Category: Outdoors

Cades Cove is the most popular destination within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, drawing in more than 2 million visitors each year. So what’s so special about it? Less than an hour-and-a-half drive from downtown Gatlinburg, the 4,000-acre valley features rich native wildlife, spectacular mountain views, and hiking and auto trails. It is perhaps […]

Can you believe it? Fall is already upon us! As the kids return to school and the spooky Halloween decorations go up, the leaves come down and the REI gear comes out. “Leaf season,” as the locals call it, is the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains for hiking. Rather than their usual lovely […]

Eastern Tennessee is full of gorgeous mountain rivers and streams. However, it can be daunting to navigate them all and know which ones are best suited to which activities. Plus, the only information available online is limited and scattered, which might not help if you’re new to the area. Come with us on a virtual […]

Sturdy oak trunks seem to tower endlessly upward, and their leafy branches merge to create an emerald ceiling above you. Your ears perk up to the abrupt rattling stutter of a woodpecker before the sound is lost to the serene shushing of leaves in a gentle breeze. The beauty of nature has the power to […]

Mountains or beach? It’s the age-old decision that American vacationers make every year. It’s an especially close call for Southerners, for whom the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic coastline are both viable options. If your preference leans toward water, you may be tempted to spend your summer break in a place like Myrtle Beach, where […]

An elementary school-aged boy shoves an old homework assignment into his backpack. He dashes over to his buddy on the other side of the classroom. “Your mom said you could come with us on vacation, right? It’s going to be so awesome!” A teenage girl loads a suitcase in her bedroom. She’s FaceTiming her bestie […]

Appalachia is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, yet one section, in particular, is known for its extraordinary biodiversity and tranquil allure. Before European settlers arrived, the great Cherokee nation called this subrange shaconage, or “place of the blue smoke,” named for its misty peaks gracefully overlapping in silvery blue layers. Today, […]

Stunning vistas of gentle blue slopes contrasting wondrous red and gold sunsets make the Great Smoky Mountains an idyllic setting for love. Honeymooners come from all over the world to start the rest of their lives in exuberance, while veterans of romance return to the Smokies in grateful commemoration of their partnership. No matter the […]

The mountains are beckoning you to your next grand adventure! Only beyond the Great Smoky Mountain ridge are there exciting and extraordinary activities to tempt the most spirited of travelers. Explore the enchanting towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for your next globe-trotting journey, where your group can embark upon countless family-friendly adventures. There are […]

Are you coming to the Smokies and looking for the best way to experience every last drop of nature, entertainment, and excitement? We’ve put together the ultimate guide to the Great Smoky Mountains for you and your family. Enjoy! Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Create unforgettable memories in the Great Smoky Mountains at one of […]