Our Blog
Check out these trending topics, area news, editorials & reviews in the Smokies
Are Mountain Lions in the Smoky Mountains? It Depends on Who You Ask
How to tell the difference between a mountain lion and a bobcat It’s been more than 100 years since mountain lions have lived in the Smokies. However, if you spend enough…
The Ogles vs the Gatlins: The Odd Family Feud That Built Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg was named after a disliked man who lived there for less than 10 years Gatlinburg really should be Oglesburg, Oglesville or maybe Oglestown. I mean, at least, White Oak…
Everything You Need To Know About Snow in Tennessee, From a Local
Tennessean offers tips on snow around the Smoky Mountains For many, a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in the winter months means an opportunity to see snow in the…
How a Man Named Popcorn Became an Unlikely Appalachian Hero, Icon
Popcorn Sutton always said his name, his legacy and his moonshine would outlive him. He was right. Obscured by the brightly lit neon tourist attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge,…
Is Gatlinburg Safe? What To Consider With Advice From a Local
A local offers his take on whether or not Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are “safe” I had a wonderful childhood with a level of freedom that would border on negligence…
These Are the Best Ways To Navigate Traffic in Pigeon Forge, From a Local
Local offers tips on the best roads to take when visiting the Smoky Mountains The great tourism mecca of Sevier County grew along a single spine known as the Parkway….
Remembering the Lost Tommy Bartlett’s Water Circus Act in Pigeon Forge
While short-lived in Pigeon Forge, Tommy Bartlett’s Water Circus is fondly remembered by those few who attended It took ten years to find the perfect land for Tommy Bartlett’s Water…
7 Best Towns To See Near Pigeon Forge for a Getaway From Your Getaway
A local ranks cities close to the Great Smoky Mountains As a local, I know a thing or two about Pigeon Forge. For example, I know that several folks come…
Remembering the Magic (and Problems) With Magic World in Pigeon Forge
A local shares memories of Magic World – a defunct theme park in the Smoky Mountains Imagine reaching into a child’s toy box in the late 70s, past the Star…
Remembering Porpoise Island, a dolphin-themed park in Pigeon Forge
The ill-fated Polynesian-themed attraction that barely lasted a decade in the Smoky Mountains They imported people from Hawaii and tame deer from “all over the world.” The porpoises? They lived…