Before Dollywood came to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg was the tourist town of the Smoky Mountains. For those who want less traffic, there's plenty of shopping, restaurants and unique museums here plus a mountaintop ski resort. The town has long been known as a honeymoon destination; more than 10,000 couples are married here each year.

In Knoxville, the largest city in East Tennessee, you'll find exciting sporting events, a variety of restaurants and shopping, historic sites and outdoor recreation set against the backdrop of the nearby Smoky Mountains. The arts are alive and well here with museums such as the Knoxville Museum of Art and the East Tennessee Discovery Center for children. Knoxville has a symphony orchestra, opera, ballet and stage company. Baker-Peters Jazz Club housed in a 1860s home, features live jazz six days a week.

For the longest time, Pigeon Forge consisted of a few small attractions and shops surrounded by farmland framed by the Smoky Mountains. In 1986, Dolly Parton located her popular theme park Dollywood and everything changed. Shops and outlet malls now cluster three deep along the congested main road and popular-themed museums and dinner theatres compete for attention. With more than 40 live music performances each day, over 30 amusement park rides and special events Dollywood's popularity is as strong as ever.

The Mountains of Western North Carolina are filled with several interesting towns. The tiny town of Brevard is home to the Brevard Music Festival held each summer. Next head north to visit Waynesville, home to the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts. North of Asheville lies Hot Springs, The French Broad River and the Appalachian Trail attract visitors to the area. Bryson City has been called the "Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Smokies". This tiny town is close to the Nantahala River Gorge where whitewater runs wild.