13 Things to Avoid in Cherokee, NC
When I got back from the Smokies, everyone wanted to know how Gatlinburg was or if I braved Pigeon Forge traffic. The looks I…
No-Hike (or Low Hike) Waterfall Road Trip in the Smoky Mountains
Waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains don’t just appear at random. They’re the product of ancient geology, where layers of hard sandstone and softer shale…
12 Best (Mid-Level) Hikes in the Smokies
With more than 800 miles of trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the choices for mid-level hikes are as expansive as the menu…
9 Alternatives to the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway has an almost mystical pull, with its misty ridges, endless overlooks, and that sense of floating above the world. It’s…
Y’All Fixin’ to Make a Big Mistake Going to the Smokies in the Fall
As someone who’s made the mistake of going to the Smokies in the fall more times than I’ll admit, let me warn you about…
16 Sleepy Towns in the Smokies
It might not seem like the busiest national park in the country would be synonymous with sleepy towns. However, the expansive two-state footprint of…
12 Best (Easy) Hikes in the Smokies
So you want to hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but prefer an easy route. Not every trail in the Smokies has to…
12 Crowd-Less Alternatives to Cades Cove
Great Smoky Mountains National Park wouldn’t feel quite as great without its valleys. They give the rolling peaks and ridgelines a stage to shine….
8 Smoky Mountains North Carolina Towns to Explore
While Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge get a lot of attention in the Smoky Mountains, numerous North Carolina towns are ready for exploration and adventure!…
Add These 15 Under-the-Radar Holiday Events in the Smoky Mountains to Your Itinerary
In the blissful blur of holiday lights and festive celebrations, the Great Smoky Mountains communities rival even the North Pole for holiday spirit. The…
12 Things to Avoid in the Smoky Mountains During the Holidays
Nothing can bring out your inner Grinch in Gatlinburg more than making some of the biggest holiday blunders. We want to help you avoid…
Visiting the Smoky Mountains? Here are 13 things to avoid…
Visiting the Smokies means narrowing down things to do across 5,000 square miles. That’s the size of Connecticut. While we’re happy to give you…
Don’t Fall into the Tourist Trap. Here are the Top Things to AVOID in Gatlinburg Tennessee for an Amazing Smoky Mountains Experience.
While most tourism articles out there tell you about the best things to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, we’re going to talk about what to…
Here’s What You Need to Know About What’s Open (& What’s Not Open) in the Smoky Mountains
Updated January 8, 2025: Should I reschedule my visit to the Smokies after Hurricane Helene? Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains is…
Not Your Typical Scenic Drive: Discovering the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains
Just off the Parkway in Gatlinburg, one of the most unique car experiences in the country awaits. The Roaring Fork Motor Natural Trail is…
The Ultimate Road Trip: Driving the Foothills Parkway
The Foothills Parkway skirts the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Tennessee side, creating one of the most beautiful scenic drives…
A Scenic Adventure Awaits: The ULTIMATE Guide to Exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway reigns as America’s Favorite Drive and the most visited National Park Service site. In 2023, nearly 17 million people rode…
ULTIMATE Guide to Things to Do in Townsend TN | Attractions, Restaurants, & Lodging
Townsend, Tennessee, is the peaceful side of the Smokies and a welcome respite from the lively atmosphere of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. But don’t…
Did You Know There are Caves in Tennessee Near the Smoky Mountains?
With so much to see above ground in the Great Smoky Mountains, you might be surprised to know just how many caves are etched…
All the Way Up: Discover the 10 Highest Peaks in the Smoky Mountains
The highest peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains stand as sentinels, overlooking rolling hills, verdant valleys, and even other peaks from unique perspectives. The…
Discover These 10 Grist Mills in the Smoky Mountains
If you’re tired of the daily grind and want to take your turn exploring the Great Smoky Mountains, it helps to have an itinerary…
Discover Kuwohi: A Window to the Wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains
Anyone can tell you that Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the highest…
Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Here’s the Ultimate Guide.
The signature haze over the Smoky Mountains draws nearly 13 million people to Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year. With lush forests, pristine…
Know Before You Go: Guide to Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park
Spend a few hours at Anakeetsa above Gatlinburg, and suddenly, you become very jealous of birds. From the second you arrive 600 feet higher…
Chill Thrills Await at Pigeon Forge Snow in the Smokies
Pigeon Forge Tennessee averages about 6 inches of snow each year. Yet for the past five years, it has snowed daily. How is that…
How to Tame the Tail of the Dragon: Your Guide to Riding US-129
“The Tail of the Dragon” road in the Smokies is as legendary as the dragon itself. By now, you’ve either heard it’s one of…
Discover the Must-Stop Points of Interest on Newfound Gap Road Trip
Newfound Gap Road is a literal rite of passage through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It threads through the heart of the park, connecting…
13 Restaurants in Pigeon Forge TN You’ll Di(n)e For
Pigeon Forge Tennessee is a feast for the senses in the Great Smoky Mountains. Tucked into the hills and valleys of Eastern Tennessee, this…
Everything You Need to Know About the Synchronous Fireflies Smoky Mountains Event
Who would’ve ever thought people would make reservations to see blinking bugs? Come June, the synchronous fireflies at Great Smoky Mountains National Park bring…
ULTIMATE Guide to Smoky Mountains North Carolina Attractions & Activities
Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans more than half a million acres, and half of those acres are in North Carolina. While Gatlinburg and…