As someone who remembers when cheesiness was half the point for a Smoky Mountain tourist trap, I can attest that when it comes to underwhelming attractions, there are two that are head and shoulders above the rest. They both feature animatronics that would make Chuck E. Cheese seem cutting-edge. They both feature beat-up, under-cared-for scenery that makes you wonder if
Smoky Mountain native offers tips on vacationing with a rainy forecast Editor’s Note: The following is a new advice series where readers can write in and get personalized advice from Smoky Mountain travel experts. Do you have a question that you would like us to answer? Email us at [email protected]. Question: I booked my trip to the Great Smoky Mountains
The minds behind the Ark Encounter in Kentucky are set to bring a “flood of reality” to East Tennessee I’ve done religion-based tourism since I was a kid. As a result, I can say I view each new project with a certain degree of hesitation. For every positive experience – like the youth group trip to the Ozarks to see a
Regardless of whether or not you’ve visited Pigeon Forge once, or a hundred times, you’ve probably made at least one of these common mistakes As someone who has been knocking around Pigeon Forge for more than 35 years, you wouldn’t think I’d be prone to making mistakes. But I still do. You get complacent and forgetful. In other words dear
What you need to know about Newfound Gap Road in the Smokies When my family visits the Smokies, we prefer taking the scenic route through Western North Carolina. My husband prefers driving on winding mountain roads. When the weather is warm, my kids love to stop in Cherokee and visit Oconaluftee Islands Park to play in the river. From there,
A tree that was planted nearly 100 years ago still stands within the Smoky Mountains off the beaten path, and tourists are flocking to see it It was Dec. 7, 1941. Golman Myers – born in Cades Cove in 1894 – was in the process of relocating the family farm to Townsend, making way for the National Park. Golman’s son
Local names top hidden gems in Dolly Parton’s hometown in the Smoky Mountains As someone who, for three decades, used Sevierville as a place to go through on my way to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg or the mountains, I know a lot more today about the historic city. Founded in 1795, when George Washington still had two years left in his
Dollywood’s only real local competition for an all-day attraction is The Island in Pigeon Forge. But how does the Island stack up to the reigning champ? As someone who has been prioritizing our family’s vacation budget for nearly 20 years, I understand the equation. You only have so much allotted and gas and food are going to take a portion
Come for the food, stay for the … singing animatronic chickens? I’ve been around these mountains for a long time. I’ve seen the hooks, the gimmicks, businesses use to entice tourists to spend their dollars with them. Usually, I get it. Our go-karts are faster. We’ve got Pirates. Hey, remember the infamous Kentucky family feud that caught national attention 160
Each year, thousands of people compete for the chance to attend this limited-capacity light show in the Smoky Mountains The hardest ticket to obtain in the Smokies isn’t to Dollywood’s new drone show. It’s not dinner theater on the strip. Certainly, it’s not the lumberjack competition. It’s a ticket to a light show that only happens for a few weeks