Check out our extensive guides to the best things to do in the Tennessee Mountains, including an overview of the best outdoor activities, restaurants, roadside attractions and accommodations in TN.
Visiting Kuwohi (& Why They Changed Clingmans Dome’s Name)
If you’re visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a journey up to the summit of Kuwohi (pronounced koo-WHOA-hee, and formerly known as Clingmans Dome) is
20 Must-Visit Blue Ridge Mountain Resorts for 2025
Blue Ridge Mountain resorts come in all shapes and sizes. Some upscale luxury resorts in the Blue Ridge Mountains focus on foodie-friendly restaurants, outstanding golf courses,
The 30 Best Blue Ridge Mountain Towns to Visit in 2025
Over the 5 years since we launched Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide, our team has visited 70-80 different towns in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and
The 15 Best Places for Glamping in the Blue Ridge Mountains (GA, NC, TN, VA)
Want to keep one foot in nature while simultaneously turning up the dial on luxury? Try a weekend of glamping in the Blue Ridge Mountains!
The 10 Best Cabins for Rent in Gatlinburg TN (1-4+ Bedrooms)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited parks in the USA. It straddles the boundary of North Carolina and Tennessee, with
Visiting the Gatlinburg SkyPark (Including SkyLift, SkyBridge & More)
During our recent trip to Tennessee, we spent a memorable day at Gatlinburg SkyPark, which is home to the SkyBridge, North America’s longest pedestrian cable
The Best Lake Gear of 2024 (Floats, Grills, Coolers & More)
We’ve written about how much Mary and I both love the water many times before. She grew up spending weeks every summer with her grandparents
10 Amazing Animals in the Smoky Mountains (& Where to See Them)
In our experience, wildlife in the Smoky Mountains is both abundant and diverse, including amphibians, birds, large mammals, and reptiles. Some of the amazing
The 10 Best Great Smoky Mountains Resorts in NC & TN
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
The 10 Best Hotels in Bristol TN/VA (With Pet-Friendly Options!)
Much like Lookout Mountain (which straddles the border between GA and TN), Bristol is a town in two states. The north side of its main street
The 10 Best Restaurants in Chattanooga TN for Foodies
After 7 years working in the restaurant industry and nearly 30 years of reviewing restaurants professionally, I’ve learned a few things about what makes certain
The 8 Best Train Rides in the Smoky Mountains of NC & TN
The Smoky Mountains are renowned for their spectacular natural beauty. And in our experience, there’s no better way to see them than by taking a
The 10 Best Restaurants in Gatlinburg TN to Visit
Our latest visit to Gatlinburg, Tennessee elevated all our senses, seeing breathtaking scenic vistas, hearing local bluegrass bands, and tasting Southern cuisine from some of
The 10 Best Things to Do in Chattanooga TN (2024)
The fourth-largest city in Tennessee, Chattanooga (population nearly 185,000) has been a major town in the TAG (Tennessee-Alabama-Georgia) area since before the Civil War.
The 10 Best Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains in Winter
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
10 Fun Things to Do During Winter in Gatlinburg TN
If you dream of a European snow skiing trip, but prefer to avoid the hassles of international travel, we recommend the charming Winter wonderland of
Winter at Ober Gatlinburg, the Best Snow Skiing in Tennessee
During an Autumn trip to Gatlinburg, we visited Ober Mountain, an amusement park in the Smoky Mountains that celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2023. After
Christmas in Chattanooga TN: 10 Festive Events Worth Attending
[Updated October 27, 2024] This year was not the first time we’ve celebrated Christmas in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But aside from day trips to see the
15 Fun Things to Do in Winter in Tennessee
Although the winter weather in Tennessee never gets too bone-chilling, they do have their fair share of snow, especially in the eastern Tennessee mountains.
The 40 Best Camping Gifts and Hiking Gifts for 2023-2024
[Updated on December 5, 2023] Growing up in North Georgia, some of my favorite childhood memories involved camping and hiking in the mountains with my
The 10 Best Romantic Getaways in Tennessee
From the sultry Smoky Mountains all the way west to Memphis, there are some fantastic romantic getaways in Tennessee full of enchanted experiences (for those
The 10 Best Scenic Train Rides in Tennessee
The Southern Appalachian Mountains are renowned for their beauty, and in our experience there’s no better way to see them than taking scenic train rides in
The 10 Best Christmas Tree Farms in Tennessee (2023)
Though we live just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Elkin NC, we’ve enjoyed visiting the Tennessee mountains numerous times over the last few years.
