Smoky Mountain News

Looking for the best small town in Tennessee to visit or even call home? Look no further than Gatlinburg, a picture-perfect town nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, recently named Tennessee’s top small town by World Atlas. With breathtaking views, world-class attractions, and cozy cabin stays, Gatlinburg blends small-town charm with big-time adventure. It’s one of the most visited destinations in the entire Southeast.

The state of Tennessee is world-famous for its whiskey and moonshine. In fact, whiskey is one of Tennessee’s top 10 exports! To help promote our state’s thriving whiskey culture, the Tennessee Distillers Guild recently launched the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. Stretching from the Smoky Mountains all the way to Memphis, the whiskey trail includes about 30 distilleries that are open for tours and tastings.

When people visit the Smoky Mountains, they typically want to spend time enjoying the great outdoors. What better way to get outside and take in the fresh air than to go horseback riding? There are several riding stables in the area, and this is the perfect activity for people of all ages to enjoy! Here are the top 5 places to go horseback riding in the Smoky Mountains:

The Smoky Mountains in June provide endless opportunities for a memorable summer family vacation, from dining with a view to seasonal events to popular outdoor activities!  Here are some of the best things to do in Gatlinburg in June:

What do you do when you drive through a tunnel in the Smoky Mountains? If you’ve visited the Smoky Mountains before, then you’re sure to have heard cars blaring their horns as they drive through the tunnels in the area. Do you honk your horn, or do you drive through silently? We’ve asked this question many times to visitors, and the majority of people seem to honk their horns. We’ve dug into the reasoning behind why so many people honk their horns when they drive through a tunnel in the Smoky Mountains:

Family vacation in the Smoky Mountains means finding attractions to visit that everyone will love! Like any teenager, yours are sure to have their own strong opinions on what attractions to visit! The good news is Gatlinburg is full of entertaining attractions that teenagers can have a blast enjoying. There’s plenty of fun and great memories waiting to be made! Here are 5 Gatlinburg attractions teenagers will love:

If you are looking to check out some of the top attractions in the Smoky Mountains that can get your heart pumping with some high-speed thrills, you certainly won’t want to miss out on the chance to stop by NASCAR SpeedPark! This Sevierville attraction has tons of exciting things to do for visitors, including go-karts, rides, games, and more. Today, we are going to be sharing some essential information about NASCAR SpeedPark to help you plan your visit and get the most out of this fun area attraction! Let’s dive in:

Before Cades Cove was a popular tourist destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it was a home to so many. For more than 100 years before the park was created, families worked and played in the valley. The first settlers came to Cades Cove in the early 1820s, but it wasn’t until the late 1900s when the last resident of Cades Cove, Kermit Caughron, passed away. Meet the Caughron family and learn more about Cades Cove history:

Every dog has its day—especially in the Smoky Mountains! The Smokies are the ultimate pup-approved playground, a place where tail wags, the smell of fresh biscuits in the air (both the human and dog kind), and excitement are all the norm. If you’re planning to bring man’s best friend along to dog friendly Gatlinburg, there’s plenty of information you should know to ensure a memorable trip for both you and your dog. We break it all down below in this dog’s guide to the Smoky Mountains:

Here at Visit My Smokies, we typically recommend spending (at least) a week vacationing in Gatlinburg, TN. Sometimes, however, your schedule only leaves you with one day in Gatlinburg. Fortunately, there is still plenty of fun to be had even if you’re only in town for a little while! To help you make the most of your visit, we have put together the ultimate itinerary for 24 hours in Gatlinburg.

Want to take a trip to the Wild West on your next Smoky Mountain vacation? SkyLand Ranch has become one of the most visited attractions in Sevierville! You haven't seen anything quite like this entertainment venue before in the Smokies before! A $40 million project, SkyLand Ranch offers live entertainment, miniature animals, gorgeous views, a scenic chairlift, and more. We have all the details about this Sevierville attraction and what to expect when you visit!

The gearhead in your family will love visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee! The Smoky Mountain area is home to some incredible museums and attractions that feature exceptional automobiles. These excellent attractions are sure to delight car lovers, but they are also fun for vacationers who don’t know a lug nut from a peanut. To help you make the most of your next getaway, Visit My Smokies has put together a guide to all of the amazing car museums in Gatlinburg TN and the surrounding cities, like the Hollywood Star Cars Museum.

Picture yourself stepping on the porch of a quiet cabin, coffee in hand while looking out at the mountains after the gentle melody of birds awakes you. The only traffic you’re concerned about is a doe and her fawns crossing the backroads outside your cabin. Memorial Day Weekend in the Smokies isn’t just a chance to escape—it’s an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with nature and those you love the most. Kick of summer in comfort and style from the peacefulness of a Sevierville cabin! Here’s why cabins in Sevierville TN are perfect for Memorial Day Weekend:

Dolly Parton’s fingerprints are all over the Smokies, with Dollywood being one of the most beloved theme parks in the country. It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since the park’s opening day on May 3, 1986. These last 40 years of Dollywood have been remarkable, to say the least, and we have a recap of Dollywood’s 40th Anniversary Celebration weekend, as well as some exciting news to share!

Of course, one of the best parts of vacation is the food. When you visit Gatlinburg, you’ll have so many options of places to eat no matter what you’re in the mood for. Find breakfast, pizza, pasta, steaks and so much more in the heart of Gatlinburg. The Gatlinburg Parkway is lined with restaurants for you to choose from, making it easy to find somewhere to eat during a busy day of exploring Gatlinburg. To help you decide where you want to eat, we’ve made a list of some of the best downtown Gatlinburg restaurants that sit right on the Parkway!