1. Ramsay Cascades

This unique feature of nature is nestled away in an area requiring a four mile hike to it and is well worth the trip!  Water cascades 65 feet down the rocks in a beautiful ode to the mechanisms of nature, providing ample photographic opportunity.  The Cascades will make for an enjoyable outing for the family (those who can keep up on the hike!) and pays off with an awe-inspiring view.

2. Cataloochee Overlook

This overlook allows for one of the best views in all of the Smoky Mountains.  Soak in the view of the entire Cataloochee Valley below and the pristine mountains in the distance.  Taking the trip to this spot in the fall will bless you with a view that lets you know that God must exist and is an artist at that!  The foliage and autumn colors will delight your senses.

3. Rich Mountain Road

A scenic drive along this road will garner you photographs galore!  Many award-winning images were taken here of the beautiful scenes of nature.  It winds through the trees so that the awesome foliage can be seen and bubbling bodies of water are on view as well.

4. Little River

This roaring, bubbling river is a must-see for a trip to Tennessee because it provides ample opportunity for photographs.  Different parts of the river conjure up various feelings of serenity and peace and the scenes vary greatly depending on what section that you find yourself on.

5. The Mountains

And to save the best for last, the most majestic thing to view in the Smoky Mountains would be the mountains themselves!  Nothing attests to the true beauty and power of nature as these towering ranges of splendor.

No matter what you photograph in the Smokies, you will take a little piece of the beauty home with you.

1. Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park

Believe it or not, there is great skiing in Tennessee! This top-of-the-line ski resort offers eight scenic trails to explore in the winter, as well as an amusement park that is open year-round. If the seasons don’t allow for skiing, try the miniature golf, water rides or indoor ice skating!

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Here’s the reason you came to visit in the first place. The incredible Blue Ridge Mountains are home to some of the most beautiful scenery in America. There are tons of outdoor activities to take part in while you explore, but keep an eye out for the area’s natural inhabitants! Don’t let your good time ruin the home of some of the nation’s most unique wildlife.

3. Dollywood

If you have heard of Dolly Parton, you should definitely check out her hometown tribute, Dollywood. In addition to a functional replica of her family’s one-room cabin, there are tons of rides and live-action musical shows to see. This is definitely a good way to get an idea of what growing up in Appalachia is like.

4. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Did you know that Gatlinburg, Tennessee is home to the world’s biggest underwater tunnel? It’s true! Walk through and see beautifully colored fish, penguins, sharks, stingrays and much more. Learn about life deep in the ocean, and even get to know some of the aquarium’s inhabitants up close and personal!

5. Trolley Tours

To catch all the sites at once, there is no better way than to book a trolley tour. Ride on a trolley through Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge and take photos of all you see. This is a great way to finish up your trip and ensure that you haven’t missed anything!

With so much to see and do, what are you waiting for? Book your trip today!

1. Mayfield Dairy Bar

Rich creamy ice-cream from the Mayfield Dairy Bar will make you look at ice-cream in a whole new light.  Have it atop their funnel cake or in a sundae for a dessert that will make you never want to return home!

2. Smoky Mountain Cakes

Every opportunity to have cake is an opportunity not meant to be passed up!  These cakes can be custom made to fit whatever occasion you may be celebrating and comes in a variety of flavors so that you are sure to be satisfied by this treat.  What’s great about the company is that while you are lounging around your Gatlinburg cabin, they will deliver the cake for free!

3. Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen

Taffy is a southern treat that just can not be missed in this Gatlinburg favorite. Pulled fresh made taffy, scrumptious caramel apples, and many more treats will make you feel like a big kid in a candy store as you devour the sugary concoctions.  Just be sure to brush your teeth well!

4. Desserts and More Café

This cute cafe serves up homemade treats on an ever changing menu that will have you eating dessert before dinner!  Why wait for the end of the meal when delectable cheesecakes, chocolate tiramisu, mind-blowing creme brulee, and pies just like grandma used to make are waiting for you? Round up the family and share a couple of desserts because these are some must-eat treats.

5. The Funnel Cake Company

Fried anything + sugar = win every time!  What’s not to like about funnel cake, with it’s golden fried exterior, soft warm interior, and powder sugar and/or chocolate loaded on top?  They even sell packaged mix so that when the crave is calling when you return home, you can answer its call and make your own!  Don’t forget to pass me a fork!

Vacation is a fun time to partake in some guilt free dessert splurging.  You only live once, so grab that fork, put on your “I got this in Gatlinburg” bib, pull up to the table and let’s chow down!

