When COVID-19 struck Townsend, Kathy Janke decided to temporarily close Gracehill Bed and Breakfast and devote herself to her art.
“I thought, I’ll answer the phone; I’ll take a reservation and pay my bills. But I’m not cooking. I’m not cleaning. I’m just going to work on art,” Janke said.
Janke had dabbled in oil painting for about 45 years, producing a piece about every five years. Given the unique opportunity to pursue her work seriously, she created seven paintings and 24 baskets in just a couple months.
When Janke reopened the B&B, her guests found themselves surrounded by her artwork and expressed interest in purchasing it.
To her delight, she sold everything.
“At that point, I thought, instead of retiring, I think I’ve got one more business in me,” Janke said.
Janke had previously pursued a variety of professions and ventures. She majored in Biology at Northern Illinois University, which led to an 11-year career in policework. Then, she and her mother moved to Townsend and spent the next decade running Little River Village Campground (now the Townsend KOA). Afterwards, Janke pursued landscaping.
Janke built Gracehill Bed and Breakfast and operated it for 20 years before deciding to establish Gracehill Fine Art & Basketry, her very own gallery.
Photo courtesy of Kathy Janke.
“I made that decision when I was 66. I didn’t think it was going take me until I was 70 to flip the open sign, but that’s how long it was,” Janke said.
Visitors to Gracehill Fine Art & Basketry are pleasantly surprised by what they discover. Janke’s alcohol ink paintings and Southern Long Leaf pine needle baskets transcend traditional techniques and reflect the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Photos courtesy of Kathy Janke.
Unlike slow-drying oil paints, alcohol inks offer “spontaneity and brilliant color,” Janke said. She made the transition to this medium during the pandemic, finding it to be gentler on a recent shoulder replacement. Through alcohol inks, Janke captures the park’s incredible vistas and flora.
In a roundabout way, Janke discovered pine needle basketry through her late father. While she was away at college, he gave oil painting lessons to a little girl who lived next door. After he passed away at 48, Janke’s mother chose to give the art supplies to the neighbor, knowing she’d put them to good use.
Janke’s neighbor had dreams of studying art in college, but her parents disapproved, leading her to pursue a career in heating and air conditioning instead. Decades later, after taking time off work due to cancer, she was cleaning out her basement and stumbled upon the old art supplies.
“She started dabbling, and now she’s an award-winning pastel artist recognized nationally,” Janke said.
“In her spare time, she started weaving pine needle baskets. I saw one on her Facebook page and thought that I wanted to try it one day. So, when Covid hit, I did,” Janke said.
It turned out to be even more exciting than Janke expected.
Photos courtesy of Kathy Janke.
“I love pine needle basketry because there’s no pattern. You can take it in any direction you want to go. And the basket really does speak to you as you’re working on it, and gives you input on what’s good and what isn’t.”
Janke teaches classes on both of her favorite mediums. She offers a six-hour class on creating landscapes with alcohol ink and another six-hour class on floral designs. She also teaches a six-hour class on long-leaf pine needle coiling with a porcelain center, as well as a two-day class that involves coloring gourds with alcohol ink before coiling.
Students at any skill level are welcome.
“Artists that are very good in one medium usually can slide into another medium a little easier, but, by far, the majority of my students have no artistic background. They have never experimented with art before but are interested. Some are just doing it as a pleasant way to spend the day, and others really want to learn,” Janke said.
Janke provides everything but lunch. As a self-proclaimed “professional collector of art supplies for 45 years,” she’s happy to share.
“It’s not like you go out and make a $150 purchase of a pastel set and paper and whatever [else]. You have everything you need to practice and see if it’s something you want to continue with,” Janke said.
Janke will teach two classes in Tellico Village in March, but she plans to hold everything else at her gallery throughout December and February, March and April 2025. Those interested can call or email Kathy Janke. Her contact information is on her website.
“From policework, to the campground, to landscaping, to the B&B and now this—I feel like, at 70, this is probably my last job,” Janke said with a chuckle. Most days, except Tuesdays, you can find her at her gallery located at 110 Mountain Ave in Townsend.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
Looking for the perfect spring break destination? The Peaceful Side of the Smokies is just the place. With a wide range of outdoor activities, educational experiences and opportunities to unwind, there’s something for everyone in the family.
Take a guided tour of the Smokies.
Smoky Mountain Guides offers a variety of full-service tours for all ages and abilities.
3-hour small group tours:
High Points Tour: Ride in a luxury high-top van to the park’s highest peaks, including breathtaking scenic vistas and a visit to Kuhowi (formerly Clingman’s Dome).
Logging in the Smokies: Explore historic Elkmont, known as the “Ghost Town of the Smokies”.
The “Classic” National Park Tour: Enjoy a comfortable journey in a luxury high-top van for a comprehensive park overview, with stops for photos along the way.
¾ and full-day tours:
Over the Top: Cross the crest of the Smokies and visit the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to explore the region’s history and wildlife.
They also offer a variety of hikes, ranging from easy to strenuous, whether you’re looking to stretch your legs or take on a challenge. If you want to spend time on the water, try flatwater kayaking or guided fly fishing (ages 12 and up).
Explore Tuckaleechee Caverns.
Known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies,” Tuckaleechee Caverns is the highest-rated cave or cavern in the Eastern United States. Formed within one of the world’s oldest mountain chains, the caverns are estimated to be 20 to 30 million years old.
Highlights of the tour include the Big Room, a massive chamber large enough to fit a football stadium, and Silver Falls, the tallest subterranean waterfall in the Eastern U.S. Along the 1.25-mile round-trip journey, you’ll see millions of stunning formations and hear fascinating stories about the cave’s history.
In March, Tuckaleechee Caverns will be open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is $26 for adults, $14 for children ages 5-11 and free for children 4 and under.
Visit a local museum.
Spend the day in Townsend learning about local history, culture and wildlife.
