General Information

cabin in the snow in gatlinburg tennessee

Does It Snow in Gatlinburg? 6 Snow Tips From a Tennessee Native

These are the most likely months you’ll see snow in the Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg is a charming mountain town in East Tennessee that is especially popular to visit during the holiday season. But winter weather events can complicate plans for tourists and locals alike. So, even though you won’t be likely to see much snow when you visit the Smokies,

dolly parton statue in sevier county, tennessee

Dolly Parton Reacts to Statue in Her Image in the Smoky Mountains

“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

Ogle's Waterpark in TN

These Photos of Ogle’s Waterpark Will Take You Down Memory Lane

Local recalls everything that made Ogle’s so special in Pigeon Forge Ogle’s Waterpark in Pigeon Forge was once the largest waterpark in the area with six giant water slides, a wave pool, a kid’s play area and snack stations throughout the park. For three decades, it served as a beacon summoning tourists and locals to frolic in the East Tennessee

Scenes from magic world

7 Lost Attractions in the Smoky Mountains That Will Make You Nostalgic

Remembering attractions that no longer exist in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Maggie Valley The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, with an estimated 12.5 million visitors annually. So it’s no surprise that entrepreneurs come to the area with high hopes of building the next big attraction to entice visitors on their way

A Surprising Comparison of the Two Best BBQ Places in the Smoky Mountains

Local declares winner between two best BBQ spots in the Smokies As a travel blog writer, there are times when I find myself facing an impossible task. I’m often asked to choose the best in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. The best what? Best restaurant or best attraction? The best go kart track, pancake house or mountain coaster? And so, I

welcome to north carolina sign

The Counties in North Carolina That Unexpectedly Became Part of Tennessee

The short-lived State of Franklin and how it reshaped Tennessee In the early days following the American Revolution, a handful of counties that had belonged to North Carolina petitioned the U.S. Government to become the 14th state, eventually seceding from the United States. The State of Franklin is an odd and strangely impactful episode of North Carolina, Tennessee and U.S.

the foothills parkway in the great smoky mountains

Massive Changes May Be Coming to the Gatlinburg Spur, Foothills Parkway

Officials are seeking input on a new phase of the major Foothills Parkway project. Are changes coming to the spur connecting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg? Yes, probably. Eventually. Growing up on the quiet side of the Smokies, the Foothill Parkway was little more than a rumor for most of my life. There was an on-ramp over by Wears Valley. However,

dolly parton, guy fieri and paula deen in the smoky mountains

5 Places Where the Celebrities Go in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

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

Russell Gregory and Gregory's Cave

Tragedy in Cades Cove: The Dark History of the Smoky Mountains

The Civil War divided many residents of Cades Cove. It also cost the Gregory family their patriarch. When you grow up around Cades Cove, you learn the names almost by accident. You hear about places like Gregory’s Bald and Gregory’s Cave before you learn the history of the people who lived there. But then as you visit the Cove and

inside of restaurant with plate of steak

Why Are People Obsessed With This Old Cabin Turned Restaurant in the Smokies?

The Peddler in Gatlinburg is a historic cabin turned famous steakhouse, and it has a cult-like following It’s Gatlinburg and it is 1958. Less than twenty years after FDR dedicated the National Park just up the road at the Rockefeller Memorial in Newfound Gap, the public is still deep in America’s obsession with the Smoky Mountains and its people. It’s