TheSmokies.com

Ranking the Regional "Chain" Restaurants in the Smokies We don’t often include the more ubiquitous chains in our rankings – we figure most of y’all understand what an Applebee’s is. While places like Pal’s, Calhoun’s, or Blue Moose might have multiple locations across East Tennessee, we don’t feel that they qualify for this exercise. We explore those places with a multi-state presence, but that aren't.... Read More 🍽️The Foodie Guide to The Smokies🍖 A steak lover's dream: Peddler vs Alamo...

24 Movies Filmed in and Around The Smoky Mountains The mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina have been home to a surprising number of movies, including a few forgettable ones, as well as classics and box office hits. Some of the most notable movies are.... Read More 🍽️The Foodie Guide to The Smokies🍖 🍔 Blue Moose Challenges Calhoun’s Blue Moose takes on Calhoun’s—see who claims the crown... Read Article 🥩Battle of Gatlinburg's Steakhouses See which restaurant wins for flavor,...

5 Tourist-Free Smoky Mountain Towns You Can Afford The mountains of East Tennessee can be a beautiful place to live. I’ve spent the better part of the last 30 years living in communities up and down East Tennessee. But that beauty can come at a price. Do you want to explore relatively affordable spots in the mountains near Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge? Read More 🍽️The Foodie Guide to The Smokies🍖 🍔 Blue Moose Challenges Calhoun’s Blue Moose takes on Calhoun’s—see who claims the crown... Read...

What Is a Weigel's? Iconic East Tennessee gas station and convenience store has a reputation for clean facilities, great milk, and lighting people up on social media. With a history that goes back almost as far as East Tennessee, Weigel’s (pronounced ‘Why-gulls’) is a thriving regional institution.... Read More 🍽️The Foodie Guide to The Smokies🍖 11 Best Places to Eat in Gatlinburg So, where do the locals like to eat in Gatlinburg? We break down our favorite places... Read Article 13 Best...

A Battle for Convenience Store Dominance Buc-ee’s arrived in Sevier County, at I-40’s Exit 407, one of the busiest in the country, with trumpets blazing, massive fanfare, and a welcoming fit for a king. Casey’s arrived in a different fashion. The Iowa based chain bought 38 Pilot stores in East Tennessee from the very, very rich Haslam family and began renovating the existing sites. On paper, Casey’s should be considered the king of the hill but.... Read More 🍽️The Foodie Guide to The Smokies🍖...

PETA Wants Daisy and River Released I’ll say this for the people of the mountains: we’ve come a long way. Some may think it’s an overstatement. Others may think it’s not far enough. I understand that animals that are meant to live in vast swaths of forest or ocean aren’t meant to be confined. But.... Read More 🍽️The Foodie Guide to The Smokies🍖 🍔 Blue Moose Challenges Calhoun’s Blue Moose takes on Calhoun’s—see who claims the crown... Read Article 🥩Battle of Gatlinburg's Steakhouses See which...

Celebrating the Legacy of Expert Tracker Dwight McCarter His son Rob said that even at the age of 75, Dwight could cover 30 miles in the park without breaking a sweat, adding that his father was known as the best man tracker on the Eastern Seaboard. McCarter’s lineage in the mountains can be traced all the way back to the first family of Gatlinburg.... Read More 🍽️The Foodie Guide to The Smokies🍖 🍔 Blue Moose Challenges Calhoun’s Blue Moose takes on Calhoun’s—see who claims the crown... Read...

A Popular Rod Run Tradition Has Been Banned in Pigeon Forge The Pigeon Forge Rod Runs are biannual events where classic car enthusiasts come to Pigeon Forge and celebrate car culture. Some participants are involved in the official event at the LeConte Center. Others cruise the parkway or spend the weekend hanging out in select parking spots alongside the road. It’s a decades-old tradition.... Read More 🍽️The Foodie Guide to The Smokies🍖 11 Best Places to Eat in Gatlinburg So, where do the...

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Is Not For Everyone There are many reasons to visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, but for some people, there are also many reasons not to. I know that somewhere out there are people who don’t like the Smokies and have no interest in the National Park.... Read More 🍽️The Foodie Guide to The Smokies🍖 A steak lover's dream: Peddler vs Alamo Rating two of the top steakhouses in the Smoky Mountains... Read Article Who doesn't like a good breakfast?...