At the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, connect with the history and spirit of Townsend, Cades Cove and the Great Smoky Mountains through hands-on activities, tours of original 19th-century buildings and the Cherokee Native American Collection.
Dive even deeper into local history at the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum, where you can explore restored locomotives, historic logging equipment, and exhibits showcasing the impact of the lumber industry on the region.
While you’re in town, stop by Apple Valley Mountain Village. Enjoy southern hospitality and cuisine at their cafe, bistro, coffee shop and fudge shop. Or find a souvenir at the general store, stocked with jams, jellies, butters, home decor, clothing and more.
Go for a scenic bike ride.
Start your adventure by renting bikes atSmoky Mountain Outdoor Center. From there, head to the Townsend Historical Trail, a paved path stretching 4.5 miles on both sides of US 321/Lamar Alexander Parkway, for a total of 9 miles. This scenic trail runs alongside Little River and includes a 0.3-mile unpaved River Walk.
For a more immersive experience, make your way to Tremont Road, a 2.1-mile route that connects the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont to the Middle Prong Trailhead.
Even better, go for a scenic horseback ride.
Davy Crockett Riding Stables opens daily starting March 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Similarly, Cades Cove Riding Stablesopens for guided trail rides, carriage rides and hayrides beginning March 3, with hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Stargaze at Look Rock.
A trip to the Smokies isn’t complete without visiting Kuwohi, the park’s highest peak. A short hike up to Look Rock Tower in the evening will reward you with panoramic views of the sunset and an excellent vantage point for stargazing.
Looking for a place to stay? Check out our guide to camping and glamping on the Peaceful Side.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
Whether you’re hunting for a gift from the heart, a new ornament for the tree or just a little extra holiday cheer, local makers have you covered. Here’s a preview of holiday markets on the Peaceful Side.
The Maryville Farmers’ Market wraps up the 2025 season with the Holly Day Market at Founders Square in downtown Maryville. From 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., you’ll find late-fall produce, baked goods, specialty foods and booths stocked with ornaments, artwork and other handmade gifts. This is the final market of the year.
The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend hosts the Holiday Handcrafters Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artisans will set up across the grounds with pottery, textiles, fine art and seasonal pieces, all made in the region. Admission is free, and shoppers can wander through the marketplace at their own pace.
On Small Business Saturday, the Downtown Maryville Holiday Market fills Broadway Avenue with more than 150 artisan booths. Beginning at 10 a.m., shoppers can walk the length of downtown and browse everything from jewelry and woodwork to candles and Christmas décor. Families can also look for “Candy Cane Lane,” a row of free children’s activities along the street.
The Santa Mouse Christmas House returns to Dotson Memorial Baptist Church in Maryville for a three-day sale organized by the Blount County Arts and Crafts Guild. Over 50 artists and craftsmen bring jewelry, wood pieces, textiles, home décor and holiday items. Hours run 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday.
The Foothills Holiday Market marks its 10th year at Smithview Pavillion in Maryville. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., vendors set up indoors and out with handmade gifts, seasonal décor and food items. It’s a small, single-day market that works well for wrapping up holiday shopping close to home.
Make Your Own Holiday Gifts
Photo: Creative Spark Studio
If you have the time, why not get a little crafty yourself? Here are some upcoming holiday classes where you can make a gift yourself—or sit down with someone you love and create something together.
November 17 – Holiday Herbals Class with Herbalist Debbie Dickie, 10:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
The Peaceful Side of the Smokies is full of festive flavors this holiday season. From specialty lattes to homemade desserts, there’s no shortage of treats to enjoy. Here’s a look at our favorites in Maryville, Alcoa and Townsend.
Step into Amburn’s Market to find a treasure trove of traditional treats, including homemade hard candy, fruitcake, Christmas pie, apple stack cake and eggnog. Pick up a ready-made gift basket or place an order to spread the holiday cheer. If you need last-minute decorations, they also have fresh Christmas trees, wreathes, garlands and poinsettias.
Vienna Coffee House’s December specials are a delightful way to embrace the holiday spirit. Warm up with their Fireside Latte (vanilla, white chocolate, molasses and clove) or indulge in the Polar Mocha (dark chocolate, brown sugar, toasted marshmallow and peppermint). Their seasonal blends, like Cabin Fever and Hearth & Home, feature comforting flavors such as chocolate, cranberries and orange spice.
Bear Grounds Coffee has a full lineup of holiday drinks to keep you cozy, including Peppermint Mocha, Grinch Latte, Eggnog Latte and Christmas Cookie Latte.
The Dancing Bean’s holiday menu includes spiked specialty coffees perfect for celebrating the season. Try the Spiked Dinner Mint (espresso, vodka, crème de menthe, chocolate and cream) or the indulgent Loco Hot Cocoa (hot cocoa, Baileys, vodka and whipped cream).
RT Lodge is bringing the holiday spirit to its dessert menu with treats like Red Velvet Cake (with cranberry white chocolate buttercream), Gingerbread Crème Brûlée (gluten-free) and Hot Chocolate Pavlova (with peppermint marshmallows). Their Holiday Cookie Plate for includes gingerbread, cranberry spritz and eggnog doodles.
Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas with festive teas from Southern Twist Nutrition. Their protein cake pop drop features new holiday flavors like Pecan Shortbread and Peppermint Patty.
Will you be trying any of these holiday treats? Share your favorites with us on social media (@peacefulsmokies).
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
On Memorial Day, 1960, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. addressed the graduating class of Knoxville College:
“We’re on the threshold of the most constructive period in history with regard to race relations. I’m convinced that segregation is on its death bed and the only thing uncertain is the day it will be buried.”
Speaking to thousands in attendance, he urged peaceful protest as the path to racial equality. “The temptation, for those of us who have been trampled on, is to enter the new age with hate and revenge in mind. If we do that, the new order will be nothing more than a duplication of the old,” Dr. King said.
