Our Blog
Check out these trending topics, area news, editorials & reviews in the Smokies
Disney Buys Ghost Town in the Sky, Unveils Plans for Massive New Theme Park
Disney set to expand their empire to the mountains of North Carolina at former Ghost Town location The theme park competition in the Smoky Mountains is about to get very…
Surprising Things You Should Know Before Hiking Kuwohi
What you should know before your hike to Kuwohi, from a local Since Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) has a paved trail, many people think it’s an easy trail. But my…
Is There an Underground City that Lies Beneath Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains?
While there are plenty of hidden caves and caverns in the Smoky Mountains, none have thus far produced an underground city As someone who has lived on the edge of…
Is It Expensive To Live in Gatlinburg? An Area Resident’s Take
Gatlinburg captures the hearts and minds of millions of visitors every year. Many folks dream of moving to the Smoky Mountains, thinking it will be the breath of fresh air…
There’s an Abandoned Tourist Cave Hidden Beneath the Smoky Mountains
Take a look at this little-known hidden cave located in the Cades Cove area of the Smoky Mountains As someone who grew up in the region, I’ve been in caves…
Here’s What You Should Try at Gatlinburg’s Famous Pancake Pantry
Local reviews Gatlinburg’s first pancake eatery In 1960, a pair of tourists from Indiana decided to bet their futures on a specialty pancake restaurant in the heart of the Smoky…
This is How the Cades Cove Got Its Name in the Smoky Mountains
It is believed that Cades Cove is named after a real-life historical figure I can remember taking an elementary school field trip to Cades Cove back in the late 1900s….
Is It Safe to Hike in Gatlinburg? Advice From a Local
A local talks about how to safely hike in and around Gatlinburg and recommends three of his favorite trails I’ve never had a safety issue and I’ve been around the…
3 Tourist Traps in the Smoky Mountains You Should Probably Avoid
These are the biggest tourist traps in the Smoky Mountains, according to a local We certainly didn’t invent the tourist trap here in the Smoky Mountains. But we’ve dang sure…
I’ve Hiked Dozens of Trails in the Smoky Mountains, These 3 Are the Best
These are the 3 best hikes in the Smoky Mountains according to a local When I was a teenager in the Smokies, I didn’t need a trail to go hiking….