Local offers a sample itinerary for the perfect trip to Gatlinburg I get asked about the ideal length of a Gatlinburg trip a lot. And it’s an important question. All the money in the world is meaningless without another, more ephemeral, resource: Time. Ticking away from the moment you start the car, time is finite. Once you’re out, it’s time to
“I’m so happy that it’s Popcorn’s and he would be very happy because this is what he wanted,” said Pam The press conference was underway. Joe Baker – founder of Ole Smoky Moonshine – and Pam Sutton – widow of legendary outlaw moonshiner Popcorn Sutton were officially introducing Ole Smoky’s Popcorn moonshine style “Likker” and straight bourbon whiskey. As they
According to Cherokee legend, the enchanted lake only reveals itself to those who are pure of heart The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is dotted with well-preserved conclaves of cabins and barns. And the occasional mill or silo. Places like Cades Cove or Greenbrier or Roaring Fork serve as reminders of life in the mountains in the decades leading up
What to expect when you take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad There’s so much to do and see in the Great Smoky Mountains. But I recommend that you go just a little further past the state line of Tennessee. You’ll find that the neighboring state also has a lot to offer – especially for train enthusiasts, like
A Smoky Mountain local recalls the tale of the tower that was almost canceled The Hatfields and the McCoys. The Jets and the Sharks. The Capulets and the Montagues. The National Park Service and the National Park Association. Queue freeze frame, quizzical look and record scratch. What? That’s right. The organization that was to be the voice of the National Parks
A local movie buff offers a list (and commentary) of movies filmed in and around the Smoky Mountains Last summer, my daughter and I traveled to Atlanta to see John Mulaney perform. We had a little time to burn and decided to swing by the Marriott Marquis downtown, which was used as one of the main locations for the Marvel TV
How to tell the difference between a mountain lion and a bobcat It’s been more than 100 years since mountain lions have lived in the Smokies. However, if you spend enough time around mountain folk, you’ll hear of someone who knows someone who knows someone who saw a panther – or its prints – in the national park. Sure, the mountains
Tennessean offers tips on snow around the Smoky Mountains For many, a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in the winter months means an opportunity to see snow in the mountains. But finding snow can also be tricky. At the lower elevations, snow is usually a rare treat, falling in significant amounts only a handful of times each winter. If
A local offers his take on whether or not Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are “safe” I had a wonderful childhood with a level of freedom that would border on negligence today. For instance, I never sat in a safety seat. As an infant, I survived a car crash when my mom slipped me onto the floorboard and held on for
Local offers tips on the best roads to take when visiting the Smoky Mountains The great tourism mecca of Sevier County grew along a single spine known as the Parkway. The road connects Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the vast majority of tourism destinations in the area. As a local, I’ve seen it during the busy times of the year.