Welcome!

Welcome to our blog! The reason we have created this blog is to share our experiences with you. Here at Stay And Play In The Smokies we strive to help you plan your trip to the “quieter” side of the Smokies through our website, which plays host to vendors and places to explore right here in the Smokies. We have personally visited the places we share with you, so if you have any questions ask away!

We have many upcoming plans for this blog, so be on the lookout. For now, here is a little about us:

Our trip planning guide and regional expert is Matt Bateman. Matt, born and raised in Franklin, NC, has grown up around the outdoors, spending Summer days wading in crystal clear trout waters and nights camping under the stars. From hiking and waterfall exploration to local cuisine and shopping, Matt has the “pulse” on what to enjoy. Matt enjoys all there is to do in the Great Smoky Mountains. Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Golfing, Mountain Biking, Rafting, Waterfall Exploration, Swimming(see below), Horseback Riding, Snowboarding, Exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway and more. All of these activities have been his playground for most of his life. Now he wants to help visitors not only find these activities, but recommend and suggest which ones are most suitable for their needs.

On the other end of the trip planning guide spectrum is Melinda White, Marketing and Graphics Director for Stay And Play In The Smokies. As a relative newcomer to the Great Smoky Mountains and Western North Carolina area, she can offer a completely different perspective to our visitors. Melinda was born and raised in Mississippi and while she likes to participate in outdoor fun and adventure, like a true Southern Belle, shopping and filling her social calendar are among the things she does best. She can help you find some of Western North Carolina’s other treasures in the numerous unique shops we have to offer as well as what events to put on your calendar that you will absolutely not want to miss!