Unusual Popular Attractions in the Smoky Mountains

It was the Great Smoky Mountains that turned Sevier County into a tourist mecca.

But, the locals found out early on that tourists needed more than motels, restaurants and the great outdoors. As it turns out, there’s only so much nature one Midwestern family can absorb before they need a different level of stimuli. In the early days, much of that stimulation came in forms native to the area. They trafficked in bear-related knickknacks and the (often stereotypical) traditions of the mountain people.....

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I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else.

🦋Dolly Parton🦋

🚨 Trending Posts🚨

9 Best Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains, Ranked A local’s guide to the Best Drives in the Smoky Mountains One of the great things about the Smoky Mountains is that just about any drive you take can be a scenic drive. For instance, there are spots on I-40 as you climb up into the higher elevations where the river cuts a path down thr... Read article

Into the Abyss. A Guide to Our Favorite Places Below the Mountains A Non-Spelunker’s Guide to the Caves of the Smoky Mountains and Beyond Growing up a member of Generation X, I had more access to freedom than was probably good for me. As a result, I developed a healthy sense of adventure. Living in medium to small cities, I explored neighborhoods and areas well ... Read article

The Fight for Cades Cove and the People Who Refused to Leave It turns out, not everyone was thrilled when the land became government property When touring Cades Cove today, we see one of nature’s true holy places. The verdant valley with its fields and streams, is surrounded by the high mountains. It’s a place of wonder and we rejoice that our forebe... Read article

Park Bans Long-standing Tunnel Honking Tradition in the Smoky Mountains The ‘no honking’ signs went up months ago – but is the change permanent? I’m comfortable when on the Gatlinburg Spur. After all, I’ve been driving between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for more than 30 years now. And so, as I focus quite literally on the road, I might no... Read article

These 5 Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants Are the Best in Pigeon Forge Local reveals his top picks for the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Pigeon Forge My day job is to observe. I look, I listen and I ask questions. Then, I relay the facts as I have learned them through the written word. Most days I like to think I’m good at it. But then there are times w... Read article

New Attractions Guide: What’s New, What’s Coming Soon and What’s Going Away in the Smoky Mountains in 2025 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 ... Read article

7 Things Not to Do While Visiting Gatlinburg, From a Local An insider’s guide on what not to do when visiting Gatlinburg, the surrounding area As someone who lives near the Smokies and frequents the main strip every chance I get, I can tell you from first-hand experience that there are several ways to approach a visit to Gatlinburg. Or really any vacatio... Read article

Dollywood Announces Mysterious Update About ‘Legacy Attraction’ Officials at Dollywood are hinting at a big update to a major attraction in 2026, this is what we know so far In the 40 years since Silver Dollar City became Dollywood, the one constant has been change. But not just change for the sake of change, the park has been on a consistent upward traj... Read article

10 Things Not to Do While Visiting Pigeon Forge, From a Local An insider’s guide on what not to do when visiting Pigeon Forge, the surrounding area As someone who frequents Pigeon Forge, I know too well that when planning a vacation, in the words of a musical maestro, it’s about knowing when to hold them and knowing when to fold them. When you pl... Read article

A Full List of 14 Gatlinburg Live Webcams Get a live look at what’s happening in the Great Smoky Mountains When you want a live view of the Smoky Mountains – whether you’re checking in on traffic, weather conditions or cute animals – there’s likely a live webcam that can fit your needs. With modern technology, live came... Read article

These 7 Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants Are the Best in Gatlinburg A Smoky Mountain local reveals his top picks for the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Gatlinburg In a world filled with chain restaurants and expensive dining options, sometimes you find the best restaurants where you least expect them. We call them hole-in-the-wall restaurants for lack of a ... Read article

Dolly’s Parton’s Favorite Restaurant Is Hidden in This Tiny Gas Station in TN We took a journey to track down the restaurant that is believed to be frequented by Dolly Parton herself There’s a spot on the Parkway in Sevierville that is built almost entirely in anticipation. You’ve come through downtown and past the China Town restaurant, which has been serving the exotic c... Read article

A Full List of 14 Gatlinburg Live Webcams Get a live look at what’s happening in the Great Smoky Mountains When you want a live view of the Smoky Mountains – whether you’re checking in on traffic, weather conditions or cute animals – there’s likely a live webcam that can fit your needs. With modern technology, live came... Read article

What Is the Story Behind the Gatlinburg BMW? The real story behind the legend of the Gatlinburg BMW There is a mystery in the mountains of Gatlinburg. But it doesn’t have anything to do with haints, haunts, or wild people. We won’t be talking about Big Foot or spooky hollers. This mystery is much deeper than any of those fly-by-night mounta... Read article

Feral Humans in the Smoky Mountains? What Happened to Dennis Martin Social media revives rumors of feral humans in the Smoky Mountains linked to old cold case Dennis Martin was 6 years old in June of 1969. It was Father’s Day weekend and they hiked near the Tennessee-North Carolina border, a Martin family tradition. William Martin (his father) and Clyde (his gran... Read article

6 Things Not To Do at the Apple Barn According to a Local Superfan Do your best to avoid these common mistakes during your next trip to the Apple Barn With its shops, restaurants, hotels and stores, the Apple Barn Cider Mill & General Store essentially becomes its own little village on weekends, especially in the fall. Parking spaces are a premium commodity.... Read article

5 Things Not to Do at Dinner Shows in Pigeon Forge According to a Local A local offers his advice on 5 things not to do when booking, attending dinner shows in Pigeon Forge Dinner and a show. Sounds like the perfect night out – or matinee – in Pigeon Forge. Dinner theaters have long been part of the fabric that is Pigeon Forge. But it’s only in recent years that ever... Read article

6 Desserts in Gatlinburg That Will Make You Drool These are the 6 most irresistible desserts in Gatlinburg, according to a local I’ve always believed that half of the experience of a Smokies vacation is experiencing the local cuisine. From chicken and dumplings to barbeque, you have to admit, East Tennesseans know how to get the most out o... Read article

These Are the Best Gatlinburg Restaurants of 2025, According to a Local These are the best Gatlinburg restaurants of 2025, according to a local Ranking the restaurants in Gatlinburg is a dangerous game. Not in the sense of actual danger, but dangerous in that figuring out how to weigh classics with a reputation decades in the making versus a new and interesting spot ... Read article

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