The Hayloft shoe store in The Village - Gatlinburg, TN

If you are looking for something on the little un-ordinary side shoe wise then you should really take a trip to the Hayloft while you are in Gatlinburg. We went down in search of the Virbam five finger shoes just a few days ago. We have been a huge fan of the Vibrams since we first saw them last year and after shopping all over the internet and our local stores we discovered that the best prices and selection were at the Hayloft just up the road. What a pleasant surprise for us that was especially since our daughter is growing and needs a larger pair almost every other month. The best part about the Hayloft is their service, you don’t get a lot of personal care these days when you’re shopping for shoes. They know if you are shopping at the Hayloft that you are searching for a perfect fit and in most cases that you are on a vacation, they want to make sure that you feel comfortable both with your purchase that your fit.

Once you have selected the shoe you want to try on, they measure your fit and they also make sure that you understand their reasoning behind the fit. A lot of people these days seem to want smaller feet than they really have, and as you can imagine the wrong size shoe can prove disastrous once you have left town and the store is no longer in walking distance. I was particularly happy they took the time to make sure I was making the correct choice when choosing both my own and my daughters Vibrams. These are certainly shoes that can be either an awesome choice for any outdoors enthusiast or a total disaster on catastrophic levels. We are very intense hikers and when you start up the side of a mountain a very snug fitting shoe like the Vibram five finger can either be an asset or a danger. They really give me a lot of grip on the stones and allow for a firm hold when you’re climbing on stones or across creeks. Since the shoes do go from wet to dry land, if the fit is off you are in big trouble.

Blisters on a hike can cause a person to limp back to their car in pain and agony, and as well know it is hard enough to get the average child motivated these days so them being in pain while on a hike is never good. That is why I am so happy with the folks at the Hayloft, they know my daughter very well and even call her by name when we visit. They never fail to measure her foot when we go to look for a new pair of shoes, they know how important any type of hiking equipment can be. I have bought many shoes at other larger name stores over the years and the experience was never the same, it was always very impersonal. We have had people measure for a size before, but we know it is important that they also give our daughter room to grow and amazingly so do they. They care and that makes the difference, not just in the store but on a hike too. As I walked up the side of the mountain this week I reflected back to our day in the Hayloft, and the fact that if it weren’t for the care they took our hike would have been far less enjoyable. The shoes my daughter had first chose would have been too small and here she stood, precariously balanced on a stone in the middle of the creek at Greenbriar with perfect balance because she had the perfect fit.

That is why I am grateful for the small town atmosphere that we have here in Gatlinburg, I am grateful that we don’t have the larger “convenience stores” in our area that would never have taken the time to tell me that shoe would be too small once it started to move on my daughter’s foot. I guess knowing that your shop is so small can create a larger sense of pride on ones work that can’t be replaced by a larger selection or sometimes even better prices. Since they don’t have the large amount of returns or complaints at the Hayloft, they are able to offer competitive pricing and I found that their deals on Vibram are actually better than what I found on ebay. And had they not been so picky when I was purchasing my shoes, or my daughter’s shoes I would have more than likely purchased my first and last pair of Vibrams on the first purchase and never bought another pair after that. They are a very particular fit and anyone who has ever bought a pair will tell you that they love or hate them. That is when you know if they bought them at the Hayloft or not. As you will find, you may not know your size when it comes to all shoes and even with a very fine shoe the fit can make or break the owner. That is why when I purchase anything I try to shop locally, I know they will take the time and care to ensure the best fit.

The Donut Friar in Gatlinburg, TN. where donuts are cooked fresh daily.

If you walk through the narrow path in the village that leads around to the backside of the main water fountain you will inevitably stumble onto one of our very favorite places in Gatlinburg. You may not see it as fast as you will smell the

Cinnamon Twists made fresh daily at the Donut Friar in Gatlinburg TN.

fragrant aroma of the luscious donuts cooking every morning and afternoon. They offer a wide array of donuts and they don’t have the same commercialized taste that you might find at a grocery store or large donut chain, they have a very down to earth home cooked taste that would remind anyone of grandma’s house with the very first bite.

The green farm style half door is always open, allowing you to see just enough to realize what is inside looks as good as it smells. If you love the taste of a fresh glazed cake style donut, or if your favorite is a white powdered sugar covered donut with raspberry filling you are in luck because they are made fresh right in the donut Friar kitchen daily. We have always treasured Fridays because these are the days that they make their famous chocolate, glazed crullers that are tasty enough to break even the strongest  of diet will powers. If you can’t wait until Friday you can special order them any day of the week and they will have them ready for you either that afternoon or first thing in the morning.

