TheSmokies.com

A Local Explains the Allure of Blount County’s Somewhat Secret Tourist Attraction When we moved to Blount County in the summer of 1990, we got a lot of advice from locals. The best places to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the secret spots where you can enjoy the mountains away from the throngs. We were told never to stop in Cocke County under any circumstance, even if you had to get gas on the interstate. Seriously, this was still a thing, a leftover from previous...

A local reviews Mel's Classic Diner in Pigeon Forge There is a reason the classic American diner has endured from its heyday in the 1950s into modern times. And it goes well beyond nostalgia. You give the right person a griddle and a few classic ingredients, and magic happens. There are a lot of great dining options in the mountains, including some truly fantastic, high-end choices. But sometimes, you just want a classic burger and crispy French fries. Also, if you’re feeling indulgent, a...

You Can Visit This Once Abandoned Notorious Prison in East Tennessee In Morgan County, near the tiny community of Petros – right in the shadow of the Cumberland Plateau- they’ve taken hell on Earth, shined it up and used it to market a peculiar concoction of horrid history, fabricated ghosts, mountain likker and classic Southern café dining. For more than 100 years, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary was well known as one of the worst places on Earth. For instance, something akin to the...

A Smoky Mountain native offers his opinion on Calhoun’s in Gatlinburg I remember the first time I set foot in a Calhoun’s restaurant, the iconic East Tennessee dining tradition. It was 1994 and the NCAA tournament Men’s Regionals was in Knoxville at Thompson-Boling Arena. In fact, basically right across the street from Calhoun’s on the River. My stepdad suggested we eat there before the games and so we did. I don’t remember what we had but I remember the experience, eating there on the bank...

The Best Scenic Mountain Views in the Smoky Mountain's, a locals guide You could spend a lifetime searching the Appalachian mountain range for the most gorgeous views. In fact, you could catalog them by state, separating the spectacular views from the merely beautiful views. For instance, are the best views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina or Tennessee? What about the panoramic views of the mountains in Georgia? Are there better views in Virginia? Are the best...

The Life and Times of Bud Ogle in Gatlinburg Tennessee William Ogle himself identified the Gatlinburg area as ripe for European settlement. He was a Delaware native who made his way down to the Carolinas where he met and married Martha Huskey. With the help of the Cherokee locals, he cut and hewed the logs to build a cabin. William returned to his family in South Carolina in 1803 with the idea of growing a season of crops before returning to the mountains. However, he died that March at the...

How Many Elk are there in the Smoky Mountains? While black bears get most of the attention in the Smoky Mountains, elk is another notable animal that can be found in the region. And if you see an elk in the Great Smoky Mountains, consider yourself lucky. These nearly-eliminated species can be a rare find. But if you’re like me, there have been times when you’ve excitedly pointed at wildlife and said, “Look it’s a …” before verbally trailing off in shame of not knowing what animal you just...

A Local Shares Details About Middle Prong Trail a Hidden Gem in the Smoky Mountains Every so often, I completely lose my faith in Hollywood. Oh sure, I like a good superhero movie as much as anyone. But why in the world are we making the 15th Batman movie while nobody has gotten around to turning the life of William Marion Walker into a film yet? Sure, Batman has wonderful toys. However, consider the man who first settled the Middle Prong area of the Little River. Walker created the community...

A local breaks down what may be the biggest season of change since tourists started flocking to the mountains One thing about life in the Smoky Mountains is that change is always just around the bend. One season, you’re doing big business selling pancakes, racing go-karts or touting your special and authentic brand of moonshine. The next season? Your life works are gone. Paved over for a parking lot, remodeled for a new restaurant, or rebranded into something newer and cooler and bigger and...