The essential guide to winter in the Smokies

No trip to the Smokies is complete without stopping to see a show. The Smoky Mountain Opry puts on a Christmas show that's guaranteed to entertain the whole family. It promises live animals, living toys, flying sugar plum fairies, and, of course, the big man in red himself: Santa! All of the shows are super high quality-- from the costumes to the lights and sound to the talent-- and the Christmas show is the perfect way to get yourself in the holiday spirit. Of course, the Smoky Mountain Opry show during the rest of the year is just as fun, but who doesn't love a feel-good Christmas extravaganza?

There's no better way to experience country living vibes than with a stay at The Lodge at Five Oaks. This farmhouse-themed hotel boasts warm, spacious rooms, with rustic details like hickory wood furniture. But, of course, you'll get all of the modern amenities you expect from a hotel: wifi, TV, the works. Add in a free continental breakfast, fire pits and other bonuses, and it's an all-around awesome option for families and solo travelers alike. And the best part is, it's a brand new hotel, so you can expect everything to be updated.

It's no surprise that the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is adorably quirky, but few are prepared for the utterly overwhelming size of the collection. The museum has about 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers from across the globe... and that's not even counting the impressive pepper mill collection. You can spend a surprisingly long time here, checking out the kitschy shaker sets. And, of course, you can't leave without buying a new salt and pepper shaker set for yourself! Plus, it's only $3 for admission, which is pretty darn reasonable.

Get a taste for the local flavor with a stop at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery. Tennessee and moonshine are totally synonymous, and you won't find a better experience dipping your toes into riding the white lightning than at Ole Smoky. Tour their distilling operating, learn how moonshine is made, and get some fascinating background on how the potent potable rose to prominence in the Smoky Mountain region. You'll get to sample a variety of Ole Smoky's offerings, and you're bound to find a flavor that tickles your fancy.

Gain a new sense of appreciation for the role the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has played in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area while enjoying a delicious meal at the Park Grill. Dedicated to the rich Native American and Appalachian history of the region and the park's past, the Park Grill has a totally unique vibe. From the menu-- which incorporates local flavor into its hearty dishes like Moonshine Calamari, Jack Daniels Creme Brulee, barbecue, and local rainbow trout-- to the décor-- which prominently features the work of local artists who draw inspiration from the mountains-- this place is as authentic as they come. After your meal, take a moment to admire the wind sculptures by Lyman Whitaker outside!

The ultimate winter must-do in Gatlinburg is Ober Gatlinburg, the area's premier winter sports mountain. Starting in November, skiing, snow tubing, snow boarding, ice skating, and more are available at Ober Gatlinburg. If you're a beginner on the slopes, they rent all kinds of gear and offer tons of lessons. Or, if you prefer, rushing down the mountain on a snow tube is just as exciting, and requires zero lessons! Ober even has a Cubbies Snow Zone, where smaller kids can simply play in the snow. And, if you get too cold or tired, there are restaurants and shops where you can warm up before hitting the slopes again.