A visit to the Smokies doesn’t have to be expensive – here’s a roundup of the best free things to do in the Smoky Mountains Vacationing on a budget can be tough. And even if you’re planning on hitting most of the major attractions, it’s nice to build in a day that is free from financial obligations and strict schedules.
Local lists things first-time visitors should do in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg Tennessee Most people get a set number of vacations in their life – two a year, if they’re lucky. Allocation of that time is precious. If you are planning your one and only family vacation to the Smoky Mountains, the algebra changes. Of course, the highlights become essential. So,
Local lists the cheesiest attractions around Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Part of Sevier County’s tourism industry is the natural beauty that surrounds Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. But the founding fathers of the tourism industry realized early on that while it ain’t easy bein’ cheesy, it certainly pays the bills. That’s how Carbo’s Smoky Mountain Police Museum, whose claim to fame was
Lesser-known fun facts about the world’s most beloved travel center: Buc-ee’s As the self-proclaimed preeminent Buc-ee’s journalist East of the Mississippi, I’ve certainly learned a lot about the cathedral to convenience. And frankly, I’m also happy to spread the gospel of the greatest gas station ever conceived by man. Just ask the folks at the paper of record in Ft. Worth
These old attractions would be considered problematic today As someone who grew up in East Tennessee, I’ve seen a lot of attractions come and go around the Smoky Mountains. Some attractions simply ran their course and fell from grace with the changing times. Or they simply sold their land for profit. But there were also several short-lived, lesser-known attractions that
These are the best ATV and side-by-side rentals in the Smoky Mountains There are so many new ways to explore the mountainous roads with the wind in your hair, either on your own or with an expert tour guide. Some tours are family-friendly, and others are more of a build-your-own adventure. Below, we’ve found the best vendors for side-by-side rentals
Local weighs pros and cons of the rebranded Ober Mountain If you want to learn about inertia, there are worse places than a mountain top. For many years, Ober Gatlinburg made its money in inertia – skiing, tubing and summer sledding. But over time, another type of inertia set in. Ober was in decline. The quality was lessening. Other places
Pros and cons of visiting Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN As a local, do you know my favorite part of Anakeesta? It’s leaving. But I don’t mean it as a slight. Anakeesta features fun attractions, quality dining, stupendous views and some diverting shopping. But the best part is the Chondola ride down the mountain at night, bouncing your way silently toward
A look at the Biltmore Estate, from today’s standards In the 1880s, George Washington Vanderbilt II came to the mountains with a dream. He also came with the type of generational wealth typically reserved for kings and pharaohs. So when Vanderbilt wanted a summer house, he purchased nearly 700 parcels of land – 50 farms and at least five cemeteries
Smoky Mountain Buc-ee’s remains the largest store, at least for now When the self-styled “home of the world’s cleanest bathrooms, delicious barbecue, freshest food and friendliest beaver” announced plans to build the world’s largest convenience store in Kodak (near Sevierville, Tennessee), it generated a lot of attention. And now, the Kodak location is officially open, and it is the largest