East TN local offers tips for visiting like a local in the Smokies. When I travel, I like to do touristy stuff. I proposed on top of the Eiffel Tower, after all, so it’s not like I’m super original. But I do like doing the normal stuff, too. Ultimately, I find the idea of inserting yourself into another life – of getting to feel a bit like you’re someone else – very appealing. So I understand the idea of coming to the Smoky Mountains and not wanting to look like a tourist. We’re trained from a young age to be on the lookout for outsiders – even tourists. The accent is most often a giveaway. However, most of the time we know even before you speak.