Emma Gallagher 
In our experience, wildlife in the Smoky Mountains is both abundant and diverse, including amphibians, birds, large mammals, and reptiles. Some of the amazing animals in Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be rather secretive, living deep in the forests or hiding under rocks. Others will graze or hunt out in the open, … Read more
Looking for a relaxing weekend getaway in the mountains? There’s no shortage of resorts in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Whether you’re seeking rustic mountain resorts where you can get away from it all, fun-filled resorts with casinos and live music, or serene lakeside retreats, there are tons of options to … Read more
Stopping off in the North Carolina mountain town of Blowing Rock proved a perfect end to our weekend getaway at Julian Price Memorial Park. Before checking out some of the local breweries and restaurants, we wanted to earn our treat by hiking to Glen Burney Falls. We were pleasantly surprised to realize the trailhead was located … Read more
There are countless hiking trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and each offers a little something special. But the relatively short Rough Ridge hike ranks high among our personal favorites. Starting at the Rough Ridge Overlook (Milepost 302.8), this 1.5-mile Blue Ridge Parkway hike will have you crossing a bridge over a creek, standing atop … Read more
Visiting the Fontana Dam and Visitors Center was high on our list of things to do during our latest car camping trip around the Great Smoky Mountains. Having already spent several days camping in the Nantahala National Forest, the dam was an unmissable, stop-off on our way to campgrounds in Bryson City NC and Cherokee … Read more
On our latest Great Smoky Mountains camping trip, the Cherokee NC attraction I most looked forward to visiting was the Museum of the Cherokee People (formerly known as the Museum of the Cherokee Indian). I hoped the museum would give me some good background on the Cherokee people. It did not disappoint, and proved to … Read more
If you find yourself looking for fun things to do in Winston Salem NC, look no further than Reynolda Village. Of all the Winston-Salem attractions we’ve visited, Reynolda Village is definitely among our favorites. We could easily spend an entire weekend there shopping, dining at local restaurants, walking the historic grounds, taking in … Read more
There are lots of quaint Georgia mountain towns that offer Southern hospitality, and spectacular views, with Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains vistas stretching for miles. The mountains in Georgia are a playground for nature lovers, with fun activities ranging from amazing hiking trails and waterfalls to river tubing, kayaking, horseback riding, zip lining, and more. After … Read more
The Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee are spectacular at any time of year, including Winter. Sure, the chilly Smoky Mountains Winter weather drives some folks indoors. But for visitors interested in snow skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, hiking, and/or exploring waterfalls, Winter is a perfect time to visit! Whichever category you fall into, … Read more
[Updated November 30, 2024] Curling up by a roaring fire in a cozy little mountain cabin rental sounds like the perfect idea of Winter fun. But there are a few places for snow skiing in Virginia that might have you donning your warmest clothes and heading outside! Virginia is home to a good chunk … Read more
