Beat The Summer Heat With A Vacation In The Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Outside the Smokies, record-breaking heat has gripped the US from sea to shining sea, and there is more than a month to go before cooler temperatures will prevail. Even on the hottest days where 100 degree plus temperatures just will not go away, you can still find cool relief and beat the heat in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Just think, there are places in the Smokies are accessible to everyone where you won't ever see temperatures above the 70's, and there are thousands of miles of cool streams and swimming holes within minutes from any vacation cabin rental in the Smoky Mountains.

Don't feel like going for a short drive to cool down? Just sit on the deck with a cool glass of ice tea and look out over the mountains, woods or river right by your cabin. Some of these cabins have swimming pool access too!

What could beat being under the shade of trees on a hiking trail or picnic grounds in the Great Smoky Mountains national park just minutes away or holding a fishing rod in your hand along or in a cool mountain stream? Maybe taking a long lazy tubing trip down the river is the cool mountain fed streams and rivers in the Pigeon Forge - Gatlinburg area, or even a guided white water rafting trip in exciting rapids!

Maybe the water and all that nature is just not your thing to beat the heat and you prefer to walk around a world-class top rated theme park like Dollywood and fell the rush of cool wind on your face on some of the exciting rides or the brand new zip lines in the Dollywood Theme Park. Don't forget the cool drinks, air conditioned restaurants and delicious ice cream all around the park...and yes, there are tamer rides for visitors of all ages all around Dollywood.

As if the Dollywood theme park was not great enough, from August 19th until September 5th, Dollywood is throwing its annual Barbeque and Bluegrass festival, a free concert series featuring the biggest names in bluegrass music such as Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, not to mention the what many call the country's tastiest barbeque. Would you believe they serve three-pound slices cut from a whopping 25-pound apple pie?

Better still, to beat the summer heat, purchase Discount Splash and Play Discount Tickets and you can enjoy both the Dollywood Theme Park AND Dollywood Splash Country - one of the most fun, exciting, clean and safe water parks around the world, and it is right here in the Smokies!

Better hurry up as besides a few blackout dates, Dollywood Splash Country is now open from 10 am to 6 pm until September 5th for the 2011 season. No one sells Dollywood and Splash Country tickets cheaper than American Mountain Rentals, not even Dollywood!

Everything in the Great Smoky Mountains is so green and lush as it is actually a temperate rain forest. There are such an abundance of beautiful plants and animals, some of which are extremely rare and endangered, that the United Nations designated the park as an International Biosphere. For a unique vacation, you can even help maintain some of the 850 miles of hiking trails this August. After clearing brush or moving logs, nothing will be more relaxing than a soak in hot tub under the stars back at your cabins.

One of the most popular large animals in the Great Smoky Mountains is our beloved black bear. In the national park alone, there are and estimated 1,700 black bear and the best places to see them are in Cades Cove and on Cherokee Orchard Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature trail just outside downtown Gatlinburg.

Black bears in the Smokies are a remarkable sight and often during late summer you will see momma bear called a sow with 2 or more cubs. It is important to keep your at least 50 yards from them...it's the law and it is for your and the bears safety. It is also important to not feed them or let them have access to garbage.

There are now 150 elk residing in and around the Great Smoky Mountains national park. During August the bulls antlers will start to lose their velvet covering as their hormone levels rise and by September their mating ritual called "the rut" is in full swing. During the rut, the large bulls make loud calls to one another called bugles. When 2 large bulls meet up they fight mostly ritually to earn as many cows that they gather into harems.

Right now, the momma elks called cows are still nursing their young that were born in May and June. The calves still have their baby spots, but they will gradually fade as their winter coat comes in during the fall. Bring a lawn chair and sit in the shade to watch these majestic animals. Just as with the bear it is important that no matter how docile they may appear, stay at least 150 from the elk.

The best place to see the elk is in Cataloochee North Carolina, about and hour's drive from Gatlinburg Tennessee. Just like the black bear, the first 2 hours after sunrise and before sunset is the best time to see them. As it gets cooler in late September, you may be able to see them all day long.

Speaking of cooler, another way to beat the heat on the Smokies is to zip along on one of the many new zip line attractions in the Smokies. After climbing into your safety harness and putting on a helmet, you are ready to zoom high above the ground and through the trees - what a rush having the wind on your face...Not for the faint of heart!

So many ways to beat the summer heat on the Smokies! Which will you choose?

How to Have a Cheap and yet Great Vacation in the Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains

Everyone wants a cheap vacation in today's economy. In some regions tourism is down by as much as 40%, but here in the Smoky Mountains tourism is actually flourishing and increasing in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee. Why? Because you can have a great vacation in the Smokies at a very cheap price!

How can it be other areas are losing visitors and yet tourists are flocking in droves to the Smokies? No other vacation destination is more convenient and none offers a better value for your hard earned money that the Smoky Mountains do.

The Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Smoky Mountains are a day's drive from the Deep South, the North East United States and even most of the Midwest. Even though the Smokies aren't that far away, there are some ways to improve your gas mileage before and during your road trip to save money on gas.

