Jul 24, 2026
5 New Places to Play and Unwind on the Peaceful Side
Written by: Emily Huffstetler
Across Maryville and Alcoa, new openings range from duckpin bowling and indoor golf to alcohol-free cocktails, a moonshine distillery filled with hot rods and a full-service day spa. Here are five recent additions, plus two more on the way.
496 Ellis Avenue, Maryville
The Armory opened July 20 with 27,000 square feet of games, dining and gathering space.
Groups can move between duckpin bowling, digital darts, a nine-hole putting course, shuffleboard, bocce and skeet shooting. The lineup also includes yard games and ValoArena mixed reality, which tracks players’ movements without headsets or controllers.
The venue has a restaurant, two bars and a rooftop deck. Party packages and reservable spaces are available for birthdays, company gatherings and other private events.
3033 Regal Drive, Alcoa
Hot Rod Distillery pairs moonshine tastings with an automotive showroom filled with classic, custom and high-performance vehicles. The Alcoa business celebrated its grand opening in early July.
Owner Steve Stanick displays vehicles from his personal collection throughout the tasting room, including a 1971 Chevy Vega Pro Stock, a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, a 1967 Chevy Corvette 427 and a 1987 Buick Grand National.
Adults 21 and older can sample moonshine and cream liqueurs handcrafted in Alcoa. Flavors include apple pie, peach, blackberry, mint chocolate chip and orange dreamsicle.
1120 Franck Street, Suite 104, Alcoa
At The Back Nine Golf, tee times don’t depend on daylight or clear weather. The indoor golf venue celebrated its ribbon cutting April 30.
Private Full Swing simulator bays allow golfers to play virtual rounds at courses such as Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, TPC Sawgrass and Torrey Pines. Players can also practice with data on ball speed, launch angle and other performance metrics.
Daisy’s Non-Alcoholic Bar & Bottle Shop
608 Ellis Avenue, Maryville
Daisy’s Non-Alcoholic Bar & Bottle Shop brings the atmosphere of a neighborhood bar without the alcohol. The downtown Maryville business opened in fall 2025 and celebrated its ribbon cutting this past January.
The menu features handcrafted mocktails, nonalcoholic beer and wine, kombucha, mocktail flights and casual food. Board and card games are available around the bar.
Its rotating calendar includes live music, trivia, comedy, brunches, wellness programs and creative classes.
The Carriage House Spa at RT Lodge
1406 Wilkinson Pike, Maryville
RT Lodge opened The Carriage House Spa last fall on its wooded property on the Maryville College campus. It welcomes local guests as well as overnight visitors.
The spa’s seven treatment rooms accommodate massages, facials and body treatments. It also has an infrared sauna, lounge areas and a retail shop.
Spa guests can order lunch in the Morningside Room from noon to 3 p.m. before or after an appointment.
114 East Broadway Avenue, Maryville
Wells Tavern will pair Scottish-inspired food and drinks with live music in downtown Maryville. Outdoor gathering areas will include a rooftop overlooking Broadway.
The owners haven’t announced an official opening date, but they say the beer is almost ready.
Coming in 2027: LeConte Lodge Recreation Building
LeConte Lodge plans to welcome guests into a new recreation building atop Mount LeConte for the 2027 season. The former building, which served overnight guests for more than 50 years, was removed this summer after harsh mountaintop conditions caused extensive deterioration.
The new space will include rocking chairs, games, music and historical displays where guests can relax after a day on the trails.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and storyteller of the Greater Smokies region. She holds a Master of Science in Conservation Education from Mississippi State University.