Many Smoky Mountain Attractions Sell Themselves As Historic or Use Historic Theming, but the Old Mill Is the Real Deal In the Smoky Mountains, history sells. Countless attractions try to grab visitors’ attention by overplaying their connections to history. They may borrow the history of someone or something local or create a theme around a historic figure or place that
These are the 6 most irresistible desserts in the Smokies according to a local I’ve always believed that half of the experience of a Smokies vacation is experiencing the local cuisine. From chicken and dumplings to barbeque, you have to admit, East Tennesseans know how to get the most out of some good old-fashioned southern homestyle cooking. But a tragically
A local reviews Mel’s Classic Diner in Pigeon Forge There is a reason the classic American diner has endured from its heyday in the 1950s into modern times. And it goes well beyond nostalgia. You give the right person a griddle and a few classic ingredients, and magic happens. There are a lot of great dining options in the mountains,
A Smoky Mountain native offers his opinion on Calhoun’s in Gatlinburg I remember the first time I set foot in a Calhoun’s restaurant, the iconic East Tennessee dining tradition. It was 1994 and the NCAA tournament Men’s Regionals was in Knoxville at Thompson-Boling Arena. In fact, basically right across the street from Calhoun’s on the River. My stepdad suggested we
A chef-driven restaurant is changing the possibility of what dining in the mountains can be I’ve thought a lot about the right words to use about my new favorite restaurant in the Smokies. Words that can convey the experience without seeming like they’re hyperbole or exaggeration. I’ve thought a lot about the peculiar combination of artistry, science, passion, and expertise
A Smoky Mountain local shares his favorite spots for all-day breakfast and brunch Folks at the Pancake Pantry struck gold in the form of flapjacks when they came to the Smokies in the 1960s, and then pancake houses began popping up like weeds … if weeds were buttery and delicious, that is. But what’s that? You want to eat breakfast
A local weighs the pros and cons of the two Best Breakfast Restaurants in Gatlinburg Certainties in life are rare. Things change often without warning. Call it what you want. Whether it be fate, karma or luck. But even the things we think are certain in life can be changed by unexpected forces beyond our control. So, when we find
A local’s review and recommendations on the Best Things To Order at Log Cabin Pancake House When I was kid, we’d go down to Florida and Papaw would take us out on the Homosassa River to go fishing. Usually, there’d be three of us in the boat. Pap sat up in the bow and my stepdad Joe and I would
A local ranks his favorite Restaurants at The Island in Pigeon Forge The Island in Pigeon Forge is like a self-contained vacation destination within a vacation destination. In other words, it’s like the movie Inception, but with celebrity-backed eateries instead of dreamscape mind capers. Of course, I like a vacation where I can park the car and not have to
A local’s honest review of Blue Moose in Pigeon Forge Blue Moose Burgers & Wings bills itself as Pigeon Forge’s only family sports grill and best-kept secret by local residents since 2007. The problem is that the secret is got out. More on that later. Where is the Blue Moose in Pigeon Forge? The Blue Moose is located in one