There is no denying the beauty and splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and paying a visit to the park should be somewhere on everyone's bucket list. Planning that visit might be a little daunting for some people because the park is so massive. There is so much to see and do. Where do you even begin?

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Enjoy the Smoky Mountains Without Leaving Your Car

If you have no desire to actually hike your way through the Smoky Mountains, there is a way to see some of the park's most popular areas without leaving your car. One of the most relaxing ways to enjoy the mountains is by taking the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Now don't the name fool you - it's named after one of the larger, faster, and louder streams in the Smokies. In fact, those who take the trail do so at quite a leisurely pace.  Here's how TheSmokies.com sums up the trail...

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, winding, one-way road that is open in the spring, summer and fall. The 5.5-mile loop road is a favorite side trip that offers a glimpse of what life was like in the Smoky Mountains before the park. It also offers pathways to ancient grottos, waterfalls, and more.
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It's Okay to Park and Get Out Along the Trail

Of course, you are more than welcome to stay in your car throughout the 5.5 mile trail, but you risk missing out on a lot of what the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Those who know the motor trail well highly recommend stopping along the way to see some of the following "places."

  • Place of a Thousand Drips waterfall
  • Noah “Bud” Ogle self-guiding nature trail
  • Jim Bales Place
  • The Ephraim Bales Place
  • Alfred Reagan Place

The Roaring Fork Motor Trail opens after the first week of April and closes around the end of November each year, so now is the perfect time to plan your trip to Tennessee. The trail is FREE to drive and is easy to find - just set your GPS to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trailhead at 117 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.

A Unique Tennessee Getaway, The Smoky Mountain Pirate Ship

Located on Douglas Lake in Tennessee, sits a rather unconventional houseboat. What makes this houseboat unconventional is it's been modeled to look like a pirate ship, complete with masts, skeletons, portholes, and more! If you're wanting a Smoky Mountain getaway like no other, this is certainly a good option. See the full VRBO listing, here.

Gallery Credit: Melissa Awesome

Guy Fieri's Downtown Flavortown Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Ribbon Cutting

Downtown Flavortown is a family entertainment center that includes a restaurant showcasing Guy Fieri's famous culinary combinations; a 14-lane Duck Pin bowling alley; over 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art arcade games; and a full-service tiki bar.
2655 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | (423) 518-0742 | downtownflavortown.com

Gallery Credit: Liberty

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