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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 websiteWith 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
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
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
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
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 websiteWith 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 websiteWe’re growing and expanding all the time, but we still have a small-town feel.
Alex Switzer
Sous Chef Manager
Sherwood Forest
There are lots of different options for extracurricular activities. Both of my kids played tennis just a few minutes from my house.
Mondira Kundu
Member
East Memphis
For gardeners, Memphis is a great place. You can grow basically anything—even into the fall and the early winter.
Amanda Green
Instructor
Midtown
