Gatlinburg, a lovely town.
Author: Grinning Gary McLaughlin
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Taste Testing the Best Fudge Shops in Gatlinburg
The Sweetest Stroll Down the Parkway Alright folks, gather ’round and loosen your belts a notch—because we’re about to embark on a sugar-laced stroll through some of the best fudge shops in Gatlinburg. If you’ve ever wandered down the Parkway and caught that irresistible scent of warm chocolate drifting on the mountain breeze, you already…
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Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar Gatlinburg Review: Overhyped or Over-the-Top Fun?
Welcome to the Wild Side of Sweet Now I’ve seen some wild things in Gatlinburg—from bears roaming downtown like they’re lookin’ for brunch, to folks wearin’ flip-flops on a snowy trail—but nothing quite prepared me for the over-the-top spectacle that is The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar. You know that moment when your dessert arrives and…
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3 Hidden Gem Eateries In Gatlinburg You’ll Walk Right Past (But Shouldn’t)
The Best Meals You’re Missing by a Mile Let me tell you somethin’, friend—when folks think of eatin’ in Gatlinburg, they picture big flashy signs, wait times longer than a bear’s nap, and menus shoutin’ “world-famous” this or “authentic mountain” that. But lemme let you in on a little secret: the best bites in town…
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Hillbilly Golf Gatlinburg: Is This Quirky Attraction Still a Hit or Just a Tourist Gimmick?
Where Moonshine Meets Mini Golf Now let me spin you a yarn—Gatlinburg’s got no shortage of mini golf spots, but none of ’em roll quite like Hillbilly Golf Gatlinburg. Tucked right against the Smoky Mountain hillside and lookin’ like your granddad’s backyard met a moonshine festival, this place has been servin’ up Appalachian-flavored fun since…
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Is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Really Worth the Price? A Down-Home Dive Into Gatlinburg’s Underwater Wonder
Where Adventure Meets Aquarium Let me tell y’all somethin’—I’ve swam with catfish in mountain streams, been eyeballed by black bears on hiking trails, and once tried to hand-feed a squirrel a MoonPie (don’t ask). But nothin’ quite prepared me for the surreal, jaw-droppin’, jellyfish-glowin’ magic of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Nestled right in the…
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Howard’s Steakhouse Review: Does This Gatlinburg Staple Still Sizzle?
Introduction – The Sizzle and the Smokies If you’ve spent any time strollin’ through downtown Gatlinburg with a growlin’ stomach and a nose for somethin’ hearty, chances are you’ve wandered past the woodsy porch and smoky aroma of Howard’s Steakhouse Gatlinburg. Tucked right along the Little Pigeon River with its rustic cabin charm and neon…
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Ole Red Gatlinburg: Is Blake Shelton’s Spot Just for Country Fans? A Local’s Take
Boots, Burgers, and Blake Shelton? Well hey there, friend—pull up a stool and lend me your ears (and maybe your appetite). If you’ve been wanderin’ the Parkway and caught a whiff of smokin’ brisket mixed with a steel guitar solo echoin’ down the block, odds are you’ve stumbled past the doors of Ole Red Gatlinburg—Blake…
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Top 3 Gatlinburg Souvenir Shops That Aren’t Tourist Traps
Ditch the Shot Glass, Keep the Memory Now look, I ain’t one to judge—but if you’ve ever found yourself leavin’ a gift shop with a plastic bear that lights up and plays “Rocky Top” every time it sneezes, you might’ve been hoodwinked by one of them tourist traps. Don’t worry—it happens to the best of…
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Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Gatlinburg: A Local’s Honest Picks
Hungry Bellies and Happy Memories in the Smokies Alright y’all, let’s be honest—travelin’ with the whole family is kinda like wranglin’ a wagon full of wild squirrels. And when hunger hits? Well, things can go from “vacation mode” to “code red” faster than a dropped ice cream cone in July. That’s where I come in—Grinning…
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The Lodge at Buckberry Creek: Is It Worth the Splurge?
Welcome to the Lodge at Buckberry Creek: A Gatlinburg Getaway That’s Got Folks Talkin’ Now, I’ve stayed in just about every kind of place you can think of here in Gatlinburg—from canvas tents with zippers that don’t zip to cabins where the only “room service” was a bear rootin’ through the trash. But let me…