Which Smoky Mountain Water Park is Best? We’ve written about several of these head-to-head battles in Sevier County before – including The Peddler vs Alamo, Anakeesta vs Ober Mountain, Pirates Voyage vs Dolly’s Stampede and Lumberjack Feud vs Hatfield and McCoy. But today, we want to compare two of Sevier County’s most popular summertime attractions: Dollywood’s Splash Country and Soaky
Remembering an attraction that used to be the centerpiece of the park, now permanently erased It’s appropriate that in a theme park dedicated to mountain life, the remnants of a mostly forgotten relic are fading back into the scenery. Or at least, they were fading. Now, it’s nearly all but erased. This is Dollywood. It is never long until lost
In a picture that sat in a dusty album in my grandmother’s home, there was a picture of 5-year-old me with my arms stretched out from my shoulders and bent at the elbow. On each bicep rests a large, colorful parrot with a tight grip on my quivering arms. It is a photo-op from Busch Gardens. My eyes were wide and
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 Explains the Allure of Blount County’s Somewhat Secret Tourist Attraction When we moved to Blount County in the summer of 1990, we got a lot of advice from locals. The best places to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the secret spots where you can enjoy the mountains away from the throngs. We were told
Popular April Fool’s Day article stirs rumors of volcanic activity in the mountains As a writer for TheSmokies.com, I uncover the hidden truths behind the mountains, track search trends and immerse myself in East Tennessee culture. But on days like today, I end up addressing topics that surprise me. Notably, I never thought I’d be re-learning about plate tectonics in
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
How Many Elk are there in the Smoky Mountains? While black bears get most of the attention in the Smoky Mountains, elk is another notable animal that can be found in the region. And if you see an elk in the Great Smoky Mountains, consider yourself lucky. These nearly-eliminated species can be a rare find. But if you’re like me,
Book ’Em While You Got ’Em. Why the Federal Government Is Making Camping in the Smokies a Lot More Crowded The Great Smoky Mountains and other national parks across the country are caught in political crossfire, resulting in less access to their majesty. There are few things more peaceful than a Smoky Mountain camping getaway. It’s a disconnect from the
A List of the Most Iconic Things To Do in Knoxville, According to a Local For as long as I’ve lived in East Tennessee – more than three decades – Knoxville has been the forgotten middle child of Tennessee municipalities. Knoxville lacks the amenities common in larger cities like Nashville and Memphis. And it trails Chattanooga in charm. People go