Smoky Mountains

Exploring the Smoky Mountains is one of the most popular pastimes in the area, and driving through the mountains is a relaxing activity that provides people with a way to see incredible views, wildlife up close, and just enjoy being in nature. One of the most popular drives is the Foothills Parkway, and we want to share more about it with you! Keep reading to learn more about Foothills Parkway in the Smoky Mountains:

Fall in the Smoky Mountains is one of the most beautiful times of the year. This is when the air begins to cool off a little and visitors from all across the country come to witness the Smoky Mountains fall foliage transform from deep greens to vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange.

One of the best ways to learn about the history of the Smoky Mountains is by exploring some of the historic buildings that have been in the area for as long as two centuries! Many of the hiking trails in the Smokies offer different structures that you can tour, including old cabins, churches, schoolhouses, and more. Here are 5 buildings that you need to explore that hold a piece of Smoky Mountain history:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has seen a steady increase in visitors over the past several years. Last year, the park recorded its busiest year to date, bringing in a total of over 14 million guests. Over the past decade, there has been a visitation increase of over 57 percent. Because the park’s operational budget hasn’t seen a similar growth, they have been looking for ways to maintain the park so that guests receive the best possible experience. The result is the new Park It Forward program, which is set to begin in March of 2023. Here is everything you need to know about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking fees:

Looking for the perfect morning or afternoon activity in the Smoky Mountains? Go for a hike! There are hikes for all skill levels, but you don’t have to do something challenging in order to get great views. We’ve made a list of some of our favorite hikes that are all less than 5 miles roundtrip and shouldn’t take more than 2-3 hours to complete, depending on the pace you go. Here are 5 easy Smoky Mountain hikes under 5 miles:

When you visit the Smokies, you will find some incredible activities that allow you to venture high above the mountains for unbelievable views. One of these thrilling opportunities is climbing across one of the spectacular rope bridges or obstacle courses throughout the Smokies. Here are 5 thrilling Smoky Mountain attractions that feature rope courses:

Have you ever heard of Parson Branch Road? This popular scenic drive in the Smoky Mountains closed in 2016 for repairs, and reopened again to the public in late May of 2022. If you haven’t had the opportunity to explore this road yet, it’s worth a drive on your next visit to the Smoky Mountains! To help you learn more about it, we’ve created a guide to Parson Branch Road:

Whether you’re exploring the historic cabins at Cades Cove or traveling off the beaten path to see other old buildings in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there’s plenty of places to experience traditional mountain culture. We want to help you learn more about the Appalachian words and phrases that were used throughout Smoky Mountain history!

As the temperatures begin to rise across the Smoky Mountains, you will probably be looking for ways to beat the heat. Luckily, there are plenty of exciting ways for your family to have fun this summer. One of the things that your kids will love about the Smokies is that there are plenty of ways they can splash around for a few hours in refreshing water! Here are 5 of the best water attractions in the Smoky Mountains that your kids will love:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating its 88th birthday! Can you believe it? This year marks 88 years that our beloved Smoky Mountains have been an established national park!

One of the most beautiful sights to see in the Smoky Mountains is a waterfall, and there are more than 100 waterfalls for visitors to see! While most of these beautiful waterfalls require visitors to hike along a trail to see them, there are a few that you can actually see from your car. If you’d rather take a scenic drive to see this popular feature instead of a hike, we can help. Take a look at the top 3 Smoky Mountain waterfalls you can drive to:

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.

One of the best outdoor activities to enjoy in the Smoky Mountains is golf. While there are so many fun and entertaining mini-golf courses throughout the area, there are also beautiful Smoky Mountain golf courses for visitors to enjoy. You can enjoy 18 holes of golf surrounded by the beauty of the Smokies! Whether you consider yourself a professional or you just like to play for fun, you’ll love having the chance to play on your vacation. Take a look at the top 4 Smoky Mountain golf courses you’ll love:

Throughout the Smokies, there are some incredible destinations that everyone should visit at least once! Whether it is an important piece of history, a unique structure, or simply somewhere to enjoy the mountain scenery, these locations are a must see when you are in the area. Here are 5 landmarks in the Smoky Mountains you need to visit on your next vacation:

Fireflies, or lightning bugs, can be found all over the eastern parts of North America, but the Great Smoky Mountains is one destination that attracts thousands of visitors year after year to see the Elkmont fireflies. But why?