A Tennessee resident weighs in on the debate surrounding the state’s new license plate design Back when I was a boy growing up in Indiana (before moving to Tennessee), I remember when government officials changed the official license plate slogan from “Hoosier State” to “Wander”. It was actually the focus of a tourism campaign: Wander Indiana. People did not take
An insider’s guide on what not to do when visiting Gatlinburg, the surrounding area As someone who lives near the Smokies and frequents the main strip every chance I get, I can tell you from first-hand experience that there are several ways to approach a visit to Gatlinburg. Or really any vacation for that matter. But no matter how you
East TN native lists best indoor attractions for a rainy Pigeon Forge day As someone who grew up just on the outskirts of the Smokies, I can personally tell you that some days it will feel like you experience all four seasons in one day with rain at any given moment. In fact, According to the National Park Service, the
Attractions in the Smoky Mountains that actually make special accommodations for guests in wheelchairs, as recommended by a local I see a change in the Smoky Mountains. The ADA, of course, has been a big driver in terms of improving accessibility for area attractions. But as larger corporations have moved in, it has become a standard course to plan with
An analysis of Tennesee’s famous fight song, Rocky Top When you grow up with the Smoky Mountains in your backyard, the mountains can become window dressing. An omnipresent decoration that fades to the background until something happens that draws it back to the fore. Such is the case, when you live in East Tennessee, with “Rocky Top” the unofficial theme
When Halloween approaches, our thoughts tend to shift to candy, costumes and pumpkin spice. But there are places in the world – and in these mountains – where the old ways haven’t entirely been lost. There is a chill from these spirits and their stories that has lingered from those who have passed tragically or with unfinished business. With a
The Biltmore estate has been a place of beauty, wonder and mystery since George Washington Vanderbilt II committed his fortune to create a mansion and grounds worthy of the best houses of Europe in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The Biltmore House and estate – which was 125,000 acres at its peak – is many things. It’s a testament
I interviewed a guy from East Tennessee once whose “thing” was mountain climbing. He wasn’t a particularly rich guy, just a guy who loved the thrill of climbing up high in the tallest mountains in the world. When we spoke, he’d just come home from a successful climb up Everest. He tried to describe to me the pull, the attraction,
Readers, let’s get one thing straight. I was not put on this world to carry cargo. There are not many things I dislike more than going to an amusement park and lugging a bunch of stuff around all day. I go to amusement parks to be free and have fun, not to carry luggage. As such, the benefits of a
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park launched its Park it Forward program on March 1, 2023. The new program is meant to help generate revenue to improve visitor services and address maintenance needs. While the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been historically free to enter, visitation has put a strain on management and upkeep. For example, the park experienced its