How Goats on the Roof got its start, and why we can’t seem to get enough Look, I’ve lived in the Smokies for a long time. I’ve seen a lot of attractions and tourist attractions come and go. Everything from restaurants to rides to places selling ice cream, homemade fudge and tourist trinkets. In this town, if you want to
There’s an immersive Christmas village in Tennessee that keeps it festive 365 days a year Christmas in my house starts on Thanksgiving Day. While my wife is inside preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal, I’m outside decking the house for Christmas. We run strands of colorful lights along the eaves of our small front porch. We decorate the bushes. I’m a Christmas guy. We’re Christmas
Things you never knew about Biltmore: $100 loans, pink hair and family drama Every time I visit Biltmore and the estate, I am amazed by its beauty, the architecture and its rich history. I’ve been fortunate enough to take the tour many times now – both self-guided and with audio. Below, are some of the fascinating facts I learned along
A local dad compares Pigeon Forge’s WonderWorks and Beyond the Lens In a battle of entertainment venues, the only true winner is those of us who wish to be, well, “‘entertained”. In one corner stands WonderWorks, the venerated Pigeon Forge attraction of the upside-down facade, an attraction aiming to educate and entertain. WonderWorks bills itself as an amusement park for
A local offers his opinion on the famous glass-bottomed bridge in Gatlinburg In recent years, the Gatlinburg SkyPark’s glass-bottomed SkyBridge has become one of the most iconic attractions in the Smoky Mountains. As a local who has had a first-row seat to witness how the Gatlinburg skyline has transformed in recent years, I can understand why. It is not only
A mom shares her favorite things to do in Gatlinburg with her family In my experience, I find that those visiting Gatlinburg for the first time are often surprised by the number of attractions competing for their tourist dollar. What seems like a sleepy mountain town can sometimes feel like an array of neon lights and eye-catching, quirky displays. But
Comparing two major dinner shows in Pigeon Forge TN There’s a battle going on in Pigeon Forge – a competition for vacation dollars. Your vacation, after all, is a series of decisions on this or that. Want to go to a show? This one or that one? As you’re in the process of deciding where to spend your hard-earned vacation money, I
Anakeesta vs SkyPark: A Side-by-Side Comparison While both Anakeesta and Gatlinburg SkyPark (formerly SkyLift Park) offer fun ways to soak in gorgeous views of the Great Smoky Mountains, it can be hard to choose just one. So let’s compare some of the differences between Anakeesta and SkyPark to help you plan your next Gatlinburg vacation. Note: Prices mentioned in this
The Biltmore estate has been a place of beauty, wonder and mystery since George Washington Vanderbilt II committed his fortune to create a mansion and grounds worthy of the best houses of Europe in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The Biltmore House and estate – which was 125,000 acres at its peak – is many things. It’s a testament
The fascinating history of Fannie Farkle’s plus what to order from a local I’ve eaten in some fine places in my time. But perhaps my favorite meal would be served by a carnie at a county fair. I suspect there’s a certain level of nostalgia in my love of carnival food. There’s something about sausages, cheesesteaks and corndogs. It’s all