Mountain Time

Is “Booking Direct” Really Direct? What Smoky Mountain Travelers Should Know

Over the past few years, travelers planning trips to the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville have become much more aware of booking fees. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo now often add significant service charges for both guests and hosts.
As a result, many budget-conscious travelers are asking a simple question: Can I save money by booking direct? The answer is most of the time is absolutely yes, but there’s an important distinction many travelers don’t realize.

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Attractions

Moonshine Distilleries in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville

Moonshine has deep roots in the Smoky Mountains. Long before Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville became major tourist destinations, local families were quietly producing corn whiskey in hidden stills throughout the hills of East Tennessee. Today, that once-secret tradition has become one of the most popular experiences for visitors exploring the Smokies. Distilleries now offer tastings, tours, and live entertainment while celebrating Appalachian heritage, with a modern flair.

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GSMNP Nature Season: Spring Wildflowers

Wild Violets in the Great Smoky Mountains: A Delicate Sign of Spring

Every spring, the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park come alive with wildflowers. Among the earliest and most charming are wild violets, small purple blooms that brighten the forest floor and signal that warmer days have arrived. If you're visiting the Smokies in early to mid-spring, spotting these tiny flowers along hiking trails is a special treat.

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Tips and Info Pets in Vacation Rentals

Should You Bring Your Pet Along On Your Smoky Mountains Vacation?

We, humans, love our pets and want them to accompany us. Consider these facts before deciding if your pet must come with you on your Smoky Mountains vacation. And see if leaving your pets at home with a trusted sitter, friend, or family member is an option.

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GSMNP Hiking Nature Season: Spring Wildflowers

Lady Slipper Orchids in the Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains are home to more than 1,500 species of flowering plants, earning the park the nickname "Wildflower National Park."
Among the most fascinating and rare wildflowers in the park are the Lady Slipper orchids, including the Pink Lady Slipper and the Yellow Lady Slipper species that grow in select forest habitats throughout the Smokies.

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Roads to drive, sights to see, things to do, places to visit, tips and interesting tidbits - all about your Smoky Mountains vacation

Is “Booking Direct” Really Direct? What Smoky Mountain Travelers Should Know

Moonshine Distilleries in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville

Wild Violets in the Great Smoky Mountains: A Delicate Sign of Spring

Should You Bring Your Pet Along On Your Smoky Mountains Vacation?

Lady Slipper Orchids in the Smoky Mountains

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