Goodwater Winery

Goodwater Vineyards

Goodwater Vineyards is a family owned and operated vineyard/winery located in the foothills of the majestic Smoky Mountains.  Completed in 2013, the Goodwater Vineyards' winery is the heart of Goodwater vineyard's production.  Much of the winemaking begins in the lab where all of our in-house testing takes place.  Our tasting room is most representative of our farm starting with Gene's hand-carved bar made of black walnut harvested from the back 70 acres. Lumber from one of the original oak barns has also been incorporated to build the roof above the bar.

Quality is first and foremost in the mind of the Hood/Poland family, so with great pride and substantial patience the family hand selects the grapes. Furthermore, everything made in the winery comes from Goodwater Vineyards or other family-run vineyards in Tennessee.

Family, love and community are the backbone of Goodwater Vineyards, so with great pleasure we invite you to pull up a seat at our tasting bar, take a bottle and picnic on the island at Goodwater Pond, take a walking tour of the winery and grounds, or just spend some time with us.  We'd love your company!

The Goodwater Winery's Hartford Tasting Room is located on the Pigeon River, just 5 miles from the Garage Mahal.  Locally grown wines to suit all tastes. 

The Hartford Tasting Room has Pickin' Night every other Saturday night starting at 6 pm.  Check their Facebook page for the dates. 

Goodwater Vineyards Tasting Room Hours: Wed. to Sat. 12-6pm, Sun. 1-6pm

Hartford Tasting Room Hours: Thurs. to Sun. 12-7pm

Restaurant Recommendation - The Woodshed

The Woodshed 

Only 3.5 miles from the Garage Mahal, it just opened at the end of last year and has become a fast favorite! They serve good, southern, down home comfort food... Check them out!

Summer Hours:

Thursday Open 4:00 until 9:00

Friday Open 4:00 until 10:00

Saturday Open 11:00 until 10:00

Sunday Open 11:00 until 9:00

Closed Monday - Wednesday

Dollywood!

 Spanning 150 acres in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood offers more than 40 rides, 15 exceptional shows, five of the South's Largest festivals, Southern-style dining, and the friendliest employees in the world... Dollywood is an award-winning destination!

Dollywood's Splash Country is a relaxing refuge during the hot Tennessee summers, it has provided families with a fun place to cool down for more than 15 years.  Featuring 35 acres of thrilling attractions, dining options, canopies and retreats, and deautiful scenery, our award-winning water park has something for everyone.

Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction

The most fun place to eat!

Dixie Stampede is an extraordinary dinner show with thirty-two magnificent horses and a cast of top-notch riders.  The will thrill you with daring feats of trick riding and competition, pitting North against South in a friendly and fun rivalry.  You will enjoy a barrel full of music, dancing, special effects and family friendly comedy along the way.  Celebrate as the North and South join together in a patriotic salute of Red, White and Blue featuring COLOR ME AMERICA, written and recorded by Dolly herself.  The Patriotic Grand Finale soars with flying Doves of Peace, luminous costumes and fireworks, reminding you of the pride and spirit of America. 

The Island in Pigeon Forge

The Island in Pigeon Forge is your one stop in Pigeon Forge for affordable family fun all night and day!  Explore our terrific new shopping and entertainment complex with more than sixty retail and specialty shops, a number of popular restaurnats and eateries, rides and games, dancing fountains, live music, attractions and much more!

Come visit The Island in Pigeon Forge.  It's a beautiful, new, clean, safe and walkable shopping and entertainment complex with many affordable choices for entertainment, dining, shopping and lodging.  So much is FREE, and ALL is affordable!

Whether you're visiting Pigeon Forge for a wedding, reunion or family vacation, The Island in Pigeon Forge is the premier family fun and entertainment destination in the Smoky Mountains.  Eat, shop and play at the Island in Pigeon Forge!

Recommendation: Max Patch

(Aug 22) Max Patch is a 4,600-foot mountain that was cleared and used as pasture in the 1800s. Today, it's a 350-acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360-degree views. You can drive most of the way with a short hike to be rewarded with amazing views!

