| One of the best (and busiest!) times to visit | | | | |
| the Great Smoky Mountains is during the month | | | | In addition, fall is the perfect time to |
| of October - the peak season for fall foliage | | | | drive through the 8-5-mile loop that |
| when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park | | | | comprises the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts |
| comes alive with a brilliant blaze of red, | | | | Community, which contains numerous studios, |
| orange and yellow leaves, as well as fresh, | | | | shops and galleries. Founded in 1937, the |
| crisp mountain air. Some of the best fall | | | | Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community has |
| colors can be viewed along Newfound Gap Road, | | | | evolved into the country's largest |
| the scenic 32-mile stretch of U.S. 441 that | | | | organization of independent artisans. |
| winds the the Great Smoky Mountains National | | | | Mountain crafts that can be purchased here |
| Park from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, | | | | include woodcarving, pottery, quilting, |
| North Carolina. | | | | painting, weaving, candlemaking, broommaking |
| | | | and more. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts |
| An abundance of festivals and special events | | | | Community lies just 3 miles from downtown |
| also take place throughout the Smokies during | | | | Gatlinburg on U.S. 321 North. |
| the autumn months. For example, the Smoky | | | | |
| Mountain Harvest Festival, which runs until | | | | The fall traveler can choose from either |
| October 31, 2007, features live | | | | resorts, hotels and motels convenient to |
| entertainment, old-fashioned hayrides, local | | | | downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, or |
| crafts and more. Dollywood's National Gospel | | | | rustic cabins and chalets nestled in the |
| & Harvest Celebration, which takes place from | | | | Great Smoky Mountains. Most cabins provide |
| October 5 to November 3, 2007, offers the | | | | spectacular views, along with such amenities |
| best in Southern gospel music, along with the | | | | as bubbling hot tubs, fully equipped |
| talents of more than 100 craftspeople. Named | | | | kitchens, vaulted ceilings, outdoor decks and |
| as one of the "Top 20 Events in the | | | | wood-burning fireplaces. |
| Southeastern United States" by the Southeast | | | | |
| Tourism Society, the 32nd-annual Gatlinburg | | | | "With great weather, colorful foliage, a |
| Craftsmen's Fair (October 11-28, 2007) boasts | | | | multitude of lively festivals and a diversity |
| over 200 talented artists and craftspeople in | | | | of accommodation choices, the Great Smoky |
| the areas of pottery, woodworking, | | | | Mountains provide the perfect fall vacation |
| broommaking, stained glass, basketmaking and | | | | destination," said Kyle Collins, Director of |
| more. Old-fashioned Hayrides depart | | | | Interactive Marketing for "And by purchasing |
| approximately every 45 minutes from the | | | | discount vacation packages, hotels and |
| Mountain Mall at Traffic Light #6 in downtown | | | | attraction tickets online, you and you family |
| Gatlinburg Sunday through Thursday from 5 PM | | | | can enjoy substantial savings on your fall |
| to 9 PM until December 1, 2007. | | | | getaway to the Smokies. |