Smoky Mountain Travel Blog

Five things to do at Old Mill Square in Pigeon Forge — tour the working 1830 mill, dine at the restaurant, visit the pottery studio, and walk the Riverwalk.

Six ways to avoid Pigeon Forge traffic — the Fun Time Trolley, Veterans Boulevard bypass, off-peak timing, navigation apps, and the event calendar.

Where and when to see black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Cades Cove, Roaring Fork, Cataloochee, plus bear safety and the 50-yard rule.

Nine kid-friendly Dollywood rides for families — Country Fair gentle rides, Wildwood Grove's Black Bear Trail and Giant Tree Swing, plus FireChaser Express.

Five Pigeon Forge steakhouses — Gaucho Urbano's Brazilian churrascaria, Alamo's oak-fire grill, Bullfish Grill, Calhoun's, and J.T. Hannah's Kitchen.

Five kid-friendly Gatlinburg restaurants — Big Daddy's Pizzeria, Crockett's Breakfast Camp, Fannie Farkle's, Smoky Mountain Brewery, and No Way Jose's Cantina.

The Gatlinburg Wine Trail connects five tasting rooms for $10 — Tennessee Homemade Wines, Old Mountain, Smokin' Banjo, Tennessee Cider Co., and more.

Six of Gatlinburg's best upscale restaurants — The Greenbrier, Peddler Steakhouse, Cherokee Grill, Chesapeake's, The Park Grill, and Howard's since 1946.

Six of the Smokies' most beautiful spots — Porters Creek wildflowers, Kuwohi summit views, Gregory Bald rhododendrons, Cataract Falls, and Roaring Fork Drive.

Six of the best Smoky Mountains fall hikes — Charlies Bunion, Ramsey Cascades, Rainbow Falls, Gregory Bald, Alum Cave, and the AT from Newfound Gap.

Five spots for fall foliage in the Smokies — Cades Cove, Newfound Gap Road, Kuwohi summit views, Roaring Fork, and Deep Creek's late-season color.

What to pack for a Gatlinburg cabin trip — layers for mountain weather, hiking gear, what the cabin provides, food to bring, and first aid essentials.

Pigeon Forge is famous for Dollywood, its gateway location to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Island, a packed attractions corridor, and year-round events.

Gatlinburg is worth visiting for the national park access, Ober Gatlinburg, Ripley's Aquarium, SkyLift Park, the Arts & Crafts Community, and Ole Smoky Moonshine.

Four Gatlinburg coffee shops — Gatlinburg Grind in the Arts & Crafts Community, Ski Mountain Grind Haus at Ober, the Donut Friar open at 5 AM, and Coffee & Company.

Five Dollywood activities for non-riders — Craftsman's Valley artisans, the Chasing Rainbows Museum, Wildwood Grove, Showstreet live entertainment, and the food.

Five Smoky Mountains hikes with panoramic views — Alum Cave, Chimney Tops (observation deck), Kuwohi summit, Mount Cammerer fire tower, and Rainbow Falls.

Seven mother-daughter Gatlinburg ideas — the Arts & Crafts Community, Cades Cove, Anakeesta, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, spa day, history, and cabin time.

September in Gatlinburg brings cooler temps, early ridge color, Dollywood's Harvest Festival opening, and fewer crowds than October — here's what to plan for.

Nine hiking essentials for the Smoky Mountains — the right pack, moisture-wicking layers, water, trail food, bear spray, navigation, and a rain jacket.