First of all check your tire pressure and make sure all of your tires are properly inflated. Besides saving on gas, this is a great way to stop premature tire wear and more often than not, air is free. Make sure the spare is properly inflated too!

Next it's a great idea to improve gas millage and reduce engine wear change your motor oil. Better quality synthetic oil saves money on mileage and will let you engine last longer.

If it has been more than 30,000 since your last transmission fluid change it wouldn't hurt to do that too though you won't see as much in mileage savings as an old change or proper tire inflation and transmission is not a cheap part to replace in a car so why not spend a few bucks to save a part that will cost thousands to replace?

Before your road trip to the Smokies, look through the car and trunk and remove anything that doesn't need to be along on the trip. Any extra weight robs gas mileage and when you take a long trip it really adds up. Keep necessary things such as your spare, jack, flashlight and a first aid kit in the car - you want a cheap vacation not a miserable one.

When packing for your trip to the Smoky Mountains really ask yourself, do I need this? Since the better vacation accommodations in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg often have a washer and a dryer for you to use for free, maybe you just don't need to pack that many clothes even for an extended stay. Remember it their electricity and hot water so what not come home with clean clothes?

On the road avoid fast acceleration and having to pass everyone on the road. You are on vacation, take it easy! You want a cheap relaxing vacation! In the mountains avoid using cruise control and accelerate and decelerate gently. Use the roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park when you can, the speeds are low and the elevation gains and drops are less than that of the roads outside the park so you will save money on gas!

In the summer, most new cars get better mileage with the windows rolled up and the AC on. I prefer to keep the windows open to enjoy the fresh Smoky Mountains air so here the luxury of fresh air overrides being cheap by using the AC.

Though packing up car with the whole family instead of flying is a great way to save money, there are cheap flights through Allegiant Air to the Knoxville airport with fares as low as $39 each way if you book your flight far enough in advance. Knoxville is less than an hour away from the Smoky Mountains and there are plenty of cheap car rentals in the Smokies.

Once you arrive in the Smokies on your vacations you will see if it's not hard to have a great time on a very cheap budget. You will never run out of fun Family Friendly indoor and outdoor activities and with as many things there are to do in the Smoky Mountains and more attractions being built every day, there is always something new to do each time you return to vacation on the Smokies.

The biggest attraction in the Smokies that attracts almost 9.5 Million visitors a year won't charge you one cent to enter the park, hike on more than 800 miles of trails, take one of 4 auto tours, visit historic buildings, attend hands on demonstrations or bicycle all around the Great Smoky Mountains national park. For a cheap price on a Smokies vacation nothing beats free and that's what you will pay to enjoy America's favorite national park!

Looking to take the family to one of the top rated theme parks in the country with live performances that will astound you, top notch amusement park rides for kids of all ages including the wooden roller coaster thunderhead which reaches speeds of 55 miles an hour and a 100 foot drop! How fast does a scream move? Found out here in Dollywood where you will have all thrills you could want at the adventure yourself or through the eyes of your children!

In the Dollywood theme park you can watch artisans at work making handicrafts as they did hundreds of years ago here in the Smokies. Like what you see? Well there are almost 40 places where you can buy crafts of Dollywood trinkets for a just little or a lot - there is something for everyone here!

If you get hungry going from ride to ride and who wouldn't get hungry wandering around in a 125 acre park there is plenty of food to enjoy from a huge all you can eat buffet filled with good old southern cooking to real fresh Berries in cream perfect on a hot summers day in more than 30 restaurants and other places to eat in this huge, clean and safe family vacation spot in the Smokies.

Ok so know that you know how to spend money in Dollywood how can you save money? Well first of all if you stay in one of the best cabins or chalets for rent on the Smokies you save money right away because you can buy Dollywood theme park tickets at a deep discount. Besides cheap Dollywood tickets so of the log cabins for rent close to Dollywood are so close you won't have to pay for parking - you can walk there! Save gas, save time, save money on Dollywood tickets - doesn't get better than this!

Here are a few hints to save money at Dollywood besides getting cheap Dollywood tickets: arrive after 3 pm and you get a free ticket to come back the next day. If you want to really save money keep some snacks and drinks in a cooler in your car - you won't even have to walk - there are free shuttles!

Another way to enjoy your vacation in the Smokies is to save by having at least breakfast and some of your snacks at home. One of the biggest time wasters when on vacation is waiting in line to be seated and then for your food and finally your check to arrive.

Even prepackaged breakfast foods that you throw in the microwave in the Cabin you rent with save you lots of money and precious vacation time. And why not pack a lunch for a picnic in the Smoky Mountains national park instead of waiting in line to buy fast food?

Bringing the kids along? Well who wants to be cramped in a hotel room when for about the same price you can have a few bedrooms and TV's, relax in the hot tub and many of the best cabins for rent have Game Rooms or pool tables! How about renting a cabin with FREE swimming pool access in the summer? You can't beat free!

Having a cheap vacation doesn't mean you have to have a bad vacation. In the off season (January through May, if you stay a week or longer there are a bunch of 1 2 and 3 bedroom cabins that you can rent for only $99 a night!

