Advice from Smokies Experts

Maximize every single second of your visit to the Smoky Mountains with advice from area experts. As local folks who live here, they are your eyes and ears on the ground. They have an intimate knowledge and understanding of the Smokies and are here to make sure you are in the know. From the best restaurants and hotels to hikes with the most majestic views to prime trout fishing spots and everything in between, you’ll find all the information you need to have the best Smoky Mountains vacation ever.

Top 10 Spots to See the Eye-Popping Colors of Fall Foliage in the Smoky Mountains

Top 10 Spots to See the Eye-Popping Colors of Fall Foliage in the Smoky Mountains

Change is coming. You can feel it as subtle drops in the temperature bring a crispness to the air. A new season is upon us, and the Smoky Mountains are feeling it too. This time of year, Mother Nature transforms these ancient mountains, and they explode with fantastic fall colors. Deep greens turn to a

Jackie TuckerOctober 6th, 2021|

Taste Nature's Bounty with these Delicious Edible Plants in the Smoky Mountains

Taste Nature’s Bounty with these Delicious Edible Plants in the Smoky Mountains

Take a hike through the forest, cool off in a waterfall, or explore the majestic birds of the Great Smoky Mountains and you’ll discover delicious food hiding in plain sight! Nature’s edible bounty is right at your fingertips…if you know what you’re looking for. You’d be amazed at the nutrition that is ripe for foraging

Jackie TuckerSeptember 29th, 2021|

Immerse Yourself in the Sweeping History of the Cherokee Nation on Your Next Visit to the Smoky Mountains

Immerse Yourself in the Sweeping History of the Cherokee Nation on Your Next Visit to the Smoky Mountains

You can’t talk about the Smoky Mountains without including its most ancient residents. Tracing their ancestral homelands all the way back to 11,000 BC, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians Nation has inhabited these mountains with pride, inventiveness, and resiliency for centuries. Home to around 9,000 members of the Cherokee Nation, the Qualla Boundary

Jackie TuckerSeptember 23rd, 2021|

Celebrate Your Love with a Fall Wedding in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Celebrate Your Love with a Fall Wedding in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

From panoramic mountaintop views to sweeping pastoral meadows to picturesque waterfalls, one-of-a-kind romance abounds in the Smoky Mountains. This majestic Appalachian landscape is filled with awe-inspiring natural beauty and unexpected moments that give newlyweds everything they’re looking for to make their fall wedding dreams a reality. From intimate elopements to larger weddings surrounded by family

Jackie TuckerSeptember 15th, 2021|

10 Fascinating Facts About the Great Smoky Mountains That May Surprise You

10 Fascinating Facts About the Great Smoky Mountains That May Surprise You

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is steeped in rich history, Appalachian culture, and stunning natural beauty. Home to a huge variety of plants and animals, with plenty of trails to explore it all, the park is an amazing escape into fresh air and unforgettable memories. It’s no wonder that millions of people visit every

Jackie TuckerSeptember 10th, 2021|

Exploring the Great Smoky Mountains by Train Should Be on Your Bucket List

Exploring the Great Smoky Mountains by Train Should Be on Your Bucket List

The whistle blows and you feel the engine hum to life as you settle into your comfortable seat in a historic train car, whose wide windows offer sweeping views of the stunning Smoky Mountain landscapes. Get ready to experience a thrilling ride that will take you over scenic mountains, through vibrant forests, and across bridges

Jackie TuckerAugust 27th, 2021|

Celebrate the Vibrant Traditions of Handmade Art on These Smoky Mountain Craft Trails

Celebrate the Vibrant Traditions of Handmade Art on These Smoky Mountain Craft Trails

Handmade arts and crafts are some of the best preservers of local history. Art influences the way we see and appreciate the culture around us. And artisans have an innate ability to not only encapsulate a piece of history in a single work of art, but they somehow capture the feeling and presence of the

Jackie TuckerAugust 18th, 2021|

Tempt Your Tastebuds with These 7 Classic Smoky Mountain Dishes

Tempt Your Tastebuds with These 7 Classic Smoky Mountain Dishes

The Smoky Mountains are one of the most beautiful natural places in the country. With mountains, rivers, streams, and wildlife, it’s easy to see why so many people visit each year. But it isn’t just the scenery that draws in tourists. The South is famous for its culinary treats, and the Smoky Mountains serve

Jackie TuckerAugust 15th, 2021|

Eco-Tourism: How You Can Make A Difference When You Visit The Smoky Mountains

Eco-Tourism: How You Can Make A Difference When You Visit The Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. With more than 12 million visitors in 2020 alone, its unsurpassed natural beauty continues to draw in larger and larger crowds of tourists. But with these record-breaking crowds comes the potential for damage and destruction to the ecosystem. Case in

Jackie TuckerAugust 3rd, 2021|

Get Your Thrills on These Epic Mountain Biking Trails in the Smokies

Get Your Thrills on These Epic Mountain Biking Trails in the Smokies

Escape to the Smoky Mountains for some of the most heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping fun you can find on two wheels. From steep and rocky terrain packed with challenging obstacles that require a solid attack position to easier rides where you can settle into the saddle, there’s something for every skill level. Hug winding curves, navigate tricky

Jackie TuckerJuly 28th, 2021|