Outdoors

Bigger. Stronger. Faster. Better. The World Record Holders in the Smokies and Beyond

Record-holding attractions in the Smokies and beyond When it comes to attracting attention in the Smokies, you’ve got to try … hard. Any angle or idea. In other words, any possible thing you can trumpet that will attract the public’s attention – and folding money – is what is necessary to succeed. It’s not enough to provide a mountain coaster. It

It’s Only North Carolina’s Best Rocks but We Like Them 

For those about to visit North Carolina’s most famous rocks, we salute you I am technically a native Tar Heel. My people are mostly Hoosiers and I’ve been a Volunteer now for the better part of 35 years but I was born in North Carolina, the son of a Marine at Camp Lejeune. Truthfully, I don’t remember much of life

guests walking around john oliver place in cades cove

The Fight for Cades Cove and the People Who Refused to Leave

It turns out, not everyone was thrilled when the land became government property When touring Cades Cove today, we see one of nature’s true holy places. The verdant valley with its fields and streams, is surrounded by the high mountains. It’s a place of wonder and we rejoice that our forebearers nearly 100 years ago sought to preserve for us.

people taking pictures in the cove

7 Things You Shouldn’t Do in Cades Cove According to a Local

An area Smoky Mountain resident asks visitors to use common sense Cades Cove is the crown jewel of the Smokies. It is a confluence point of natural beauty, mountain history and conservation. However, there are many days I’d rather go to the dentist than risk a trip around the Cove. It’s not the Cove itself mind you. I consider it a sacred, almost

What Is a Holler and Why Do the Mountain People Say It That Way? 

Breaking Down the Dialect That Led to the Mountain Term, Holler When I was young and still new to Tennessee, I got a job working at a local grocery store. In those days, grocery stores employed three kinds of people. That would be middle-aged adults for whom the grocery business was their career and youngsters for whom the store was

Five Things To Do in the Mountains Before You Die

A Local Shares Absolute Top-Tier Bucket List Items You Must Do in the Smokies at Least Once When I think about my bucket list of things to do in the Smokies, the checklist naturally tumbles into a handful of categories. For instance, there are things to do in the mountains, like seeking out a distant waterfall. And there are things

9 Best Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains, Ranked

A local’s guide to the Best Drives in the Smoky Mountains One of the great things about the Smoky Mountains is that just about any drive you take can be a scenic drive. For instance, there are spots on I-40 as you climb up into the higher elevations where the river cuts a path down through the truly breathtaking valleys, especially

Bears in Gatlinburg: 7 Best Places and Tips To See a Bear

Where Is the Best Place To See Bears in Gatlinburg? What’s the number 1 question from visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Is that bathroom locked? No, but I like what you’re thinking. The most popular question is: Where is the best place to see a bear in the Smoky Mountains? Honestly, we don’t know. If we did,

How To Plan the Perfect Smoky Mountain Picnic

A Local Offers Tips for Creating the Perfect Smoky Mountain Picnic While I appreciate the value of a good walk through the woods or a scenic drive through Cades Cove or along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, my favorite thing to do in the mountains is a good family picnic. When I was kid, my stepfather’s family would come