1. Tennessee’s country queen, the buxom Dolly Parton, entertains with Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge.  This family friendly extravaganza offers everything from magic tricks, amazing animals, performers, and stunts!  Come hungry for fun and food, because a four course dinner is part of the package!

2. Also in Pigeon Forge is the Memories Theater, a place dedicated to paying tribute to the great artists of yesteryear such as the King himself Elvis Presley or Mr. Buddy Holly.  With shows five times a week, there’s guaranteed to be one during your trip to the Smoky Mountains.  Have a great time listening to hits that you probably never imagined you’d hear live!

3. Country Tonight Theater puts on a memorable country music night of fun each show.  Each day at 3 and 8pm and in production for 14 years, this show has earned the title as the best live country show in America.  On stage, singers, a band, and dancers entertain with musical selections covering country, gospel, comedy, and patriotic elements.  With a stadium built to fit 1,500 fans, all can come out to enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience.

4. In Gatlinburg, be sure to check out Sweet Fanny Adams Theater, a 34 year old attraction that showcases hilarious comedy musicals that the whole family will be tickled by.  Even better, the shows are mostly original comedies written especially for the theater, so it’s a true treat and you’ll never know what show you’ll get!  In honor of it’s long rich history with the city of Gatlinburg, they were named a National Historical Treasure.

5. Fancy a bit of thinking with your dinner?  Come to the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show for a bit of crime with a side of comedy!  Audience members partake in the crimes and try to help solve the funny cases, so maybe you’ll get to put your sleuth skills to use!

With so many amazing options, no moment should be dull on your vacation to the Smoky Mountains.  Pick a different theater each night and have some amazing stories to tell your friends!  Who knows, you may even solve the mystery and save the day.

The first and most important step to any RV enjoyment is to ensure that the vehicle is well-fueled, maintained for road travel, and that there are no leaks, flat tires, or other causes for concern.  Check the electrical elements, mechanical under the hood area, as well as the appearance.  Taking care of small problems now can save on a large tab later for repairs, and no one wants to find issues while on the road!

There are plenty of options in Tennessee for those on an RV trip; the Smokies offers 30 campgrounds to station the vehicle and then enjoy the surrounding areas such as Gatlinburg.  Once situated, the possibilities are practically endless!

Love sports activities?  Fishing in the Smokies in any of the miles of streams will reward you with trout and many hours of activity.  Those who are inclined to golf can easily get out onto the green and perfect their swing.  White water rafting, canoeing, water-skiing, tubing, and swimming are just some of the many water activities available for those who want to make a splash!  Fancy becoming at one with nature?  An exhilerating hike through the woods and along the trails will not only give you exercise, but can make for breath-taking photos and memorable adventures!  Happy trails ahead!

Need some family friendly fun that the little ones will enjoy?  There are a host of things to delight their sensibilities!  A cool water park like Wild Bear Falls has fun specifically designed with tiny tots in mind and many things for parents to enjoy as well.

Fairs and concerts are plenty available in the area so gobble down good eats while jamming to country tunes.  Find out about the rich history of the area in your exploration, that alone could make up days of educational fun!  Have some possum treats, explore Dollywood, and learn how to play the banjo!

Before going back on the road in the RV, double check again that tire pressure, fuel, and food supply are all up to par.  Enjoy the trip and see you at a Smoky Mountain National Park soon!

• At the world famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, a steady stream of country artists will parade through until the end of the year. These include Blake Shelton, Restless Heart, Mike Snider, The Grascals, Dailey and Vincent, Larry Gatlin, Josh Turner and Kathy Mattea.
• The Nashville War Memorial is another great place for a concert, as Eric Church is stopping by for a show in August.
• The super-famous Brooks and Dunn are coming by the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville this September, so get your tickets now!
• Chris Young is touring to promote his newest CD, “The Man I Want to Be” at Riverfront Park in Nashville.
• Two superstars, George Strait and Reba McIntire, are teaming up to play the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on September 11th. This concert is sure to sell out, so check into tickets as soon as you can!
• Carrie Underwood, country’s biggest star, is also stopping by the Bridgestone Arena to perform all her hits, including “Before He Cheats” on October 13.
• Check out country champion Don Williams, legend of the Country Music Hall of Fame, when he performs on October 20 and 21 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
• Stop by the Ninth Annual Tennessee River Run, a country music festival in Savannah, Tennessee. Hosted by Darryl Worley, this festival will have live music, food, a golf tournament over three full days.

