Our visit to the Great Smoky Mountains and the Appalachian towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge started with a shared goal of exploring Tennessee, but the reality is that Adam and I were looking for very different things from a very quick vacation. Although we love to take a week off whenever we can, many of our vacations are crammed into long weekends that don’t require using vacation time—a precious, limited commodity for us. We picked the Great Smoky Mountains because it seemed like a great compromise for us. Adam was excited to spend a few days learning about the region’s history, the people and places that contributed to the rise of a popular vacation destination. I was emerging from a few busy weeks at work and looking at a few more busy weeks ahead of me, and I needed a break: a real break, where I could truly disconnect. I needed, in the words of John Muir, to “Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” I didn’t have a whole week, but I did have three days, so off to the Great Smoky Mountains we went.

If you are thinking about a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains, here are some of the items that might draw you into the region—and some of the surprises that might make it one of your favorite vacation spots.
Why Is It Called the Smoky Mountains?
Our visit to the Smoky Mountains wouldn’t have been complete without at least a bit of a hazy view, and that same view has welcomed people for hundreds of years. Local Cherokee tribes described the land as shaconage, a word that translates to, “blue, like smoke.” On hot, humid days, a misty, naturally occurring haze can be seen rising over mountains, creating the illusion of smoke and likely inspiring the name.

Smoky Mountains Outdoor Activities
You’ll have plenty of outdoor activities to choose from during your visit to the USA’s Appalachian region. Here are a few of the places we visited during our visit.
► Great Smoky Mountains National Park
No visit to the Smoky Mountains is complete without a stop in the national park bearing the same name. Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the line between Tennessee and North Carolina, and it’s an unmissable stop whether you plan to spend a weekend or a week in the area.

In addition to seeking out great views, you may have some chance encounters with wildlife as well. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to an estimated 1,500 black bears, which means there are roughly two bears per square mile. It may be exciting to see one, but remember not to approach them if you do: respect their space and their home, and do not interact with them or feed them.
More Information: NPS.gov/grsm
► Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster

More Information: SmokyMountainAlpineCoaster.com
You’ll need to leave lose items like hats, wallets, and purses safely locked in your car (if they come loose you’ll never see them again!), but mounted cameras like GoPros may be approved to make the journey with you. This video from Thrillist shows what the track looks like, and it’s a great way to consider if the experience might be fun for you. We loved our ride, and it was a truly memorable way to experience the Smoky Mountains.
Zoom through Tennessee by riding the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. pic.twitter.com/iW0mfhH0De
— Thrillist (@Thrillist) August 12, 2019
► Gatlinburg SkyBridge
The longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the United States is located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, right at the base of the Smoky Mountains. Stretching 680 feet wide, the suspension bridge is 140 feet above the ground and provides some of the best panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains that you’ll find in the area. There is a chairlift that will take you to the top in order to make the walk over the bridge, which was completely packed with tourists during our visit. Still, earlier in the day before the crowds arrive, the SkyBridge is a great addition to your Smoky Mountain itinerary if great views combined with just a little bit of daredevil-ish risk sound like a fun experience.
This video from the Gatlinburg SkyBridge shares some behind the scenes footage of the construction and gives you an idea for what the experience is like.
More Information: GatlinburgSkylift.com/skybridge
Landmarks to Visit in the Smoky Mountains
If you enjoy a touch of local history and culture in your vacation plans, your Smoky Mountains itinerary won’t be complete without a stop at a few key landmarks.
► Davy Crockett Tavern Museum

The Davy Crockett Tavern Museum in Morristown, Tennessee is a great place to start your exploration of Crockett’s life. Knowledgeable volunteer docents staff the small cabin that houses plenty of memorabilia and artifacts that will transport you to a very different Tennessee. Even though he was born into poverty and lacked a formal education, he served in the Tennessee militia, became a United States Congressman, and took part in the Texas Revolution where he ultimately perished at the legendary Battle of the Alamo. You’ll have the chance to learn about these highlights, as well as lesser-known facts, during your visit to the museum. It’s a worthwhile stop as you begin your visit to the Smoky Mountains.
More Information: CrockettTavernMuseum.org
► Andrew Johnson National Historic Site

Andrew Johnson served as the 17th president of the United States of America, taking office after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. Johnson was not born in Tennessee—he hailed from Raleigh, North Carolina, but he called Tennessee home for almost 25 years and worked in Greenville as a tailor before moving to Washington, DC for much of his political career. He served as the mayor of Greenville as well as the governor of Tennessee, so a visit to the national historic site that bears his name will also teach you some interesting facts about the state’s history as well as the country’s history. A series of buildings, including his homes and the cemetery where he is buried, are part of the visit and a nice way to spend an educational afternoon.
More Information: NPS.gov/anjo
► Bristol Sign on the State Line
Not far from the Smoky Mountains, one of our favorite stops might be recognizable to you, too! Located just off of I-81, the towns of Bristol straddle the border of Virginia and Tennessee. State Street, which runs through both Bristols, is adorned with both state flags, and it serves as the dividing line in what otherwise looks and functions as a single town. If you can imagine standing on one side of the street and jumping to the other, bouncing between Virginia and Tennessee, you may be picturing a small, green gecko who did exactly that in a famous national commercial.
The state line might draw you into Bristol, but we recommend staying for breakfast on your way to the Smoky Mountains. We stumbled upon Blackbird Bakery while searching for a cup of coffee and something to tide us over until we reached Pigeon Forge, and the pastry case was more than equipped to do the job. We picked a couple of donuts to pair with steaming mugs of fresh coffee, and while the orange frosted donut was delicious, the maple bacon donut stole the show.
More Information: BlackbirdBakeryBristol.com
Smoky Mountains Amusement Parks, Museums, and Shops
There is plenty to learn in the Smoky Mountains, but there is also plenty to keep yourself entertained—especially if traveling with children or your family! Here are a few of our favorite places to visit if you’re looking for a few truly fun activities.
► Dollywood

