After the rush of the holiday season, January slows down considerably. Perhaps this is the time to consider a short getaway to relax and enjoy the slower pace of life. If you didn't get the chance to see some winter lights, do a little skiing, or just want to catch a little ice carving then you can find it in one of the locales below. Have a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the new year!
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
1/4-11 Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights - Fun Time Trolley Station at Patriot Park; (Monday and Friday only) 6:30 P.M., 7:45 P.M., & 9:00 P.M.; $5.00; for more information call 1-800-251-9100 or visit MyPigeonForge.com/trolley.
1/10-13 Winterfest Sectional Bridge Association – Holiday Inn & Convention Center; for more information contact Pete Misslin 423-884-3550.
1/12-19 23rd Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week - Music Road Hotel & Convention Center – Pigeon Forge’s ultimate Smoky Mountain Experience. An eight-day, award winning event filled with classes, lectures, workshops and daily hikes into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For a complete schedule call 1-800-251- 9100 or visit MyPigeonForge.com/wildlife.
1/14-16 The Edge Conference – Grand Resort Hotel & Convention Center; for more information call 865-680-1891.
1/19 3rd Annual Ice Carving Competition - Titanic Museum Attraction - An exciting one-day event attracting world-class professional and amateur carvers competing before a crowd of wonderstruck children and adults alike. For more information call 1-800-381-7670 or visit titanicpigeonforge.com.
1/26 Boy Scout Day - Dixie Stampede – For more information call 865-774-8114 or e-mail denisem@dixiestampede.com.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
1/1-26 Gatlinburg Winter Magic™ Trolley Ride of Lights - Enjoy a guided trolley tour of Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays. Departure is from the Ripley’s Aquarium Trolley Station. Group reservations are available. Trolley leaves at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30. Tickets on sale October 15. (865) 436-0535
1/1-2/28 Gatlinburg Winter Magic™ - The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with dozens of spectacular light displays, featuring all LED bulbs. (800) 568-4748.
North Carolina
Blowing Rock Winterfest. Wine auction, polar plunge in Chetola Lake, kid’s activities, chili cookoff. Jan 24-27. Blowing Rock, N.C. blowingrockwinterfest.com.
01/05 Balsam Range presents the 3rd Annual Winter Concerts at the Colonial. IBMA award winning Balsam Range will perform with John Driskell Hopkins from the Zac Brown Band at the Colonial Theater in Canton at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at the Colonial Theater Box Office Monday-Friday 8am-4pm at 53 Park St. Canton, NC 28716 or call Denise at 828-235-2760.
Ski & Snowboard: Beech Mountain is the highest ski area in eastern USA. Take advantage of great offers January-March. Read more.
Winter Hiking: For the best views of the year, take a winter hike. With leafless trees, cool temperatures, less crowds and frequent bright blue skies, it may become your favorite time of the year to hit the trail. See our hiking guide for our top picks. And don't forget to find some of our spectacular waterfalls, including the roadside Looking Glass Falls. If you want a hike in the snow, head to higher elevations like Roan Mountain (photo on right) or Mt. Mitchell. See photos of rime ice, snow and icy waterfalls.
Virginia
Afton - Jan. 17 - Winter Beer Dinner at Blue Mountain Brewery - Winter Beer Dinner at Blue Mountain Brewery. Multiple courses paired with Blue Mountain craft beers.
Wintergreen - Jan. 25 - Wintergreen Women's Ski Clinic - Women's Ski & Ride clinics, offered on Fridays from mid-January through mid-February, are geared towards women who want to improve their skiing and riding skills, taught by Wintergreen’s PSIA/AASI female instructors.
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