Smoky Mountains

The Smoky Mountains had a big year in 2015, and 2016 is looking even better! We’ve put together all of our favorite memories and moments of things that happened this year. Join us as we take a look back at the Smokies’ biggest moments of 2015:

When the winter season starts moving into the Smoky Mountains, we get lots of questions! To help you answer those questions, we’ve put together everything you need to know about road closures, winter hiking and more.

This year has been a big year for our Pinterest followers! We’ve gotten so many shares on our Pinterest boards that we’ve decided to put together our top 10 Pinterest pins for you! These are the most popular pins for 2015 and we’d love for you to pin them to your own Pinterest boards!

Here at Visit My Smokies, we take vacations seriously - it’s our job after all! So when a recent study found that Americans only use half of their paid vacation days, we were dumbfounded. Why would anyone leave paid time off on the table? After our initial shock wore off, we decided we had to do something. To help illustrate what a wasted vacation day in the Smoky Mountains looks like, we put together this video:  

Have you ever noticed when it snows, everything seems quieter? But what is it that makes it seem so quiet? We’ve got the all the answers about why the snow in the Smoky Mountains is so special:

In a recent article published in Boston Globe Magazine, Massachusetts-based reporter Janet Wu posed the question, “Can a New Englander have fun at Dollywood?” The answer: a resounding yes! When Wu’s mother suggested taking a Smoky Mountain vacation with the whole family, everyone was initially skeptical. Not much is known about the Pigeon Forge area in the faraway land of Massachusetts, so the Wu clan really didn’t know what to expect. However, after spending five days in the Smokies this summer, we are happy to report that the Wu family was completely won over by the charm of Sevier County.

For decades, the Smoky Mountain air quality in the national park and surrounding areas has been a huge problem. Even though we all recognize the Smoky Mountains as one of the most beautiful places, over the course of the last decade, the polluted air has caused the scenic views to be “not so scenic.”

Much like hairstyles and music videos, websites that were in style a decade ago feel very dated when we look back at them today. Even more so than fashion trends and pop music, what is considered cutting edge on the internet seems to change every few months. Comparing a website designed in 2000 with one launched in 2015 is like comparing a bicycle to a Jeep Grand Cherokee! Ready to take a digital trip down memory lane? Scroll through the pictures below to see what your favorite Smoky Mountain website looked like back in the day:

Are you ready for a Smoky Mountain vacation? Believe it or not, a vacation to the mountains can actually make you better at your work! Here’s how:

If feeling like you are on the top of the world and being able to see for miles are things that you love, checking out the many amazing Smoky Mountain day hikes with mountain views may be right up your alley! The Smoky Mountains are full of many gorgeous mountain views that you can see by driving, biking, horseback riding, and, of course, hiking. However, hiking up a mountain to see these beautiful views can be the most rewarding thing you ever do. Here are a few of the best Smoky Mountain day hikes with mountain views for you to check out:

Fall in the Smoky Mountains is a perfect time to visit, and we’re sure you agree. Between the fall leaves, harvest festivals and great fall foods, we know you’ll love spending the season in the Smokies. Here’s a few reasons to celebrate fall with us:

There are a variety of scenic sights you can wake up to when you choose to vacation in Gatlinburg TN. We have majestic mountains, beautiful foliage, vibrant wildflowers, and babbling springs, all waiting for you to enjoy. However, for a group of residents at a Gatlinburg condo complex, they woke up to a rather unique view recently.

Smoky Mountain native Dolly Parton is one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world. With 42 chart-topping albums, starring roles in a dozen Hollywood films, and her very own theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN, it’s safe to say that Dolly is no stranger to attention. Despite all of her time in the spotlight, however, Dolly Parton husband Carl Dean almost never appears with her at public events.   That’s all about to change next year. When Dolly and Carl celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in May, Mr. Dean is slated to join his wife on stage for the first time ever! Visit My Smokies has all the details on Carl’s special appearance.  

Kathy Gafford, a Gatlinburg cabin inspector, had an unusual encounter at work this week. When she was inside a cabin, a female Smoky Mountain bear and her cub climbed into the woman’s car and started rummaging through her car looking for food.

Tourism in Tennessee is on the rise, and the Great Smoky Mountains are a big part of the state’s success! According to a recent analysis of last year’s data, Tennessee’s tourism industry grew by more than 6 percent. Breaking previous records, the state brought in $17.7 billion from tourism in 2014.