At just 31 years old, the co-pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church was emerging as one of the most prominent leaders of the civil rights movement. Three years later, he would deliver his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Tragically, Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis while preparing to lead a march in support of striking sanitation workers. Yet, his legacy prevails—and members of the Blount County MLK Celebration Planning Committee invite the community to join in celebrating it.
The committee has three observances planned for the 2025 MLK Day holiday and preceding weekend (Jan. 17-20), with the theme “Realizing the Dream Through Service and the Arts”.
Kicking things off, the annual MLK Day Business Luncheon will take place at noon, Jan. 17, at the Airport Hilton. Denise J. Dean, executive director of the East Tennessee Freedom Schools (ETFS), will be the keynote speaker. The deadline to reserve seats is Jan. 13.
Elder Bobby Fields, Jr., pastor at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Loudon, will lead a community worship service at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church (537 N. Hall Road, Alcoa) on Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. The Overflow will provide the music.
All are encouraged to participate in the annual MLK Day March, led by Grand Marshal Larry Ervin, former director of the MLK Celebration Mass Choir. The march will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Community Center in Alcoa and conclude at the Maryville College Clayton Center for the Arts (CCA), where an afternoon celebration will follow.
Engaging local youth, the event will feature performances by the Alcoa High School Concert Choir and the William Blount High School Theatre program. The program cover will showcase a mixed-media portrait of Dr. King, created by 9th-grade Maryville Junior High School student, Ella McNulty, who won the 2025 Blount County MLK Celebration Art/Design Contest.
Marc Burnett, an Alcoa native and commissioner with the Tennessee Arts Commission, will unveil a new painting, which he will donate to the MLK Center in Alcoa. Attendees can also explore his exhibit, “REMNANTS”.
Additionally, five local nonprofit organizations—All Are Worthy, Hall-Oldfield-Maryville Empowerment Inc. (H.O.M.E. Inc.), Safe Families for Children, the Welcome Table and the MLK Center—will be present to share information about service opportunities.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
Photo courtesy of University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Special Collections.
Written by: Emily Huffstetler
In 1900, a Pennsylvanian man named J.W. Fisher found himself in a predicament. The tannery he recently started in Blount County had taken off, producing up to 400 hides a day, and his local tanbark providers couldn’t meet the demand.
Meanwhile, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, a businessman named Colonel W.B. Townsend was experiencing growing pains of his own. Now that almost all the timber in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains had been logged, Townsend was looking to relocate his logging enterprise.
Seeing an opportunity to secure a reliable tanbark provider, Fisher invited Townsend to the Great Smoky Mountains. In 1901, W.B. Townsend—along with Pennsylvanian investors Asbury Lee, William McCormick, William Wrigley and Joe Dickey—purchased nearly 100,000 acres of timberland along the Little River and its tributaries. They chartered the Little River Lumber Company and then the Little River Railroad, to haul the logs.
Fully committed to his business venture, W.B. Townsend moved his family to Blount County. And in 1903, the community of Tuckaleechee—a Cherokee name loosely translating to “peaceful valley”—was named in his honor.
Photo courtesy of University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Special Collections.
Over the course of 38 years, Townsend’s company built 150 miles of railroads and sawed 560 million board feet of timber—enough to reach California and back, if laid end-to-end. Environmentally and economically, the Little River Lumber Company and Little River Railroad reshaped the Peaceful Side of the Smokies.
“We’re learning more and more about [W.B. Townsend and the investors],” said Neal Stone, President of The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company nonprofit. They apparently had a 16-story office building in Pittsburgh, suggesting affiliation with a larger company. W.B. Townsend had also been logging in West Virginia and Kentucky, and he owned a railroad, coal mine and clay tile company in Kentucky.
Perhaps, then, it would come as no surprise that Townsend monetized nearly every aspect of his East Tennessee logging community. Workers and their families rented on-site prefab homes from the company, and they were paid in “doogaloo,” redeemable only at the company stores.
“It was a very monopolistic situation,” Stone said.
W.B. Townsend also transformed a hunting camp, Elkmont, into a tourist destination for wealthy East Tennesseans. Since the trains already had flat cars to restrain their loads, the company decided to add side rails and charge people a small fee to ride from Knoxville to Townsend.
When that did well, they built the Elkmont Observation Car, which had 16 benches capable of seating two people each, for a total capacity of 32 people. Regular passenger cars were used as well.
Photo courtesy of University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Special Collections.
In 1910, W.B. Townsend decided to subdivide the property. He sold 50 acres to the Appalachian Club, a group of wealthy businessmen from Knoxville. Members paid the Elkmont Construction and Supply Company, also owned by Townsend, to build a clubhouse and cottages.
“They’d live there all summer, and the husbands would come there on the weekends,” Stone said. For those who could afford it, the mountain retreat was an idyllic escape from the heat.
A couple years later, three brothers from Knoxville bought 65 acres and opened the Wonderland Hotel. The brothers ended up selling the hotel to rivals of the Appalachian Club looking to form a club of their own.
Members of the two clubs refused to interact with each other on the train ride to their respective properties. But they did eventually find a common interest: protecting their land.
“The irony is that the lumber company’s clearcutting led to the preservation of the park,” Stone said. At the time, the process for lumbering was clearcutting, an extreme method that stripped the virgin landscape bare. The tourists wanted to put an end to this.
The national park movement was still relatively new. Yellowstone, the first national park, was only established in 1872. Creating a park would prove especially complicated because people had been living on the land for generations.
Nevertheless, the club members and environmentalists persisted. In 1926, Congress approved the authorization of the park, and Tennessee and North Carolina started raising money to purchase nearly half a million acres from private owners.
The outlook was grim for most residents. The Tennessee state government was only willing to pay about half of what their properties were worth. When the owners resisted, the state invoked the right of eminent domain. Over 5,000 people had no choice but to leave their homes. Meanwhile, the influential Wonderland and Appalachian Club negotiated a rental agreement that would extend into the early 90s.