Looking for a discount or an already cheap cabin rental rate? Well there are last minute Discounts, free night offers, and 10 discounts for AAA Members, Kroger card members, AARP members, Active Military Serviceman and women and the latest discounts just added in are for 10% off for members of the Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountains Association. All of these cabin rental discounts are good all year long (except holidays).

Hint: Not a qualified member of any of these organizations? On your way into the Smoky Mountains stop by the visitor center in Sevierville on 66, or the visitor center on Gatlinburg or along the Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and become a member for the park instantly for only $25 (fully tax deductible) and save 10% on your cabin rental. Even with the cheapest rental out there you save money, get a tax break and help the Great Smoky Mountains national park along with the other benefits of being a member!

It won't just be a good vacations - it's a GREAT vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains! Cheap to get to with cabins that are cheap to stay in along with cheap entertainment all around. What a place to take your family on a cheap vacation!

• Cabin Rental Discount in the Smoky Mountains
• Cheap Dollywood Discount Tickets
• Cheap Cabins for rent close to Dollywood
• Cheap Cabins for rent with Game Rooms
• Cheap Cabins for rent with Swimming Pool Access
• $99 a night Cabin Rentals in the off season
• Cheap Cabins in Pigeon Forge Tennessee
• Cheap Cabins in Gatlinburg Tennessee
• Cheap Cabins in Sevierville Tennessee

Free Nights Stay on a Vacation Rental in the Smoky Mountains July - September 2009

Everyone is looking for a bargain on their family summer vacation and in these tough times and who can blame them? Well now someone is doing something about it! American Mountain Rentals the premier Smokies Cabin and Chalet Rental company is offering huge unheard of discounts in the summer and early fall peak vacation rental seasons!

For any new reservations for 3 nights or more on a Smoky Mountains Log cabin or mountain chalet in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg or Sevierville in July, August or even in the fall season in September, you will get at least 1 free nights stay!

• Stay for 3 nights and get the 4th night for Free
• Stay for 4 nights and get the 5th night for Free
• Stay for 5 nights and get the 6th night for Free
• Stay for 6 nights and get the 6th night 1/2 off and you get the 7th night Free

What will you do with your extra free nights stay? Perhaps you want to purchase some discount Dollywood Theme Park tickets or Splash Country Water Park tickets and either make the little ones you take on vacation eyes sparkle in delight or relive your own childhood in America's beloved theme park right in the heart of the Smokies and just minutes from any chalet or cabin rental. Some cabins for rent so close to Dollywood - some are walking distance!

Maybe you will want to spend that extra free day's night stay being lazy along a river in the Great Smoky Mountains national park which just tuned 75 - or take an exhilarating hike up to the 2nd highest mountain peak east of the Mississippi.

Picnicking, auto touring or biking in Cades Cove, hiking on more than 800 miles of stunning trails, fishing for trout in the Smokies creeks, streams and rivers, exploring historical buildings and just enjoying the beautiful scenery at every turn are waiting for you in Americans most visited national park: the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Maybe you just want to be lazy on your free days stay and take the kids and yourself to one of the swimming pools and lounge in the sun and splash and swim in the pool. There are almost 40 beautiful cabins and chalets for rent with free swimming pool access ranging from charming 1 bedroom units on up to a huge 8 bedroom vacation rental lodge that has!

Like your water sports in a natural setting? Spend that extra free day on your Smokies vacation floating down the Little River on a tube just enjoying the green canopy of trees overhead and the cool clear water on the river. Tube rentals and shuttles back and forth all day long are as cheap as $8 a day in Townsend Tennessee - just minutes from any of the cabins for rent in Pigeon Forge.

Want a little more excitement in your water sports on your free days stay in the Smokies? You can go for some world class 4 and 5 white water rapids or if you want try your hand at Kayaking in the Smokies. There are guided white water rafting and Kayaking trips or just bring your own!

Maybe you want to take all that money you saved on your free nights stay in a cabin in the Smokies and go on a shopping spree in one of the many outlet stores in Pigeon Forge such as the Belz Outlet Mall, the Tanger Five Oaks Mall and Tanger Outlet Center or any of the other outlet stores along the Parkway in Pigeon Forge or Sevierville. There are also hundreds of shops in Gatlinburg and of course the Smoky Mountains artist community just outside the city limits of Gatlinburg.

Then again, why all the running around on your free day and nights stay in the Great Smoky Mountains? Stay at your cabin in the Smokies and enjoy the views of the mountains, woods or river, lounge around in the hot tub and after you get out grill up some homemade BBQ and enjoy it outside in the fresh air.

Inside you can relax and watch a movie or shoot a game of pool or even play Foosball as many of the cabins and chalets in the Smokies for rent have a game roomIsn't the whole idea of a vacation in the Smokies to take it easy?

So how great is this exciting free night's stay in a cabin in the Smokies? It's so good that you better act fast as this offer for a free nights stay in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg can be withdrawn without notice and is subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other discounts or special offers.

What are you waiting for? Enjoy the vacation or getaway of a lifetime and get a free nights stay!