Smoky Mountain Travel Blog

Calm flatwater paddling near the Smokies — Douglas Lake and the Little Pigeon. Where to launch and rent, the best season, and the water-level tip to know first.

Fresh local flavor near Sevierville — the downtown and Co-op farmers markets, u-pick strawberries, summer berries, and fall pumpkins at Kyker Farms.

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 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.

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.

300 feet up, spinning nearly horizontal over the Smoky Mountains — the WagonWheeler joins the Wild Stallion coaster, miniature animals, and Legacy Lookout at SkyLand Ranch.

Fresh-churned soft serve from grass-fed cows, daily rotating flavors, dipped cones, s'mores churns, and ice cream pies to take back to the cabin — Cruze Farm on the Sevierville Parkway.

Zorbing, real construction equipment at Dig'N Zone, Pirates Voyage, Dollywood coasters, and a national park salamander hunt — spring break in the Smokies with kids.

Four Sevierville coffee shops worth knowing — from a French-inspired downtown café to a log cabin on Wears Valley Road and a veteran-founded chain open until 9 PM.

How a 65-acre Sevierville farm became one of East Tennessee's most visited destinations — the full history of The Apple Barn, from 1972 to today.

Dolly Parton grew up in a one-room Locust Ridge cabin above Sevierville — the Appalachian music, church hymns, and family songs that shaped everything she wrote.

Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland at Soaky Mountain Waterpark — a drive-through holiday light show running mid-November through January in Sevierville, TN.

At English Mountain Trout Farm in Sevierville, you fish for your meal in a stocked pond and eat it minutes later. Family-owned since 1962, no fishing license required.

The Buc-ee's at I-40 Exit 407 near Sevierville is 74,707 sq ft — the world's second-largest and the closest full-scale Buc-ee's to the Smoky Mountains.

Six Sevierville attractions worth the stop — NASCAR SpeedPark, Sevier Air, Tanger Outlets, RainForest Adventures zoo, and mini golf, all off the main Parkway.

Six public golf courses within 35 minutes of Sevierville — from Island Pointe's river island holes to Gatlinburg Golf Course's 200-foot Sky Hi drop.

Eight free things to do in Sevierville — the Harrisburg Covered Bridge, Dolly Parton statue, Smoky Mountain Knife Works, the greenway, winery tastings, and more.

Three Smoky Mountain convention centers — Gatlinburg CC 148,000 sq ft downtown, LeConte Center Pigeon Forge 232,000 sq ft/12,000 capacity, Sevierville CC 107,652 sq ft.