What esle is going on in the area at this time?

This time of year is about more than just holiday lights. There are plenty of winter weather activities to enjoy:

• Ober Ski Resort offers skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating and more. You can spend your days on the slopes then tour the grand light displays after dark. Gatlinburg has its share of beautiful scenery and wildlife, although not as much as in the warmer months as many animals hibernate or migrate during the cold season. As if the festival and the resort aren't enough, the town also boasts lots of fun attractions.

• You can visit the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, which houses an incredible array of underwater life. This aquarium has a ray touch tank and will soon have penguins. You can see ocean fish, Amazon creatures, sharks and much more. Ripley's also has a Believe It or Not Museum and several other museums in downtown Gatlinburg.

• The Winter Parade downtown is something the whole family can enjoy.

• Also during the winter season, you can still enjoy great shopping and dining at the many fine establishments in Gatlinburg.

Gatlinburg Winterfest is a celebration of light, love and the holidays. The displays are put together with such creativity and care that they are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. Kids will love viewing one illuminated display after another, and even adults will marvel at the talent required to make such twinkling masterpieces. With all the winter fun, this is a great time to visit Gatlinburg. Of course the other seasons also have festivals, events and plenty of great things to offer as well. However if you love the holidays, you love skiing or other winter sports and you don't mind the cold weather, winter is a fabulous time to visit this popular vacation destination.