Author: jmuir

American Pickers to Film in Tennessee

The American Pickers are excited to return to Tennessee! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout our area in March 2024.

AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable Characters and
their collections.

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with amazing stories and fun items. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The Pickers
have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.

The American Pickers TV Show is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a unique item, story to tell, and is ready to sell…we would love to hear from you! Please note, the Pickers DO NOT pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or anything open to the public. If interested, please send us your name, phone number, location, and description of the collection with photos to:
[email protected] or call (646) 493-2184
facebook: @GotAPick

Anakeesta receives arboretum accreditation for Vista Gardens

Famous for its expansive, colorful, and lush landscaping,  Anakeesta is enhancing its commitment to being stewards of the living earth by recently receiving an arboretum accreditation for Vista Gardens. The area is an incredible mountaintop garden retreat in the smoky mountains. The mission of the Anakeesta Arboretum is to provide an experiential sensory garden that offers environmental education, recreation, interactive play for children, and beauty. The accreditation includes the following:

  • A future garden robust with local wildflowers that attract native butterflies and honeybees.
  • The replanting of thousands of trees, shrubs, and groundcovers burned by the Chimney Top II Wildfires of 2016 in Gatlinburg.
  • Creating  “garden walk” tours to encourage guests to learn about gardening techniques.

On November 28, 2016, more than 15,000 acres of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Gatlinburg were damaged by the most devastating fire in the state’s history. Anakeesta features a Forest Memorial Interpretive Trail where guests can stroll through the tribute to the Gatlinburg fires of 2016. It serves as a reminder of the courage of the brave men and women who fought the fires, the fortitude of those affected and the resilience and restoration of the Great Smoky Mountains and the city of Gatlinburg that truly are ‘mountain tough.’

Following the Chimney Top II Wildfires of 2016, almost every single tree was charred and destroyed from the damage of the fires.  This gave Anakeesta the challenge and opportunity to create a very special garden design. Today, guests can spot native birds, enjoy the sounds of cascading waterfalls, discover musical garden chimes, and feel cool mountain breezes as they pass through the wisteria-covered misting tunnel. The mountain top garden also provides breathtaking 360⁰ views of the national park and downtown Gatlinburg.

Bigfoot in the Smokies

Bigfoot in the Smokies may be elusive, but Sasquatch enthusiasts were easy to find in Townsend, TN.

The city hosted the first annual Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival on Saturday, May 22 at the Townsend Visitor and Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

A 5K and fun run kicked off the festival with sightings of ‘Squatch and Sassy Squatch along the course. The day’s events included a Sasquatch woodcarving competition and auction, square dancing with Sasquatch, live music, numerous food, drink, and bigfoot-themed craft vendors.

Cliff Barackman from the Discovery show “Finding Bigfoot” spoke and gave a Bigfoot-calling demonstration, which was surprisingly loud for such an elusive creature.

Among the more atypical events on the schedule were a “Bigfoot wedding,” and performances from “Slashquatch,” a guitarist whose wardrobe combines elements of Bigfoot and musician Slash, and “Saxsquatch” a Bigfoot saxophonist.

“Nothing compares to the mysterious world of Bigfoot,” says Brian Johnston, event coordinator. “This festival was a rare glimpse into the life of the reclusive creature.” 

This will be a perfect chance to learn more about and possibly encounter Bigfoot in the Smokies.

For Bigfoot festival gear and all event photos, visit the event Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thebigfest

For more events in Townsend, check out these blog posts:

The Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival

Springtime in the Smokies Photography Workshop

Blackberry Farm Featured in 2022 US News & World Report Best Hotel Rankings

Award Winning Blackberry Farm

Blackberry Farm won the Gold Award in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotel Rankings, being named #1 in Best Hotels in Tennessee as well as ranked #3 in the Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the United States.  

“We always strive to deliver the best guest experience possible,” says Blackberry President Matt Alexander. “Recognition from the US News & World Report Hotel Rankings is a humbling testament to the talent and passion of our team.”

Lauding Blackberry Farm’s Southern hospitality, beverage, and restaurant programs at both The Barn at Blackberry Farm® and the Dogwood, as well as its deep connection to their working farm, U.S. News & World Report shared the reasons why Blackberry Farm topped its list for Tennessee and landed among the top resorts in the country. 