The Little River Lumber Company sold 76,507 acres for the park, on the stipulation that they could keep logging for the next 15 years. In 1939, the last logs came out of the mountains.
“There are three locomotives left in the world that we know worked for the Little River Railroad Company,” Stone said.
“Number 110 lasted the entire lifetime of the railroad…It has been fully restored and runs today in Michigan pulling passengers.” It’s the smallest standard gauge Pacific steam locomotive ever built in the United States.
“Number 126 was another technological advancement. It was what they called a Mallet type, and it had eight driving wheels…It was a rod type engine, but it was hinged in the middle, so it could go around tighter curves,” Stone said.
That locomotive didn’t stay with the Little River Railroad long due to technical issues. It went back to the manufacturer and was sold out West, where it derailed and was abandoned for years. About three years ago, it was returned to full active service pulling excursion trains on the west coast.
The last surviving locomotive, Shay 2147, eventually made its way back home.
Shay 2147 was only used for about three or four years as the Little River Railroad was winding down. It pulled the last train across the Little Tennessee River (now part of Tellico Lake) near Chilhowee while workers disassembled the tracks and bridge.
The locomotive changed hands several times after that, travelling across the country, before it was put up for sale for $8,000 for parts. After local train enthusiasts banded together, the Towsend Chamber of Commerce decided to purchase it as a monument for a future park.
At least, that was the plan.
“Well, when word got out about the Shay, there was this huge groundswell of public support,” Stone said.
“You heard stuff like, ‘My daddy used to do that; my grandaddy used to do that; I drove that; I got to be an engineer for that.’ We still had people around back then that worked for the company, and people were coming up with pictures and artifacts,” Stone said.
In November 1982, several community members came together and formed the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company nonprofit corporation. They converted the former Walland Depot, donated by Joe Henry Everett on behalf of her late husband, into a museum.
Photo courtesy of the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum.
“The Shay arrived on Thanksgiving weekend 1982, and we’ve been growing ever since,” Stone said.
“Earlier, we received grant [funding] to build a gift shop that resembles the Elkmont post office. And our main restoration shop conference room is designed to look like the Elkmont train engine house,” Stone said. In other exciting news, the nonprofit recently received a grant from the Tennessee State Museum to put a new roof on the depot and water tower.
A variety of artifacts have turned up over the years—most recently, a mint condition box of crayons that would’ve been used to mark the wood 80 to 90 years ago. Everything is on rotation at the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum, which is open to the public from April through November. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum annual Railroad Days Heritage Festival is coming up on Sept. 28 and 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can ride the hand pump car, check out the reproduction Elkmont Observation Car and see special exhibits and artifacts. There will be local food vendors and craftsmen, as well as live music.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
Walland is a small, unincorporated community tucked into Miller’s Cove, a peaceful valley in the northwestern foothills of the Smokies. Today, around 463 people call this quiet corner of Blount County home. But its story stretches back long before modern roads and homes appeared.
In 1567, Spanish explorer Juan Pardo and his expedition crossed the Little River at present-day Walland, searching for a route to a silver-mining town in Mexico. At that time, Spaniards believed that the Appalachian Mountains connected all the way to central Mexico.
For generations, the Overhill Cherokee used the cove as hunting grounds. By the time European settlers arrived in the 1780s, Cherokee presence and influence in the area were well established. As settlers moved in, they built small forts in response to Cherokee resistance, gradually driving them from the land.
As European settlement increased, land claims began to formalize. The earliest recorded land grant in the area was given to John Rhea for 940 acres in 1794. It referred to the region as Murphy’s Cove. Before long, the name changed to Miller’s Cove, likely in honor of brothers Alexander and Andrew Miller, who built several cabins during the early 1800s.
Around the same time, Swiss immigrant John Hess built a grist mill on the cove’s western end, while the Martin family established another mill to the east.
As more pioneers settled in the area, Miller’s Cove Baptist Church was established in 1810. It became Blount County’s first Baptist church and remains one of its oldest congregations today. A Methodist church followed in 1830.
With a growing community came industry. In 1845, George Amerine established an iron forge along Hess Creek. By the mid-1850s, it was producing as much as 15 tons of bar iron each year, making it the largest forge in the county. However, with the outbreak of the Civil War, production came to a halt, and the forge was abandoned.
While Tennessee sided with the Confederacy, Blount County remained largely pro-Union. In Walland, an estimated 1,500 people gathered for a Union rally, where they made an American flag and raised it on a tall flagpole.
As the story goes, when a Confederate cavalry passed through, some soldiers raised their rifles. But their lieutenant stopped them, reminding the troops that it was the flag under which they had been born. In a surprising moment of respect, the troops peacefully circled the flag, saluted it and rode on.
After the war, industry resumed in Miller’s Cove. John Waters built the first grist and sawmill and opened a post office, which operated from 1884 to 1912.
In August 1886, photographer William Cox Cochran captured dozens of photographs of people and landmarks in East Tennessee, including Walland. His images depict the timeless Little River, along with serene clearings and humble cabins.
In 1901, the first railroad reached Walland, connecting the community to Maryville. Around the same time, the Schlosser Leather Company was chartered, with its tannery opening in 1902. The name Walland combines Walton and England, two key figures in the leather company’s formation.
At its peak, the plant processed an average of 300 to 400 hides each day, consuming roughly 250 carloads of tanbark annually. By 1909, the company had its own power plant. However, this plant burned down in 1931 and was never rebuilt. Following the fire, Chilhowee Inn, built and operated by the company, passed to private ownership. Today, it continues to welcome visitors as a bed and breakfast.
Walland’s first high school opened in 1922 and became a four-year school in 1926. While other schools in the county were open just six months of the year, the Schlosser Leather Company funded salaries for an extra three months of instruction. The high school closed in the mid-70s.
