Author's articles

Help Celebrate Dollywood’s Newest Partnership with a Trip to Tennessee’s Favorite Amusement Park

By Jim Watson · 12 years ago

Dollywood might have started out just a dream for Pigeon Forge native Dolly Parton, but in the 25 years since its creation, the theme park has become one of Tennessee’s premier destinations. Now there’s even ...

Spring Break Never Looked as Good as it does in Tennessee

By Jim Watson · 12 years ago

By Jim Watson Year after year you pack up the kids and head for the beach for spring break. This year try something new. Celebrate the return of warm weather in a new place – ...

Dollywood’s Wild Eagle Roller Coaster

By Jim Watson · 12 years ago

Have the winter blahs settled over you like a blanket of snow? Does it feel as if you haven’t seen the sun since Labor Day? Take heart! Spring break is just around the corner to ...

Beat the Winter Blahs at Pigeon Forge’s Winterfest

By Jim Watson · 12 years ago

You might think the end of summer signals an end to fun family vacations for another year, but in the Great Smoky Mountains, there’s plenty of excitement left. From November through February, Pigeon Forge, TN ...

Renew Your Relationship with God at Christ in the Smokies

By Jim Watson · 12 years ago

In a modern, hectic life, it’s easy to get distracted and overwhelmed, and to cast aside your spiritual needs in favor of work and other obligations. So often life’s responsibilities fill the daily to-do list, ...

Plan a Romantic Destination Wedding in the Great Smoky Mountains

By Jim Watson · 12 years ago

Picture exchanging your wedding vows beneath the bright blue Tennessee sky, surrounded by the splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains. Or perhaps a rustic chapel lies at the heart of your wedding plans. You’ll walk ...

Pack an Umbrella, Because it's Raining Spaghetti in Tennessee this Summer

By Jim Watson · 13 years ago

Think food of the Smoky Mountains and you probably picture pork ribs, apple butter, okra, and grits. But at Dollywood's Imagination Cinema this summer, it's spaghetti and meatballs, and cheeseburgers. Cloudy with a Chance of ...

Find Tunes, Tales, Clogs and Grits in the Smoky Mountains

By Jim Watson · 13 years ago

If there are two things the Smokies are well known for (besides the gorgeous scenery), they have to be tunes and tales. The sounds of banjos, autoharps and dulcimers and the tales of Tennessee pioneers ...

Gatlinburg’s Fine Arts Festival

By Jim Watson · 13 years ago

By Jim Watson Bring together over 60 top artists from across the United States, place them amidst the matchless beauty of the Smoky Mountains, add a little Appalachian entertainment and stir. The result is the ...

Come Explore the Easter Arts & Crafts Show in the Smoky Mountains

By Jim Watson · 13 years ago

By Jim Watson In the Great Smoky Mountains, more than flowers bloom at Easter. Every spring, artists, craftsmen and historians converge on the Convention Center in downtown Gatlinburg, TN. They flock to this well-known event ...

Smoky Mountain Bike Festival offers Harleys, Hot Wings and a Heck of a Lot of Fun

By Jim Watson · 13 years ago

By Jim Watson White water rafting, horseback riding, manicured golf courses, 600 miles of hiking trails, pristine streams plentifully packed with fish, an awe-inspiring historic national park and a museum filled with a rich mixture ...

Find Food, Fancy Footwork & Fun at the 11th Annual Saddle Up Festival

By Jim Watson · 13 years ago

By Jim Watson Who hasn't - at one time or another - dreamed of living a cowboy's life? The pounding hooves of horses galloping over the open range, cooking down-home grub over an open fire ...

Wallet-Friendly Fun in the Great Smoky Mountains

By Jim Watson · 13 years ago

By Jim Watson If you're in the mood for a fantastic family trip, you won't be disappointed with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. There's plenty to do and see in this mountain community, from award-winning ...

Take a Trip through History in Pigeon Forge

By Jim Watson · 13 years ago

By Jim Watson If you're looking for a fun-filled vacation in Pigeon Forge with a little education thrown in, plan to spend a day or two touring history at the many museums in the area. ...

Be a High-Flying Stunt Pilot at Dollywood

By Jim Watson · 14 years ago

By Jim Watson Before there were video games or iPhones, before television captivated audiences all over the world, barnstormers were a favorite distraction for rural Americans looking for some entertainment. Stunt pilots would roar into ...

Music and Laughs in the Great Smoky Mountains

By Jim Watson · 14 years ago

By Jim Watson There is certainly no shortage of things to do and see in and around Pigeon Forge. Gorgeous scenery, fantastic shopping, whitewater rafting adventures, and award-winning theme parks are just some of the ...

High-Velocity Vacations in the Smokies

By Jim Watson · 14 years ago

By Jim Watson If you’ve had your fill of boring beach vacations, and long, slow days meandering through dusty antique stores doesn’t thrill you, then your vacation plans need a shot of adrenalin. Sounds like ...

Celebrate Our Independence in the Great Smoky Mountains

By Jim Watson · 14 years ago

By Jim Watson In the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains lies an area known for fantastic skiing, gorgeous vistas, bright springtime festivals, and vibrant fall colors. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee offer more than ...

Adventure Mountain: Find New Thrills at Dollywood this Summer

By Jim Watson · 14 years ago

By Jim Watson If you've never been to Dollywood, now is the time to pack up the family and head to East Tennessee and Dollywood's newest attraction, Adventure Mountain. Since 1986 Dollywood has thrilled visitors ...

Springfest in the Smokies - Food, Festivals & Fun

By Jim Watson · 15 years ago

After a long, cold season of snowball fights, skiing and snuggling by the fireplace, Old Man Winter steps aside as Mother Nature revives us with warmer weather. This changing of the seasons is a notable ...