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Parking in Gatlinburg: Prices, Maps and Free Parking Tips
Hi. My name is John and I have a parking problem. Well, it’s not so much a parking problem as it is a competition problem. I like to pull into…
The Dolly Parton Tour Bus: A Look at How Our Appalachian Queen Travels
It was 1987. I was in the 7th grade and our neighbor – a young adult – invited the neighborhood for a cookout. While the adults sat around a fire, I commandeered…
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread: We Tested Two Recipes, This Is the Best One
One of the true delights of going to a theme park is treating yourself to the local, popular dishes. Of course, theme park food is usually not healthy. However, it can…
When Do Lightning Bugs Come Out? (With Map)
Lightning bugs are just about everywhere in the United States. However, they are usually much more difficult to detect in some areas. According to the Smithsonian, males flash when they’re…
Best Rides at Dollywood: Top 10 Rides in the Park Ranked
I grew up with Pigeon Forge, Tenn. in my backyard. As a result, I visited Dollywood nearly every summer and every holiday weekend since childhood. I’ve had the distinct privilege…
Is Gatlinburg Tacky? An Honest Analysis From a Local
I was a teenager when I moved to my adopted home state. And I was full of opinions and inherited attitudes toward mountain people based on stereotypes propagated through the…
8 Best Things To Do in Gatlinburg for Adults
Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains are known for their family-oriented attractions. As such, the majority of entertainment, attractions and dining are designed to include the young or young at…
Best Mexican Restaurants in Pigeon Forge: Our Top 5 Ranked
I was on the road in Phoenix, Arizona for the National Championship between the University of Tennessee and Florida State in January of 1999. From lawns made of rock and…
Lucy of Roaring Fork: The Ghost Story That Will Give You Goosebumps
The year was 1989. At the time, I was an eighth-grader at Bachelor Middle School in Bloomington, Indiana. It was my first year at the school. We’d moved to Bloomington…
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome
If you have heard of the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ve probably heard of Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome. Being the highest point in the most visited national park will grant you…