Walland is perhaps best known today for Blackberry Farm, which Kreis and Sandy Beall opened to the public in 1976 as a six-room country inn. Over the years, it has grown into one of the world’s most celebrated small luxury resorts. Set on 2,400 acres, Blackberry Farm offers 68 guest accommodations, world-class dining and a range of curated experiences that draw visitors from around the globe.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
Southern Appalachian cuisine is a blend of British, German and Italian immigrant traditions, along with Cherokee and African American influences—at least, that’s what Google says. Ask a local, and they’ll tell you it’s about clearing your plate, going back for seconds (or thirds), and still heading home with leftovers—especially if Mamaw’s cooking.
Shaped by rugged mountains and harsh winters, Southern Appalachians have long mastered the art of making the most of what’s available. For generations, foraging for ingredients like ramps, blackberries and black walnuts, along with canning, pickling and preserving, has been a way of life. Today, restaurants on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies carry on these traditions with their own modern twist.
Well, what are you waiting for? We’ve saved you a seat.
Southern Appalachian Staples
Before diving into the best places to try these dishes, here’s a breakdown of some key ingredients and meals that define Southern Appalachian cuisine:
Benton’s Bacon & Country Ham: World-famous ham slow cured in East Tennessee using salt, brown sugar and sodium nitrite.
Biscuits and Gravy: Not to be confused with the British cookie. Soft, flaky bread rolls served for breakfast.
Blackberries: In season from July to October. Enjoyed as-is, or in jams and cobblers.
Black-eyed Peas: Bean introduced to the region by West African enslaved people in the 17th century. Said to bring good luck in the New Year.
Cobbler: Dessert consisting of a fruit poured into a large baking dish and covered with a batter or biscuit.
Collards: Hardy greens that can survive the winter and summer. Like black-eyed peas, said to bring good luck in the New Year.
Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Okra: Southern summertime delight. Maybe not what the doctor had in mind when they said to eat your vegetables.
Pimento Cheese: A.K.A. “Southern Caviar”. A blend of shredded cheddar cheese, pimentos, mayo and spices, typically served with crackers or as a sandwich.
Pinto Beans and Cornbread: Budget-friendly and hearty meal.
Ramps: Wild onion in season from mid-March to early April. Eaten raw or cooked.
Wild Mushrooms: Oyster mushrooms, Chicken of the Woods and morels are some of the most common.
Wild Nuts: Black walnuts, pecans and American Chestnuts are some of the most common.
Confit Rabbit Pasta – Confit rabbit leg, roasted ham hock meat, Benton’s bacon, preserved lemon, local oyster mushrooms, braised onions, smoked chicken velouté, baby kale and Italian apron pasta.
Veal Picatta & Pasta – Crispy veal sweetbreads, Benton’s bacon, preserved lemon, crispy capers, local oyster mushrooms and Italian apron pasta.
Green Goddess Salad – Artisan lettuce, cucumber, heirloom tomatoes, shaved radish, pickled red onion, cornbread croutons and spring herb dressing.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
With the school year wrapping up, now’s the perfect time to sign up for summer camp on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. From hiking and swimming to crafting and dancing, there’s an adventure waiting for every kid and teen.
Blount County Parks & Rec hosts day camps that are all about getting active, ranging from sports training to outdoor games.
“Just Get Outdoors” Nature Adventure Camp (Ages 8–12): A fun, outdoor camp where kids explore stream and forest ecology through hands-on lessons in plant and animal biology, animal tracking and nature crafts in a positive, engaging environment.
May 27–30, 2025
Camp Chickababa (Children with disabilities, Ages 6+): Specially adapted for campers with disabilities, this inclusive camp offers therapeutic and fun activities—like arts & crafts, music, and indoor/outdoor games.
Week 1: June 23–27, 2025
Week 2: June 30–July 4, 2025
East Tennessee Quarterback and Receiver School (Rising 6th–8th grade): This camp focuses on developing passing and receiving skills through drills and techniques designed to enhance Quarterback and Receiver play.
June 9–11, 2025
East Tennessee Football School for Offensive and Defensive Linemen (Rising 6th-8th grade): This camp provides position-specific instruction for offensive and defensive linemen, focusing on drills and techniques to build essential skills.
June 9–11, 2025
Future Stars Football Skills Camp (Rising 2nd–5th grade): This camp provides fundamental instruction for all offensive and defensive football positions, helping campers build skills and gain a deeper understanding of their preferred roles through targeted drills and activities.
June 16–18, 2025
Girls Volleyball Camp (Rising 5th–9th grade): Designed for beginner to intermediate players, this camp helps improve volleyball skills and overall court performance while preparing students for school tryouts.
May 27–29, 2025
Marsh Madness Basketball Camp (Ages 8–12): This camp teaches campers fundamental basketball skills and position-specific techniques to help them grow in the game.
June 23–26, 2025
“Camp Move” by Stretch-N-Grow (Ages 3–10): This weekday summer camp offers a variety of enrichment activities including Stretch-N-Grow programs, STEM, crafts, games, relays, obstacle courses, and afternoon water play or swimming.
Week 1: June 2–6, 2025 Week 2: June 9–13, 2025 Week 3: June 16–20, 2025 Week 4: June 23–27, 2025 Week 5: July 7–11, 2025 Week 6: July 14–18, 2025 Week 7: July 21–25, 2025 Week 8: July 28– August 1, 2025
MLK Youth Summer Day Camp (Ages 5–12): This camp offers a variety of activities including a literacy program, computer lab, swimming, field trips, outdoor games, arts & crafts and more, with breakfast and lunch provided.
May 27–June 27, 2025
Soccer Camp (Ages 5–13): This camp offers technical and tactical instruction focused on enhancing individual ball control and skill development.
June 2–5, 2025
Softball Camp (Rising 3rd–8th grade): This camp focuses on the fundamentals of throwing, fielding, hitting, base running and sliding.
June 2– 4, 2025
Sports and More Kids’ Camp (Ages 5–14): This camp offers sports stations for campers of all skill levels to experience a variety of activities, focusing on teamwork, individual achievement and sportsmanship in a fun, positive environment.
