With its rolling landscapes, rich forests, and scenic views, the Smokies offer an ideal setting for horseback riding. The area around Gatlinburg provides a range of trails that cater to both novice and experienced riders, making it a perfect destination for equestrian enthusiasts. Whether you own a horse or wish to rent one locally, the… Read more »
One of the least known festivals, with some of the best bluegrass music in the world, happens each year at the Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival at Kodak, just up the road from the bustling towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg…Read more »
During your stay in the Smoky Mountains, time is precious, so here’s a guide to some of the best quick and super-easy ways to venture outdoors into nature and the mountains. Even though the cabin life is great to hang out in, here’s how to take an hour or two for short excursions that create family memories forever…Read more »
Here are some of the best places to go shopping in Gatlinburg. The town is packed with specialty shops and boutiques of all kinds, so your shopping adventure can reveal treasures around every corner, but also can cost precious time if you don’t know where to go to get what you’re looking for. Here’s our… Read more »
The Gatlinburg Trail is a popular hiking trail connecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Gatlinburg, suitable for all ages and skill levels, and accommodating pets and bicycles. Read on to discover more of what makes this trail unique. Great Views The hiking and walking trails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are teeming… Read more »
The Smokies are legendary for whitewater rafting, and no outfitter is better-known than the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). The company has locations in Tennessee and North Carolina, with a flagship outdoor gear store called the Great Outpost in Gatlinburg, on Parkway at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Known for its whitewater rafting… Read more »
Everyone wants to spend time in the great outdoors with their four-legged friends, and the Great Smoky Mountains are a beautiful area to explore with your pet. However, it’s important to remember that there are restrictions when it comes to bringing pets on hiking trails within the park. Learn more about how you can have… Read more »
Pigeon Forge shopping offers a world of shopping adventures from unique specialty shops to outlet malls – here’s our guide to some of the best places to go shopping in Pigeon Forge, so you can save time during your visit and hit the best spots. And usually you’ll find fabulous entertainment, dining and kids fun… Read more »
Practically anywhere you drive in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is a scenic drive, but here are some of the super-scenic roadways and places to stop along those roads, for photographs and memories. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, and some days this shows in the amount… Read more »
Foothills Parkway is a national parkway that flanks Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offers superb panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains. One of the best and most recent scenic drives to appear in the Smoky Mountains is the formerly “missing link” of the Foothills Parkway that was opened in 2018. This stretch runs from… Read more »
Ober Gatlinburg ski area, on Mt. Harrison above Gatlinburg in the Smoky Mountains, offers a fun Snow Tubing experience that’s fun for all the family, with no skills required except being able to sit on a tube – and maybe laugh – on the way down. With snow tubing at Ober Gatlinburg you don’t even… Read more »
Pigeon Forge has as many different restaurants as it has all other attractions. The list is endless, but here are some notable eateries in town. From Tennessee southern cooking to themed restaurants for family fun, to more sophisticated fare, Pigeon Forge has it all, including national genres such as Cuban, Brazilian, Mexican, Italian and of… Read more »
Ober Gatlinburg usually kicks off its winter ski season with special events in advance of the slopes opening. As temperatures drop on the mountain and the snow guns start laying the human-made base, waiting for the fresh powder from Mother Nature, the groomers start shaping the new snow for two special areas: the Tubing Park… Read more »
Gatlinburg has hundreds of eateries, ranging from world-class hot dogs to eat on your feet, to ethnic and specialty food, fine dining, crepes, seafood, steaks, Italian, Mediterranean, vegetarian, barbeque, sandwich, breakfast – the list goes on. There are foods here that you may never have thought of, or never thought you’d see again (including a… Read more »
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is renowned for its rich arts and crafts scene, boasting one of the largest communities of independent artisans in the nation. This vibrant creative spirit is especially evident along the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Trail, an 8-mile scenic route on the city’s outskirts that features numerous studios and shops. Established around… Read more »
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular park in the nation. With more than 800 miles of trails that lead to waterfalls, stunning vistas, peaceful meadows and a diverse variety of plant and wildlife, the Park offers a vast range of hiking and viewing-point options. Here are some recommended light day-hiking trips that… Read more »
What Makes the Johnson Family of Restaurants So Darned Good? Decades ago, Bruce Johnson opened his first BBQ restaurant and fulfilled his dream of owning a restaurant. Now, Johnson Family Restaurants has grown by leaps and bounds in the Smokies and features restaurants offering just about any type of food your family is looking for…. Read more »
Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts only two waterfalls accessible by car, one of which is Place of a Thousand Drips. Unlike a single large cascade, this waterfall consists of numerous smaller falls, giving it a delicate, intricate appearance. It can be easy to overlook, so keep an eye out towards the end of the… Read more »
