Stunning. The Great…read moreSmoky Mountains National Park officially ties with Yosemite as my two favorite national parks in the US. I love everything about this beautiful area of our country. We were there in early spring and enjoyed stunning weather, blooming wild flowers, and bear sightings a-plenty. We also were there when the dogwoods were blooming and there are dogwood trees throughout the park--it was stunning. We enjoyed driving around the park, hiking, and stopping at various points of interest. We were also able to take an accessible hike up a paved trail to the highest point in the park, which was amazing. My eyes seriously just could not get enough of all the gorgeous nature to be enjoyed here. Top notch. Get to it!

Great Smoky Mountain National Park has been on my bucket list for many years. I was hoping that…read morespring break would be down season at the Park, but the Park was busy!!! We had a fabulous visit to this vast natural wonder. We learned that Park is the largest natural habitat in the continental U.S. The signature "smoky" appearance of the mountains is caused by an evaporation of organic rich moisture released by the vegetation within the Park. We started our visit by stopping at the visitors center to pick up a parking permit ($5/day) and maps ($1). I was glad we picked up maps because there is very little internet connectivity in the park, so we lost our navigation tools. The leaves were not on the trees yet (April) so we had magnificent uninterrupted views of the mountains and skylines. Spring wild flowers were in bloom. And we actually saw a mother bear with two cubs crossing the road. Each day during our visit we explored a different part of the park. We hiked to waterfalls and enjoyed scenic overlooks. We enjoyed exploring historic cabins and cemeteries. Popular sites were crowded and sometimes we had to wait for parking. Plan to arrive early. The park is filled with parking areas to pull off and enjoy the views or hike. Rest areas are available at many of the major sites. Leased dogs are only allowed in camping and parking areas and on two of the many trails. Bring good walking shoes, a hiking stick is helpful, water and sun glasses. You probably need to bring snacks, but keep those secure from wildlife.

Skypark gives you scenic views of Gatlinburg and the surrounding countryside. Nestled right…read moredowntown, the Skyview Chairlift takes you up to the hillside overlooking downtown Gatlinburg. Scenic views from Skypark abound and their is the Skyview Bridge which is a fun experience for children and adults alike. Built in 1954, the Gatlinburg Skylift is the oldest attraction in Gatlinburg. Originally a one seat attraction it was updated shortly after as a two seater, and now seats three people. Come to visit this wonderful attraction in the heart of Gatlinburg.

We very much enjoyed our experience at the Gatlinburg SkyPark…read more We bought an unlimited pass, which allows you unlimited rides up and down the mountain. The ride is beautiful and serene. We loved it! Once at the top, we took the skybridge over to an area where you can get a beverage and snack and take in the views. The skybridge is an experience itself. A warning to folks who get vertigo, the bridge is high and in the middle, it's glass bottomed. Very cool for those who don't have a fear of heights, but I did see a couple people struggling once they got to the glass bottom portion. I enjoyed every step. Once at the top, we grabbed a couple of beers and sat in Adirondacks overlooking the valley below. We could have hung out taking in the views all afternoon (and pretty much did). We loved our experience here. It was early spring so it wasn't overly busy but the weather was pitch perfect (80s with a breeze and low humidity--yes, please). Get to it!

Sweet little park in Gatlinburg! My 3 year old son had fun on the playground. I love how the…read moreplayground itself had some shade for the kiddos and the benches for parents also were set beneath trees for shade too! The high school track in the property was very nice for a couple of runs when we were in town.

Great dog park. We visit each year and are so glad we found this dog park. Great fenced in area…read morewith trees, benches, and a water fountain. There are hills that can get muddy so wear tennis shoes and maybe bring a walking stick for uneven ground.

Love it. Very little walking required. Great for older people. You can see most ever7thing from…read moreour car.

This was a great trail to drive as we spent most of the day hiking. You are able to see a great…read moreamount of the river and wildlife on the drive. Usually you can see some black bears driving through. Parking is extremely limited so definitely get there early. But if you're driving through there are plenty of places to stop quick for the scenic overlooks.

Great city park! Clean, lots to do at the park. Nice clean bathrooms, paved walking trail around…read morewhole park. Great place for families or just to enjoy the outdoors! Twin Creek trailhead is just up the road and is a beautiful walk through the woods.

This is a beautiful park, especially in October with the trees and their colorful leaves. Our…read morefriend is able to walk her dog here. We explored under the pavilion, and down by the water. We didn't use the 6 tennis courts or dance under the pavillion, but we did use the bathrooms. Husband said his was fine. Ours had a defective paper towel dispenser, but a working blower. We had soap, toilet paper, and the toilets flushed. Perfect! We also walked by the clubhouse. They have a water fountain to fill bottles! If you are lucky, you'll also see butterflies & bees in the flowers nearby. This would be a lovely place to picnic. We'll be back to do just that!

