Corey Wagner's story is one thousands of repeat Gatlinburg visitors will recognize — right up until the point where he actually moved there. Corey and his wife, originally from the Lima, Ohio area, first discovered Gatlinburg in 2011 after asking their local AAA office for out-of-state vacation ideas. They stayed at Zoder's Inn, extended their planned three-night trip to four, and came home already planning next year's return. What started as an annual family tradition — including bringing their son along for the first time in 2013 — eventually turned into visiting two or three times a year.
Around 2015–2016, Corey channeled his growing local knowledge into a WordPress blog, which became the Facebook group Gatlinburg Now — now 159,000 members strong. He later moved his long-form writing to Substack, covering everything from restaurant reviews to breaking local news, including live updates reassuring followers that Gatlinburg was safe and open in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
In August 2023 — after an earlier attempt to relocate to nearby Knoxville fell through — Corey and his family finally made the move to Gatlinburg itself. He now lives within walking distance of his job at Anakeesta's Great Outdoors Trading Company, where he greets thousands of visitors a day, many experiencing Gatlinburg for the first time, just as he once did.
The conversation covers Corey's approach to authentic, unsponsored content, the practical challenges of daily life in a town built for 4,000 residents and millions of annual visitors, his favorite hikes and recommendations for a perfect first day in town, and the surreal experience of meeting followers of his own page in person.
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Corey Wagner is the creator of Gatlinburg Now, a Facebook community with over 159,000 members, and writes an in-depth Substack covering local restaurants, attractions, and news. Originally from the Lima, Ohio area, Corey and his family visited Gatlinburg as tourists for over a decade before relocating to the area permanently in August 2023. He now lives within walking distance of his job at Anakeesta's Great Outdoors Trading Company, where he interacts daily with thousands of visitors.
Discover more about our host.
As the CEO of Mountain Laurel Chalets and a lifelong student of hospitality, Tom took the helm of MLC in 2012 — a company his in-laws Ralph and Dot Egli built from scratch in 1972 — and has spent every year since trying to learn from the owners, guests, and community that make this place worth caring about.
