North Carolina State Parks
North Carolina chooses to celebrate the land and the landscape of the mountains in the state parks that surround the Smoky Mountains. From the peak of Mount Mitchell to the slowly flowing New River, the state parks of the state of North Carolina provide days of recreational opportunities for thousands of visitors each year. Whether […]
Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum
If you are interested in the lapidary arts you might want to take a ride into Franklin, NC and visit the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum. Due to the history of the area, it is no wonder that a museum has been established to show off the gems and the mining industry that brought Franklin […]
Blowing Rock, NC
Blowing Rock may be the first tourist town in the Smokies. After people got word of the beautiful area, this became a vacation spot with people camping, just to spend time in the mountains. Now, Blowing Rock is the one of the premier resort cities on the North Carolina side of the Smokies. Shopping, art […]
Paula Deen’s Kitchen
Paula Deen’s Kitchen in Harrah’s Cherokee Casino closed in 2013. Information below is maintained for historical purposes. Cherokee stepped up its reputation in the eyes of foodies in 2011 by adding a restaurant named after Food Network Star: Paula Deen. Since that time, Paula Deen’s Kitchen in Harrah’s Cherokee Casino has become THE place to […]
Deerpark Restaurant
One of my favorite places to eat, when I visit the Biltmore Estate is the Deerpark Resturant. A trip to the Biltmore is not complete without good food and the Deerpark puts on a culinary show like you would not believe. A buffet like no other, the Deerpark is something wholly different for the person looking for […]
Kermit Hunter
Kermit Hunter is a well known American playwright. But, he is also known in the history of the Smokies due to the fact that he wrote Unto These Hills, the second longest running outdoor drama in the US and one of the highlights to any visit to Cherokee, NC. He also wrote the outdoor drama, […]
Dillsboro Chocolate Factory
When you are roaming through the streets of downtown Dillsboro, you are going to notice a smell in the air. The smell of chocolate. If you follow the fragrance through the air you will eventually end up at the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory. In this beautiful building, you will find a world filled with chocolate, candy […]
History of Highlands, NC
The town of Highlands was founded in 1875 by two developers living in Kansas who, according to legend, took a map in hand and drew a line from New York to New Orleans. Then they drew another line from Chicago to Savannah. These lines, they predicted, would become major trade routes in the future, and […]
Waynesville, NC
Waynesville is a cross between a resort town and all-Americana. Great downtown eating and shopping makes for a great visit. Waynesville is close enough to Asheville for a day trip and close enough to the Smokies to make it a fun place to spend some time or even overnight to enjoy a great meal and […]
Tweetsie Railroad
You know, Dollywood isn’t the only theme park in the Smoky Mountains. A quick drive east in the charming mountain town of Blowing Rock, NC, you’ll find Tweetsie Railroad – one of the most original Wild West attractions in the nation. Since the 1950s, Tweetsie’s famous steam engine, No. 12, has taken park-goers on the […]