Week 1: June 3– 6, 2025 Week 2: June 10– 13, 2025
Track and Field Camp (Ages 6–12): This camp provides instruction on track and field competition, focusing on drills and techniques to develop speed, running form, field event skills (shot put, discus, long jump, high jump and triple jump), and strategies for both sprinters and distance runners.
July 7–9, 2025
Performing Arts Camp (Ages 8–13): This camp is perfect for young performing artists, offering skills in theater, dance, music, prop making/design and more, taught by professionals in each area.
June 16–20, 2025
Wrestling Camp (Ages 6–14): This camp teaches proper wrestling positions—top, bottom, and neutral—along with techniques like pinning and combinations, and includes drills and a takedown tournament/live wrestling session.
June 9–12, 2025
Beach Week Boogie Battles by Stretch-N-Grow (Ages 3–8): This fun-filled camp features beach-themed dancing, relays, races, crafts, STEM activities and more, ending with a Foam Party Finale.
June 23–25, 2025
The Wild West with Water Battles by Stretch-N-Grow (Ages 3–8): This Wild West-themed camp features daily water battles, rodeo games, sack races, wet obstacle courses, crafts, STEM activities and more.
May 27–30, 2025
Fitness Stars Field Days by Stretch-N-Grow (Ages 3–8): This camp brings classic outdoor fun with competitions, sports, relays, games, crafts, STEM activities and more, topped off with a Foam Party Finale.
July 7–9, 2025
Give It a Tri – Youth Sprint Triathlon Camp (Ages 8–14): This camp introduces youth to the world of multisport, offering daily instruction in swimming, biking and running, and culminating in a mini sprint mock triathlon led by USATriathlon Certified Coach Kat Uchman.
Photo courtesy of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.
The Tremont Institute offers overnight summer camps in the Smokies. These all-inclusive experiences are designed to connect campers with nature and new friends from across the country.
While they tend to fill up quickly, there are a few camps that are still open for registration.
Firefly Camp (Ages 4–8, with accompanying adults): This flexible one-, two- or three-night family camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers games, nature exploration, stream wading, campfire fun and firefly watching—giving you and your child a fun, gentle introduction to the summer camp experience.
July 1–4, 2025
Teen High Adventure (Ages 13–17): This 10-day, 9-night backcountry adventure invites teens to explore the Smokies through seven days of backpacking, learning outdoor living skills, gaining confidence and connecting with nature—ending with a well-earned hot shower and a day of paddling.
July 14–24, 2025
Great Smokies Experience (Rising HS juniors, seniors and recent grads): This immersive 11-day college program blends outdoor adventure with environmental study, allowing students to earn college credit while exploring the Smokies through hikes, canoeing, species surveys and hands-on learning.
Creative Spark Studio, located in Maryville, is offering a variety of four-day art camps for ages six and up.
All Things Paper (Ages 8–15): In this four-day art camp, young artists of all skill levels will explore papermaking, bookbinding and sculpture, culminating in an art show.
May 27– 30, 2025
T-shirt lap quilt (Ages 8–15): In this four-day camp, young creators of all skill levels will learn machine and hand sewing techniques to craft their own t-shirt lap quilt, ending in an art show.
May 27– 30, 2025
Tropical Oasis (Ages 6–12): In this four-day camp, budding artists of all skill levels will explore painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media, celebrating with a final art show.
June 3– 6, 2025
Fantastical Universe (Ages 6–12): In this four-day camp, young artists will explore the wonders of the universe through painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media, wrapping up with an art show.
June 10–13, 2025
Drawing and Illustration (Ages 8–15): In this four-day camp, young artists will focus on drawing and illustrating 3D images while exploring other creative mediums like painting and collage, concluding with an art show.
Van Metre School of Dance, located in Maryville, will host three dance camps and provide private classes.
Fairytale Camp (Ages 4–7): This camp offers lessons in ballet, jazz, modern and choreography for an exciting and magical summer experience.
June 9–13, 2025
Intermediate Camp (Ages 7+): This camp offers a variety of technique, conditioning and performance classes, including ballet, pre-pointe, modern, jazz and hip-hop.
June 9–13, 2025
Summer Intensive (Ages 12+): This camp offers a variety of technique, conditioning and performance classes, including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop; pointe required.
Broadway Center of the Arts has four intensive musical theatre camps planned. Two are still open for registration.
Camp Pure Imagination (Rising 9th grade–2025 HS grads): This 5-day performing camp offers a week full of theatrical fun and learning, culminating in a performance.
June 16–20, 2025
Camp The Lion King KIDS (Rising 2nd–8th grade): This 5-day performing camp featuring The Lion King KIDS offers a week full of theatrical fun and learning, culminating in a performance.
Camp Wesley Woods, located in Townsend, is a faith-based retreat center focused on spiritual development and outdoor education. They offer a variety of sleepaway camps throughout the summer.
Discovery Half-Week (2nd–4th grade): This first overnight camp experience is designed for young campers to try new activities, make friends and become part of the camp community with fun activities like swimming, archery, campfires and exploring the creek.
June 30–July 2, 2025
Basecamp (4th–10th grade): This camp offers campers the opportunity to unplug, make new friends and try new activities like swimming, archery, pottery and fishing, while growing in their relationship with God and enjoying special events throughout the week.
Week 1: June 1– 6, 2025
Week 2: June 22–27, 2025
Week 3: July 20–25, 2025
Adventure Glamping (6th–10th grade): This camp offers campers the chance to stay in air-conditioned accommodations while participating in adventurous activities like caving, paddling, climbing and hiking, all while exploring East Tennessee and deepening their relationship with God.
Week 1: June 1– 6, 2025
Week 2: June 8–20, 2025
Week 3: July 6–18, 2025
Week 4: July 20–25, 2025
Leader-in-Training (Rising 10th grade): This program offers campers the chance to develop servant leadership skills through hands-on experience, while gaining new skills in camp operations, having fun and making new friends.
