I've long been impressed with the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area in East Tennessee, and I've often wondered if the region is covered in university courses that are a part of a Hospitality & Entertainment curriculum.

Gatlinburg

The Smoky Mountains region no longer seems like a tourism hotspot to me; it feels more like a tourism machine. Never a week goes by that I'm not seeing something in my various news feeds about something new in either of the aforementioned towns or Sevierville. (I left that one out earlier.)

I make these comments because of something I just learned about Gatlinburg, and it made me think, "There they go again."

Floating Hot Tub Boats

Honestly, is a one-week stay really enough anymore? I'm thinking it's not because of everything there is to do and see in this region. And now that I've discovered floating hot tub boats, I'd have to cross something off my itinerary if it didn't leave any room for something new.

I enjoy a good boat ride, and I enjoy a good hot tub, so this is perfect. The boats are equipped with wood burners to heat the water to 103 or 105 degrees, and those chimneys make them look like miniature tug boats. As a matter of fact, Creekside Hideaway, where you'll enjoy this unique adventure, calls it the Hot Tug Boat Experience.

Creekside Hideaway frames the experience expertly, suggesting that it's the perfect way to relax and unwind after Gatlinburg and the Smokies wear you out from being a tourist all day.

It's an ingenious accompaniment to the already worthwhile Creekside experience.

Gatlinburg has thought of everything. They usually do. Your vacation can now include floating on the water while you're in the water.

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