Meet Rapid City, South Dakota Courtesy of BPT If you love winter, there’s a vacation destination you’d find amazing that you may have overlooked: Rapid City. You may think of South Dakota as the perfect summer locale, with its famed national parks and monuments, but...

This time-honored tradition dates back more than 125 years when George Vanderbilt celebrated the first Christmas with family and friends in his new home in Asheville, North Carolina: Biltmore House. Guests are invited to enjoy the enchantment of the holidays on the...

By Kristi Parsons As summer comes to an end, autumn hues begin to cover the stunning rolling ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains. They begin in the higher elevations and slowly make their way to the base of mountains for one last hurrah, just before the hills fall...

Something for Everyone? Yes, Everyone! If you haven’t been to Dollywood in a while, now is the time to plan an excursion! Dollywood ranked number one in the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Amusement Parks in the United States and the number eight theme park in the world...

A land of adventures, a dearly loved trail town on the Appalachian Trail, a perfect place along the Virginia Creeper Trail, all things Appalachia, a charming small town, home of Trail Days, and one of my most favorite destinations. All of the descriptions listed came...

Article and Photos by Kristi Parsons “My husband just retired from the military, and after being stationed in Southern California for 20 years, we made a crazy decision to move across the country, buy a farm, and build a nature-based glamping retreat.” That was my...

Courtesy of BPT You can smell it in the air. A warm, fresh breath of spring. And to you and millions like you, that can mean only one thing... fishing! Here are 10 tips from the fishing enthusiasts at Rapala, the world's best-selling fishing lure for the past 50...

By Kristi Parsons Mountains to the Sea For as long as I can remember, I had heard stories of the Outer Banks, the oceanside end of North Carolina, a state that begins with mountains and ends at the sea. I was intrigued by the fact that though the islands are...

Open 9 am to 5 pm every day from March 12 to April 10 There’s no place more beautiful than Cheekwood in the spring as tulips, daffodils, and spring blooming bulbs spill from our gardens, creating a colorful, showstopping experience you won’t forget. Magnolias,...

Article and Photos by Kristi Parsons Evins Mill is a tucked away oasis that sits beneath a forest of majestic Eastern Hemlocks in Smithville, TN. The privately owned resort is a place of tranquility, fine dining, history, and an abundance of natural features. Once a...

2.5 hours or less drive from Knoxville For those of us who are more than ready to get out of the house, go for a drive, and see that spring has indeed sprung, we have found twelve “road side” (or close to it!) waterfalls in our area that can be enjoyed by everyone in...

Courtesy of BPT, additional content added Known as the cultural cross point between the South and Midwest, the Bluegrass State attracts novel tourists worldwide. With its rich history, breathtaking scenery, and delectable bourbon, Kentucky is one of the most...

5 hours or less drive from Knoxville We tend to not get a lot of snow here in Knoxville (understatement!), so if your friends and family are longing for more of the white stuff, here are a few ideas of where to make that happen. Whether it’s a day trip or an extended...