Travel the Newly Completed Foothills Parkway for Gorgeous Smoky Mountain Views

Although the United States Congress authorized the creation of the Foothills Parkway far back in 1944, it has remained incomplete for more than 50 years. Yet, a giant step forward has been made with the completion and opening of the 16-mile stretch running between Wears Valley, TN and Walland, TN, in November of 2018. Though…

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Experience Small Town Charm: Take a Driving Tour of the Towns of the Smokies

Driving through the peaceful side of the Smokies in Eastern Tennessee will take you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country: mountainsides covered in deep forests, and meadows awash with a riot of wildflowers in full bloom during the spring and summer. Your drive will also take you through several picturesque towns…

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Ober Gatlinburg has Winter Fun for Everyone: Spend a Day Here on Your Next Smoky Mountains Vacation

If summer is the only time you ever come to the Gatlinburg area for a vacation, you are missing out on half the fun. Ober Gatlinburg, established in 1962, sits high in the Smoky Mountains overlooking Gatlinburg. It is both a ski area and an amusement park. The facility consists of a large indoor mall…

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Let Local Wedding Planners Help You Plan a Winter Wedding in the Smokies

It seems like spring and summer weddings get all the attention when you look at the various wedding planning sites online. Typically, these times of the year are when the majority of weddings take place. But if you are thinking about having a winter wedding, then there is only one place to go: the Smoky…

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Ready for Some Fresh Air and Family Fun? Go Snow Tubing in the Smokies

Winter is coming and along with it, plenty of snow and cold weather. What goes great with lots of snow and fresh air better than going snow tubing? Not much, at least not when you visit the Smoky Mountains in the winter. This leads us to the next question, “Where can you go snow tubing…

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Lodging Options to Suit Every Need on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies

So, you have decided to book a holiday to the Smokies, and whether it is for the autumn season, the upcoming Christmas holidays or as a winter retreat, you need to have a place to stay. Fortunately, the beauty and the popularity of this region make it necessary for there to be every possible type…

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Want to Warm Up from the Inside Out? These Distilleries Will Do Just That

The state of Tennessee is known for many good things. The Grand Ole Opry and country music, Bluegrass music, barbecue and “hot chicken,” good old Davy Crockett (born in East Tennessee), Goo Goo Cluster candy, moon pies, and the stunning rolling hills and Smoky Mountains are part of Tennessee, as well. Mention the words whiskey,…

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Smoky Mountains National Park is Open All Year; Experience the Exhilaration of Hiking in the Winter

Whether a first-time visitor to the Smokies, or someone who has been returning for years, you already know it is a remarkably beautiful region. It is why millions of people head there every year, but you don’t have to limit your visits to the peak seasons. From late spring and into autumn, the region hosts…

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‘Tis the Season for Christmas Shopping at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge

Whether you are someone who counts down the days to next Christmas beginning every December 26th or you are an authentic Grinch, it is impossible not to feel the holiday spirit when you visit the Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge. It is known as the “largest permanent Christmas retailer in the American South, and…

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Experience the Magic of Dollywood at Christmas Time

Dollywood is known as one of the finest and most family-friendly destinations in the country. A theme park, it is also a cultural institution that introduces millions of visitors to many different elements of the Smokies region and the people who have lived there for centuries. Yet, for all of the amazing entertainment, food and…

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Get in the Christmas Spirit in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies

If you are wondering where you might travel to enjoy an unforgettable Christmas in the Smokies, you may find that the Peaceful Side offers a surprising array of holiday experiences for people of all ages. Winterfest For most, it all begins with the different Winterfest kickoff events that occur in the larger towns of the…

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The Best Winter Views in the Smokies

It is fair to say that one of the best winter views you can enjoy while visiting the Smokies during the colder weather is the sight of your crackling fire roaring happily away in your cabin’s fireplace. Tucked into a cozy chair, surrounded by family or friends, and gazing out at the majestic winter landscape…

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