Sometimes, it seems like a challenge to keep certain holidays hinged upon their original meanings, and stresses of everyday life keep us “too busy” to relish those special times. What if you could escape with your whole family to a serenely peaceful place where you could, both intimately and with fellow believers, celebrate the beautiful holiday of Easter?
Experience the reawakening of nature in the breathtaking scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains during springtime with the Easter Sunrise Service atop Mt. Harrison at Ober Gatlinburg. Host your own special Easter dinner on Saturday evening with a fully-loaded kitchen and charming dining space in your Pigeon Forge cabin before celebrating the resurrection on Sunday. Or you can let the kids hunt for Easter eggs and enjoy brunch with the Easter Bunny! There are plenty of ways to celebrate Easter in Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains!
Sunrise Service at the peak of Mt. Harrison
The true beauty of a sunrise peeking over the mountain skyline uninterrupted by tall city buildings is sure to not only stir your heart, but also ignite your soul during this special time. Led by pastors from the Gatlinburg Ministerial Association, the special sunrise service at Ober Gatlinburg is about 30 to 40 minutes of worship, including an Easter sermon.
Take the free Ober sky tram from the parking lot in downtown Gatlinburg! The tram begins transporting service attendees as early as 5:45 a.m. until the service starts at 6:30 a.m. Slowly scale the mountain in the sky tram with serene morning views of the city of Gatlinburg. Not too keen on heights? Complimentary parking is provided on-site at Ober Gatlinburg for you to park your personal vehicle at the top of the mountain.
Facing the eastern skyline, join in worship as the service begins at 6:30 a.m. with other believers in celebration of Christ’s resurrection on the third day just as the sun rises over the mountains in a truly incredible display of yellows, pinks, and reds meeting the deep blues of the night sky turned to day. With such incredible views and heart-touching sermons from the Gatlinburg Ministerial Association, it will surely be an Easter event to stir your heart and stay in your family’s memories for years to come.
Easter Craft Show
You are up early and the service is over, but the Easter festivities continue in downtown Gatlinburg! The Gateway City to the Smoky Mountains is home to the country’s largest and oldest nationally recognized artisans community, the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community! This community, at the end of March every year, hosts a huge (and free!) Easter Arts and Crafts Show! Tour aisles and aisles of hand-crafted authentic Smoky Mountain work along with live demonstrations by the artists. Since the event is free, why not support this unique American community and bring home an Easter gift, souvenir, or décor to commemorate this year’s special Easter celebration?!
Easter Cabin Fun
After returning to your Pigeon Forge cabin from the fun and festivities of downtown Gatlinburg keep the cheer and celebrations going with your little ones with special activities in the cabin! Using the eggs you decorated or stuffed with candy on Friday and Saturday, host your own Easter egg hunt inside the cabin. If your cabin has a yard or an outdoor area, let them explore with mom or dad outside while you prepare a delicious Easter lunch. On the living room’s large flatscreen TV, host a special Easter Sunday screening of Hop (2011), Veggie Tale’s An Easter Carol, or It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown complete with cuddling in front of the fire and popcorn! Get the kids into the Easter spirit with stories from the Bible or fun Easter Bunny books, and then put together crafts around the dining room table to complement what they learned.
More Heart-stirring Moments
Want even more majestic natural scenery in the spirit of life and rebirth? There are breathtaking helicopter tours for every budget! While visiting the Smokies, take advantage of all the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. Take in the sights while hiking any of the hundreds of trails woven through the mountain forestry! Bring your little ones to the paved trail of Laurel Falls for a special view of an 80-foot waterfall cascading down the mountainside. There is another 80-foot waterfall in the Smokies, but not where you would have guessed: underground in the Forbidden Caverns!
With incredible views of nature and heart-warming Easter events, bring your family to the Smokies for a truly memorable Easter this year!