“All of Blount County is acutely aware of Blackberry Farm as a tourism asset and achieving this honor is well deserved. Known for its distinguished hospitality and preeminent customer service, it has been a pleasure to watch the brand grow among the most prestigious worldwide all-inclusive resorts. As a leader in luxury tourism, I can only imagine what’s on the horizon. Congratulations to the Beall family and the staff that make it an acclaimed resort.” – Bryan Daniels, Blount Partnership President/CEO

The 12th annual Best Hotels rankings evaluated more than 35,000 luxury properties across the United States, Europe, Bermuda, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. Each year, the editors of U.S. News & World Travel research thousands of hotels and resorts, collect data points, and use an unbiased approach to calculate the rankings.

“Being recognized as a leader in your industry is impressive and no resort exemplifies luxury tourism more than Blackberry Farm. Blount County is honored to have such a renowned resort in our community and thank them for all the support they lend.” – Kim Mitchell, Blount Partnership Director of Tourism

Blount County Tourism Experiences 14% Growth in Visitor Expenditures

 As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County ranked eighth among Tennessee’s 95 counties in 2022 visitor expenditures at $544 million, a 14-percent increase from $477 million in 2021, according to the Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties report issued by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Gov. Bill Lee.

Visitor spending in Blount County generated $51.7 million in state and local tax revenue meaning that each household in the county saw a $987 annual tax savings. That is up from $700 the previous year.

Davidson County, which includes the city of Nashville, topped all county indices with $9.9 billion in tourism economic impact. Shelby County was second at $4.1 billion, Sevier third at $3.8 billion, Knox was fourth at $1.9 billion and Hamilton fifth at $1.6 billion. Williamson County entered at sixth with $1.2 billion and Rutherford County was seventh at $744.7 million. Montgomery and Wilson counties at $371.3 and $352.0 million, respectively, round out the top 10.

“It is great to see the tourism industry continue to grow all across this state and in particular here in Blount County where we saw the highest visitor expenditures in history,” said Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority Director Kim Mitchell. “With the leisure and hospitality industry being the third largest employer in the state, it’s vital that we continue to market our area which is robust with outdoor activities, numerous dining and lodging options.”

Tourism employment in the county was at an all-time high of 4,668 which also led to an all-time high payroll of $200.2 million.

State tax receipts for the county totaled $29.9 million, marking the seventh consecutive year of reaching $20 million.

Overall, Tennessee tourism generated $29 billion in domestic and international travel spending, up 19% from 2021, as 141 million visitors trekked across the state in 2022 according to recently released economic impact data from U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. It also marks the largest visitor spending nationally in Tennessee’s history. Travel and tourism is the third largest employer in the state.

All 95 counties saw an increase in visitor spending in 2022, and 63 outpaced inflation. Travelers in Tennessee spent an estimated $79 million per day.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell highlighted efforts to continue the industry’s strong growth.

“Tourism drives a strong economy, creates jobs and builds a better quality of life for all Tennesseans,” said Gov. Lee. “We continue to welcome visitors to see all Tennessee has to offer, from the Mississippi River to the Great Smoky Mountains.”

“Tennessee is thriving as tourism continues to soar, from our large cities to small towns,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Our industry’s hard work is paying off with record levels of visitor spending and significantly outpacing inflation. It is our privilege to showcase these numbers and express our gratitude to our partners, attractions, elected leaders and visitors who made a record year for Tennessee.”

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Blount County Tourism Experiences 41-percent Growth in Visitor Expenditures

As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County ranked eighth among Tennessee’s 95 counties in visitor expenditures at $476.68 million, a 41-percent increase from $337.01 million in 2020, according to the Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties report issued by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Gov. Bill Lee.

Blount County is one of nine across the state that experienced more than 40% growth in year-over-year travel spending. Others on the list include Davidson (64%), Cheatham (45%), Sevier (45%), Union (43%), Polk (43%), Grundy (42%), Knox (42%) and Hamilton (40%).

On an average day in 2021, visitor spending in Blount County generated $1.3 million in daily expenditures. It also spawned $14.22 million in local tax revenue for the year.

Revenue generated by tourism saved each Blount County household $700 in state and local taxes last year.

Davidson County, which includes the city of Nashville, topped all county indices with $7.4 billion in tourism economic impact. Shelby County was second at $3.5 billion, Sevier third at $3.4 billion, Knox was fourth at $1.65 billion and Hamilton fifth at $1.51 billion. Williamson County entered at sixth with $1.04 billion and Rutherford County was seventh at $634.8 million. Montgomery and Sullivan counties at $343 and $303, respectively, round out the top 10.

