About Us – A few things about Things To Do In The Smokies Website

Hello and welcome to Smoky Mountain things to do, my name is Rich Benjamin. I and my business partner Ray Surface have worked in and around Smoky Mountain Tourism for the vast majority of our lives.  Our goal in building Smoky Mountains  Things to do.com is to provide an insiders guide to the Smokies. Like many of-of the residents who call Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the surrounding area home, I am a transplant. Growing up in New York State.my parents were hard working middle class folks who when it came to work, always did  more than expected. They took ownership of their jobs. Vacations were rare and special moments, those moments that we spent together as a family are etched in my mind as very fond memories.

I moved to Tennessee in 1988 joining the coaching staff at the University of Tennessee Mens Swim Team, my first experience in the Smokies was driving through Pigeon Forge to spend a weekend at a Chalet in Gatlinburg. This was a defining moment in my life, I had never seen such a beauty, the mountains instantly took hold of me and I am fortunate to say they have never let go. Every day that I travel in and around the Smokies, I find my self-looking at the mountains, and I am just as enamored today as I was way back in 1988.

Life will take all of us on varying journeys, some moments will be good, some moments not so good.  But Vacations are the breaks where we get a chance to create very special memories of good times and laughter with the ones we love. My very first job in tourism was working at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, I knew I had found my calling, my job for the rest of my life would be to help people find and experience those magical moments of Friendship, Family, and Fellowship.  If I found myself lacking enthusiasm, or questioning what my purpose was in life, I would simply walk into a show stand at the top of the arena at The Dixie Stampede. I would stand there in the shadows with close my eyes and listen to the laughter and the joy, I could feel families bonding and memories being made.

Smoky Mountain Things To Do is the answer to all the major vacation questions in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

There are three major sections to each “Things to do” page.

Lodging = Where to stay

Attractions = Things to do

Dining = Where to eat

Smoky Mountain Things To Do, lodging or where to stay is typically the first question that needs to be answered when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Should I stay in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Townsend or any of the other vacation towns surrounding the Smoky Mountains National Park? Most people begin their vacation planning with the decision of where to stay? There are many questions that need to be answered to ensure a successful and fun vacation, the first thing or question that needs to be addressed is,