The 10 Best Tennessee Mountain Towns to Visit
There’s something nostalgic, even romantic about Tennessee mountain towns. For me, they’ve always conjured up images of log cabins, quilts, and sitting by the fire while
15 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in Tennessee (2023)
The Blue Ridge Mountains are generally a wonderful place to spend the holidays, and celebrating Christmas in Tennessee offers myriad ways to get into the
The 5 Best Christmas Towns in Tennessee to Visit
[Updated October 27, 2024] Visit the Tennessee mountains around the holidays and you might feel like you’re in one of those Christmas towns from a Hallmark
The 10 Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg TN
Tucked in a gap in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a tourist-driven mountain town with two different levels. The heart of Downtown Gatlinburg is
The 7 Best Train Rides for Christmas in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Train rides for Christmas chug back into our lives with a payload of nostalgia on board. Railroads come from a historic era before automobiles and
The 10 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Tennessee (2023)
There’s nothing remotely dull about spending Christmas in Tennessee. In fact, there are literally millions (maybe even billions) of twinkling Christmas lights in Tennessee
30 Facts About Mennonite History, Culture & Amish Connections
My wife, Heather, and I both grew up in the Mennonite community and attended Mennonite churches and schools. If you met us, you’d see that
The 10 Best Smoky Mountains Hotels to Visit in NC & TN
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg TN, and Pigeon Forge TN are huge vacation destinations complete with theme parks, ski resorts, and other fun attractions.
The 15 Best Waterfalls in Tennessee to Visit
The state of Tennessee is widely known for its music scenes, including the Delta blues of the Memphis area and the Appalachian music (including bluegrass, country, and
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol TN/VA
While Nashville may be considered the home of country music today, many experts consider Bristol TN/VA to be the birthplace of the genre. After all,
The 15 Best Pumpkin Patches in Tennessee to Visit
Every season of the year has its highlights, but Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains has to be my favorite. Living in the Blue
What is Bluegrass? The History & Evolution of Appalachian Music
[Updated on September 18, 2023] The Appalachian Mountains encompass a massive portion of the United States. They span 420 counties in 13 states, with foothills
20 Incredible Places To See the Blue Ridge Mountains in Fall
As the sweltering days of Summer say their goodbyes, the nights and mornings get a little cooler, and the promise of changing leaves in the
The 7 Best Restaurants in Bristol TN/VA to Visit
Having worked in restaurants for 9 years through college and grad school (including everything from a casual café to fine dining), I’m always curious what eateries
The 10 Best Fairs in TN to Visit (2024)
[Updated July 18, 2024] Late Summer and early Autumn are among the most popular times to be outdoors in Tennessee, particularly in the mountains, where
The 10 Best Haunted Houses in Tennessee to Visit
Autumn is arguably our favorite season, bringing with it promises of cooler temperatures, gorgeous Fall colors, pumpkin patches, and apple picking. As someone who loves
30 Fun Facts About Appalachian Scots-Irish History & Culture
“O Bessie Bell and Mary Gray, they were two bonnie lasses…” Written by a long-forgotten author in the 1700s, this poem memorializes a haunting tale
The 15 Best Places to See Fall in Tennessee
The state of Tennessee in Fall is a truly a glorious sight to behold. Its climate conditions are just right for a long Autumn, because
The 10 Best Apple Orchards in Tennessee for Apple Picking & More
With its beautiful Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains and seemingly endless rolling foothills, it makes perfect sense that local farmers have planted numerous apple orchards
The 20 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the Smoky Mountains
Autumn annually amazes western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee visitors with fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains. In our experience, the best scenic views in the Smoky
The Best Lake Day Gear & Accessories for Summer
My lady and I are HUGE lake day lovers, and have been for years. Since travel is work for us, a day at the lake
The 15 Most Haunted Places in Tennessee to Visit
You don’t have to look far to find a company offering to take you on Tennessee ghost tours, simply because there seems to be endless
The 10 Best Campgrounds in Tennessee to Visit
Tennessee is a perfect place for anyone interested in exploring the stunning array of natural wonders to be found near the Blue Ridge Mountains and
The 10 Best Things to Do in Bristol TN/VA
Visiting Bristol TN/VA means getting to explore awesome places in two states, because the Blue Ridge mountain towns‘ main street literally acts as a state boundary. The
10 Best Caverns and Underground Caves in Tennessee
The Blue Ridge Mountains are home to an extensive array of caves and caverns, many of which have significant historical importance. There are more caves
The 10 Best Civil War Sites in Tennessee to Visit
The Civil War in Tennessee was epic. Aside from the state of Virginia, TN saw more battles than any other state. During the Civil War,
30 Great Smoky Mountains Facts for Trivia Buffs
People head to the Smokies of North Carolina and Tennessee for many reasons. Some want to go on epic Great Smoky Mountains hikes, while others
Ruby Falls Cave Tours on Lookout Mountain Near Chattanooga TN
When I was growing up in North Georgia, you couldn’t swing a stick without hitting a sign (or barn) promoting Rock City and Ruby Falls.