“It was great to see the tourism rebound across the state and in particular here in Blount County where we saw the second-highest visitor expenditures in history,” said Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority Director Kim Mitchell. “With the leisure and hospitality industry being the third largest employer in the state, it’s vital that we continue to market our area which is robust with outdoor activities, numerous dining and lodging options.”

Tourism employment in the county was at an all-time high of 4,150 which also led to an all-time high payroll of $175.06 million.

State tax receipts for the county totaled $21.63 million, marking the sixth consecutive year of reaching $20 million.

Overall, Tennessee tourism generated $24.2 billion in domestic and international travel spending in 2021 according to recently released economic impact data from U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. It also marks the largest visitor spending nationally in Tennessee’s history. Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $66 million per day. Travel in Tennessee generated $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue. Travel and tourism is also the third largest employer in the state.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell highlighted efforts to continue the industry’s strong recovery.

“Tourism drives economic development and job creation so that every Tennessean can thrive,” said Gov. Lee. “Our decision to prioritize strong recovery has yielded record levels of tourism growth, and we continue to welcome visitors to see all Tennessee has to offer, from the Mississippi River to the Great Smoky Mountains.”

“Tennessee is crushing it with the largest visitor spending national market share for Tennesseans in our history,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Tennessee is one of the top travel destinations in the world because of our tremendous assets including our unmatched scenic beauty, diverse cities, and small towns, as well as our world class attractions, music, cultural and historical sites. We’re so grateful to this industry and our partners and blessed that visitors come experience these destinations and support local businesses, local restaurants and local lodging and support communities.”

Blount County Tourism Ranks 8th in State Economic Impact

Blount County Tourism Ranks 8th in State in Economic Impact

As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County Tourism ranks 8th in State Economic Impact among Tennessee’s 95 counties in visitor expenditures at $337.01 million in 2020 according to the Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties report issued by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Gov. Bill Lee.

Tennessee tourism generated $16.8 billion in domestic and international travel spending in 2020, a 31.6 percent decline from the previous year according to newly-released economic impact data from U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. Travel in Tennessee generated nearly 150,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in state and local tax revenue. Despite the impact of COVID-19, efforts to promote outdoor travel opportunities helped Tennessee outperform the national average decline of 42 percent. The decline in state sales & use tax revenue represented a $303 million loss to the state budget between March and December 2020

Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell highlighted efforts to continue the industry’s strong recovery.

“Tourism is a vital part of our state’s strong economic recovery,” said Gov. Lee. “By working together to support small businesses and drive job growth, we will ensure Tennessee continues to be one of the top travel destinations in the world.”

“Tennessee’s scenic beauty, strong outdoor assets, and compelling rural and road trip destinations gave it an edge against other states,” said Ezell. “We’ve seen parts of our state not only survive but also thrive. Our mission as a department is to inspire travel to all 95 counties, and we are committed to restoring economic prosperity for our industry.”

Blount County’s $337.01 million in visitor spending represents a decrease of 21-percent from 2019. In fact, on an average day in 2020, tourist spending in Blount County still generated $923,000 in daily expenditures. It also spawned $38.01 million in local tax revenues for the year.

Revenue generated by tourism saved each Tennessee household $550 in state and local taxes last year.

Davidson County, which includes the city of Nashville, topped all county indices with $4.5 billion in tourism economic impact. Shelby County was second at $2.6 billion, Sevier third at $2.4 billion, Knox was fourth at $1.17 billion, and Hamilton fifth at $1.08 billion. Williamson County entered at sixth with $776 million and Rutherford County was seventh at $472 million.

“In the first two months of 2020, Blount County’s leisure and hospitality industry was on a record track,” said Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority Director Kim Mitchell. “COVID-19 was the largest crisis to hit the tourism industry in history, but we were able to benefit from the growth in our outdoor activities, particularly the record 12 million visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”

Despite the mitigating factors, tourism jobs in the county were at an all-time high of 3,968 which also led to an all-time high payroll of $153.51 million.

Local tax receipts of $17.59 million were a record for the county and the eighth-highest total in the state. State tax receipts totaled $20.42 million, marking the fifth consecutive year of reaching $20 million.


For more Smoky Mountain news, see below.

Visit Cades Cove

Budweiser Clydesdales Return for the Smoky Mountain Air Show

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make several appearances in the area on September 10 and 11, including two at McGhee Tyson Airport in conjunction with the Smoky Mountain Air Show, presented by DENSO.

The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon to kick off the festivities both mornings of the Smoky Mountain Air Show. Parking areas will open at 7 a.m. and the event gates open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, and Sunday, September 11.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive when the parking areas open in order to avoid traffic and ensure they do not miss any of the festivities, including the opportunity to see the Budweiser Clydesdales. 

