Things To Do

dolly parton in a parade at dollywood

10 Celebrity Sightings at Dollywood – See If You Recognize These Stars

Dollywood is a hot spot for celebrity sightings – here’s a roundup of some of the biggest stars known to frequent the park The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area are among the most visited tourist destinations in the world. In the mountains, there are surely few places that are more popular than Dollywood. I’ve watched over

jungle boat ride animatronics with mannequin arm on the ground

These Are 3 Things I Won’t Ever Do Again in Pigeon Forge

A Smoky Mountain resident talks about experiences he won’t revisit in Pigeon Forge, TN I like to like things. When it comes to movies, TV shows, books, food and experiences, I go in with a pretty optimistic viewpoint. I want to enjoy them. The only real place where I am an especially discriminating consumer is music. I have enough songs

an aerial view of tail of the dragon

6 Things Not To Do on the Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina

A local offers words of wisdom on what not to do while riding the Tail of the Dragon There’s a road through the mountains of Tennessee into their North Carolina counterparts. Over its 11-mile stretch, it features 318 curves. It’s known as the Tail of the Dragon – or U.S. 129 to those less poetically inclined – and it is

buc-ee's entrance in sevierville, tennessee

Buc-ee’s Etiquette: You Might Be Annoying Others if You’re Breaking These Rules

Hey, we didn’t make the rules. Actually, we did. Here they are… Whether it’s your first or 100th time inside a Buc-ee’s, it’s always the same dose of sensory overload. There’s so much to do, so many bathroom stalls, so much to see and eat. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget that we live in

buc-ee's beaver statue

Buc-ee’s Hilarious 10 Commandments: Thou Shalt Follow These Rules

These are the 10 commandments of Buc-ee’s, as imagined by a Buc-ee’s superfan Society doesn’t have rules because of the easy times. Rules are born of chaos, strife or stress. For example, the guy who invented speed limits didn’t come up with them because everyone was driving a serene 55 mph. Society saw the outliers, the speed demons weaving in

restored cabin in elkmont in the great smoky mountains national park

3 Non-Touristy Things To Do in the Smoky Mountains National Park

Ready to take the path less traveled? Here are three suggestions from a local In many ways, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park isn’t for the locals. Think back to the park’s founding. The people of the mountains were moved out so that the land could be preserved. It was a national movement led, in large part, by people who

church in cades cove

These Are 3 Things I Won’t Ever Do Again in the Fall in Pigeon Forge

A local reflects on mistakes and bad experiences he’s had in autumn time in the Smoky Mountains I’ve spent much of my life running around East Tennessee and Western North Carolina mountains. While the mountains are a destination for many, they’re just a part of my life. Go out the driveway, turn left, turn right and turn right again and

dark restaurant interior with cocktail

Why People Are Afraid of This 100-Year-Old Restaurant in the Smoky Mountains

Why locals both love and fear this 100-year-old restaurant in the Smoky Mountains There’s a fine dining establishment in the heart of the Smoky Mountains where the prices aren’t the scariest thing. Welcome to The Greenbrier, one of the best restaurants in Gatlinburg, the Smoky Mountains and all of East Tennessee. The Greenbrier is well-known for its historic location in

herd of elk in the fall

The 5 Worst Things You Can Do When Trying To See Fall Colors in East TN

Here are 5 of the biggest mistakes you can make when trying to leaf peep in the Smoky Mountains Each fall, the Smoky Mountains explode in a kaleidoscope of color. When you live here, it’s a gradual process. It sneaks up on you. For months the mountains are a verdant green, and then you start to see spots of rusty

pumpkins at dollywood

3 Things Not To Do in the Fall in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

A local offers advice on avoiding these common mistakes when visiting the Smoky Mountains in the fall It’s hard to pick a favorite season in the mountains. From the blooms of spring to the verdant greens of summer to the explosion of color in autumn, even the snowcapped mountains of a snowy winter, something is appealing about every season in