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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 […]

As one of the five love languages, gift-giving is a simple way to show your appreciation for someone – and that someone could be yourself, too! Whether you’re on a self-care kick or getting ahead on your holiday shopping, you’ll find plenty of unique gifts among the shops at The Island in Pigeon Forge and […]

Just like outer space and neuroscience, dating is one of the final frontiers of human understanding. What does he want to do this weekend? Where does she want to eat? What should you wear? There is no easy formula to answer such universal mysteries, and therefore, dating is a complex game of uncertainty. That said, […]

Over the course of the year, vile creatures crawl forth from the shadows. Some spread their spiny black wings to hunt for sweet blood, and others remain invisible to better torment their victims. Some hideous monsters rely on brute strength and poisonous fangs, while others use their charming appearance to lure you into their web […]

You can’t say you’ve experienced these dusky peaks if you’ve never sat outside on the porch with a mason jar full of moonshine cocktail while listening to bluegrass music. After all, white lightnin’, as the locals call it, is one of the most famous novelties of the Great Smoky Mountains. So how did Appalachian moonshine […]

Pigeon Forge makes its primary claim to fame as a center for thrilling amusement park rides and interactive outdoor adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains. However, these aren’t the only features that make this small mountain town so special. The local community is bursting with talent, from actors and musicians to comedians and magicians. As […]

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 […]

Your higher power is with you no matter where you are. Yet, you may feel a stronger connection with the divine when surrounded by ancient beauty and graceful grandeur. Impressive, timeless, yet gentle – the Great Smoky Mountains inherently generate such a sense of sacredness. It’s no surprise that there is a wide variety of […]

The truly spiritual need for caffeine to wake you up in the morning? It doesn’t compare. What about the universally-felt longing for your cat to come and sit on your lap? No, that doesn’t compare either. Nothing compares to the ravenous craving we can feel for a thick, juicy, twelve-story-high burger! Sometimes, the simplest things […]

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 […]