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I’ve been visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ever since I was a small child. I’ve hiked, camped, stayed in hotels and cozy cabins, ate all the Southern food, and enjoyed the stunning scenery around me ever since I could walk. This is why we’re focusing this episode on the top Smoky Mountains National Park tips for your next trip!
From things you must do to what not to do, these are the tips you’re going to want to know!
Have you visited the Smoky Mountains? What are your top tips? Let us know in the comments or you can tweet us @wwhoneymoon, message us on Instagram @worldwidehoneymoon, or email [email protected].

Table of Contents
Time Stamps Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tips:
- 0:18- Intro
- 0:35- Updates/chat
- 5:50- Highlight of the week
- 11:29- Topic intro: Smoky Mountain National Park Tips
- 12:37- #1: Do stay in a cabin NOT a hotel
- 15:57- #2: Do get up early do NOT sleep in if hiking a popular trail!
- 19:34- #3: Do drive/hike/bike Cades Cove for wildlife NOT just rely on other hiking trails
- 21:35- #4: Do get adventurous do NOT just stick around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
- 24:32- #5: Do find other hidden gem hiking trails do NOT just stick to popular hikes
- 28:21- #6: Do stay in a place with laundry do NOT wait until you get home
- 30:41- #7: Do try the local cuisine NOT just chain restaurants
- 33:15- #8: Do consider Pottery House Cafe NOT just the Old Mill
- 34:21- #9: Do consider staying for longer than a weekend NOT just 2 days
- 35:58- #10: Do read reviews of some of the attractions you want to visit do NOT just wander into an attraction
- 39:32- Wrap up
Helpful Links and Further Reading:
- Related Podcast Episodes:
- Related Blog Posts:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Moon Travel Guide
- All Trails
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Kat is the founder and author of the World Wide Honeymoon blog. She has traveled to over 35 countries spanning 5 continents to find the most romantic, unique, and fun places for couples to enjoy time together. She creates in-depth itineraries, honeymoon guides, packing lists, and even travel budget guides (Kat’s a former accountant!). Kat has been blogging since 2017, giving honest opinions and tips from her experiences while traveling. Aside from this blog, she runs a podcast with her husband, Chris, called the World Wide Honeymoon Travel Podcast and a travel blog dedicated to France called France Voyager.