“That’s the only time you’ll ever catch me out of my high heels,” says Parton It can be risky to commission a monument. One day it’s a great idea, but sometimes, years later, all you have is a controversial landmark. But there are also times when creating a statue to honor a native son or daughter is a no-brainer. Such is
Top 5 things not to do on The Island at Pigeon Forge Having grown up around the chintzy neon glow of Pigeon Forge, I feel like I’ve got a pretty good handle on how this top-tier tourist destination works. You give the people what they want. Does that mean we end up with repetition more than innovation? Yes. Are we
The Smoky Mountains are a popular destination for celebrities, these are some of the locations where they’ve been sighted I’ve lived in the area for more than 30 years. So I’m not surprised at this point when I hear about a celebrity visiting the Smokies. Over the years massive stars like Channing Tatum, Jason Momoa, Katie Perry and Nicole Kidman
Things not to do at Kuwohi a locals take William Shakespeare – through his timeless star-crossed heroine Juliet – once asked “What’s in a name?” I find myself pondering that question more these days than ever before in my life. It’s certainly a question that in today’s times – like so many pieces of our lives that had been relatively
A guide to some of the best cascading water in the Smokies and beyond One of the blessings of living in or near the mountains is access to beautiful waterfalls. To be clear, you don’t necessarily need mountains to have a great waterfall. However, rapid changes in elevation do increase the frequency and availability of the natural wonder of falling
A local offers tips on how to avoid faux pas at Pigeon Forge’s premier historical eatery There’s a challenge that comes with some of the “what not to do” articles. And it comes with an assumption of what you, the reader, need to hear versus what other readers need to hear. For instance, you don’t need to be told not
A local with a fear of heights talks about swaying in the sky at Grandfather Mountain I am afraid of heights. It is not, for the most part, a debilitating fear. I can – usually – overcome it. If I’m inside and feeling secure, I don’t have a problem. Neither the former Sears Tower in Chicago or the St. Louis
A local’s take on the best hiking Trails near Gatlinburg Planning can be both an art and a science in the popular vacation destination of Gatlinburg, TN. There’s plenty to do, of course. But if you’re going to do everything you want, then you need a plan. You’ll need schematics. Or you can pick representative activities; such as a hike one day,
The latest from Ghost Town in Maggie Valley The long and winding road that is the history of Ghost Town Village – aka Ghost Town in the Sky – has taken another turn. Ghost Town’s owner Jill McClure told ABC News13 that the potential buyer operates an entertainment venue in Florida. “Not a big attraction, but one I think that
The Best Things To Do in the Smoky Mountains in the Summertime Ah, summertime in the Smoky Mountains – the kids are out of school, the temperature is hot and humid, and the mosquitos are out to play. Families are packing up their minivans and attempting the impossible, aka, trying to please everyone for the annual summer getaway. But the