Category: WATE News

by: Naomi Hillmer Posted: Mar 23, 2026 / 05:51 PM EDT Updated: Mar 23, 2026 / 06:06 PM EDT PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) —  The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development recently announced that over $2.03 billion in state tax revenue was generated by the tourism industry in Tennessee last year.   That money goes back into communities in the form of lowering taxes for residents and funding local […]

by: Hope McAlee Posted: Mar 11, 2026 / 04:27 PM EDT Updated: Mar 11, 2026 / 04:27 PM EDT KODAK, Tenn. (WATE) — Officials with the City of Sevierville and Sevier County Government have released some potential redevelopment plans for the old Smokies Stadium property in Kodak. According to a joint press release, officials are working with The […]

by: Hope McAlee Posted: Mar 13, 2026 / 07:12 AM EDT PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Friday is opening day at Dollywood, and East Tennessee icon Dolly Parton was in attendance for the first day of the park’s 41st season. The park opened for the first day of the 2026 season and the I Will Always Love […]

by: Hannah Moore Posted: Nov 21, 2025 / 08:39 AM EST Updated: Nov 21, 2025 / 08:39 AM EST PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — A new resort has opened in Pigeon Forge, anticipated to create over 100 full-time jobs. This dual-branded resort, situated on Jake Thomas Road minutes from Dollywood, includes an Embassy Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge Resort and […]

by: Klaryssa De La Cruz Posted: Nov 24, 2025 / 05:25 PM EST Updated: Nov 24, 2025 / 05:25 PM EST SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Tourism leaders across the Smokies say the holiday season is arriving earlier than usual this year, with attractions already seeing heavier foot traffic ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pigeon Forge typically welcomes about […]

by: Matt Hollingsworth Posted: Nov 4, 2025 / 12:15 PM EST Updated: Nov 4, 2025 / 04:38 PM EST GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — As Sevier County continues to generate billions in tourism spending, Anakeesta announced a $100 million expansion called “Making More Magic.” A press release from the Gatlinburg theme park explained that this was part of a five-year plan […]

by: Naomi Hillmer Posted: Nov 3, 2025 / 05:49 PM EST Updated: Nov 3, 2025 / 06:36 PM EST PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — While you may have just finished packing away your Halloween costumes, or are starting to plan for Thanksgiving, Christmas is just around the corner, and Dollywood is getting into the holiday spirit.   Starting November 1 and lasting until January […]

by: Hannah Moore Posted: Sep 16, 2025 / 04:18 PM EDT Updated: Sep 16, 2025 / 11:51 PM EDT GALINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — For those looking to catch sight of an elk in the Smokies, the annual elk breeding season is underway in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Elk gather in mixed herds during mating season from […]

by: Hope McAlee Posted: Sep 17, 2025 / 02:59 PM EDT Updated: Sep 17, 2025 / 04:26 PM EDT GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is urging visitors to stop stacking and moving rocks after an eastern hellbender was found crushed. The park shared that the crushed hellbender, which is part of the largest species of […]

by: Gregory Raucoules Posted: Aug 5, 2025 / 05:14 PM EDT Updated: Aug 5, 2025 / 05:22 PM EDT PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — As Dollywood continues to welcome visitors for its 40th year of operation, the Pigeon Forge-based theme park has once again been recognized as one of the most popular theme parks in the world. Tripadvisor officials […]