What's Nearby

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains at sunset, gradient color of cascading mountains
Ivana Cajina | Unsplash

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park provides many outdoor adventures. It’s a 6.5-hour drive from Memphis and features wildlife, camping, and hiking in the country. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, as well as other four-legged furry creatures. 

 

Great Smoky Mountains at sunset, gradient color of cascading mountains
Ivana Cajina | Unsplash

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park attracts millions of visitors every year to its verdant campgrounds with incredible mountain views and scenic hikes and is conveniently located an hour’s drive from major cities in Tennessee, including the trendy Old Town of Knoxville, Maryville, Sevierville, Asheville, and Townsend. For an inventive spin on southern cuisine, pay a visit to Sevierville’s The Appalachian. For entertainment, the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville offers a wide variety of productions and performances, from ballet, to classical music and everything in between. Not to be forgotten, Dollywood is conveniently situated between Sevierville and Townsend, and has plenty of activities for the kids, including an amusement park, and for the adults, there’s live entertainment every night.

Parks/Gardens

  Brown log cabin surrounded by green field and trees

A popular destination in the Smokies, Cades Cove is a verdant valley that includes camping grounds, hiking trails, and plenty of wildlife viewing. An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee the historic homes, barns, churches, Cable Mill, and other historic buildings at a leisurely pace.

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  Pick up truck towing an airstream trailer with camping gear in the woods.

Located at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, this campsite features a cascading whitewater stream, trout runs, waterfalls, natural swimming holes, mountain trails lined with wildflowers, and a mile of whitewater tubing.

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 Rope bridge leading to a platform with a view of the mountains

Located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, this campground is convenient to other destinations, such as Dollywood and the Bent Creek Golf Course. The amenities include a pool, wifi, and laundry facilities.

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Man standing in the water fishing in front of a waterfall.

A destination for swimming, fishing, and horseback riding, Smokemont is located six miles north of Cherokee, North Carolina. Nearby, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian provides cultural and historical information about the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

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Yellow tent in the woods

With a game room, pool, and waterslide, this camping resort provides recreation and relaxation for children and parents. And with a full calendar of campsite events, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained.

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  Brown log cabin surrounded by green field and trees

A popular destination in the Smokies, Cades Cove is a verdant valley that includes camping grounds, hiking trails, and plenty of wildlife viewing. An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee the historic homes, barns, churches, Cable Mill, and other historic buildings at a leisurely pace.

Visit website
  Pick up truck towing an airstream trailer with camping gear in the woods.

Located at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, this campsite features a cascading whitewater stream, trout runs, waterfalls, natural swimming holes, mountain trails lined with wildflowers, and a mile of whitewater tubing.

Visit website
 Rope bridge leading to a platform with a view of the mountains

Located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, this campground is convenient to other destinations, such as Dollywood and the Bent Creek Golf Course. The amenities include a pool, wifi, and laundry facilities.

Visit website
Man standing in the water fishing in front of a waterfall.

A destination for swimming, fishing, and horseback riding, Smokemont is located six miles north of Cherokee, North Carolina. Nearby, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian provides cultural and historical information about the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Visit website
Yellow tent in the woods

With a game room, pool, and waterslide, this camping resort provides recreation and relaxation for children and parents. And with a full calendar of campsite events, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained.

Visit website

Restaurants

 Street view of Bijou movie theater with connecting restaurant

Housed in Knoxville’s fourth oldest building, this bistro features two seasonal menus a year focusing on regionally-sourced cuisine prepared in simple, traditional ways. The ginger-glazed salmon and creamy chipotle chicken thighs are highlights of the menu.

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With incredible views of downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee River, and Neyland Stadium, Calhoun’s on the River has been a mainstay of Knoxville’s historic waterfront since it first opened its doors in 1988. Highlights from the menu include Calhoun’s trio of baby back ribs, chicken tenders, and hickory smoked pork, as well as their homemade desserts such as macadamia nut banana pudding and fresh key lime pie.

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Pulled pork sandwich with fries and pickles on a wooden table

Inside this grand farmhouse, located in Sevierville, Tennessee, is delicious southern fare. Serving breakfast, lunch, and supper, the menu includes chicken and waffles, a pulled pork sandwich, and fried catfish.

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  Dish of hanger steak on greens

Combining seasonal Appalachian fare with contemporary touches, this upscale farm-to-table restaurant is breathing new life into Sevierville, Tennessee and the Smoky Mountain region. Buffalo frog legs and fried green tomato salad are just a couple of the inventive items on the menu.

