Smoky Mountain Getaway

Departure Information:
8:30 AM –      Elite Coach Parking Lot – 1685 W Main St, Ephrata
(please park along the tree line, left of the building, in the back-parking area)
9:15 AM –      Lancaster Shopping Center – 1515 Lititz Pike, Lancaster
(please park in the lot that is along the Oregon Pike side of the old A.C. Moore building)

Return Information:
7:30 PM (Approx.) – Lancaster Shopping Center
8:15 PM (Approx.) – Elite Coach

Itinerary, inclusions, timing, and pricing subject to change without notice. 

Day 2: Monday, November 3

We begin the day with breakfast at our hotel before departing for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Lunch will be at Buc-ee’s where we can do some shopping after lunch.

This afternoon we will self-tour the Titanic Museum Attraction. With over 400 real Titanic artifacts valued at over four-million dollars, the permanent, interactive Titanic experience goes beyond the obvious. Once inside, we will step back in time to 1912 as we explore over 22,000 square feet of educational history. The crew members honor the 2,208 passengers and crew by sharing their stories. Explore twenty dramatically lit galleries, experience 28- degree water, sit in an actual size lifeboat and see the only actual Titanic photos that exist on display.

We will check into the Country Cascades Water Resort, have some time to freshen up, and then head to Dolly Parton’s Stampede Christmas Dinner Show. We will enjoy a four-course meal as the holiday festivities begin. The Stampede arena is magically transformed into a true fantasy land complete with twinkling lights, evergreens, poinsettias, old-fashioned holiday costumes and familiar holiday music.

Day 4: Wednesday, November 5

Following breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head to the Country Tonite Theater and enjoy the Smith Family Variety Show. This show is filled with Southern music and culture. We’ll enjoy their unique brand of music and comedy in the intimate familial style show.

We will have the rest of the afternoon to visit the Old Mill Square where we will enjoy restaurants and specialty shops in Pigeon Forge. Stop in the Old Mill Restaurant or Pottery House Café and Grille for a bite to eat. Pick up some souvenirs at the General Store, Farmhouse Kitchen, Candy Kitchen or Toy Bin. Pigeon River Pottery has over 70 years of tradition in pottery making and is a source for creating time-tested recipes.

This evening, we will celebrate the season with Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas. Explore a winter wonderland adorned with more than 6 million twinkling lights and dozens of towering Christmas trees that add a cheerful shimmer to the rides and attractions. Enjoy a $20.00 meal voucher while in the park for dinner.

Day 6: Friday, November 7

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum.   The museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of the 28^th President of the United States. Situated in Wilson’s birthplace, this historic site offers visitors a comprehensive look at his personal and political life. The museum features exhibit’s that showcase Wilson’s early years, his academic career, and his presidency, including his role in World War I and the establishment of the League of Nations.

While we are in Staunton, we will visit the Sunspots Studio-Glass Blowing. Sunspots is a family-owned and run business.  Doug and Caroline Sheridan moved to Staunton in 1991 and rented a garage bay for their small copper business next door to a glassblower. Soon, Doug learned the skills to combine hand-blown glass and copper for unique designs.  We will have a chance to make our own blown glass ornament to take home with us.

Lunch will be on our own in downtown historic Staunton before heading back to Lancaster County.