The Smoky Mountains are one of our favorite places for a vacation. They mix beautiful scenery, family-friendly attractions, and outdoor adventures. We know vacations aren’t getting any cheaper. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on this incredible destination – here are some great ways to save money on your Smoky Mountain vacation….
The Sinks is located on Little River Road, west of the Sugarlands Visitor Center, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you’re taking Little River Gorge Road from Gatlinburg to Townsend or Cades Cove, you’ll drive right over it. Little River Rd is also one of the best scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains, which…
Hidden within forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont Ghost Town reminds of a bygone era. This former resort community, also known as Daisy Town, offers a glimpse into the area’s recent history. We recently visited it again for some new pictures, and updated info on Elkmont’s fascinating past, how to find it, and…
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has some of the best natural beauty of anywhere we’ve been. The landscape makes for some beautiful views at dawn and dusk. There are some great places to see spectacular sunrises and sunsets, depending on whether you want to be on top of a mountain or have the mountains…
Smoky Moutain Day Trip Plan #1 In this new series, we’ll provide ideas and plans for a family-friendly partial or full day of activities. Our first idea is one of our favorites, as it includes some of the best scenery while still having some fun things to do. It’s a pretty full day, and the…
The Gatlinburg SkyBridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. It’s easy to spot when you’re in Gatlinburg, sitting high above the Parkway. It’s fun (and scary for many!) to walk across, and it’s a great spot for taking photographs. But is it worth the price to go up there? Here’s what we…
While snow is possible in the other parts of the state, your best bet is concentrated in a small area in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the far southeastern part of Tennessee. For most of the Volunteer State, because of the lower elevations and humid subtropical climate, you don’t have a…
Looking for a quick new Smoky Mountains hike? We’re not expert hikers, but gave this just under 2-mile hike a try right after some heavy rains in May. Spruce Flat Falls is at the end of a short but challenging hike that starts at the Tremont Institute in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hiking…
Gatlinburg has some amazing scenery nearby, you don’t need a long hike to see it. We live here and driven all of them. Here’s our favorite drives that let you explore the Smoky Mountains. without leaving your car. These drives are all close enough to do as a partial day trip from Gatlinburg, or Pigeon…
You might not know it by driving through Pigeon Forge, but there are Elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They’re only in a few areas, so we recommend taking the drive about an hour southeast from Gatlinburg for the best chance to see them. Best Places and Times for Elk Viewing Oconaluftee Visitor…