Laurel Falls is a great starter trail for Families that are introducing their children to hiking in…read moreGatlinburg. There are plenty of interesting facts to be shared, different types of plants and wildlife along the trail. This time we didn't see many animals but the trail was a bit more crowded that day. I would not recommend taking a stroller or wheelchair on this trail. It is barely paved and there are many roots. Parts of it are very steep as well. It's a great place to practice mindfulness on the way up. There are enough roots and rocks on the path to force you to focus on being present and walking carefully. It's a peaceful trail that gives you a great view of the forest. The falls are still there but not as deep as they used to be. The rocks are very slippery! I definitely recommend water shoes if you have them. The way down is a bit harder than the way up. If you have issues with your legs or balance, I recommend using a support of some kind. There are no benches but you should be able to find large boulders to rest on.

Beautiful very easy to walk trail. More like a walk actually, close to the main entrance in the…read moreSmoky Mountains National Park

Patriot Park is a perfect starting point for exploring Pigeon Forge--especially on a sunny day…read more Free parking alone makes this spot a win, and it's conveniently located next to the Pigeon Forge Trolley stop, which is affordable, easy to use, and connect you directly to Dollywood and most of the city's major attractions. The park itself is clean, well maintained, and has centrally located restrooms (always appreciated). From here, you're steps away from Old Mill Avenue and the historic Old Mill district, one of the most charming areas in Pigeon Forge. Highlights include the Old Mill Pottery House Cafe and Pigeon River Pottery, where you can watch local artisans at work, plus plenty of unique gifts and souvenirs. Old Mill Square feels like the heart of the original Pigeon Forge, with its preserved charm and walkable cluster of shops and eateries. Favorites include Iron Mountain Metal Craft, Old Forge Distillery (they have the best prices in town for moonshine, whiskeys and all) Old Mill Restaurant, Creamery, Candy Kitchen, General Store, Farmhouse Kitchen, and more--there's truly something for everyone. This area beautifully maintains its historic ambiance while offering great food, shopping, and family-friendly fun. Ideal for all ages, Patriot Park and the Old Mill district are absolutely worth dedicating a full day to--and a must-stop on any Pigeon Forge visit.

This park is cute and has a nice walk area and grass area. Loved the Smoky the Bear statue and a…read morefew of the Pigeon Forge statues here too. Located real close to the transit center, this is a great place to park for free and use the tram to go into town. Overall, the park is on the small side, but the location makes this a nice stop. It's super close to the Old Mill, so a pleasant area for a walk through and around town and the Old Mill area where parking is sometimes scarce.

We had a fantastic time on the MegaZip! The views are tremendous, and even the ride up to the top…read moreis part of the fun. We were a bit nervous at first, but Noah and Cole did an excellent job with the training--they were patient, reassuring, and made sure we felt completely comfortable before we started. Once we got going, it was an absolute blast. Everything felt very safe and well-organized, which made it easy to relax and enjoy the experience. They also have dirt bikes, which looked like a great option for even more adventure. We'll definitely be back to do it again!

Our guides were amazing!…read more We did zip lining and used the off-road vehicles too. They also have mountain biking which looked really fun. It's a nice place to hang out for the day between your adventures. There was a taco truck there but I'm not sure what their hours are. Tacos were good!

Step back in time as you visit this 19th century one-room schoolhouse. The blackboards are still…read morethere, as are the student desks, well-worn wood polished smooth by countless children who were educated here for more than 50 years. The schoolhouse served the Little Greenbrier community as both school and church beginning in 1882 when it was built. There is a small cemetary across from the school at the edge of the small parking area. A marker with a picture of students and teacher at the entrance to the school yard gives a brief history. We reached the schoolhouse easily enough by taking the narrow, one-lane Little Greenbrier Road from the Metcalf Bottoms picnic and trailhead area. Do not attempt this road in a large vehicle. There is a portapotty at the edge of the parking area. Visting the school itself is cool, but making the experience even better is the hike up the road on the Little Brier Gap Trail to the Walker Sisters place. This is a farily easy, approximately 1.5 mile hike which crosses a small stream via a narrow footbridge just before reaching the Walker's. The Walker house and outbuildings are the last remnants of the Little Greenbrier Community. The 5 Walker sisters lived there within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park until the last sister died in 1960. We opted to visit and hike after lunch. It made for a perfect afternoon. As one of the "less advertised" spots to visit in the park, we saw a handful of folks at the schoolhouse and met a few people on their way back from the Walkers but for the most part, we were alone on the trail and felt like we had the place to ourselves. What a treat!

Amazing bison burger! Food was great. Atmosphere kinda close to other tables and crowded but well…read moreworth it. Got a table fairly quickly and server was awesome