I don’t think there are many places as magical as the Smoky Mountains. I think a lot of people must agree because it is the number one most visited national park in the United States. There’s just something special about reconnecting with nature and the down home feel of the surrounding cities that make this destination a great place to escape.
WHERE TO STAY
There are a few main towns that make up the Smoky Mountains. You have Gatlinburg, Townsend, and Pigeon Forge. Now where you stay is totally up to your preference of location. We typically book a cabin in Pigeon Forge as it’s normally the perfect location for everything we are aiming to do. For our cabin stays, we book through Vacasa, but there are multiple travel agencies that can help you in booking your cabin.
MUST SEE: SMOKY MOUNTIANS, TENNESSEE
- Dollywood – If you’re in the mood for some theme park fun, this is definitely the place to be. Don’t miss grabbing some cinnamon bread! It’s a smoky mountains delicacy.
- Blue Ridge Parkway – For one of the prettiest drives in America! Roll the windows down and take in all the scenic views.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Whether you want to hike, or just make a drive through the park, this is one of my favorite places to explore nature.
- Anakeesta – Take the lift up the mountain, go on the treetop walk and make sure to visit the night time show, Astra Lumina, for an immersive experience.
- The Island – For a change in scenery, head over to the Island for some shopping and eats!
- Moon Pie General Store – Okay, okay, I might be a sucker for a moon pie but this general store is worth a visit. It’s got every flavor of moon pie you can imagine and a book store… sign me up!
MUST EAT: SMOKY MOUNTIANS, TENNESSEE
- Pop’s Butts on the Creek – A hole in the wall BBQ joint that sits on a small creek. The burnt ends sandwich is something you don’t want to miss!
- Joey’s Pancake House – I’ve been coming to Joey’s since I was a child and it’s always a place I have to visit when in the mountains.
- The Old Mill – A must visit southern staple if you are in the area. Of course, I always have to order the chicken and dumplings with a cup of the famous corn chowder.
- The Park Grill – Located right on the main parkway, the Park Grill is a great spot to grab a bite to eat. The salad bar is my favorite part!
Hi, I’m anna!
In 2020 my husband and I decided we didn’t want to wait until retirement age to travel. We’ve started to slowly travel around the world while navigating our adventures around a corporate job. We’ve gained quite the “travel reputation” and our family & friends are always asking where we’re off to next!
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