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?
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
The ill-fated Polynesian-themed attraction that barely lasted a decade in the Smoky Mountains They imported people from Hawaii and tame deer from “all over the world.” The porpoises? They lived in Mississippi, of course. Children, I’m going to tell you a tale. I certainly wouldn’t blame you a bit if, in the end, you called me a liar. Indeed, I might
A Smoky Mountain native shares signs that you, like she, might be addicted to Dolly Parton’s namesake park Dollywood is known as the friendliest theme park in the world, and for those of us who grew up with the park practically in our backyard as I did, visiting Dollywood feels like coming home for the holidays. Of course, there are
A Smoky Mountain local shares his top picks for area bars in Gatlinburg and the surrounding area One person’s idea of a great bar could be the next person’s idea of a night in the Netherworld with boozed-up accountants botching the chorus to “Dancing Queen.” Therefore, a bar recommendation is hard work. You’ve got to prod and pry. Certainly, in
A local rounds up a list of top diners in the Pigeon Forge area Classic diner fare isn’t fancy. Typically, it’s juicy burgers and fries washed down with a thick milkshake. Classic Southern comfort foods are hard to beat. But what I like about a good diner – aside from the food – is the nostalgia. I’m a sucker for any
These are the closest airports to Gatlinburg TN What makes the Great Smoky Mountains National Park such a popular tourist location? Well, there’s the natural beauty, of course. There’s also Dollywood and lots of other entertainment that has bolstered the region’s tourism. But there’s another reason: Location, location, location. Since I live under an hour away from the heart of
Local reminisces on old Water Boggan attraction in Pigeon Forge As an East Tennessee local, I’ve seen plenty of Pigeon Forge attractions that have come and gone. Some were products of the time. It was the 70s and 80s. So if you could talk someone into financing it, you could make it a reality. I think, looking back, not every
A local rounds up a list of some newer restaurants for Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg As a local who has been hanging out in and around the Smoky Mountains for more than 30 years, I’ve become aware of the juxtaposition of the timeless mountains and the fleeting nature of the communities therein. Places like Cades Cove, Grotto Falls and the
Photos from the 1970s remind us of the park that came before Dollywood: Pigeon Forge’s Silver Dollar City Six Flags, Disney, Cedar Point and, yes, Dollywood, are managed with a statistical mastery of people’s behaviors. They are run with precise technologies that track wait times, dining and character interactions. On good days, the best modern amusement parks, of which Dollywood