If you are into country music and you haven’t made it to Tennessee, or you haven’t yet hit up one of Tennessee’s famed country concerts, what are you waiting for? Get over there!

1. Wild Bear Falls Water Park is a brand new way to enjoy the Smokies. Located in Gatlinburg’s Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, it is the largest indoor water park in the South. Don’t worry, though—the roof is retractable, so you’ll still be able to get a tan if you visit in the summer months. There are wading pools, slides, rides and a tree house at this amazing amusement park.

2. We can’t forget about a favorite Smoky Mountains pastime—fishing! Fish one of the park’s many streams and rivers to catch Brown, Brook and Rainbow trout. You’ll have to choose if you want to fly or angler fish, so get your gear together and get ready for a great time.

3. Swimming in the fresh, mountain streams is another great way to commune with nature in the Smokies. Check with the park rangers to see which places are best.

4. Rent or bring your canoes and rafts to explore the park from a new angle. If your family is up for some white water rafting, check out the guides that offer their services. Rental is possible for many different kinds of watercrafts.

5. Get creative and rent a houseboat for your Smokies vacation! Take this floating home’s luxurious accommodations to one of the region’s lakes and insert yourself into the Smokies lifestyle.

No matter which way you choose and how you travel (*begin shameless self-promotion* we recommend Gatlinburg cabins of course *end self-promotion*), spending some time in the beautiful, clear waters of the Appalachian Mountains is not to be missed!

Johnny Knoxville, MTV’s “Jackass” star, was born Phillip John Clapp in Knoxville Tennessee. Brave enough to try hundreds of stupid, painful stunts for television, Knoxville hit Hollywood in “Jackass the Movie”, “Jackass the Movie 2” and “The Dukes of Hazzard”.

Patricia Neal is an Oscar-winning actress with an amazing survival story. She was born January 30, 1926 in Packard, Kentucky but grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her Oscar came from her 1963 film, “Hud”. She also starred in a number of other films, Broadway shoes and television programs. In 1965, Neal suffered three cerebral aneurisms, putting her in a coma for three weeks. She survived, and how works as an advocate for paralysis victims.

Jack Daniel, born Jasper Newton, is the king of whiskey. He was born in 1850 and went on to open Jack Daniel’s Distillery, the world’s largest maker of whiskey, in Lynchburg, Tennessee. He met his end at a young age after developing a blood disease as the result of a toe injury.

One of the finest American writers to date, Cormac McCarthy is a Tennessee local too! He was born on July 20^th, 1933 in Providence, Rhode Island, but he moved to Knoxville at the age of four. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a Pulitzer prize winner for his novel The Road, which was recently made into a movie starring Viggo Mortensen. He also won a National Book Award for his novel All the Pretty Horses. He lived in eastern Tennessee until the 90s and based a number of his novels on the region.

Christina Hendricks, the stunning redhead on AMC’s “Mad Men”, wasn’t born a redhead in her native Knoxville, Tennessee. After dying her hair at age ten, she never went back. It has defined her roles in “Firefly”, “Without a Trace” and “Cold Case”, as well as her starring role in the hottest show on television.

-If coming by way of Virginia, consider a 45 minute drive via I-81 South to I-40 East and get off at Newport (Exit 435). Then, follow Highway 321 South into Gatlinburg.

-For those coming from Lexington, Tennessee, take I-75 North and follow Highway 321 to I-40 East to Exit 435, which should also take 45 minutes.

-From Chattanooga, Tennessee, take Exit 81 on I-75 North, following Highway 321 North to Gatlinburg through Maryville and Townsend. Expect to be on the road for approximately an hour and ten minutes.

-Nashville dwellers, you will take I-75 South and follow the same directions as if you were coming from Chattanooga.

-Those arriving from Asheville, North Carolina can take I-40 West to Exit 440 and follow Highway 321 South to Gatlinburg. This should take 45 minutes.

-Atlanta residents can take a leisurely road trip along I-85 North to I-985 North to US 23. Take US 23 to Highway 23/441, changing to Highway 74/441 through Cherokee, North Carolina. It will take you about 4 hours and ten minutes.  This will allow for maximum sight-seeing potential along the drive!

For those who may balk at taking a road trip but still want to take in the unique fun and foods of Gatlinburg, consider flying into Knoxville – McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) which is 55 miles north of Gatlinburg.  Most major airlines fly there daily and once you are on the ground, renting a car is quite easy for maximum enjoyment of the trip. Hop in the car, turn up the radio to a little Sugarland, and be prepared to enjoy some good ole southern hospitality!  Gatlinburg is waiting with open arms.