“The Smoky Mountain Air Show would not be possible without the support of corporate sponsors like Eagle Distributing,” said Patrick Wilson, President of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. “We are expecting a full day of air show entertainment that will kick off with the world-renowned Clydesdales as part of our opening ceremonies. From jets streaking across the sky to the impressive Clydesdales performing on the ground below, the Smoky Mountain Air Show will have something for everyone.”

The Clydesdales’ appearance in Knoxville is one of hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800’s. Today, the giant draft horses are used primarily for breeding and show.

Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch must be at least three years of age, stand approximately 18 hands – or six feet – at the shoulder, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, must be bay in color, have four white legs, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail. A gentle temperament is very important as hitch horses meet millions of people each year.

Each hitch travels with a Dalmatian. In the early days of brewing, Dalmatians were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries.

For more information about the Smoky Mountain Air Show, including parking, tickets and more, visit smokymountainairshow.com

Company Distilling Announce Grand Opening Details

Master Distiller of Company Distilling stands in front of steel still.

Company Distilling announced today the official Grand Opening weekend of their first newly constructed distillery in Townsend, TN on July 8-10. Throughout the weekend, guests can expect to experience live music, enjoy a cocktail, and tour the facility. The full product portfolio for Company Distilling will also be available to sample, including their Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished with maple wood, which hit the shelves last November as their inaugural offering.

Since their founding in 2020, Company Distilling’s goal has been to create spaces where people can gather around and enjoy exceptional spirits. Formed by a group of industry leaders with a goal of creating a strong culture, the focus of Company Distilling is people, places, and communities.

“Our initial vision for Company Distilling was to be more than just a whiskey brand. We envisioned being a full portfolio spirits company, and we had a collective group experience that I thought brought different areas of expertise to the table. We were stronger together especially when we were thinking about doing more than just one thing,” says Jeff Arnett, Master Distiller,

“I think one of the greatest things about where we are is the freedom that comes from being a small, nimble group of people controlling our own destiny.”

Kris Tatum, President, further elaborates on the togetherness aspects of Company. “We’re committed to living up to our promises. We have high expectations and a team that collectively has years of industry experience. Our uncommon bond and friendships drive us to continue to make quality spirits that bring people together.”

Company Distilling is proudly partnering with local businesses to provide guests with an exceptional distillery experience that is unique to Blount County. Maryville-based restaurant, Amici, will have a permanent menu at the distillery, allowing visitors to gather with friends and enjoy delicious food and fine spirits. The new restaurant space will be called “Amico,” which means “a friend” in Italian.

“We are thrilled to share the Amici experience with Company Distilling and their visitors,” says, Chris Thompson, Chef/Owner. “Food has consistently been a contributor to creating friendships and impactful impressions for our guests. It’s clear Company Distilling has similar goals of creating long-lasting relationships by bringing people together to share something they can all enjoy.”

The grand opening weekend festivities will include a concert on Friday night at 7 PM featuring

Southerland and a concert on Saturday night at 7 PM featuring The Coveralls.

Company Distilling Becomes Official Bourbon of the Tennessee Theatre

For the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Company Distilling and the historic Tennessee Theatre will work towards a shared vision of celebrating Tennessee’s rich heritage in distilling, arts, and history.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the partnership with Company Distilling. With their team having deep roots in Tennessee, a passion for bringing people together, and a dedication for progressing the arts in the region forward, we know this partnership will yield a lot of new ideas and creativity for both organizations,” said Becky Hancock, Executive Director of the Tennessee Theatre.

The new partnership is effective immediately, making Company Distilling Bourbon the official bourbon of the Tennessee Theatre. Guests of the Tennessee Theatre will have the opportunity to enjoy Company Distilling Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Maple Wood and Ghost Rail Tennessee Dry Gin at shows throughout the season. Additionally, there will be opportunities to win tickets and participate in special events. Be sure to follow both Company Distilling and the Tennessee Theatre on social media for more information and announcements.

The Tennessee Theatre is 94 years old and opened on October 1, 1928, as a grand movie palace in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. In the early 1980s, the theatre was purchased by James A. Dick, who ensured its future as a performing arts venue. Soon after the purchase, both the Knoxville Opera and Knoxville Symphony Orchestra became resident companies. In 1996, it was turned over to a newly formed non-profit, the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation. The theatre is home to broadway shows and live music throughout the year and continues to develop their programming within downtown Knoxville.

