Editorial

a breakfast sandwich, pancake, biscuit and bacon from trish's diner

8 Places You Can Find Cheap Food in Gatlinburg (For Under 5 Bucks)

A Smoky Mountain local reveals the best spots for affordable food in the Smoky Mountains As a local to the Smoky Mountains, I began going to Gatlinburg on my own – and using my own money – as a teenager with a $4.15 minimum wage job. I could go to Gatlinburg with $20 or $30 in my pocket and come

Fireworks at the space needle

13 Best New Year’s Eve Events in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge (2023)

Say goodbye hello to 2024 at these popular New Year’s Eve events in the Smoky Mountains Are you planning to be in Gatlinburg on New Year’s Eve? Well, get ready to say goodbye to 2023 and ring in 2024 in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the surrounding areas. There are plenty of events in the Smokies to get you in the

water performers in the background, the tommy bartlett water circus sign in the foreground

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 Circus in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. In 1976, 110 acres of farmland were finally purchased with 450 feet of US Highway 441 frontage. A 20-foot-tall dam was built to hold 8.5

neyland stadium at UT

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 to the mountains looking for some peace and quiet. Then, they arrive in Sevier County and discover a few hundred thousand of their closest friends had the same idea. Dollywood?

the magic world ufo and a critter from the confederate show

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 Wars figures and the Godzillas and Bat-people, and pulling out the little bits of molded plastic that didn’t get played with as much as the other toys. Then sprinkle them

xperia and birdventure

17 New Attractions in Pigeon Forge, Smoky Mountains (2023)

Here are 17 new (and coming soon) attractions in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the surrounding area A few weeks ago, we were driving along the strip in Pigeon Forge, something that I – as a local with more than 30 years of experience avoiding the Pigeon Forge traffic – try to avoid but still have to do periodically. We were

bote mountain tunnel along laurel creek road

The Real Reason People Honk in Tunnels is Not What You Think

Why do people honk in tunnels? A Smoky Mountain native weighs in Growing up in East Tennessee and in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, I’ve noticed that tunnel honking is quite common. I’ve also noticed that for some of my family members, it’s so Pavlovian that they don’t even realize they’re doing it anymore. For example, one time

Ogle's Waterpark in TN

These Photos of Ogle’s Waterpark Will Take You Down Memory Lane

Local recalls everything that made Ogle’s so special in Pigeon Forge Ogle’s Waterpark in Pigeon Forge was once the largest waterpark in the area with six giant water sides, a wave pool, a kid’s play area and snack stations throughout the park. For three decades, it served as a beacon summoning tourists and locals to frolic in the East Tennessee

people taking pictures in the cove

7 Things You Shouldn’t Do in Cades Cove According to a Local

An area Smoky Mountain resident asks visitors to use common sense Cades Cove is the crown jewel of the Smokies. It is a confluence point of natural beauty, mountain history and conservation. However, there are many days I’d rather go to the dentist than risk a trip around the Cove. It’s not the Cove itself mind you. I consider it a sacred, almost

bucees in clute texas storefront

A Look Inside: First-ever Buc-ee’s Looks Nothing Like What You’d Think

The original Buc-ee’s will make you look twice with its pint-sized footprint in Clute, Texas Earlier this year, Sevierville, Tenn. officially became home to the country’s largest Buc-ee’s when it opened its doors to a 74,000-square-foot behemoth. As a Tennessean, I am fairly new to the Buc-ee’s phenomenon. Sure, my Texas relatives had been telling me the legendary tale (tail?)