A black bear’s viral shopping spree last night at a Gatlinburg candy store has wildlife officials delivering a grim warning: these cute encounters often end in the bear’s euthanization. The Tennessee Wildlife Agency and Appalachian Bear Rescue stress that despite the viral appeal of such videos, bears entering buildings display dangerous behavior that typically leads…
In a contest that would make Willy Wonka proud, Dolly Parton is giving families across America a chance to win an unforgettable Dollywood experience. The beloved country music icon has partnered with TNvacation.com and hidden special Butterfly Tickets inside ten copies of the new Tennessee Playcation Kid’s Guide, offering lucky winners a VIP celebration package…
A severe thunderstorm brought flash flooding to Dollywood, a popular theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on Sunday. The park was hit with torrential downpours that flooded the park and parking lots, some of which were under 3 feet of water in spots. Thankfully the reports are that only one person reportedly sustained a minor…
“Don’t feed the bears!” Everyone has heard it, but it keeps happening (intentionally or unintentionally), usually with deadly consequences for the bears. A recent video from a Gatlinburg hotel shows people tossing food to bears in the Little Pigeon River below. Here’s the problem: Not only is it dangerous, it’s illegal. We all love seeing…
Free kids admission to Soaky Mountain June 5th and 6th with an A report card! We went last year and plan to go this year, too (good job, kids!). It will probably be busy, and parents will have to pay the normal price, but it’s still a great deal. Read more on the Soaky Mountain…
The synchronous fireflies are an amazing natural spectacle, lighting up the Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year. The fireflies are so popular now that the National Parks Service has a lottery reservation system to see them. The 2024 Firefly Season Update: The 2024 season for the lottery has closed (we didn’t get one!) Elkmont…
This summer, a week-long stay at some of the more expensive hotels in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, can cost more than a family trip to Europe. This isn’t a secret deal; it just compares how expensive some hotels are currently (during peak times) compared to how reasonable some airfare has remained, even internationally. In a different article, we…
WildSide is planning on more mountaintop fun coming to the Smoky Mountains in the Summer of 2024 near Pigeon Forge. This 900-acre park will feature off-roading and mountain biking with some great views. Brought to you by the creators of Anakeesta, WildSide promises 900 acres of UTV and mountain biking fun, with 15 miles of…
The National Parks Service has released its 2023 data, with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park holding the #1 spot by a huge margin. From the Smoky Mountains of the East to the dramatic canyons of the West, these parks draw millions of visitors yearly. Based on the most recent National Park Service data, here’s…
About a week ago, we paid $37.95 per adult to visit the Gatlinburg Skypark and Skybridge for last-minute same-day tickets. This has been the normal price for tickets booked within the next several days, with discounts of $5 per person booking a few days in advance. We think the price has been too high for…