Category: Advice

Sports Bars for Football Fans Football is important to people all across the country. But in the South, it’s a particularly integral part of our culture. In Tennessee, football is king. So whether you love watching college or pro football games, you don’t want to miss them while you’re on vacation. You may even have a favorite place to watch the football games, whether it’s on your own couch or at a local restaurant or sports bar. During your vacation to Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains, we want you to feel at home and cheer on your team! Thankfully, […]

Planning your Smoky Mountain wedding is one of the happiest times in your life. But at the same time, it’s often one of the most stressful. There’s so much to think about—the invitations, the venue, the cake, the honeymoon—that the excitement for your new life together after the wedding is over can get lost. The best way to keep from getting overwhelmed is to ask for help from friends and family and seek the guidance of those with experience. We want to provide you with four tips and tricks to have the Smoky Mountain wedding of your dreams—with the least […]

In-cabin meals with a personal chef Almost all of our cabins come equipped with a full kitchen, outfitted with everything you could need for making delicious homemade meals in the cabin. And although it’s nice to whip up your own meals or snacks, you may just not want to do the work while you’re on vacation, or you may want to add an extra-special touch to your stay in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. Instead of heading into town to eat at a busy restaurant, why not book a delicious two-, three-, or four-course meal in the privacy of your […]

The Great Smoky Mountains is the perfect place for outdoor family fun. You can hike and bike and watch wild animals in their natural habitats. You can also take your family on a perfect summer picnic! If you’ve never planned a picnic before – or you just need a little extra help — here are 10 tips to help make your next picnic as smooth and enjoyable as possible. But remember, the most important thing is just to be together and have fun! 1. Buy local, fresh produce at the farmers market. The perfect picnic begins with the perfect food. […]

Many people think of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains and think of honeymoons, weddings, church retreats, and family reunions. But Gatlinburg offers so many attractions, events, shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities, it appeals to a much wider crowd. Getting away with family is great, but sometimes you just need some quality time with your friends. At least for me, it’s gotten harder over the years to get friends together. After graduating from high school and college, many of us moved in different directions, began careers, and started families. Now spread across the country, we usually only get together once […]

If you’re heading to the Smokies this summer, stay up-to-date with what’s going on in Gatlinburg. From road closures and bear safety to new events, read about the latest news for the area. You can also follow our blog where we keep you informed of upcoming events and give you tips for travel, booking cabins, exploring the area, and more. Here’s what’s happening in Gatlinburg right now! Black Bear Warning Problems with black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are few and far between, but it’s important to know black bear safety. On occasion, the park issues warnings […]

All summer long, Gatlinburg has exciting events and adventures in store for its visitors. But on July 4, things get a lot more fun as you take part in special celebrations you’ll only find in the Smokies. From the first Independence Day Parade in the Nation to the River Raft Regatta, Gatlinburg waves the red, white, and blue in a big way for a Fourth of July to remember! First Independence Day Parade in the Nation Kicking off the Independence Day celebration is the 40th-annual first parade in the nation! The parade begins at the stroke of midnight on July […]

2015 Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales After a 1,000-plus signature petition, the 10th annual Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales is back on in the city of Gatlinburg! The Gatlinburg City Commission had thought to cancel this event for 2015, but its popularity in years past with locals and visitors alike was able to override their decision. And that’s great news if you’re planning to visit the Smokies this summer! What Is It? Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales is a popular street performance held in downtown Gatlinburg. The summer-long event will begin June 12, 2015, and will continue daily until August […]

Did you know that according to the CDC, nearly 80 percent of adult Americans don’t get the recommended amount of exercise each week? They recommend at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week—a goal you can easily achieve by spending a few hours hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! In fact, hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best ways to meet your exercise goals, because you not only get the aerobic exercise of walking the trails, but you also get to enjoy the splendor of the Smokies at the same […]

In March 2015, officials at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced that Lynn Camp Prong would be reopening, effective March 6, 2015. The opening of this stream marks a big milestone in the park’s history and future. It is the first time since the park’s establishment in 1934 that all the streams in the park will be open to fishing! The opening comes after a native brook trout restoration project that lasted seven years. The Lynn Camp Prong stream is an 8.5-mile section, so that means even more fishing opportunities for anglers in the Smoky Mountains. It’s an exciting […]