Tennessee has a few bizarre laws on the books which range from rollerblading at the state Capital to owning pet raccoons I’ve covered Tennessee politicians for more than 20 years. As a result, I know that they are much better at putting new laws on the books than they are at removing old ones. For instance, for years both atheists
We analyzed over 200 local Google business listings to come up with this list of the best, and worst, reviewed attractions in Pigeon Forge I have lived in the area for more than 30 years and first visited almost 40 years ago. So I felt like I had a pretty good handle on the best and worst attractions in Pigeon
A few tips and tricks on what not to do when you see wildlife in the Smoky Mountains Warmer weather has returned to the mountains and with it, wildlife in the Smokies is more active. As someone who has lived near the mountains for more than 30 years, I’ve seen my fair share of people who have surprisingly little awareness
Dolly recounts a story where a NYC hotel thought she was ‘turning up tricks’ Dolly Parton has had countless hits, but one of her most famous songs, “9 to 5”, came from her 1980 film featuring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. Most fans know that Dolly famously wrote the theme song while filming with the help of her nails –
A local reveals his picks for the best wings in Pigeon Forge, TN I’ve dined in Pigeon Forge eateries for nearly 40 years. I certainly know the nature of the beast. Change is the buzzword in the mountains. Except for the rare few, popular restaurants come and go. One day, a restaurant can be in high demand, it’s impossible to
Dollywood recently announced a “game-changing” attraction will debut in 2026 – does this mean a new indoor coaster is on the horizon? If you’ve watched the park grow at all from the days of Silver Dollar City, you know there is one immutable fact at Dollywood: Change is coming. As someone who remembers the days before Dolly partnered with the
The Primitive Baptist Church in Cades Cove is now over 200 years old, here are a few of the hidden gems that lie within Growing up a short drive from Cades Cove, I went to school with the descendants of both the early settlers and the last remaining residents of the Cove. And like others, I drive the Cove looking
Now I live in the Smokies. But my first trip to Dolly Parton’s theme park surprised me My first visit to Gatlinburg was in 2011. With every trip, my family and I always vowed to go to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. However, we would change our minds, or something would happen causing us to put it to the side yet
I moved to my favorite tourist town, and here are three attractions that helped in that decision My family and I made dozens of trips to Gatlinburg before moving here. We often would alternate restaurants or try to squeeze in a new one with every visit. Attractions, for us, were secondary. After our first few visits, Gatlinburg became less of
Regardless of whether or not these tales are to be believed, they continue to be passed down from one generation to the next As someone who grew up slightly obsessed with ghostly phenomena, I spent much of my youth chasing ghost stories in the mountains. From the supposedly dark rituals at God’s Pocket in Blount County to the rumors of