June 22–27, 2025
Gym Counts
Gym Counts, located in Maryville, offers full and half-day gymnastics camps for ages 5–13.
The camps will feature a mix of indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts, and gym-based activities such as gymnastics, parkour, ninja warrior courses and trampoline instruction.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, children in Blount County wrote letters to Santa Claus for publication in the local newspaper. These letters, spanning the 1920s through the 1960s, record Christmas wishes and everyday life across the county.
The 1920s
In the 1920s, Blount County was still rural, and Christmas lists reflected everyday life. Children asked for dolls, wagons, beads, wristwatches and BB guns. Apples, oranges, nuts, candy and chocolates appear again and again, listed alongside toys. Coats and gloves appear without explanation. Most children asked for only a few things.
Some children were more imaginative. Sampson, 1921, requested a few firecrackers and torpedoes, claiming that he’d tried “ever since last year to be as good as [he] can.” Photo courtesy of Blount County Virtual Archives.
Late 1920s to 1930s
Letters to Santa from the late 1920s and 1930s. Photos courtesy of Blount County Virtual Archives.
As the county moved into the late 1920s and 1930s, many of the same items stayed on Christmas lists. Children continued asking for wagons, bicycles, marbles, balls and toy guns. Fruit and candy appear year after year. Some lists grew longer. Others stayed brief. Toys and practical items continue to appear together.
Late 1930s to 1940s
By the late 1930s, Christmas lists expanded again. Children asked for a wider range of toys, including trains, tool sets, horns, sparklers and balls. Fruit, nuts and candy rounded out longer lists.
Stanley and Jerry Kirby, 1938. The oldest brother butters up Santa, calling him “the best looking man in Maryville.” Photo courtesy of Blount County Virtual Archives.
As the decade turned and the 1940s began, lists tightened. Children still asked for dolls, balls and small toys, but requests became shorter and more exact.
Jo Ann, 1941, carefully itemized the price of each item she hoped to receive. Photo courtesy of Blount County Virtual Archives.
The 1950s
Letters to Santa from the 1950s. Photos courtesy of Blount County Virtual Archives.
By the 1950s, Christmas lists reflect a growing toy market. Children named specific gifts. Tiny Tears dolls are popular, along with doll buggies, doll furniture and playsets. Toy guns, cowboy and cowgirl outfits, tricycles, coloring books and crayons show up across multiple letters.
The 1960s
Letters to Santa from the 1960s. Photos courtesy of Blount County Virtual Archives.
By the 1960s, Christmas lists leaned into popular toys of the moment. Children asked for Thirsty Cry Baby dolls, skates, army men, helmets, periscopes and sleds. Some lists included jewelry and Bibles.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort has become one of Townsend’s standout places to stay by offering a version of camping that feels a little more comfortable and a lot more memorable.
Located on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, the resort features RV sites, cabins, glamping tents, tiny homes, Airstreams and vacation homes, along with guest favorites like a pool, hot tub, hiking trails, river access and a pavilion for events.
Photo: Little Arrow Outdoor Resort
For Carmen Simpher, co-owner and CEO, the experience begins the moment guests arrive.
“What I like most is when guests come across the bridge, pull onto the property and you see the look on their face,” she said. “The mountains, the nature, the trees—that’s a win.”
Little Arrow began with a shared dream between Simpher, her sister and her brother-in-law.
“When the property where Little Arrow is came up for auction, my sister looked at me and said, ‘You know camping.’ She and my brother-in-law know tiny homes, and together we thought we could do something unique.”
Simpher said the project has brought their family closer together.
“It’s sometimes up and down, but you learn a really good trust,” she said. “Sometimes there’s trial and error, but you learn from the errors. I like to say, ‘You either win or you learn,’ and that’s what we do.”
Little Arrow’s appeal comes from the way it blends the outdoors with comfort. Guests can settle into a range of accommodations while enjoying amenities like the 24/7 Point & Feather Coffee Lounge, quiet hiking trails, a zero-entry pool with grottos and splash pad, a hot tub, sport courts, a dog park, two river access points, a boutique store, a playground and a community fire pit.
“I love to be outside, but I want a nice shower and a nice bed,” she said. “I’m done with sleeping on the dirt in a tent, so we elevated that.”
Her favorite way to explain it is simple.
“I like to camp, but my sister prefers the Ritz-Carlton, so together we try to create the best of both worlds.”
Groups can also book the Lookout Pavilion, which includes a double-sided fireplace, a catering kitchen, an audiovisual system and seating for up to 125 for weddings, reunions, parties and corporate retreats.
Amenities aside, the most meaningful part of Little Arrow is the way guests connect with the place and with each other.
“I hope my love for joy, my love for seeing people smile and the glory God’s given us in this beautiful location come through,” she said. “We want people to feel that and enjoy it.”
Over time, that has shown up in the lasting memories families build there.
“The people who were coming here years before we were even here, that’s pretty cool,” she said. “I’ll have people tell me their children learned to swim in the pool here, and now they have kids or grandkids of their own.”
“I love seeing kids and families having a good time together, not on screens, just outside enjoying nature and doing activities,” she said.
Simpher said the resort regularly welcomes visitors from near and afar.
“We are blessed to have both,” she said. “We love our locals. They’re usually really big repeat guests. But we also have guests from Florida, Alabama and Ohio.”
As Little Arrow expands, Simpher said protecting the resort’s identity matters just as much as adding something new.
“Customer service and the property, having things well maintained and well taken care of,” she said. “Those two top priorities are what we want to focus on: rolling out the red carpet to our guests, but also all the little details.”
That attention to detail comes naturally to her.
“For me, it’s difficult to turn it off,” Simpher said. “I get ideas at 9 p.m., and my management team will chuckle and say, ‘You emailed me at 9 p.m. last night,’ and I say, ‘Yeah, just leave it until tomorrow.’”
