up in perfect synchronicity for the enjoyment of all who watch. The scientific term for this performance is called coupled oscillation, but for us, when thousands of fireflies begin to blink on and off in perfect harmony, we just call it an amazing example of Mother Nature’s talents!
Llamas on the Trillium Gap Trail
A hike to the Grotto Falls is an awesome way to observe the wildlife in the area. From colorful birds to peaceful does and lovely llamas, all manage to find their way to the only waterfall in the Smokies that people can walk behind. Wait, did we just say LLAMAS? Of course we did, as they are used to bring supplies to the top of Mt. LeConte, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, they like to hang in the area; just don’t get too close, as they are prone to spitting when they feel threatened! This is one of the best Gatlinburg activities!
Gatlinburg Activities Unique in Their Beauty
Although you wouldn’t call our Cabin Rental Store cabins unusual, their unique beauty and charm make them the perfect addition to your Tennessee trip. Reserve yours today!
When you visit Gatlinburg, you’re definitely never going to be bored. Our mountain town offers fun and excitement around every corner! From museums to live shows to fine dining to fun theme parks, your stay here is guaranteed to be packed with things to do. And while every activity will be something you never forget, it’s the time you spend in the great outdoors that will change the way you look at life. Enjoy thrilling and breathtaking adventures designed to make you feel as if life just couldn’t get any better than it is right now at this moment. This guide to our favorite adventures in the great Gatlinburg outdoors makes your getaway the perfect vacation experience!
Anakeesta, 576 Parkway in Gatlinburg
To be honest, just being outside in Tennessee can be an exciting experience, but when you add in the adventures you can have at this outdoor amusement park, well, you’re never going to want to leave! Offering everything from ziplining to gondola rides and treetop hijinks, Anakeesta (Cherokee word meaning from the balsams) is fun from the moment you walk in the gate until you carry your sleeping children out at the end of the day!
Aventures in the Smokies of the Great Gatlinburg Outdoors, 910 Parkway in Sevierville
As you explore the surrounding towns and villages throughout the Smokies, one unique experience may just catch your eye—a monster truck ride! Most of us never get the chance to see one up close and personal, and if this is your first time, expect to be awed! Everything about Big Jim (yes, they named their truck!) is impressive; from its 66-inch-tall tires and 12-foot-tall silhouette to the bumpy hills and twists and turns the ride takes you on, this experience is really special! And with prices starting at $11 for backseat rides, it’s an affordable adventure you won’t ever forget!
Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls
Not all your adventures in the Gatlinburg outdoors have to be organized ones that cost money; sometimes a simple hike behind a waterfall through an old forest of hemlock will be the most exciting undertaking of all, and the Trillium Gap Trail is the perfect example! Take the Historic Nature Trail into Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the Roaring Fork Nature Trail (stop #5) and prepare for three miles of unsurpassed beauty and thrills. The trail, considered moderate to difficult, actually takes you behind the Grotto Falls, giving you a unique view. Please be sure to bring water and wear the appropriate footwear for safety reasons; this is not a flip flop accessible trail!
Small Adventures with a Large Impact
You don’t always have to leave your Cabin Rental Store vacation escape to experience the great Gatlinburg outdoors to its maximum potential; an evening spent grilling the fish you caught on your morning’s expedition and enjoyed on the deck of your cabin will bring about the sweetest memories. Reserve your stay with us today!