If you’ve tried some of the Scenic Drives & Easy Hikes we recommend, you may want to deepen your appreciation of the Smoky Mountains with more extended hiking. You can become a hiker-naturalist in an instant, with personal help from experienced guides. Book a guided tour in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the nationally… Read more »
The Old Mill District is the historic heart of Pigeon Forge, a quaint shopping and dining area where you can spend several hours in peace and charm, browsing the unique shops and attractions, dining at the two fabulous restaurants, strolling the compact 3 or 4 block area, or just gazing at the river and the… Read more »
Split Rail Eats in Gatlinburg is a little off the beaten track but it’s worth finding if you’re hungry for a good meal. With a mix of traditional and modern American diner fare, and special twists to the ingredients and specialties, this cute little restaurant is a place the locals eat, and recommend to visitors…. Read more »
One of Gatlinburg’s hidden gems for dining is Taste of Italy. It’s a family-owned and operated restaurant popular with visitors and locals alike, serving a wide range of Italian dishes – including fresh homemade pizza – both for meat lovers and also for vegetarian and gluten-free tastes. Taste of Italy offers quality Italian food made… Read more »
The Mountain Mall is an indoor shopping center set along the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. Easy to miss, but a must-visit favorite for many, you’ll find this mall standing proud with its classic mountain cabin aesthetic at traffic light just along from Ripley’s Aquarium. What you won’t find are any chain stores here, just locally… Read more »
Chesapeake’s Seafood and Raw Bar offers a prime seafood dining experience in Gatlinburg, offering lunch and dinner in a convenient location with gorgeous views, and both indoor seating and a heated patio for dining outdoors. The restaurant is spacious and well organized, and the seafood is acclaimed by many (many) customers as ranking with any… Read more »
You can find excellent seafood at Harpoon Harry’s Crab House, which also offers an excellent sushi bar – unusually for a seafood restaurant, but a very welcome addition to the dining choices in town. One of the largest restaurants in Pigeon Forge, Harpoon Harry’s isn’t a chain restaurant, but it is part of an empire,… Read more »
The Village in Gatlinburg is a beautiful shopping enclave with a European feel and more than two dozen specialty shops, eateries, galleries and clothiers. It’s a place for a leisurely and discovery-filled shopping experience, a relaxed cup of coffee, a breakfast or lunch snack, as well a place simply to sit and watch, enjoy the… Read more »
Smith & Son Corner Kitchen is an American fare lunch and dinner restaurant in Gatlinburg with a bar upstairs serving signature cocktails. The food is excellent, and hearty, with a large menu selection. This restaurant really is on the corner, at the intersection of Historic Nature Trail (Airport Rd.) and Parkway, at Light #8 –… Read more »
Gatlinburg offers mouthwatering Southern food around every corner, but some specialties are a little harder to find. Boudicca’s is one of only two Celtic restaurants in town, and it’s a winner. Expect cozy, pub-like vibes, hot, delicious grub served up quickly in a casual atmosphere, and an impressive array of beers on tap. Boudicca’s even… Read more »
Before embarking on your Gatlinburg cabin vacation or Pigeon Forge cabin vacation, consider adding one of these hiking guides to your suitcase: The Smoky Mountain Scavenger Hike Adventures help you explore these woods in a new light. To unveil true hiking mysteries, carry this scavenger hiking guide with you, choose a trail to explore, and… Read more »
The Island in Pigeon Forge offers a vibrant, family-friendly environment featuring a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. With over 40 stores and specialty shops, the venue also houses nearly two dozen dining spots, including restaurants and food stands. Visitors can enjoy around 30 rides, games, and attractions that appeal to all ages. Additionally,… Read more »
Local Goat is a Pigeon Forge lunch and dinner restaurant serving a New American menu featuring creative flavors and fresh, locally sourced ingredients with sustainable practices in mind. You’ll find the typical Southern American classics you’d expect on the menu, such as burgers, steaks, meatloaf, fried green tomatoes and grits. But each of these recipes… Read more »
Fannie Farkle’s is a restaurant and arcade in downtown Gatlinburg with food to go or to eat in, including its famous, foot-long corn dogs that some people have called the best in the world! Fannie Farkle’s has been converting visitors into regulars for years because of its high-quality food and fun for the entire family…. Read more »
Smoky Mountains Creperie in Gatlinburg serves freshly made crepes filled with mouthwatering items such as strawberries and ice cream on the sweet side and chicken and cheese on the savory side – with many more varieties of snack or dessert on each side. Sweet or savory, everything is delicious and fresh and you can order… Read more »
To satisfy a craving for ice cream creations, whether it’s a cone, shake, sundae, or split, when it comes to creamy goodness, cool treats abound in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville area. Here are some notable places to consider – not in any order of preference, and NOT exclusive. There are LOTS of places… Read more »
Close to Traffic Light #6 in a great strolling part of downtown Gatlinburg, Baskins Square is an outdoor enclave of shops and eateries, with some hidden gems not to be missed, especially when it comes to food – there’s good eating here. The mall is right across Parkway from the Village Shoppes, another oasis of… Read more »
You’ll step back in time when dining in the classic style of the 50’s at Mel’s, where American favorites fill the menu. From the large exterior neon sign to the cozy booths, chrome accessories, and music playing from the jukebox, it’s a time machine and a great place to eat. With something to please every… Read more »
