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Smoky Mountain Wanderings

Author: Jennifer Hardy

Franklin, North Carolina at sunset

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!…

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Holiday Hidden Gems

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…

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Avoid Holidays

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…

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Don't miss the breathtaking views along these best Smoky Mountains hiking trails!

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…

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Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA town skyline in the Smoky Mountains.

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…

Read More Don’t Fall into the Tourist Trap. Here are the Top Things to AVOID in Gatlinburg Tennessee for an Amazing Smoky Mountains Experience.Continue

Newfound Gap

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…

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Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

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…

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Foothills Parkway

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…

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Blue Ridge Parkway - North Carolina - Fall Colors in the Smoky Mountains

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…

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Townsend

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…

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Tuckaleechee Cavern, Townsend TN

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…

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Highest Peaks

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…

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Cable Grist Mill-Cades Cove-SS

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…

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Clingmans Dome-SS

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…

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The ridges of the Great Smokey Mountains extending across the valley on the BLue Ridge Parkway near Asheville and Cherokee, North Carolina.

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…

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AnaVista Tower in Gatlinburg

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…

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year-round snow fun at Pigeon Forge Snow

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…

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Tail of the Dragon US-129

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…

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Newfound Gap

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…

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Pigeon Forge

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…

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synchronous fireflies smoky mountain events

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…

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The ridges of the Great Smokey Mountains extending across the valley on the BLue Ridge Parkway near Asheville and Cherokee, North Carolina.

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…

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Aerial View of Cherokee, North Carolina

ULTIMATE Guide to Things to Do in Cherokee NC

Considering a Smoky Mountains getaway? You’ll find plenty of things to do in Cherokee NC! Cherokee, North Carolina, sits at the south entrance to…

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map of hidden gems in the Smoky Mountains

8 Hidden Gems in the Smoky Mountains Only Locals Know About

Forget the crowded overlooks and bustling Gatlinburg streets. The Smoky Mountains hold secret Hidden Gems – verdant valleys shrouded in mist, forgotten waterfalls off…

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View from the trail to the summit of Whiteside Mountain near Highlands and Cashiers in North Carolina

Discover Nantahala National Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Immerse yourself in the emerald embrace of the Nantahala National Forest, a sprawling section of the Blue Ridge Mountains filled with waterfalls, ancient trees,…

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Turtleback Falls at sunrise in Gorges State Park

Guide to Visiting Gorges State Park | Activities, Restaurants, & Lodging

Gorges State Park in Transylvania County of North Carolina is the “Land of Waterfalls” with 26 cascades in the park and dozens more nearby….

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SM Dinner Shows

11 Best Smoky Mountain Dinner Shows in Pigeon Forge

When the sun goes down over the Great Smoky Mountains, the city of Pigeon Forge lights up. Whether you have an appetite for a…

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Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Book an Unforgettable Railway Experience on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a wonderous place that’s perfect for having one-of-a-kind adventures. But across the national park from Gatlinburg awaits adventures…

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Pigeon Forge

ULTIMATE Guide to Things to Do in Pigeon Forge TN | Attractions, Restaurants, & Lodging

Do you want to visit the Great Smoky Mountains? Whether you’re planning a trip for the first time or looking for the newest things…

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Sevierville Tennessee

ULTIMATE Guide to Things to Do in Sevierville Tennessee | Attractions, Restaurants, & Lodging

Sevierville Tennessee is known as the “Gateway to the Smokies.” While often overshadowed by nearby Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, the city makes a worthy…

Read More ULTIMATE Guide to Things to Do in Sevierville Tennessee | Attractions, Restaurants, & LodgingContinue

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  • Home
  • Things to Do
    • Events and Festivals
    • Fall Colors
    • Outdoor Things to Do
    • Restaurants
  • Areas
    • Smoky Mountains Overall
    • Tennessee Smoky Mountains
    • Gatlinburg
    • Pigeon Forge
    • North Carolina Smoky Mountains
  • Best Of
    • Fall Colors Guide
    • Couples Adventures
    • Places to See Fall Colors
    • Gatlinburg for Adults
    • Best Time to Visit
    • Horseback Riding
    • Moonshine Tastings & Tours
  • Contact
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