It's on the North Carolina-Tennessee Border in Madison County, North Carolina and Cocke County, Tennessee. It is a major landmark along the Tennessee/North Carolina section of the Appalachian Trail, although its summit is located in North Carolina.

  

One of the many great views from the top.

We have chairs (or a picnic blanket if you prefer) and a picnic backpack you can borrow, bring a picnic lunch, and a bottle of wine to enjoy along with the great views!

On the way back down.

If you just want to hike to the summit of Max Patch Mountain (and you do!), take the moderate, 1.4 mile Short Loop trail. For a more all-inclusive experience, continue another mile on the Long Loop trail, which passes through some forested areas as well as meadows lower down with awesome views back up to the top. The trails on Max Patch are well-signed and well-developed.

Ole Smoky Distillery

The Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, "The Holler", is America's most visited distillery and produces all of our signature flavors.

A visit to Ole Smoky Distillery is the true moonshine experience.  As you approach the entrance, the distinct smell of cooking and fermenting grains takes over your senses.  Here, you'll see authentic-working moonshine stills and take in the entire process - from beginning to end.  Our distillers like to visit with folks.  they'll be glad to answer your questions about the history and lore of moonshining in East Tennessee.

After you see, smell and hear about the process, treat yourself to a $5 samplings of our homegrown shine!

Choose from samples of our Original unaged Corn Whiskey, White Lightnin', Moonshine Cherries, Balckberry, Our World famous "Apple Pie", Strawberry, Peach and Lemon drop among a wide variety of flavors.  We also offer seasonal and special flavors that aren't available in package stores.  You'll be able to buy plenty of moonshine and Ole Smoky merchandise to take home with you.

Waterfall!

We've had so much rain in the past week, the waterfall and creek behind the Garage Mahal are really running! And it's the easiest "hike" of all!

5 Most Popular Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg

When you visit the Smoky Mountains, you can't go without seeing at least one of the Gatlinburg waterfalls in the National Park!

1.  Laurel Falls

Laurel Falls is one of the most popular hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and it's generally one of the busiest trails in the park.  The first part of the hike, to Laurel Falls, is about 1.3 miles (2.6 miles round trip).

The hike to the falls is paved, but the last 1/4 mile is more of a forest trail, so it's a little more difficult for strollers right as you approach the waterfall. 

We recommend hiking this trail during the morning hours to avoid the larger crowds of people.  When you hike later in the day, you may also have some difficulty with parking at the trailhead, so morning is generally the best time of day.

Difficulty: Moderate

Best season to hike this trail: Winter if you are looking to avoid the crowds, spring if you want to see the wildflowers.

Trailhead: From Sugarlands Visitor Center, drive 3.7 miles west on Little River Road to the trailhead at Fighting Creek Gap.

To learn more about Laurel Falls click here.

2. Abrams Falls

Abrams Falls is only about 20 feet tall, but it has the greatest volume of any waterall in the Smokies.  It also has the largest plunge pool.  The entire hike follows closely to Abrams Creek. 

The hike is about 5 miles round trip and takes about 3 hours to complete.  Since the trailhead is located on the Cades Cove Loop Road, it's a great idea to visit Cades Cove in the morning and finish you afternoon with the Abrams Falls hike. 

Difficulty: Moderate.  The trail is made of rocky, packed dirt. 

Best season to hike: If you want to avoid crowds, the best season to hike this trail is the winter.  The spring and summer months are best for photos of the waterfall.  It's also a fantastic swimming hole, so be prepared if you plan to swim!

Trailhead: The trailhead is located about halfway around the Cades Cove Loop Road, so you do have to plan to drive the entire Loop Road.

To learn More about Abrams Falls click here.

3.  Grotto Falls

If you're looking for great photos of one of the Gatlinburg waterfalls, this may be the hike for you.  Grotto Falls is also a popular hiking trail, so you can expect there to be company with you along the trail, so we recommend starting this hike in the morning hours. 