A freshly brewed cut of coffee or hot chocolate is always brewing and the perfect side kick for any type of donut you might choose, and if donut’s aren’t your thing they also have cookies and muffins baked fresh daily that are also available at the Donut Friar. You can relax at one of the small tables downstairs or venture to their second floor and sit down and enjoy your snack with a book or the newspaper. It makes for a wonderful escape from

You order of fresh donuts, made fresh daily at the Donut Friar, located in the Village in Gatlinburg, TN. Go pick up a batch today!

the cold or warm weather and I can promise once you have visited the Donut Friar you will keep coming back time and again.

It is the small nooks and uniquely rounded places like the Donut Friar that give Gatlinburg its charm and keeps people coming back year after year. So if you happen upon the Donut Friar and the line is long, just sit outside by the fountain or journey around to a few other shops if you like, but make sure you come back because they are definitely well worth the wait!

Ghost Haunt and Tours - Gatlinburg, TN. orbs outside one of the churches in downtown Gatlinburg

If you are looking for an evening full of adventure and fun then you should definitely check out the Ghost Haunt and Tour while you are in Gatlinburg! It is one of the only tours I have ever heard of that actually guaranteed that if you brought a digital or video

Orbs caught on digital camera while on the Ghost Haunts and Tour of Gatlinburg, they do request that all guest of the tour are respectful of the cemetery and do not disturb or desecrate the graves in any way.

camcorder on the tour you would see evidence of  some type of paranormal event. The reason they can say this is because they have done the research to back up the tour, they know the area history and the tragic events that have occurred that might cause a spirit to be trapped in our realm. Because of this you will find that the tour guide doesn’t have a need to wear a costume or put on a spooky voice while telling their tales. The facts back up the haunts and when you trace the facts it is inevitable that you will come across one or two paranormal events, it’s just as simple as that.

The tour takes approximately 90 minutes and anyone is welcome to join, strollers and wheelchairs are often seen on the tours. The guide leads each tour at a leisurely pace through the different areas of downtown Gatlinburg, and tells the tragic tales and events

Orbs captured while on the tour with Ghost Haunts and Tours of Gatlinburg, one of the many paranormal events you will experience throughout the tour.

that have taken place at each documented haunt. They encourage the use of digital and video cameras along the way so that you can capture and share the experience with friends and family. Each tour has around ten stories, half of the stories are history and the other half will consist of tall tales and legends.

The tour leads you to the Gatlinburg White Oaks Flat Cemetery which has been named in the National Historic Registry. There you will be able to capture many images of orbs, there also have been sightings of a white apparition and even a dark apparition. I can tell you from past experience that you can not walk away from the cemetery in the evening without at least one hair raising experience. Many guests of the tour have captured images of orbs and EVP recordings of voices all along the tour, they have often shared these experiences on the Ghost Haunt and Tours of Gatlinburg Facebook

Orbs caught near a historic home in downtown by a guest of the Ghost Haunt and Tours of Gatlinburg.

page www.facebook.com/pages/Ghost-and-Haunt-Tours-of-Gatlinburg . You can visit their pages and find many different examples of what to expect should you take this exciting tour.

The tours run from March 1st through October 31st, reservations are required and you can make them both via phone (865).366.5834 and online www.GatlinburgGhosts.com there is a slight discount if you book your tour online. There must be at least six adults in your group in order to book a tour, there is a group rate for groups of 20 and above. The tours generally depart at 9:00 PM nightly from the Smoky Mountain Resort on The Historic Nature Trail, adult tickets are just $18.00 and children are just $10.00 (children are classified as 8-14 years of age) children ages 7 and under are free of charge. Make sure and book your tour early because they do tend to book up fairly early. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome, it is an easy and leisurely walk for everyone.

Directions to the tour: go to light #8 in Gatlinburg and turn onto the Historic Nature trail. Travel 2/10ths of a mile and pull into the parking lot of the Holiday Inn Smoky Mountain Resort (located on the right side of the street – 404 Historic Nature Trail). Park in the lot for FREE, please go into the lobby and see the guide for a parking pass – if guide is not there yet you can get a pass from the front desk and place it on the dashboard so that it is visiable. Vehicles do need to be gone by midnight. If the lot is full go to the back of it and there are lower levels below ground to park in, proceed to the lobby for check in.

Ripley's Believe it or Not, in Gatlinburg TN has many interesting and odd collections that people of all ages would enjoy.

Have you ever seen a two headed cow? Or maybe a shrunken head? No? Well lucky for you Gatlinburg Tennessee has them! No this isn’t a freak town, and we don’t have nuclear mutations, but we do have Ripley’s Believe It Or Not of Gatlinburg. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not has everything weird and freaky, you’ll leave with more questions than you will ever find answers for.