Visiting Craighead Caverns & Lost Sea Adventure (Sweetwater TN)
If you’re interested in exploring caverns and underground caves in Tennessee, a visit to the Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater TN is an absolute must.
The 10 Best Places for White Water Rafting in Tennessee
River rafting in Tennessee is one of the great outdoor adventures to be found in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In our experience, the best white
The 15 Best Smoky Mountain Waterfalls to Visit
Of all the Great Smoky Mountains attractions, chasing waterfalls is arguably among the most popular and rewarding activities. The Great Smoky Mountain waterfalls are
25 Fun Facts About Tennessee History and Culture
If you’ve ever wondered, “What is Tennessee known for?” the answer is, well, quite a lot of things! In fact, there’s a huge list of
Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains? A State-by-State Guide
“Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains?” is a question we get fairly often, and it’s understandable why so many people are confused by the geographical
15 Beautiful Wildflowers of Tennessee (and Where to See Them)
Springtime offers endless opportunities to catch glimpses of the different types of wildflowers native to Tennessee. Many wildflowers in Tennessee bloom throughout spring, while others
The 10 Best Lakes in Tennessee to Visit
The dynamic topography and vast wilderness of East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains are the stuff of legend. Odes to the dramatic terrain have appeared in so
Non-Venomous vs Venomous Snakes in Tennessee (ID Guide)
A lot of us have an unhealthy fear of snakes, presuming that they’re all human-killing machines bent on a slithery path of destruction. But that
The 15 Best Things to Do in Lookout Mountain GA/TN
[Updated April 11, 2023] Located at an elevation of 2,388 feet, Lookout Mountain sits on the border between North Georgia and Tennessee. Just a 10-minute
20 Beautiful Birds of Tennessee
There are over 400 species of native birds in Tennessee, with over 100 of them being birds common to Tennessee. In other words, there are
The Tennessee Legend of the Bell Witch Haunting
Whether it’s the haunting blue eyes of the Moon-Eyed People, the mysterious Brown Mountain Lights, the hellish Mothman of Point Pleasant WV, or ubiquitous sightings
Christmas Fun at Rock City Enchanted Garden of Lights
[Updated November 5, 2024] Growing up in North Georgia, you couldn’t drive very far into the Blue Ridge Mountains without seeing the famous “SEE ROCK
20 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in the Smoky Mountains (NC & TN)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular of all the national parks in the United States. And if you’re looking for unspoiled natural
20 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in the Blue Ridge Mountains
[Updated October 27, 2024] During the Christmas holidays, there are countless things to do in the Blue Ridge Mountains region, which stretches from the state
The 15 Best Great Smoky Mountains Campgrounds to Visit
A guide to the 15 Best Great Smoky Mountains Campgrounds to Visit, with camping options both inside and just outside the national park.
The 15 Best Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
[Updated Sept 19, 2024] Straddling the boundary of North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over 500,000 acres and is the most
Hiking the Lula Lake Land Trust Near Lookout Mountain GA
The first time I saw a photo of the Lula Lake Land Trust, it stopped me in my tracks. It was a breathtaking aerial drone
The Ultimate Ocoee River Rafting Guide
Located in Southeast Tennessee, the Ocoee River is a 93-mile river that flows northwest through the southern Appalachian Mountains. It’s known as the Toccoa River
40 Facts About the History of the Banjo (From Africa to Appalachia)
American folk music, and particularly traditional Appalachian music, would be incomplete without the signature twang of the banjo. Along with the accompaniment of the fiddle, the
Exploring Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in Lookout Mountain
The battles at Chickamauga and Chattanooga were a major turning point in the Civil War. Winning the Battle of Chattanooga in late November of 1863
30 Fascinating Facts About the Appalachian Mountains for Trivia Buffs
The Appalachian Mountains run north to south in the eastern third of the United States, passing through every coastal state north of Florida and all
Appalachian Folklore, Monsters and Superstitions
Stretching from Alabama and North Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian mountain range was formed millions of years ago before being settled by Native Americans and, later,
The Appalachian Culture & History of the Blue Ridge Mountains
If you’ve lived in the Southeast for a good portion of your life (as our team has), chances are you’ve been exploring Appalachia and the