The hiking distance is about 2.6 miles round trip and you should expect the hike to take anywhere from 2-3 hours to complete. 

Difficulty: Moderate.  The trail is a dirt-packed surface. 

Best season to hike: The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed from December 1 to March 31 each year, so spring and summertime are the best times to hike to this waterfall.  You can still reach Grotto Falls when the motor nature trail is closed, but you round trip hiking distance nearly doubles from any other access point.  

Trailhead: The start of the hike begins at the parking area of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. 

To learn more about Grotto Falls click here.

4. Ramsey Cascades

Ramsey Cascades is a great hiking trail for anyone who only has a single day to spend in the national park.  It is know for springtime wildflowers, old growth forests and cascading streams.  Ramsey Cascades is one of the highest Gatlinburg waterfalls in the national park and many people would claim it is the prettiest of all the falls. 

The trail is about 8 miles round trip and you should expect it to take about 5-6 hours to complete.

Difficulty: Moderate to strenous with quite a few steep sections

Best season to hike: It's best to hike this trail in the springtime to see the wildflowers along the way to the waterfall. 

To learn more about Ramsey Cascades click here.

5 Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls gets its name from the rainbows you can see on a sunny day, in the mist that is created from the falling water.  The waterfall is formed as LeConte Creek rushes over a hanging ledge and falls over 80 feet to the ground.  Rainbow Falls is a pretty popular hike, but keep in mind that it's not an easy hike to make. For kids and first time hikers, this is not recommended; there are other Gatlinburg waterfalls with less strenuous hiking trails that would be a better choice. 

This hike is about 5.5 miles and takes about 4 hours to complete.

Difficulty: Strenuous with many steep areas.  The trail is covered in rocks, so it makes for a bumpy hike to the waterfall. 

Best season to hike: This hike is also great in the spring months because it is covered in spring wildflowers.

Trailhead: The trailhead is the Rainbow Falls trailhead and it is located on Cherokee Orchard Road.  You turn at traffic light #8 in Gatlinburg onto Historic Nature Trail Road.  Stay to the right once you come upon an intersection, then follow the signs (the intersection can be a little confusing, so just remember to stay to the right!)

To learn more about Rainbow Falls click here.

The 8 Hardest Hikes in the Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountains, rising up along the Tennessee/North Carolina border, are home to some of the highest peaks in the Volunteer State.  And because the area they cover is so vast and diverse, there are just as many places to find a challenge as there is to find relaxation.  We've found nine strenuous hikes that cover the more difficult side of the Smokies, with quad-busting climbs, breathtaking views from fire towers, scenic waterfalls, and even a little history here and there.  But the best part of all? The sense of accomplishment (and the soreness) that lasts for days after you conquer any of these treks.

1.  Appalachian Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park section
Distance: 72 miles

It usually takes about seven days to hike the Great Smoky Mountains section of the Appalachian Trail.

Needless to say, the sheer distance alone could put the Great Smoky National Park section of the Appalachian Trail at the top of any hardest hikes list.  But it's not just the distance that makes this a tough option - the route is strewn with rocks to traverse and has plenty of grueling uphill and downhill climbs.  In fact, this section of the AT passes over the highest mountain in the entire 2,190 mile route from Georgia to Maine. 

Of course the entire trail is much longer, but if you want to undertake the Great Smoky Mountain section of the AT, you've got more than 70 miles of serious hiking ahead of you.  Keep your eyes peeled for the tow-by-six inch blaze markings that dot the trail and plan for about one week of hiking, which is how long it takes most experienced hikers to complete this epic adventure.

2. Rocky Top on Thunderhead Mountain

Distance: 13.9 Miles

The view from Rocky Top on Thunderhead Mountain is the best of the three summits.

The beauty of this trail is not only that it's a fun challenge to navigate - with more than 3,600 feet of elevation gain throughout, the hike up Thunderhead Mountain is a beast.  Beginning in the idyllic Cades Cove Picnic Area at the Anthony Creek trailhead, follow Abrams Creek and long stretches of rhododendron (if you're hiking in mid-June when they're in full bloom) up to Spence Field, one of the most beautiful spots on the Appalachain Trail. It's the perfect place to take a break and soak in the views of the North Carolina side of the Smokies. 

From here, you can turn around for a 10.3-mile hike, or make the last push to the Rocky Top summit.  On a clear day, you'll see Cades Cove, Fontana Lake and the surrounding mountains, stretching on as far as the eye can see.  The second and third summits are just a bit farther, but the best views are from Rocky Top, son most hikers head back down after enjoying the view. 

3. Mt. Sterling via Baxter Creek

Distance: 12.2 miles

The view of Mt. Sterling and the Smokies from the Appalachian Trail

There are a few trails that go up to Mt. Sterling, but by taking the Baxter Creek route, you'll rise a whopping 4,200 feet over six miles.  The trail is well maintained and pretty even throughout, but it's still far from easy.  As you walk through the old growth forest, look for a stone chimney, all that's left of an old lodge.  When you get to the 60-foot fire tower, (carefully) take the stairs up, and you'll get some of the best panoramic views around of the wildflower-laden mountain landscapes in the distance.

4. Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail

Distance: 11.3 miles

Visit Gregory Bald in the summer to see the blooming azaleas

If you've got a penchant for impressive natural color, you'll love this tough hike to Gregory Bald.  Each summer spectacular flame azaleas burst into full bloom and their colors are exactly what you'd imagine them to be: popping pinks and searing yellows standing out against a backdrop of green, with some splashes of red and white mixed in. While the flowers ae delightful, the trail itself is demanding, rising an average of 535 feet each mile for a total of 3,020 feet of elevation gain throughout. 

5. Mt. Cammerer

Distance: 11.1 miles

Summiting Mt. Cammerer may call for a quick snooze

Eventually topping out a 5,054 feet, scaling Mt. Cammerer is a challenge for those who like a little history with their strenuous hiking.  While gaining about 550 feet per mile, you'll get a good view from the summit, but the best views are from the stone fire tower at the top.  The tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930s using hand-cut stone, and the worker lugged these heavy slabs of rock (witghing in at about 600 pounds each!) up to the summit from the quarry about 100 yards bleow.

6. Ramsey Cascades

Distance: 8 miles

Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The trail to Ramsey Cascades is a tough one.  But for many, the reward of seeing the tallest waterfall in the Smokies makes it worth the trip.  Tucked away in the beautiful Greenbrier area of the mountains, some of the oldest trees in the park will line your path up to the cascades at 4,269 feet.  The final mile is the most difficult - it's rocky and steep - but when you feel the spray of 100 feet of water rushing over the mossy boulders, you'll forget all about it.  This one will remind you why you love to hike in the first place.

7. Balsam High Top

Distance: 7.6 miles

The hike to Balsam High Top is the least trafficked of the bunch, so those seeking solitude and silence will be supremely happy here among the tall trees.  The constant climb up the Benton MacKaye Trail has more than 600 feet of elevation gain per mile, so get ready to work your glutes.  The best way to access this trail is from Cherokee, North Carolina along Big Cove Road.  There are no views from the summit, so the main draw for this one is the solitude through the hardwood and evergreen forestland. 

8. Shuckstack Fire Tower

Distance: 7.2 miles

The view of the Smokies from Shuckstack

Also nestled into the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains, the hike to Shuckstack Fire Tower is the shortest on our list, but don't let the distance fool you - you'll gain a little more than 2,000 feet in elevation throughout.  You'll also have stellar views of the Smokies and see colorful wildflowers along the way (if you make it in the spring and summer). Park at the Fontana Dam, the highest dam east of the Rockies, and follow the Appalachian Trail north inot the mountains until you see the tower in the distance.

If you want to turn this into a three-day backpacking trip, there's also a 32-mile loop option to the Shuckstack Fire Tower.  This route has about 20 creek crossings and is one of the best ways to fine solitude (and wildlife) in the popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park.