All of the display’s at the exhibit are of either real people, animals, or objects, no matter how impossible they seem. The wonderful thing about Ripley’s is that everything has an explanation of what exactly it is, where it came from, and why it’s so freaky. No one can possibly explain what sits beyond the entrance of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, not because it’s not really, its real alright. But one can not fathom the insanity that it truly has to offer, you just have to experience the shock yourself!

The fun doesn’t end there though! Gatlinburg has plenty of Ripley sights to see! For every age, and taste! There is the Ripley Aquarium, Ripley’s Mirror Maze, Ripley’s Super Fun Zone, Ripley’s  Mini Golf’s, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, and more!

Ripley's Believe it or Not, in Gatlinburg TN has many interesting and odd collections that people of all ages would enjoy.

I guarantee you’ll love it! Ripley’s offers more fun and excitement for the whole family than you can imagine!

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not is located in downtown Gatlinburg, the large building is as weird and what it holds, it looks as if it is breaking apart. You can’t miss it! You’ll know you’re there when you walk up to the large marble rolling ball water fountain. Enjoy!

Hollywood Star Cars, a very interesting peak into how Hollywood Stars live and the cars used in movies or on TV

If you have ever dreamed of owning your own spy car, or sitting in the same seat that maybe someone like Elvis then you really need to make a visit to Hollywood Star Cars in Gatlinburg, TN. The first time I ever had the pleasure of touring this multi floor museum I was in awe of all the different realms of stardom the collection they have covers. Right as you first walk in you can’t help but be blown away by the Batmobile, not just any old bat car; but the original Batmobile. Herbie the Bug is also there and he even has blinking headlights just like on the show!

You can touch the cars and have your picture made with them, you can even sit inside some of them! The cars range from the Munster’s Dragula, The Beverly Hillbillies Truck (which we found to be very apopro considering the origins of the show), to the Bond BMW that is equipped with every gadget that any normal BMW would not typically come standard with such as heat seeking missiles in just case the random evil guy pulls out in front of you.

It may seem a little kitschy at first, however you can’t fight the star power of all the cars they have for your to explore. They all have awesome history and we won’t ruin the tour by telling you about each individual car that is inside, lets just say that you won’t be disappointed by what you find at Hollywood Star Cars in Gatlinburg and there will definitely be a car for every persons taste in your group. From small child to elderly adult, everyone will enjoy the tour and leave your groups both large and small with plenty of memorable photo ops that will create lasting memories of your trip to Gatlinburg.

There are 19 different flavors of fudge at the Fudgery, in Gatlinburg TN.

When you walk into the Fudgery you are offered a free sample of any of their incredible fudges, which can be a difficult decision between over a dozen different fudges from Extraordinary Chocolate, to Maple Nut, even Cookies ‘N’ Cream. After you have entertained your taste buds, you are in for a show!

The candy makers at the Gatlinburg Fudgery put on a one of a kind Fudge show just for you! As they make a fresh batch of fudge on the marble slabs just as it has been done since 1979, the candy maker announces the fudge show by ringing a bell and gathering the audience. You can then watch as the  candy maker put on a show by singing songs about fudge and performing the famous “chocolate rainbow” by smacking the fudge with the paddle used to turn it and then pulling it up quickly. Watching the fudge be made right before your eyes is exciting, but not as exciting as tasting it! The Fudgery’s fudge taste so incredible it will definitely hit the spot!

Not only does The Fudgery have fantastic quality, and great service, but it has great deals too! Each of the Fudgery’s half pound slices is only $7.99 but that not even the best! If you buy three slices you get the fourth free, four slices and you get two free slices, and for all those with that un-controlable sweet tooth purchasing ten slices gets you a free candy maker! Now that’s a deal!

Fudgery candy maker mixing the fudge in the kettle at the Fudgery in Gatlinburg, TN

The Fudgery of Gatlinburg is located on the main strip in downtown Gatlinburg right by the entrance to the village and beside Totes. The best way to find your way to the fudgery is just to listen for the sound of candy maker voices offering “fresh fudge, free samples!”.

Other Fudgery treats at the Fudgery of Gatlinburg, TN

The fireworks at the Spaceneedle in Gatlinburg TN will be set off around 11pm and will go on until the ball drops at midnight.

If you are planning to be in Gatlinburg on New Years Eve then be prepared for lots of excitement, good food, and tons of fireworks! The best place you could be at our opinion, is on one of the roof top buildings where you will find tables and chairs. Red Rocket, Dicks, Loco Burro, or  Mellow Mushroom are all excellent choices to find seats just before 11pm which is when the excitement will truly begin.

