When I was a kid growing up in the Midwest, buffets – also known as smorgasbords – were all the restaurant rage. I can remember going to a newly opened buffet in the tiny Hoosier town of Bedford and marveling at the array of culinary delights laid out before us. We were in awe of the salad bar. The quality of
From the safety of the bank, it’s easy to forget just how powerful the water of even a relatively small river like the Pigeon River can be. But when you’re floating atop a frothing madness like the Vegematic or the Powerhouse, battling with the help of a handful of friends, each flailing at the water with a paddle they only
Various church-centered conventions bring in thousands of young and faithful each year to worship, praise and enjoy bond-building fun in the tourist-friendly small towns. Religious attractions have always played a big role in the fabric of the area. But the face of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is ever-evolving. The value of real estate, for instance, makes shifting sands that can
Editor’s Note: By reading this article, you agree that you’re of legal age. I came of legal drinking age in Blount County, not far from Townsend or the Sevier County line. We were a dry county – no beer sales or alcohol sales. But I don’t remember anyone who wanted alcoholic beverages having a hard time finding some. The nearest place to
The perfect time to hit the Smokies depends on what you want out of the experience. For example, in the spring, the mountains are fresh, green and blooming. They retain a bit of the nip in the air. Summer is also great when nothing is more refreshing than a cold mountain stream. We certainly love the Smokies in the fall
Most people go on vacation with a certain budget in mind. Everything you choose to do takes a piece of that pie. Perhaps a fancy meal Or a shopping trip to stock up on salt-water taffy and ninja stars. And so, planning becomes a game of deciding what activities are worth taking and which ones don’t offer the bang for
Most loyal fans know that Dollywood has a sister park located 700 miles away in Branson, Mo. And it goes by the name of Silver Dollar City. It may sound familiar because Dollywood also used to be called Silver Dollar City. And both are still owned, at least in part, by the same company: Hershend Family Entertainment who used to
Vacationing with kids is never stressful at all! … said no one ever. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great until someone starts feeling a bit hangry in the backseat. And it can feel daunting to find an affordable lunch spot that will make both kids and adults happy. But fortunately, there are lots of great lunch spots in Pigeon Forge
The Smoky Mountain Opry debuted their ninth season on Feb. 28, 2020 with all-new musical numbers, only to close their doors less than three weeks later. The closing was originally meant to be temporary. However, representatives with the Smoky Mountain Opry announced that they were not planning to reopen for the remainder of the 2020 season – if at all.