Eat like the locals at this Rustic River getaway near Cumberland Gap National Park Living up and down East Tennessee, I’ve found that there’s a certain gravity to the geography of the region. If you live near the middle part of the state, you go to Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg when it’s time to explore. When you start heading
With the Biltmore Championship in Asheville, the PGA Tour is bringing the best golfers in the world to Western North Carolina From the category of “this is such a good idea, I can’t believe it’s just now happening,” the PGA Tour, Biltmore and the Explore Asheville tourism group announced that in the fall of 2026, the tour is returning to
2025 was Dollywood’s 40th anniversary, but 2026 is going to surpass it When it comes to milestones, we like certain numbers better than others. You’ll get a better turnout at the 20th reunion that you will the 19th or the 21st. We’ll celebrate the 25th anniversary of a favorite movie or album but when the 27th comes around? Nobody cares.
We tried the “Design Your Own” kiosk at Goo Goo Clusters on the parkway and we’d do it again I couldn’t help but think of Willy Wonka.The kids had finished designing their candy bars at the kiosks in the next room and were ready to watch the Goo Goo artist, like a Subway sandwich artist, but with candy – bring
Dolly Parton sets the stage for epic competition with Buc-ee’s It’s Ali vs Frazier. Yankees vs. Red Sox. It’s Godzilla vs Mothra. And now, it’s Tennessee vs. Texas. Yes, there’s a brouhaha is brewing on the interstates of Tennessee. Queen Dolly Parton is prepping to take on the current King of convenience stores, Buc-ee’s for the hearts, minds and maybe
An itinerary for the perfect long winter weekend in the Smoky Mountains Winter travel is reserved – chiefly – for the holidays. After all, getting over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house can take up a fair amount of vacation days. And we don’t want to use up all our precious time off of work when the
The top five ways to successfully navigate getting successful gifts in the mountains There are two reasons to do your Christmas shopping in the Smokies and only two. The first is the opportunity to find insane deals. The second? The Smokies offers a unique opportunity to find something that stands out, something you can’t find at WalMart or Target or
Is it still worth it to plan a holiday shopping trip to the Smokies? I’ve always been a fan of Black Friday shopping. There’s a little twinge – for some people more than a little – of competition in getting to the store, getting in line and getting the best deal. For years, my plan would be to scour the
Christmas at a Water Park? Wilderness at the Smokies offers a plethora of holiday happenings Many years ago, a young Hoosier in the wilds of Northern Indiana, I knew how to ice skate pretty well. I was never graceful at it, in fact, I was a plow horse on the ice. But I could get around, play a little hockey
The best places in the Smokies to give – or get – a gift card from I’ve never been much for etiquette. Never drank tea with my pinkie finger out, never called my elders ma’am or sir and never worried about whether or not it was the right season to wear white – in my case, it’s never the right