More Information: Dollywood.com
► Shopping

We were especially happy to stumble upon The Island in Pigeon Forge, which is a destination for even more than shopping (you’ll find restaurants and entertainment, too!). Although we don’t typically spend a lot of time shopping on our vacations—unless we’re hunting for a great souvenir—we spent a couple of hours exploring some unexpectedly interesting stores, including Emery’s 5 and 10 that was memorable for its huge display of old-fashioned (and odd) sodas and candy that will remind many visitors of the stories their parents and grandparents told them about childhood treats. We also loved the Kryptonite Character Store, which sells an almost unparalleled collection of pop culture toys and memorabilia. We wandered in to check out the selection, and we both left with Funko Pops, including my Carmen Sandiego that now sits on my desk as a reminder of our trip—and to be a more responsible world traveler than she was.
► Museums

Smoky Mountains Restaurants, Wineries, Distilleries, and Dinner Theater
One of the best ways to experience a new place is by exploring the food and beverages that are local to a region, and you’ll find plenty of great dining and drinking options when you visit the Great Smoky Mountains. Here are a few of our favorite stops in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
► Poynor’s Pommes Frites and Spaghettieis

More Information: IslandinPigeonForge.com/poi/poynors-pommes-frites
► Dinner Theater
In Pigeon Forge, dinner theater is a big deal. Every hotel has fliers in the lobby, billboards remind you to buy tickets around every turn, and the establishments themselves are so big and over-the-top they will catch your eye as you drive past them. You’ll have a few choices if dinner and a show sounds like a fun evening, including the famous Dolly Parton’s Stampede (featuring live animals and talented stunt artists), Pirates Voyage (complete with sword fights and canons), Comedy Barn (a family-friendly choice with comedy and jugglers), Murder Mystery (a light-hearted whodunit show), and even the Bible Times Dinner Show (bringing the Bible to life while you eat).

Dinner theater experiences tend to be a bit pricey, often stretching past $50 per person, but the price point often include an all-you-can-eat meal and a theater experience, which may make it seem like a good value for the money. We enjoyed the evening, and whether you watch the Hatfields and McCoys duke it out or find yourself more inclined to enjoy one of the other dinner theater experiences in the area, don’t overlook it as a way to experience nightlife in the Smoky Mountains.
More Information: HatfieldMcCoyDinnerFeud.com
► Smoky Mountain Winery
Wine is not something you might be seeking out when visiting the Smoky Mountains, but because we’re always curious about how winemaking traditions are influenced by the places we visit, we stopped into Smoky Mountain Winery in Gatlinburg for a tasting during our vacation. Established in 1981, Smoky Mountain Winery is the oldest winery in east Tennessee, and it’s a great place to learn about the kinds of grapes that grow well in the region. Especially known for the sweet muscadine grape, which grows well in the USA’s southern states, the tasting menu is surprisingly extensive and fun to sample. Tastings are provided free of charge, and bottles are well-priced, so taking home a bottle of your favorite is a good idea.
More Information: SmokyMountainWinery.net
► Ole Smoky Moonshine

In the Smoky Mountains, there is no better place to try moonshine than Ole Smoky Moonshine, a distillery that specializes in all manner of moonshine. For just five dollars, we sampled ten different flavors ranging from light and fruity to creamy and sweet, and from strong to, well, very strong. A few flavors were standouts for us, including the refreshing sweet tea moonshine and sweet blackberry moonshine; we also liked the mountain java moonshine, which would make a delicious after dinner drink. To taste real moonshine, though, be sure to try White Lightnin’, which is great for mixing but a little much to drink on its own. Of course, if you want to go a notch above, Blue Flame is 128 proof and guaranteed to burn a bit as it goes down.
More Information: OleSmoky.com
Hotels in the Smoky Mountains
From humble motels to luxurious resorts, there are plenty of places to stay when visiting the Smoky Mountains. We based ourselves in Pigeon Forge at the Clarion Inn, which provided us with a nice, clean, and centrally located room that made our activities easy to plan. From the fresh-baked cookies at night to the comfortable room, we were excited that the hotel met our needs for our weekend trip.
More Information: Booking.com/hotel-waldens-main-street
We found the Clarion Inn on Booking.com, which we use to compare hotel amenities and locations during our travel planning. Check out Booking.com to see if they have a room at a hotel that will work well for your Smoky Mountains vacation!
Enjoy the Smoky Mountains!
There was a period of time during our hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park when my cell phone lost service, and I found myself doing exactly what John Muir prescribed: “Break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain.” I had needed a break, a chance for true rest and relaxation, and I found exactly what I was searching for during our trip to the Smoky Mountains. From the peaceful moments off the grid to the thrills of hurtling down the mountain on an alpine coaster, all of our experiences added up to a truly fulfilling vacation. If you are planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains, and specifically to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, we know you’ll return home as we did: rested, relaxed, and ready to plan another trip!
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