A local breaks down what may be the biggest season of change since tourists started flocking to the mountains Turn, turn, turn. Change comes to the mountains faster than the seasons. Governed by the unforgiving judgement of those who vote with their wallets, pocketbooks and – probably – a variety of apps, everything in the Smokies is in a state of
Top six don’ts on your visit to the busiest road in the Smokies I wish that the thought had occurred to me when I was younger to keep a little chart of my time on Highway 321 – aka the Great Smoky Mountain Parkway – in Pigeon Forge. Just a little Excel Spreadsheet that I could have kept up with
Inside our exclusive with Dollywood President Eugene Naughton After 13 years as Vice President of In Park Services and Worldwide Strategy for Six Flags, Eugene Naughton joined the Dollywood team in November of 2019 as VP of Dollywood Parks Operations. A year and a month later, he was named President of the Dollywood Company. In that role the affable Naughton
What’s new, what’s different and what’s better on Blazing Fury For most of the country, Independence Day was a chance to light up the nighttime sky with a cascade of colorful fireworks. But at Dollywood – and for the first time in the 2025 season – the ‘fire was in the hole.’ That’s right, Dollywood President Eugene Naughton – joined
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
A local’s guide on what you shouldn’t skip on a trip to the Smokies The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a massive forest centered along the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. But it’s not quite as big as many assume. The national park is part of a larger range of national forests along the Appalachian Mountains. To the south, there’s
TN native offers tips, what to expect at the Dolly Parton Stampede in Pigeon Forge Dolly Parton’s Stampede, formerly known as the Dixie Stampede, is one of the most popular dinner shows in the area. And while I’m on the record for preferring Pirates Voyage, I still appreciate the top-notch, talented cast and impressive trick riding that the Stampede offers.
Safaris, zoos and more within an easy drive of the Smokies After decades of tourists driving hundreds of miles just to see them, it seems the animals of the Smoky Mountains have gotten a little divaish. Sure, it still seems easier to see bears in the wild than ever before. But there’s no guarantee. So, what do you do when
Ranking the best places to eat when you’re visiting America’s favorite theme park How you tackle Dollywood’s many dining options depends somewhat on what you want to achieve on your park day. Are you marching up and down the various hills and hollers? Then you’re gonna wanna carb up a little. Beware the quick sugar fixes brought on by places
From old history to new traditions, these are the can’t miss things in Gatlinburg If you visit Gatlinburg frequently, you can afford to experiment, although we often don’t. It’s easy to fall into a rut of doing and redoing your favorite experiences, eating at the same favorite places, shopping at the same stores choosing from the handful of attractions that