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Glass of old fashion being unveiled from a barrel wih billowing smoke

Located in Asheville, North Carolina, this turn-of-the-century, apothecary-style cocktail bar offers an eclectic seasonal cocktail menu. The new pilgrim is a mix of cognac, chemist spirits pecan whiskey cream liqueur, hoodoo, pumpkin syrup, and cold brew. Once inside, you’ll feel like you’re on the set of Peaky Blinders.

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 Street view of Bijou movie theater with connecting restaurant

Housed in Knoxville’s fourth oldest building, this bistro features two seasonal menus a year focusing on regionally-sourced cuisine prepared in simple, traditional ways. The ginger-glazed salmon and creamy chipotle chicken thighs are highlights of the menu.

Visit website

With incredible views of downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee River, and Neyland Stadium, Calhoun’s on the River has been a mainstay of Knoxville’s historic waterfront since it first opened its doors in 1988. Highlights from the menu include Calhoun’s trio of baby back ribs, chicken tenders, and hickory smoked pork, as well as their homemade desserts such as macadamia nut banana pudding and fresh key lime pie.

Visit website
Pulled pork sandwich with fries and pickles on a wooden table

Inside this grand farmhouse, located in Sevierville, Tennessee, is delicious southern fare. Serving breakfast, lunch, and supper, the menu includes chicken and waffles, a pulled pork sandwich, and fried catfish.

Visit website
  Dish of hanger steak on greens

Combining seasonal Appalachian fare with contemporary touches, this upscale farm-to-table restaurant is breathing new life into Sevierville, Tennessee and the Smoky Mountain region. Buffalo frog legs and fried green tomato salad are just a couple of the inventive items on the menu.

Visit website
Glass of old fashion being unveiled from a barrel wih billowing smoke

Located in Asheville, North Carolina, this turn-of-the-century, apothecary-style cocktail bar offers an eclectic seasonal cocktail menu. The new pilgrim is a mix of cognac, chemist spirits pecan whiskey cream liqueur, hoodoo, pumpkin syrup, and cold brew. Once inside, you’ll feel like you’re on the set of Peaky Blinders.

Visit website

Arts/Culture

Image of Dollywood

The beloved Dollywood is inspired by Dolly Parton’s life and music and is located in the Smoky Mountain region. This kitschy resort has it all, including a theme park with rides, a water park with multiple slides and a floating river. And there’s plenty of live music and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

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Orchestra members standing before performance

This civic arts center in Maryville, Tennessee, opened its doors in 2010 and features theater, dance, music, and visual art. With a special events room, a recital hall, and two separate theaters, the productions include ballet recitals, plays, musical theater, and jazz performances.

Visit website
Historic log structure surrounded by trees

An expert guide will take you on a memorable and educational tour of Cades Cove. You will learn about the ecology, flora, and wildlife of the region. Bring a camera to capture the historic buildings, including three churches, log homes, a working grist mill, and other restored structures.

Visit website
Close up of hands creating a clay vase on a pottery wheel

This art studio in Maryville, Tennessee, offers a wide range of classes for adults, kids, and curious art-makers alike. Adults can sign up for a pottery course and learn how to throw on the wheel. Classes for kids include beginners and advanced courses that feature painting, drawing, and sculpting with clay.

Visit website
Historic log structure surrounded by trees

An expert guide will take you on a memorable and educational tour of Cades Cove. You will learn about the ecology, flora, and wildlife of the region. Bring a camera to capture the historic buildings, including three churches, log homes, a working grist mill, and other restored structures.

Visit website
Image of Dollywood

The beloved Dollywood is inspired by Dolly Parton’s life and music and is located in the Smoky Mountain region. This kitschy resort has it all, including a theme park with rides, a water park with multiple slides and a floating river. And there’s plenty of live music and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

Visit website
Orchestra members standing before performance

This civic arts center in Maryville, Tennessee, opened its doors in 2010 and features theater, dance, music, and visual art. With a special events room, a recital hall, and two separate theaters, the productions include ballet recitals, plays, musical theater, and jazz performances.

Visit website
Historic log structure surrounded by trees

An expert guide will take you on a memorable and educational tour of Cades Cove. You will learn about the ecology, flora, and wildlife of the region. Bring a camera to capture the historic buildings, including three churches, log homes, a working grist mill, and other restored structures.

Visit website
Close up of hands creating a clay vase on a pottery wheel

This art studio in Maryville, Tennessee, offers a wide range of classes for adults, kids, and curious art-makers alike. Adults can sign up for a pottery course and learn how to throw on the wheel. Classes for kids include beginners and advanced courses that feature painting, drawing, and sculpting with clay.

Visit website
Historic log structure surrounded by trees

An expert guide will take you on a memorable and educational tour of Cades Cove. You will learn about the ecology, flora, and wildlife of the region. Bring a camera to capture the historic buildings, including three churches, log homes, a working grist mill, and other restored structures.

Visit website