Smoky Mountains

5 Best Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains in Spring

Are you planning to visit the Smoky Mountains in the springtime? This is a gorgeous time to be in the area; the weather is starting to warm up, flowers are blooming, wildlife is coming out, and the trees are starting to bud! You’re probably itching to get outside in the great outdoors, and we don’t blame you! So if you want to spend most of your trip in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park but you aren’t sure what you should do, we are here to help! Check out some of the best things to do in the Smoky Mountains in spring: ...Read More

A Guide to Winter in the Smoky Mountains

While winter is considered the slow season in the Smokies, it’s still a popular place to be! People want to possibly see snow and enjoy less crowds in the area. If you’ve never been here before during this time, you may be wondering what you can expect. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect during winter in the Smoky Mountains. ...Read More

Smoky Mountains Fall Colors: Best Time To See

When the Smokies begin to transform in the fall, the beauty at times defies description. Some visitors plan to arrive in the Gatlinburg area at this time each year specifically to see the leaves as they are changing color. If you live in an area where most of the trees are evergreen and keep their green leaves year-round, you may not realize just what a treat you are in for! Here is everything you need to know about the Smoky Mountains fall colors: ...Read More

8 of the Best Scenic Drives in Smoky Mountains

The Smoky Mountains are not just one of the most scenic and beautiful natural sites in the world. They also have some of the richest history of America's "growing up" years. There are so many ways to experience the Smoky Mountains, but one particular favorite is to take scenic drives through different areas. This allows you to learn more about the history, see as much of the Smoky Mountain area as possible and experience the incredible biodiversity this natural wonderland has to offer. These are the 8 best scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains: ...Read More

Top 4 Places to Visit in the Smoky Mountains in Spring

Spring is a beautiful time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Buds are forming on trees, flowers have started to bloom, and wildlife activity is picking back up. Also, the weather is warming up from the winter months, so people visiting the area will want to spend time outside! But where are the best places to go in the park during this time of year? Here are the top 4 places to visit in the Smoky Mountains in spring: ...Read More

5 Things You Need to Know About Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains

If someone mentions the Smoky Mountains, you probably think of the cities, fun attractions, and, of course, black bears! As the unofficial mascot of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, several hundred black bears call this area home. How much do you know about these magnificent creatures though? Here are 5 things you need to know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains: ...Read More

6 of the Best Hikes in the Smoky Mountains for Beginners

One of the most popular things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hiking! People come from all over the world to explore the trails, but you don’t have to be an avid hiker to go out and romp around in the woods! There are plenty of easy hikes you’ll be able to enjoy while you’re in town! Here are 6 of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains for beginners: ...Read More

4 Hiking Trails Near Gatlinburg You Should Explore

If you’re considering making Gatlinburg your vacation destination this year then you should know that you’re truly in for an experience of a lifetime if you do choose to visit us. Our downtown Gatlinburg hotel is steps away from all of the best dining, shopping, and area attractions that the area has to offer. If that’s not enough to secure a good time then the fact that we’re also just a short walk from the most visited national park in America should certainly do the job. With 150 trails to pick from in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park it can be tricky to find the perfect trail for your trip and so we’ve put together 4 hiking trails near Gatlinburg to get you started. Read over each, find the trails you want to explore and then book your trip to the Smokies. ...Read More

Top 5 Fun Things to Do When You Visit Cades Cove

No trip to the Smokies is complete without a stop at Cades Cove! There are plenty of activities and sights to see at this popular destination in the national park that are sure to keep you and your family occupied for hours! To help you make the most of your trip, here are 5 fun things to do when you visit Cades Cove. ...Read More

7 Things You Didn’t Know About the Smoky Mountains

The Smoky Mountains are one of the top vacation destinations in America. Every year millions of travelers visit both the Tennessee and the North Carolina side of the mountains, explore the surrounding cities, and spend many of their days in the park. It’s easy to be captivated by the beauty on the surface of the Smoky Mountains but if you take a bit of time to learn about the park, you’ll find yourself even more intrigued and left with a desire to learn more. Here are 7 facts about the Smoky Mountains that you probably didn’t know. ...Read More

3 Best Ways to See the Smoky Mountain Fall Colors

The Great Smoky Mountains are known for being one of the top destinations in the country year-round, but when fall arrives, everyone wants to be in town. One glimpse at the rolling ridges covered in patchwork colors and you’ll understand why it’s one of the most beautiful times to experience Gatlinburg and the Smokies. One of the best things about the season is that there are plenty of options for viewing the autumn hues. Guests of all ages and physical abilities have the opportunity to experience one of the most stunning in Appalachia. Here are 3 of the best ways to take in the fall colors this year! ...Read More

8 Important Moments in Smoky Mountain History

From the wilderness of the hills to the modern day hustle and bustle of downtown Gatlinburg, the Smokies have a never ending story of history, beauty and discovery. Here are just 8 of the moments throughout time that have played a significant part in the journey of the Great Smoky Mountains! ...Read More

15 Fun Facts About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Over 520,000 acres make up the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park and for every countless sliver of beauty that can be found among the hills, there’s also an interesting fact or piece of history! We wanted to share 15 fun facts with you that may help you decide how to spend your time in the Smokies or that will just be fun to share with the family on your way into town! ...Read More

6 Waterfall Hikes in the Smoky Mountains You Don’t Want To Miss

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains close to 3,000 miles of streams and tributaries, including 19 major streams and rivers. With numbers like that there’s no surprise that the park is filled with stunning cascades, tranquil pools and a never ending list of waterfalls. Below we have listed 6 of the Smokies waterfalls that are accessible by trail. Not only are each of the waterfalls a sight that you don’t want to miss, but the hike to the destination is just as beautiful in every season as well! Happy hiking! ...Read More

Top 5 Smoky Mountain Hikes the Whole Family Will Love

No trip to the Smokies is complete without a family hike! If you plan on hitting the trails while you’re here, Old Creek Lodge is the ideal place to stay. We are just a few minutes from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it easy to get to and from all the best trails! To help you decide which ones to visit first, we made a list of the top 5 Smoky Mountain hikes that the whole family will love! ...Read More