The Day Hiker is a locally owned shop in Gatlinburg’s Village shopping area. Open 7 days a week, it’s a great destination for hiking equipment and supplies, including clothing, packs, trekking poles, maps, guides, books, and more. Prices are affordable, and the generous advice and hiking recommendations given cheerfully by the knowledgeable staff is free…. Read more »
For a breakfast that many call the best in the Smokies head for Crockett’s Breakfast Camp. The restaurant stands out with its giant cast iron skillet, rustic peaked roof, and famous wooden statue of the historic frontiersman David C. “Crockett” Maples. The restaurant is named after this larger than life figure who served in the… Read more »
Some people enjoy nothing better than to get lost in an antiques shop, peeking and poking about in hot pursuit of that hard-to-find standout piece that adds a layer of depth to any home or office: a conversation starter for years to come. And during a visit to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, you can… Read more »
Among the most popular reasons for visiting the Great Smoky Mountains are the incredible views of the surrounding area and the chance to get outdoors and enjoy the environment. At Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park you have plenty of opportunities for both, with ziplines, bridges, and scenic overlooks that will let you peer down over Lost… Read more »
Finding a restaurant that will please every member of the group can be a tricky proposition on a family vacation. Thankfully, the menu at Crystelle Creek Restaurant & Grill offers diverse selections of freshly prepared dishes that everyone can get excited about. The restaurant is known for its elegant takes on American comfort food classics,… Read more »
Bent Creek Golf Course lies at the very foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. A par 72 course, the Bent Creek Golf Course was designed by Gary Player and opened in 1972.The course is closest of all to Gatlinburg, and provides a challenging and relaxing experience. Divided into two distinct segments, this very challenging golf… Read more »
With a light and friendly atmosphere, Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant is a great breakfast (and lunch) option in Pigeon Forge. Offering a wide range of delicious breakfast offerings – that also include crepes – from hardy to sweet to savory, the kitchen adds many extra touches. Lunch options include burgers, sandwiches, and chicken tenders. Something on… Read more »
Smoky Mountain Winery is Gatlinburg’s oldest winery, established in 1981, and the winner of numerous awards. Located just off of East Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN, it’s a hidden gem and great favorite for many people who like to sample the varieties of wine that the area offers. Wine lovers of all experience levels will enjoy… Read more »
There’s plenty of Smoky Mountain spirit to be found in Alewine Pottery of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This much loved, family-run shop knows how to roll out the welcome mat and provide friendly, individual service. The Alewine family plies its visitors with free complimentary popcorn, coffee and apples, provide rocking chairs and a checkers table, with live… Read more »
Being outdoors doesn’t mean you have to stay on the ground. Get in the air and stay there throughout the Adventure Tree Tops Ropes Course, fully harnessed and traversing a mix of ziplining, climbing, rope walking, and numerous other elevated platforms that make up the course…Read more »
Have you explored the Rocky Top Wine Trail? The trail is made up of 5 wineries located from the heart of Pigeon Forge to Sevierville, just up the road. All locations along the trail are open 7 days a week, and each winery offers free samples. As a bonus, some also offer tours of the… Read more »
Gatlinburg Golf Course has some of the most dramatic mountainous holes and views found anywhere. This unique and long 18-hole course has lots of elevated greens with Bentgrass, vertical drops and tight fairways with Bermuda grass. There’s not one flat fairway to be found, and golfers will be challenged to play their best. If you’re… Read more »
Recognized as one of the top public courses in Tennessee, this course was opened in 1994 by the City of Sevierville as Eagle’s Landing Golf Club, an 18-hole, par 72 golf course offering golfers different sets of tees to intensify the challenge. It received a 4-star rating by Golf Digest, and was nominated for the “Best Public… Read more »
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are family friendly towns, but adults like to have a drink sometimes, and here are some of the notable bars, distilleries, winemakers and other drinking establishments in the area. Good Bars Many restaurants in the area have a good bar, and here are a few we like. Some people prefer to… Read more »
Laurel Valley Golf Course changed its name in 2018 to Wild Laurel Golf Course, and new ownership has instituted excellent upgrades to this full-service, 18-hole, par 70 course originally designed by Ed Ault. In Townsend – a short and very scenic drive from Gatlinburg – the course is located in a secluded and highly picturesque… Read more »
Located just north of Sevierville, about 30 minutes from Gatlinburg, the daily fee River Islands Golf Club is set in the beautiful scenery of the French Broad River. This course is rated four-star by Golf Digest and is the highest-rated public golf course in the state of Tennessee. Four exciting holes actually rest on natural… Read more »
The Dandridge Golf & Country Club has 27 holes comprising three nine-hole courses that can be played all 27 holes, or in eighteen-hole combinations. The original 18 holes were built in 1980 and designed by Dan Maples, with 9 more added in 1991 for the first 27-hole course in the region. The Red and White… Read more »
Baneberry is a 6,700 yards course in a relaxing, country setting. Built on gently rolling terrain it features streams, ponds, and grass mounds that come into play on several holes. Built in 1972, the Baneberry course was designed by Bob Thompson with bent grass greens and Bermuda grass fairways. Most of the greens have been… Read more »
Did you know that when visiting the Smoky Mountains region, you can leave your car in a free parking lot, hop on a Gatlinburg trolley, see the town, connect with a Pigeon Forge trolley, explore the area, and, if you choose to, travel to Sevierville on yet another trolley bus? Trolley buses connect the cities… Read more »
There are many millions of colored and animated lights that come alive during the Winter Magic and Winterfest celebration seasons of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Here’s how to see the best displays of lights in the area. Gatlinburg Winter Magic Tour of Lights If you want to view the festive lights on display throughout the… Read more »
High atop the Great Smoky Mountains, you may even be able to see your Gatlinburg rental cabin or your Pigeon Forge rental cabin from the air, depending on which way the wind blows – Smoky Mountain Balloon Adventures offers the exhilarating chance to climb high in a hot air balloon, breathe in the peace surrounding the… Read more »
UPDATE 2021 – Mills Park now has an excellent dog park where your four-legged family friend can run free and socialize! With Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the doorstep, it’s often overlooked that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge both have some fine public parks to enjoy. These are great places to get out of the… Read more »
Every season in the Smoky Mountains has its own special charm, from the colors of fall to the wonderland of winter, to brilliant sunshine in spring and summer. Many attractions are year-round in Pigeon Forge, while some depend on certain seasons. Either way, it’s important to know what the weather will be like when you… Read more »
From the colors of fall to winter wonderland, to brilliant sunshine in spring and summer, there’s never an off-season in the Smokies. Most restaurants and attractions are now year-round in Pigeon Forge. The National Park Service publishes average temperatures along with rain and snowfall (listed below) to help you determine the best time to come… Read more »
