Smoky Mountains

Are you thinking about making a day trip from Pigeon Forge to Cherokee NC? If you’ve never seen the Cherokee side of the Smokies, we recommend making a day trip just to experience all that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer.

Stretching from just outside Gatlinburg, TN to the outskirts of Cherokee, NC, Newfound Gap Road is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. For many visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an autotour along Newfound Gap Road is the highlight of their trip.

There have been lots of great photos taken of the Great Smoky Mountains over the years, but you’ve never seen one like this! The NASA Earth Observatory recently shared a stunning satellite image of the Smokies. What is remarkable about the picture is that the mountain range’s signature blue mist is visible all the way from outer space. To see a full size version of the photo, click the link in the tweet below:

If you’ve spent any time in the Smoky Mountains, you’ve likely heard a tall tale or two. These colorful stories may not stick strictly to the facts, but they are always entertaining! Some of the best legends in East Tennessee have been passed down for generations, usually just by word of mouth. Here are three of our favorite tall tales from the Smokies:

There is no shortage of breathtaking mountain peaks in East Tennessee! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Southeast. The crest of the Smokies extends in an unbroken chain of summits that rise higher than 5,000 feet for more than 36 miles.

The support for the Smoky Mountain area has been incredible. People from all over the country are showing their generosity and want to know more about how to help the Smoky Mountains recover from the recent wildfires.

No vacation in Pigeon Forge, TN is complete without a trip to an arcade! Perfect for a rainy or a chilly day, spending an afternoon at an arcade is fun for the entire family. To help you plan your getaway in the Smokies, we have put together a guide to five of the best arcades in Pigeon Forge.

One of the most popular trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has received a major facelift! After almost two years of work, the newly restored Alum Cave Trail is ready to once again receive thousands of hikers. Since May, the Alum Cave Trail has been closed from Monday - Thursday, but beginning on November 17, the revitalized trail will be open all week long. Read on for a look at all of the improvements made to Alum Cave Trail.

The Appalachian Trail is easily the most famous hiking trail in America. Spanning 14 states, this iconic path passes through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for an extended section filled with spectacular natural beauty. Visit My Smokies did a little research to bring you five interesting facts about the Smoky Mountains Appalachian Trail.

The curse is finally broken! After a 108 year losing streak, the Chicago Cubs are once again World Series champions. While most Cubs fans live in Illinois, there are also a large number of loyal Cubs supporters in the Great Smoky Mountains. What is the connection between Chicago and Sevier County, you may ask? The Tennessee Smokies baseball team, located in Kodak, TN, is a AA minor league affiliate of the Cubs!

Fall in the Smoky Mountains is a magical time of year. The leaves have begun to change colors, the weather is beginning to cool off, and the days are becoming just a little bit shorter. That being said, autumn in the Smoky Mountains does not come without a few secrets hidden behind the brightly colored foliage.

When it comes to fall in the Smokies, the question on everyone’s mind is always about where they can find the best view of the Smoky Mountains fall foliage. Now, if you have ever visited the Smoky Mountains this time of year, then you already know about all the great scenic overlooks and attractions that offer incredible views of the fall leaves. However, one place you may not have visited is the peaceful Wears Valley.

This time of year there is always one question on visitors minds, “Where is the best place to see the fall leaves?” At Visit My Smokies, we have already told you about many of the great fall Smoky Mountain hiking trails that offer incredible views of the Smoky Mountains fall foliage. However, for guests wanting to experience the beauty of fall in the Smoky Mountains from the comfort of their car, here is a breakdown of all of our favorite Smoky Mountain fall drives near Wears Valley.

During the day, Cades Cove is one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s most popular locations. With its beautiful mountain views, historic buildings, and incredible wildlife viewing, this breathtaking valley feels like a world apart. What many people don’t know is that Cades Cove is also one of the best spots in the Smoky Mountains for stargazing! While the area typically isn’t open to visitors after dark, the National Park Service makes an exception for the annual Cades Cove Star Party. Visit My Smokies has all of the details on this special Cades Cove stargazing event:

A Smoky Mountain black bear spent a little time dining at Howard’s Steakhouse in Gatlinburg on Friday.