Among the nicest spots within the United States to explore during spring is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. If you have never visited the Smokey Mountains, this can be the ideal family vacation time, and you can tally it with SpringFest: a three month program of entertainment and enjoyment, combined with a magnificent environmental backdrop.

Around spring time, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has recovered from the cold, giving way to the blossoming of flowers in the half-million acres of cascading hills, rivers, and SpringFest spilling into the streets. The misty blue peaks of the Smokies jog this artsy town.

One of the greatest places to check out is the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, a hip, roomy studio and gallery in the center of Gatlinburg. It's buzzing with crafty people at work all day, offering the opportunity to observe the construction of various art forms.

Of course, there the Smokies... and it seems like a lot of people get distracted along the way with other amusements. You have heritage points throughout the Parkway, not to mention museums, a haunted house, plus an aquarium containing a shark lagoon, through which you can walk.

Hungry? It's possible to satisfy your hunger appetite with anything from sushi to pork, to vegetable and tropical fruit fajitas. Plus, there is a wonderful variety of pancakes houses selling different flavors and fusions, you'll stuff yourself until you can't eat anymore. Thirsty? Margaritas pitchers are tumbling on all the restaurants in the area.

You'll consider over-indulging in pancakes worth it when you're ready to trail over 800 miles across the Great Smoky Mountains Nation Regional Park and just as many waterfalls. A hike like this will take you through the natural habitat of 31 species of amphibians slivering around the Smokies, along with other critters. Or for those who favor rafting, you can river-raft one of the 70 rapids that expanse over Big Pigeon River - it can be a fun 2 hour tumbling trip in which you won't be able to stay dry even if you keep paddling and maintain your center of gravity. This will probably stimulate your cravings for something sweet. Gatlinburg has some of the best cafes in Tennessee - they dish up from tasty pies filled with coconut to chocolate cheesecakes, all freshly prepared, with traditionally prepared lemonade.

It's simple to get to Gatlinburg! The Knoxville airport is about an hour in distance from Gatlinburg, and it's inexpensive to hire a vehicle; you'll need one to get around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In Gatilnburg, most of the lodgings are along River Road, and they offer plenty of room for big families.