Recent additions include Secret Slice, the on-site pizza spot from the creators of Towns End Coffee + Shop, where guests and locals can stop by for pizza, wings and salads next to the Lookout Pavilion.
Simpher is just as thoughtful about what Little Arrow means for Townsend.
“We love Townsend,” she said. “Some people worry it might turn into something loud and bright, but no business I know wants that to happen. We want it to be a little more plush, more relaxed, with that peaceful mountain vibe.”
Her vision for that balance is “peaceful with a pulse.”
“We don’t want it to be a ghost town, but we also don’t want it to be a big, lit-up, loud circus,” she said.
She takes the same view of other businesses in Townsend.
“My other thing is community over competition,” Simpher said. “We want all of the businesses to thrive. If all of our business neighbors are doing well, we’re doing well.”
“The walkable aspect is huge,” she said. “You set up your camper, you’ve been working hard, and then you walk to Company Distilling and relax, have a cocktail and listen to some music. It’s a win.”
No matter which property guests choose to stay at, Simpher’s message is the same.
“Come here, have a good time and let us love on you.”
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.
Quiet is a luxury. The Peaceful Side of the Smokies has everything you need, minus the noise.
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) connects the region to more than 30 nonstop destinations. From the airport, it’s roughly a 13-minute drive to Maryville, 25 minutes to Walland and 34 minutes to Townsend, depending on traffic.
From full-service destination resorts to lodge-style retreats, these are the Peaceful Side’s top luxury stays.
Destination Resorts in Walland
Walland is home to two of the region’s most nationally recognized luxury properties. Both are set in the foothills on expansive private land, with on-site dining and guided experiences built into the stay.
Blackberry Farm operates like a self-contained estate, with 68 guest accommodations ranging from rooms and suites to cottages and multi-bedroom houses. It was named the No. 1 resort in the South in Travel + Leisure’s 2024 World’s Best Awards and was also recognized on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Gold List.
Photo: Blackberry Farm
The Farm’s culinary program centers on its Foothills Cuisine. The Barn serves multi-course dinners, and Food & Wine named Blackberry Farm the Best U.S. Hotel for Food and Drink in its 2025 Global Tastemakers Awards.
Guests can build their days around a schedule of guided experiences, from fly fishing and horseback rides to tastings and farm tours. On-property hiking spans a 12-mile trail network, with routes ranging from moderate to challenging.
Blackberry Mountain takes a more modern approach to the same foothill setting, spanning 5,200 acres and dedicating 2,800 acres to conservation. Accommodations include lodge stays as well as standalone options, ranging from cottages and treehouses to cabins and multi-bedroom homes. In 2024, Travel + Leisure readers ranked it the No. 2 resort in the South.
Photo: Blackberry Mountain
Three Sisters, the flagship restaurant in the Lodge, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a dinner menu that changes daily and an international beverage list. Firetower, built around a restored 1950s lookout tower, offers a three-course dinner experience with sunset ridgeline views.
The property emphasizes movement and recovery, with more than 36 miles of private trails, plus an indoor climbing wall and a ropes course. Nest, the on-property spa, is the first Joanna Czech–certified spa in the United States.
Elevated Stays in Townsend
Townsend sits along the route into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park via US-321/TN-73, which runs through town and into the park. The town’s standout stays combine direct park access with on-site amenities, dining options and curated add-ons.
Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro covers 38 acres and offers 28 accommodations. Room categories range from studio-style cabins to two-bedroom cottages and villas with full kitchens, fireplaces and hot tubs.
Photo: Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has earned national recognition, including a spot on OpenTable’s 2026 list of Top 100 Romantic Restaurants. It also appeared on Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the U.S., placing at No. 21.
The property has about two miles of trails for walking, plus add-ons like in-cabin massage and reservations for off-site excursions like fly fishing, horseback riding and clay shooting.
Little Arrow takes a premium-outdoors approach in Townsend, with accommodations that span glamping tents, cabins, tiny homes, Airstreams, vacation homes and full-hookup RV sites. It earned a No. 3 ranking for Best Glamping Spot and a No. 6 ranking for Best RV Campground in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Photo: Little Arrow Outdoor Resort
Amenities include a 24/7 coffee lounge, a zero-entry pool with grottos, splash pad and hot tub, sport courts, a dog park, and river access points for swimming and fishing. Spa time is part of the mix, too.
Tremont Lodge & Resort is a newly renovated property with updated room and suite options. Many rooms include a Keurig coffee setup, mini-fridge, microwave, and a patio or balcony. Select suites add extras like a fireplace and a full kitchen.
Photo: Tremont Lodge & Resort
On-site dining is limited but covered in the morning with a complimentary continental breakfast. A pool bar opens later in the day. Other amenities include a fitness center, game room, outdoor movie screen, outdoor and indoor pool, firepit area and pavilion.
Boutique Comfort in Maryville
Maryville is closest to the airport, but it still sits on the corridor that leads through Townsend and into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has more city amenities, while still offering quieter places to stay.
RT Lodge sits on the campus of Maryville College, surrounded by more than 155 acres of private woods. Guest rooms are simple but elegant, with a king or two single beds finished with luxury linens.
The Restaurant at RT Lodge is listed in the MICHELIN Guide, one of only a handful of East Tennessee restaurants to earn the distinction. The kitchen shapes its menus around what’s in season, with ingredients sourced from local farms and regional providers. Dinner is offered both à la carte and as a tasting menu. The Morningside Room serves cocktails, rotating local beers and a curated wine selection, plus bar snacks and a casual dinner menu.
Photo: The Restaurant at RT Lodge
Recently, the property expanded with The Carriage House, a dedicated day spa with seven treatment rooms offering massages, facials and body treatments, along with private lounge areas and a sauna. The Meeting House is another new addition, a glass-walled event space designed for weddings, retreats and corporate gatherings.
Evenings at RT Lodge close softly with complimentary s’mores at the firepit.
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.
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