Smoky Mountain News

If you enjoy country music or live shows in general, you’ve probably heard of Country Tonite, a highly-rated Pigeon Forge show for over 25 years. But did you know that they also feature celebrity shows throughout the year? Read on to find out all the details about the 2024 celebrity concerts at Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge TN!

Dollywood is kicking off their 2024 season on March 9 with the new I Will Always Love You Music Festival! This festival celebrates the art of songwriting with vibrant sights and sounds throughout the theme park. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from dazzling art installations to savory flavors to high-energy performances! Here’s everything you can expect to experience at Dollywood’s I Will Always Love You Music Festival this season.

Have you ever imagined yourself working on a big job site with the access and knowledge to man construction equipment? Perhaps your young child is obsessed with playing with toy construction equipment? Well, a chance to do all of that in real life has arrived in Sevierville! Dig’n Zone Theme Park, a construction theme park that allows adults and children to drive, ride and operate real construction equipment, is now open! Here’s everything we know about this new attraction in Sevierville, Dig’n Zone Theme Park:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Sees More Than 13 Million Visitors in 2023 Visitation numbers for Great Smoky Mountains National Park climbed for a second straight year in 2023! The park saw 13.3 million visits in 2023 — up 3% from 2022 — ranking as the second-highest attendance in the park's history, according to the National Park Service. That number trails only 2021 when more than 14 million people experienced the one-of-a-kind beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smokies were once again the country's most-visited national park in 2023, beating out second-ranked Grand Canyon National Park by a whopping 8.57 million visitors! June through October were the most popular times to visit the Smokies in 2023, averaging more than 1 million monthly visits. In total, national parks in America received 325 million visits in 2023.

As winter gives way to spring, Pigeon Forge comes alive with a variety of special events and celebrations. Whether you’ll be in town for St. Patrick’s Day, spring break, or just an ordinary day in March, your family will have an amazing time during their getaway in the Smokies. To help you make the most of your vacation, Visit My Smokies has put together a guide to all of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge in March.

That feeling you get from spending time in the Smoky Mountains can’t fully be explained. Yet, what is clear is how time spent out in the great outdoors has a healing effect on the mind, body and soul. If you’ve spent time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you know exactly what we’re talking about! Leave it to nature to provide the ultimate relaxation this getaway! Here are 5 benefits of hiking in the Smoky Mountains:

If you are looking for a fun and unique way to get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit here in the Smoky Mountains, you have stumbled upon a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow! That is because you will be able to Get Lucky At The SkyBridge when you check out this exciting event taking place here in Gatlinburg. With decorations, activities, and plenty more, you won’t want to miss out on the chance to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at one of the area’s most beloved attractions! Here is everything you need to know about Get Lucky At The Gatlinburg SkyBridge:

The Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is popular for its wide range of locally-made gifts, anything from artwork and photography to homemade soaps and candles. But it’s also known for talented potters and their incredible decor and functional pottery. The Arts and Crafts Loop isn’t the only area with amazing pottery; you can also find some in downtown Gatlinburg!  From unique glazing techniques to one-of-a-kind pieces, the pottery in Gatlinburg makes the perfect souvenir from your Smoky Mountain vacation. Read on to discover some of our favorite local artisans and their pottery studios!

There’s just something about Cades Cove! If you’ve visited before, you know exactly what we’re talking about! The soothing serenity of Cades Cove is only matched by its remarkable beauty, making it the ideal spot to enjoy a memorable experience with the love of your life. This vibrant valley, surrounded by stunning mountains and tucked away in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is the gift that keeps on giving. Here are 5 romantic things to do in Cades Cove:

Are you planning to visit the Smoky Mountains with your children? Rather than spending free time glued to devices like phones, wouldn’t it be nice if your kids learned something valuable? Educational attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge provide an opportunity to learn in a way that’s equally fun and memorable! From lessons about nature and history to uncovering the unbelievable, you’ll find many educational activities for the whole family to enjoy in the Smokies! Here are 5 educational attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge:

If you are deciding where to stay when you come to visit Gatlinburg, we are here to help! There are plenty of great choices for places to stay in Gatlinburg TN, including cabins, bed and breakfasts, and more. Which option is best for you depends on a number of factors, including what amenities you want, where you would like to be located, and more. Fortunately, you can simply read on to figure out which of the many places to stay in Gatlinburg TN is right for you:

Located just outside of Pigeon Forge, you’ll find Wears Valley. This valley is known for its gorgeous mountain views and is considered the “peaceful side of the Smokies.” If you want to escape from the hustle and bustle in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Wears Valley is the place for you. It’s filled with both history and culture and runs parallel to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For those who are interested in exploring this hidden gem, we’ve put together a guide to visiting Wears Valley TN.

If you’ve ever visited Pigeon Forge, or ever even heard of the area, chances are, you’ve also heard of Dollywood. To help you be more prepared for your visit to Dollywood this year, we’ve put together all of the information you need about Dollywood hours, the Dollywood schedule, festival information and even a few ways to save money. Read our guide to the Dollywood schedule and Dollywood hours below:

Valentine’s Day is almost here! If you’re looking for fun and romantic things to do for Valentine’s Day in the Smokies, make sure you spend some time at The Island in Pigeon Forge. We’ve put together this list of some of the great things to do on Valentine’s Day at The Island that you won’t want to miss!

If you are interested in birds, the Smoky Mountains are a must-visit destination! According to the National Park Service, there have been over 240 different species of birds documented at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This includes year-round resident species as well as types of birds that use the area as a stop along migratory paths. In addition to the many types of birds here in the Smokies, there are also some attractions that allow you to see other types of birds, learn about them, and more! With so many different types of birds in the Smoky Mountains and related activities, you will have no shortage of ways to see and learn about birds when you come to visit the area. Here are some of our top recommendations: