The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Closure

The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower will be closed starting Wednesday, August 23.

*Note* The actual tower is closed, but you can still hike up to it (it's a 1/2 mile from the parking lot, it's paved, but pretty steep), and if you are looking for sunset views, the parking lot is perfect! 

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced the tower will be closed through the remainder of the 2017 season.  Crews will complete rehabilitation work thanks to funding received from a Partners in Preservation grant. 

The $250,000 grant was awarded to the Friends of the Smokies last summer.  The grant was given on behalf of the park after being on the the top nine, most voted for parks in the Partners in Preservation: National Parks Campaign in 2016.

The tower, which straddles the North Carolina and Tennessee state line, is a landmark and destination as the highest point in the park.  

Crews will repair the worst deteriorated areas on the concrete columns and walls, stabilize support walls at the base of the ramp, and repoint some stone masonry. 

Visitors will not be able to climb the tower for views out over the surrounding tree tops.  However, the Clingmans Dome parking overlook will be open.

According to the park, the visitor contact station and store, the trail to the tower, and all access to the trailheads in the vicinity will remain open.  Visitors should expect some construction traffic in the vicinity of the contact station and along the trail. 

Hollywood Star Cars Museum

The Hollywood Star Cars Museum, which is located in downtown Gatlinburg next to the Convention Center, originally opened in 1996 and has been a tourist favorite ever since.  The amazing collection has over 40 famous vehicles including General Lee, Mike Tyson's Lamborghini Diablo, and the original Batmobile.  If you are a movie buff or a car enthusiast, you will think you have died and gone to heaven!  The amazing two-story museum takes approximately one hour to tour and includes the following four-wheeled movie personalities: 

     The Original ELEANOR 1967 Mustang Shelby GT 500 from
     Gone in 60 Seconds
     General Lee from The Dukes of Hazard
     Batman Returns Batmobile
     Herbie "The Love Bug" 1967 Volkswagen Beetle
     Dolly Parton's 1997 Cadillac D'Elegance
     Sir Paul McCartney's 2006 Cadillac CTS
     Back to the Future Delorean

Click here for more information. 

Bush's Beans Visitor Center

Come on down to the Bush's Visitor Center in Chestnut Hill, Tennessee, where you can trace the values and events that made Bush's Best what it is today.  And it's all housed in the original A.J. Bush & Company general store, founded in 1897.

The Museum: Bush's Story

Catch Our Show

See the Bush's Theater, featuring a short film which includes a welcome from Jay and Duke, an overview of the Bush family history and a glimpse of the modern methods of processing and canning beans.

Follow the Bean

Take a walk through a giant replica can of Bush's Baked Beans, showing the bean's journey from beginning to end. 

Travel Through Time

View a timeline of Bush Brothers & Company showing how the company changed with the times and reached customers, as well as the local community, throughout the years. 

Bring Your Appetite

Bush's Family Cafe is know for our sweet desserts (and even sweeter people). Come enjoy our homemade dishes and Southern specialties (especially our Pinto Bean Pie).

Need A Souvenir?

Find something for everyone, including cookbooks, cookware and plenty of Jay and Duke memorabilia.

What To Bring On A Hike??

So you're coming to take a hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  You've seen the awe-inspiring pictures and even have a trek mapped out.  But what do you bring on your hike?  Here's a good list for you...

Backpack and Footwear

This is the foundation for a good hike.  If you want to be comfortable on your hike, make sure you've got good, comfortable shoes.  A backpack is certainly handy to carry water, snacks and depending on the weather, maybe some rain gear.

Water and Food

For the love of everything that is good in this world, please bring enough water!  Most people could make do with 2 liters of water minimum.  An 8 oz. bottle of water will not be enough.

Food is your fuel.  On a day hike, great hiking food ideas include individual servings of peanut butter, trail mix, granola, hard boiled eggs, candies.  Snacking often is always a good idea.  

Miscellaneous

Hiking poles
Extra socks

Sunglasses and a hat

Sunscreen, bug spray/head net

Rain jacket

Toilet paper/wipes

And remember, you are in the woods, wildlife happens...

Bluff Mountain Adventures!

Ride the Bluff!

Bluff Mountain Adventures offers guided ATV trail rides on 6,000 acres of Smoky Mountain trails that explore the foothills of East Tennessee.  In your one or two hour tour you'll cross streams, climb the mountain, cover some rugged terrain and experience spectacular views!

Click here for more information 

The Best Swimming Holes in the Smokies!

The Best Swimming Holes in the Smokies! 

Gatlinburg is home to some of the most beautiful swimming holes in the Great Smoky Mountains! Here are some of the ones you won't want to miss:

MIDNIGHT HOLE
Spanning approximately 70 feet wide and 10 feet deep, Midnight Hole is an incredibly popular spot for swimming in the Great Smoky Mountain area. The trail to Midnight Hole is as historical as the spot itself running alongside an abandoned railroad grade that was used years ago to haul lumber out of the mountains. Half a mile from Midnight Hole is the spectacular 45 feet high, Mouse Branch Falls. Take some time to visit this waterfall before or after your swimming adventure.

METCALF BOTTOMS
Perfect for relaxing, floating in tubes, playing in the water, and enjoying a day outdoors, Metcalf Bottoms is a fun place to spend the day. This location also has picnic tables and grills and bathroom facilities and is just a short hike from the historical Little Green Briers School and the Walkers Sisters Cabin.

ABRAMS FALLS
This swimming hole is named after Cherokee Chief Abrams whose village stood several miles downstream many, many years ago. A breathtaking pool is located directly at the base of this historical falls. The waterfall itself is only 20 feet high, but the formation and volume of the water flowing over it make a spectacular display and a great backdrop for swimming. Located in Cades Cove, Abrams Falls is a favorite spot for photographers.

GREENBRIER
The swimming holes on the little Pigeon River are another popular tubing spot. These swimming pools are located on the west prong of the Little Pigeon River below the small rapids. These pools have some of the clearest water in the Great Smoky Mountains.

THE TOWNSEND Y
This swimming area is very easily accessible, making it very attractive to tourists. This large pool is located where the Little River and the middle prong of the Little River meet, inside the entrance to the Great Smoky River National Park just after Townsend; it has become a popular sunbathing and swimming location. Picnicking is also popular at this site.

For directions to these swimming holes, click here

Cuzzin Eddie's Toors!

One of Sevier County's newest and most unusual "attractions"!  Board our "customized" 14-passenger short bus where most toors offer an experienced and knowledgeable toor guide (or Aunt Tweedy) and driver who will escort you in style.  

Many trips include prizes, unique activities, souvenirs and snacks! (Bring yer teeth!) "Toors" depart at various points through Sevier County and return to the same location.  Seat space is limited; reservations and clothing are required.  See our "Toors", "More Toors" and "Schedule" page to find out what we've got gong on at the moment...

Click here for more information.