You may even want to plan on placing a chair along the edges of the sidewalk early in the morning, and some go as far as places these chairs there the evening before because it is that hard to find a seat along the road. The fireworks will be set off at the Space Needle where the ball will also drop at midnight.

There will be live entertainment all over town throughout the evening and many places will also be serving food and alcohol, so you may want to choose wisely where you decide to spend the evening. We have attended more that one event at the Ripley’s Aquarium New Years Event and it was outstanding. They had live music, food, drinks, games throughout the evening and even a place to take the kids for their own private entertainment while the adults can mingle all through the Aquarium.

We can’t stress enough how important it is to drive safely on this holiday night, there are several taxi services in the area that can take you to your destination so please be a safe and responsible driver. We hope you have an excellent evening and can avoid the traffic as much as possible. 

Life According to Jake, The Village in Gatlinburg, TN.

If you follow the trail around the water fountain in The Village in Gatlinburg you will find some really amazing shops. One of our favorites is called Life According to Jake, it isn’t just because of their prices that we love this shop. We love the calm and relaxing atmosphere and we love the fact that they are also animal lovers! They have everything in the shop from cups for hiking to toys for your puppy, we especially love the sticker selection they have since we love to decorate our rear windows with every hobby we take part in;-). Life According

Mugs and accessories at Life According to Jake in Gatlinburg, TN

to Jake is a very surprising breath of fresh artistic air, since they are not filled with every type of tourist trap type of paraphernalia. They have things you can actually use once your are back home, or for that matter they have things you can use while your on vacation like pj’s or back packs to carry everything you bought while your on your trip back home.

It’s very easy to find Life According to Jake, just follow the path to the right around the water fountain in the center of The Village. If you follow it all the way around and turn down the pathway on the right you will immediately see the entrance to Life According to Jake on the left. The sign outside the entrance is unmistakable and so are the unique items you will find inside. My daughter and I have traditionally bought toys for our dogs there and we also got her cute pink water bottle for school at the shop last year.

One of my favorite early morning coffee mugs also came from Life According to Jake and I can say that I truly enjoy the feel of my very favorite mug every morning. If you are looking for a gift to bring to family or friends that will make them think of you every time they use it, I highly suggest you buy one of these to take home with you. It is an easy reminder of a truly laid back time and lifestyle that I am sure your friends or family members will enjoy and think of you with every use. I can’t say enough about their colorful mugs either, I know they have saved me a thousand times from spills in my car.

Life According to Jake is pretty laid back in Gatlinburg TN.

My daughter and her friends really love the knit animal hats they have in the shop and these seem to also be all the rage right now with the kids and adults alike. You can find all types of quirky gifts that you or friends and family will actually treasure after the trip to Gatlinburg is over. All the prices are very reasonable and not at all over inflated so anything you decide to purchase will fit nicely into anyone’s budget. I can’t begin to tell you how many times we have come to downtown and underestimated how chilly the mountain winds can be, the hats and gloves at Life According to Jake fit my budget and they are always very colorful so my nine-year old daughter or her friends always love them even when there were last-minute purchases. My teenage sons have their rooms covered in Life According to Jake wall hangings, they think it is just too cool to dress our little dogs in the ear muffs and scarf

Stickers at Life According to Jake in Gatlinburg, TN.

like the wall hangings in the shop. I am not really sure when Sinjin got his first wall hanging from Life According to Jake, but I am very certain that when he decides to look for another one he will got to our little shop in The Village here in Gatlinburg.

I myself am crazy about the stickers, you will find all kinds of them on the back window of my car, and I love to give them to my kids. It makes it very easy to identify my car when I am parked in massive parking lots and I get to dress my otherwise boring rear window with all the colors of the Life According the Jake rainbow and show how much I love my own little dogs at the same time. We love this shop so much and the prices are so awesome that it has made our top ten list, we hope that when you come to Gatlinburg you will visit Lie According to Jake and take something memorable home with you from your trip. It is sure to be a fun experience with plenty of ambience since it is located in The Village.

There is a less known entrance to the Village in the rear of the shops, if you turn at the light at the corner where Subway is onto Cherokee Orchard Rd. you can park at Pi Beta Phi for a nominal fee, or you can park at the parking lot just behind The Village. The sidewalk leads straight into the back

Life According to Jake in The Village in Gatlinburg, TN.

side of The Village and if you follow the brick path back toward the big fountain just past the Doughnut Friar and turn to the left you will find Life According to Jake down the walkway on the left.

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