Blog Posts

Traveling with kids in the Smokies and want something totally different than another arcade or go-kart track? Let’s talk about a day that combines a Jeep ride, a fantasy village, outdoor games, and a catered lunch—all without you having to plan every detail. Ancient Lore Village, just outside Knoxville, is a…

Planning your first Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Winterfest trip (or your first Winterfest Scenic Evening Jeep Tour) and have a bunch of questions? You’re not alone. Here’s a handy Winterfest FAQ that covers the basics—dates, weather, what to wear, and how the Jeep tour works—so you can relax and…

Traveling with kids in the Smoky Mountains is all about balance. You want wow moments—waterfalls, wildlife, big trees—but you also want to avoid meltdowns, long hikes they won’t finish, and endless “Are we there yet?” That’s why we love recommending the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to families. It’s a short,…

Some roads are “once and done.” You drive them, get the picture, and move on. The Foothills Parkway is not that kind of road. Because it sits along the foothills of the Smokies—high enough for views, low enough to stay accessible—this scenic parkway changes dramatically with each season. That’s exactly why many locals…

You can ride coasters at Dollywood, shop and dine at The Island, cruise the Pigeon Forge Parkway, wander Gatlinburg’s Strip, hunt for treasures in the Arts & Crafts Community, and snap photos from The Overlook—all without ever leaving pavement. So why add a…

What if you could spend the morning riding through the Smoky Mountains in a Jeep and the afternoon wandering a real-life storybook village? That’s exactly what the Ancient Lore Village Scenic Tour and Lunch was designed to do. Ancient Lore Village is a fantasy-themed resort and day destination just…

You’ve decided to visit the Smokies in winter—excellent choice. From early November through mid-February, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville transform into a full-blown Winterfest wonderland, with millions of lights, special events, and cozy cabins everywhere you turn. If you’re wondering how to put it all together, here’s a simple, local-style Winterfest game plan—with…

If Newfound Gap Road is the Smokies’ famous front-and-center scenic drive, Foothills Parkway is its quieter, more relaxed sibling. Authorized by Congress all the way back in 1944 as a 72-mile scenic parkway, Foothills Parkway was designed to run along the foothills parallel to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s still the only Congressionally mandated…

If you’re drawn more to handmade crafts, local stories, and big mountain views than roller coasters, you’re going to fall hard for the Gatlinburg side of the Smokies. Between the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community, the famous Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook, and the cozy bustle of Gatlinburg’s Strip,…

When the sun goes down in the Smokies between November and February, the mountains don’t get dark—they light up. During Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Winterfest, millions of twinkling lights line the Parkway, riverwalks, and downtown streets from early November through mid-February, turning Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg into one long holiday light show….