Smoky Mountain Travel Blog

Ruby Falls — the tallest underground waterfall in America — is 2 hours from Gatlinburg on Lookout Mountain. Here's the story, what to expect, and how to plan.

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.

Three places to forge your own knife in the Smoky Mountains — Iron Mountain Metal Craft, Circle Bar T Forge, and Dollywood's Valley Forge Blacksmith.

Six ideas for a Smoky Mountains return visit — Cades Cove, Roaring Fork Trail, the Arts & Crafts Community, a different season, Wears Valley, and a cabin upgrade.

Gatlinburg SkyLift Park has run up Crockett Mountain since 1954 — and the 680-foot SkyBridge at the top is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America.

Ten real facts about Pigeon Forge — the 1830 Old Mill, Dollywood's visitor numbers, the Rod Run, a town that barely existed 60 years ago, and the park next door.

Five of the best Pigeon Forge shopping destinations — The Island, Mountain Mile, Dollywood's craft shops, Three Bears General Store, and the Old Mill District.

Three farm-to-table restaurants in Pigeon Forge — Local Goat's scratch New American kitchen, and two Old Mill restaurants using stone-ground grain from an 1830 mill.

Six of the best Southern restaurants in Pigeon Forge — Old Mill, Mama's Farmhouse, Bennett's BBQ, Paula Deen's, Huck Finn's Catfish, and Local Goat.

Great Smoky Mountains requires a Park It Forward parking tag ($5/day, $15/week, $40/annual) for any vehicle parked inside the park for more than 15 minutes.

Five lesser-known Cades Cove stops — the Pearl Harbor Tree, Henry Whitehead Place, Gourley's Pond, a cantilever barn, and Gregory's Cold War fallout shelter cave.

Seven Pigeon Forge activities well-suited for older adults — accessible national park trails, Dollywood's Craftsmen's Valley, Dolly Parton's Stampede, and more.

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.

Four of the best pancake houses in Pigeon Forge — Frizzle Chicken, Reagan's, Sawyer's Farmhouse, and Flapjack's Pancake Cabin — with what to order at each.

Four Smoky Mountain ghost stories — Lucy of Roaring Fork, the Greenbrier Ghost Bride, the glowing orbs of Cades Cove, and the Elkmont Ghost Town.

Four of the best Smoky Mountains swimming spots — Townsend Wye for tubing, Metcalf Bottoms for picnicking, The Sinks' deep pool, and the Chimney Tops trail swimming hole.

Six trails near Pigeon Forge — three easy in-town walks and three national park hikes including Grotto Falls, the only waterfall you can walk behind in the Smokies.

Four scary Gatlinburg experiences — Mysterious Mansion since 1980, Ripley's Haunted Adventure, and two ghost walking tours covering the town's haunted history.

Five Mexican restaurants in the Smokies — Loco Burro, No Way Jose's, El Sonador, Azul Cantina's rooftop, and Gorilla Taco in Pigeon Forge.