Smoky Mountain Travel Blog

Complete guide to Dollywood's family rides — Country Fair toddler classics, Wildwood Grove's family area, Dragonflier, NightFlight Expedition, Hidden Hollow, and the Dollywood Express. Height requirements included.

Rainforest Adventures Zoo, Foxfire ziplines, NASCAR SpeedPark go-karts, Dig'n Zone construction park, SkyLand Ranch's mountain coaster, and more — the best kid-friendly attractions in Sevierville, TN.

Two national park trails allow dogs — the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail. Plus four dog-friendly city parks in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Townsend. Complete guide with leash rules and tips.

The Island's free midnight fireworks, Mountain Mile's 10 PM family fireworks, SkyLand Ranch's Festival of Lights chairlift show, and your private cabin — four ways to ring in the new year with kids in Pigeon Forge.

Ober Gatlinburg skiing and tubing, Slick City's indoor dry slides, Pigeon Forge Snow year-round, Winterfest lights, Ripley's Aquarium, WonderWorks, indoor mini golf — winter in the Smokies with kids.

Sweet Potato Pancakes with cinnamon cream syrup, Wild Blueberry Pancakes, Parisienne Crêpes, the award-winning Dutch Diplomat sandwich — what to order at Gatlinburg's Pancake Pantry since 1960.

Anakeesta's Breakfast with Santa, Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas, The Island, The Mountain Mile, The Incredible Christmas Place, Dolly Parton's Stampede — where to find Santa in the Smoky Mountains.

Five Gatlinburg cabins for every kind of trip — a unique A-frame for families, a NASCAR-themed log cabin, a friends' getaway near Ober Gatlinburg, a 12-guest lodge with a media room, and a wooded couples' retreat.

Wish Upon A Star's panoramic Gatlinburg ridgeline, Hawks Ridge's wall of windows, A Million Dollar View with tramway binoculars, Ski Mountain Manor in Chalet Village — 5 cabins guests rave about for their views.

Private hot tub, fully equipped kitchen, game room, movie theater, private pool, Stay & Play Pass attraction tickets, and the Smoky Mountains outside — 7 reasons a cabin beats a hotel for a long weekend.

Yes — Gatlinburg can get snow in December, but it's typically light and scenic rather than disruptive. Here's what to expect from December weather, temperatures, and why it's a great time to book a cabin.

A hillside deck suspended over mountain views, a built-in fire pit deck, a screened all-weather deck for 18, and a classic front-and-back porch cabin — 4 Smoky Mountain cabins chosen for their outdoor spaces.

Winter Magic Lights, Ober Gatlinburg ski season, Anakeesta's Enchanted Christmas, the Fantasy of Lights Parade, Arts & Crafts Community shopping, and the national park at its quietest — December in Gatlinburg.

Private fishing ponds, a cabin with private stairs to the Little Pigeon River, and a 5-bedroom river cabin for 12 — the best fishing cabin rentals near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the Smoky Mountains.

Two airworthy WWII P-47 Thunderbolts, a USS Arizona relic, the Faith and Courage chaplains exhibit, unscheduled flight demonstrations, and free parking — 7 reasons to visit the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville.

Murder mystery dinner shows, zorbing, moonshine tastings, Dollywood, spa day at The Island, horseback riding in the national park, and a private cabin hot tub — 10 bachelorette ideas for Pigeon Forge.

Dolly Parton's bronze statue, the Wings of Wander monarch butterfly mural, Red's Cafe mural, Red's Soda Fountain, The Pines duckpin bowling, and a self-guided walking tour — 6 things to do in historic downtown Sevierville.

Fur Trader, Willow's Workshop, The Mercantile, Catching Fireflies, Adventure Outpost, and Great Outdoors Trading Company — the best shops at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, including one with no admission required.

A private hot tub with mountain views, riverbank fishing, game room nights that go longer than planned, rocking chair mornings, fire pit stargazing, and wildlife from the deck — 6 cabin joys unique to the Smokies.

SkyPark fireworks viewing 500 feet above the city, Anakeesta after dark, Gatlin's Escape Games through midnight, Hollywood Star Cars Museum, and Ober Gatlinburg skiing — plus Gatlinburg's free ball drop and fireworks.