Who is responsible for creating the GSMNP? The one-hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is approaching on the horizon. It’s nearly impossible – or at least for me – to truly understand life in the mountains before the national park. Imagine a time when interested parties across a wide-ranging spectrum of experiences and ideals
Top 10 Indoor Things To Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge The point of coming to the Great Smoky Mountains is to get outside and enjoy the mountains. But sometimes the weather isn’t cooperative. Whether it’s cold and snowy in winter or there is a storm blowing through in the spring, summer or fall, the mountains are notorious for weather
Local offers tips for where Locals go in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge When travelling I don’t like to feel like a tourist. I get away from the main strip and explore a little. However, I’m not sure how you do that in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, places whose entire identity is built around the attraction of tourists and keeping them entertained. Sure
The History of the now Famous Mountain town Gatlinburg, by a local The area that would become the village of Gatlinburg existed long before a South Carolina farmer made his way to the mountains looking for a new home for his family. The history of Gatlinburg begins with the spine that existed long before the American Revolution, long before colonists
A local talks about his favorite things to do and see driving in the Smokies In the days before my mom and stepdad married, they were in a courting phase. The kids today would call it dating. At a certain point, when the relationship started getting serious, my brother and I were introduced to Joe, the man who would become
A local offers his opinion on the Best Restaurants on the strip in Gatlinburg One of the best things about staying on the Gatlinburg Strip is parking your and just forgetting about driving for a day or two. The strip offers enough dining, entertainment and shopping that you don’t have to get in your car and battle traffic. Sure, if
A Local Offers Tips on What Not To Do at Gatlinburg’s Most Frequented Steakhouse The dining options in Gatlinburg are vast and varied. You can choose an elevated experience at a place like The Greenbrier, The Peddler or Chesapeake’s. You can eat some of the best (literally) BBQ in the country served on checkered plastic tablecloths while seated at mismatched
These are the best attractions in Gatlinburg in 2025, says Smoky Mountain local Things can move quickly in the mountains. One year, you’re on top. The next you’re being closed to make way for the next trend. The only real thing you can be sure of is that if you have a successful idea in Gatlinburg, somebody’s gonna try to copy
These are the best Gatlinburg restaurants of 2025, according to a local Ranking the restaurants in Gatlinburg is a dangerous game. Not in the sense of actual danger, but dangerous in that figuring out how to weigh classics with a reputation decades in the making versus a new and interesting spot that may or may not have staying power can
A local offers 5 romantic date ideas for Valentine’s Day in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Romance is in the eye of the beholder, or maybe more accurately the eye of the beholder’s partner. I have performed a grand romantic gesture or two in my life. For instance, proposing to my now-wife in Paris (France, not Kentucky or Tennessee) comes to mind.