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.

Rest Your Feet and Engage Your Mind at These Fascinating Smoky Mountain Museums

Rest Your Feet and Engage Your Mind at These Fascinating Smoky Mountain Museums

The breathtaking beauty of the great outdoors is the main reason most people choose to vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains. From trout-filled streams that are excellent for fly fishing to invigorating hikes through the woods to whitewater rafting in the summer and skiing in the winter – the Smokies are a big draw

Jackie TuckerMay 12th, 2021|

Hit the Open Road with these 8 Classic Smoky Mountain Motorcycle Rides

Hit the Open Road with these 8 Classic Smoky Mountain Motorcycle Rides

Adventure. Freedom. Speed. Escape. It’s time to get the bike out of the garage and go for a ride. But it’s not just riding, is it? It’s more like flying with the wind in your face and nothing but the open road ahead. A motorcycle ride is oxygen for the soul. When

Jackie TuckerMay 7th, 2021|

How Scots-Irish Music Influenced the Sounds of the Smokies

How Scots-Irish Music Influenced the Sounds of the Smokies

Listen to the new podcast, Gateway to the Smokies, hosted by Joseph McElroy, who grew up in the North Carolina Smoky Mountains and owns the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley! In this episode, Joseph interviews former Simple Minds band member - and Meadowlark Motel artist in residence - Mike Ogletree. Mike talks about finding

Jackie TuckerApril 2nd, 2021|

Discover the Best Places to See Spring Wildflowers in the Smokies

Discover the Best Places to See Spring Wildflowers in the Smokies

Springtime in the Smokies is truly something to behold. Winter fades and is replaced by new life as the mountains are transformed into a vibrant and fragrant wonderland. The area’s temperate climate makes for an eye-popping variety of ephemeral wildflowers that appear in all their natural splendor each spring. Wildflower season starts in late

Jackie TuckerApril 1st, 2021|

Find a Little Magic With These Fairy Tale Destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains

Find a Little Magic With These Fairy Tale Destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains

Enchanted forests draped in thick green moss, waterfalls hidden in a foggy mist, a majestic castle built for American royalty, and a bewitching secret fairy hideaway. The Great Smoky Mountains are filled with scenes straight out of a fairy tale. Or maybe the fairy tales were inspired by the ancient and mystical Smokies themselves. The

Jackie TuckerMarch 31st, 2021|

7 Small Towns with Big Adventures in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains

7 Small Towns with Big Adventures in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains

Who says you have to go big to have fun? Small towns all throughout the North Carolina Smoky Mountains offer a peaceful escape from the noisy distractions of the city and the boring traps of everyday monotony. You’d be surprised just how much excitement you can fit into a small space. Whether you’re using

Jackie TuckerFebruary 28th, 2021|

Appalachian Smoky Mountains Wedding Traditions

Appalachian Smoky Mountains Wedding Traditions

Long before the Great Smoky Mountains became a national park and popular tourist destination, the southern Appalachian people settled here and brought with them a rich and distinctive heritage whose influence is still felt today. Take a quick glance around, and you’ll find evidence of their homesteads in restored and renovated log cabins, barns,

Jackie TuckerJanuary 23rd, 2021|

Have a Smoky Mountains Winter Adventure with these Cold Weather Activities

Have a Smoky Mountains Winter Adventure with these Cold Weather Activities

Need a remedy for those post-holiday blues? Head to the Great Smoky Mountains for an inspiring winter vacation. With fewer visitors and a lot less traffic, you’ll have easy access to gorgeous mountain views and exciting winter activities. Ditch the binge-watching and step outside to breathe in the crisp mountain air. From ski slopes to

Jackie TuckerJanuary 21st, 2021|

Smoky Mountain Polar Express and Other Festive Trolley and Train Rides to Celebrate the Holidays

Smoky Mountain Polar Express and Other Festive Trolley and Train Rides to Celebrate the Holidays

in the darkness, you begin to understand why this is called the most wonderful time of the year. The holiday season shimmers with Christmas magic, and one of the most unique ways to experience it is to take a holiday themed train ride. Climb aboard these festive trains and trolleys for a one-of-a-kind Smoky

Jackie TuckerJanuary 6th, 2021|

7 Incredible Things to Do in Asheville This Winter

7 Incredible Things to Do in Asheville This Winter

Asheville is a gem any time of year, but it really shines during the winter season. The large crowds of tourists are gone, and things move at a slower pace. But make no mistake – slower doesn’t mean boring. The eclectic city of Asheville, nestled high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina,

Joseph Franklyn McElroyJanuary 2nd, 2021|

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