tips Archives -

Getting Around the Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge Area

Posted March 25, 2021 by Tony Perez

The Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and the towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are bustling. This gateway area to the most visited national park in the country can often be crowded, so it helps to know the best roads to use to get around, and to be able to pick out the specific areas that you and the crew want to target as you venture out from the cabin.

To help you figure out the best places and things to put into your plans, we’ve written up many guides to the things to do and the places to go – in fact, we have so many that we now need a guide to the guides, so read on for our first super-guide to getting around during your visit.

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Trails and Walks in the Smoky Mountains

Posted October 25, 2020 by Tony Perez

There are countless ways to get out in the fall colors of the Smoky Mountains without taking a strenuous hike. Quite apart from the Scenic Drives and Overlooks accessible by car, there are many Easy Walks and outdoor adventures where you don’t have to break a sweat, and here are some of the best.

Gatlinburg Trail image courtesy NPS

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Fall Scenic Drives and Overlooks

Posted October 10, 2020 by Tony Perez

Here are some of the best ways to get out among the fall colors of the Smoky Mountains, with scenic drives and places to observe the colors working their way down the mountain to the lower elevations, here in October, 2020.

Image – and view – courtesy of Gatlinburg Sky Lift

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The Riverwalk Greenway

Posted September 18, 2020 by Tony Perez

Quietly running through the heart of the action in Pigeon Forge is a great paved trail known as Riverwalk Greenway, a hidden gem of a nature walk traversing the town from Patriot Park up to The Island and beyond. With benches, bathrooms and water fountains strategically placed along the way, the Greenway welcomes walkers and runners, baby strollers and bikes, and pets on a leash to use this free trail, open 24 hours each day, and lighted at night.

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Back Roads and Shortcuts in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Posted September 16, 2020 by Tony Perez

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge get a lot of traffic, and it can be useful to know some of the alternative roads to take if the main routes are jammed. This is especially true of you’re trying to get out into the countless nature attractions – including Great Smoky Mountains National Park of course, and don’t want to drive through the congestion on Parkway in either town. Here are some of the shortcuts.

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The Best Airport for Flying to Gatlinburg

Posted August 28, 2020 by Tony Perez

The closest airport to Gatlinburg, TN, is McGhee Tyson, located 12 miles south of Knoxville, just over a 40-mile drive from Gatlinburg, with a few different ways to get there, depending on if you want to hit Pigeon Forge first, and any scenic options you may chose to take on the way in. McGhee Tyson is a friendly little airport, and usually a nice introduction to the friendly people of Tennessee and the Appalachian warmth and culture of the Smoky Mountains.

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Cabin Resorts in the Smoky Mountains

Posted August 25, 2020 by Tony Perez

Any vacation in the Smoky Mountains is made better by staying in a vacation cabin rental. Many cabins are located within resorts, which differ greatly in their location, setting and the amenities they offer. Knowing more about where the resorts are and what they’re like opens up the options considerably for choosing where to stay.

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Things to Do in Pigeon Forge

Posted March 28, 2020 by Tony Perez

What are the best things to do in Pigeon Forge? Here are some of the most frequent questions about Pigeon Forge that we get asked by guests renting our vacation cabins.

Image courtesy of Pigeon Forge Chamber

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Smoky Mountain Vacation Photographers

Posted September 16, 2019 by Tony Perez

When you’re making lifetime memories in the Smoky Mountains, it’s easier than you may think to get a professional photographer to help make those photographs truly outstanding for generations to come. One local company that makes this easy is Gatlinburg Photo Studios, a team of photographers who come to where you are, or provide studio settings, to capture the essence of your trip in the Smokies.

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Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge: Which is Best?

Posted August 29, 2018 by Tony Perez

If you’re planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains, chances are you’ll be choosing between two of the most popular Tennessee towns for your stay: Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Both towns are great vacation destinations, and they’re right next to each other, with just a few minutes drive between the two towns. While both towns are close to the mountains, offer breathtaking views, and are full of activities and attractions, each one has its own unique personality that may influence your ultimate decision of where to stay.