Activities

The Smokies are known for their native brook and brown trout, and Gatlinburg and the National Park are crawling (or should we say swimming?) with over 900 miles of rivers and streams that are just waiting for you to cast your line. Before you pack up your tackle box, however, there are local and state regulations that have to be observed. For example, children under the age of nine do not require licenses or permits of any kind, whereas adults must possess various combinations of local and/or state licenses.

Practically anywhere you drive in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is a scenic drive, but here are some of the super-scenic roadways and places to stop along those roads, for photographs and memories.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, and some days this shows in the amount of traffic. One general tip is always to go early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid some of the crush and to find better parking wherever you choose to stop.

To satisfy a craving for ice cream creations, whether it’s a cone, shake, sundae, or split, when it comes to creamy goodness, cool treats abound in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville area. Here are some notable places to consider – not in any order of preference, and NOT exclusive. There are LOTS of places to get ice cream in an area with hundreds of restaurants and eateries, so let your ice cream instinct be your guide, as well as these picks below.

Pigeon Forge has as many different restaurants as it has all other attractions. The list is endless, but here are some notable eateries in town. From Tennessee southern cooking to themed restaurants for family fun, to more sophisticated fare, Pigeon Forge has it all, including national genres such as Cuban, Brazilian, Mexican, Italian and of course American.