Company Distilling opened its Townsend, Tennessee, location officially in July of 2022. The distillery, bottle shop, and tasting room is a short 31 miles from downtown Knoxville and offers visitors the opportunity to taste fine spirits as they enjoy The Peaceful Side of the Smokies, less than a mile away from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Company Distilling was founded by leaders in Tennessee distilling with a passion for history and elevating the craft distilling industry in their home state. Kris Tatum and Jeff Arnett have been instrumental in the growth of distilling in the state of Tennessee. The Company Distilling team is proud of their Tennessee heritage and looks forward to the partnership with the Official State of Theatre of Tennessee. “The partnership with the Tennessee Theatre fits perfectly with our vision for Company Distilling: the history, high level of service, quality of productions, and the goal of bringing people together. We’re excited to grow together over the next few years,” said Jeff Arnett, Master Distiller.

Growing up just down the road from the theatre in South Knoxville, Kris Tatum, President & Founder, reflected on his experiences at the theatre and what ultimately helped shape his love for movies and film. “Every time I walk into the Tennessee Theatre, I am blown away by its beauty and history. It’s somewhere I want to bring family and friends to spend time together. The work the team is doing to continue to preserve its heritage is something we admire as a company and was what drew us to want to partner. We have big plans for the impact this partnership can have on our home communities in East Tennessee.” 

The founders of Company Distilling will continue their passion for the state of Tennessee, its rich history, and education by hosting the “Distilling Greatness” podcast. Recorded inside the beautiful Tennessee Theatre, listeners can Gather Around with the Company Distilling team and a few of their friends to get a taste of the people and places that make up the rich stories of whiskey in Tennessee. Initial episodes include:

  • Gather Around: Tennessee Whiskey & Tennessee Theatre History + Why You Should Care – To be released on January 5, 2023
  • Gather Around: The Science of Tennessee Whiskey – February
  • Gather Around: Whiskey Tourism & Sense of Place – March

The podcast will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and CompanyDistilling.com. 

Kris Tatum, President & Founder, spoke in jest that he wasn’t sure “why anyone would listen to myself and Jeff talk to our friends about things we love, but there seems to be a lot of interest in hearing us make fun of each other.” With Company, making fun of each other is part of the process; when pleasantries are replaced with a little provocation. In an environment like this, there are no politics, there is no posturing. And meetings don’t feel like meetings at all. They’re just informal gatherings of like-minded people with their own unique set of skills – exchanging ideas and keeping each other honest. This is where real collaboration comes from and how actual progress is made. Because, in the end, the last thing anyone wants to do is let down a friend.

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro Earns Named to OpenTable’s Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, nestled in the heart of East Tennessee at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, has been honored with the distinction of being named one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the USA by OpenTable. This exclusive recognition was officially announced on January 31st, 2024, solidifying Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro as a standout establishment in the realm of romantic dining experiences.

OpenTable, a leading provider of online restaurant reservations, compiled this annual list based on millions of verified diner reviews across the country. Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro’s commitment to exceptional culinary offerings, warm hospitality, and an enchanting ambiance has set it apart as the sole representative from East Tennessee.

Known for its rustic charm and idyllic setting on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has captivated the hearts of diners seeking a romantic and memorable experience. The restaurant’s dedication to crafting innovative Appalachian-inspired cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients has garnered widespread acclaim, including being named one of TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best Top 25 Fine Dining Restaurants in the USA in 2023.

Mark Oldham, CEO of Oldham Hospitality, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “We are thrilled to be acknowledged by OpenTable as one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the USA. This accolade is a testament to the hard work and passion our team puts into creating an unforgettable dining experience. Being recognized for providing a uniquely romantic setting is a really fun and appreciated honor as we begin celebrating the Valentine’s Day holiday with our guests this month!”

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro invites patrons to celebrate this accomplishment by experiencing the romance and culinary excellence that have earned them a place among the nation’s elite dining establishments. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the restaurant is set to deliver an enchanting celebration for couples seeking a memorable and romantic evening between February 10th-17th where they will feature curated Sweet Heart menus for guests.

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.DancingBearLodge.com/Events or contact 865-448-6000.

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro Named Top 25 Fine Dining Restaurant

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is honored to announce that it has been awarded with TripAdvisor’s prestigious Top 25 Fine Dining Restaurants in America for 2023.

This accolade is bestowed upon a select few restaurants in the world who have consistently received outstanding reviews and opinions from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period. Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro not only earned this esteemed recognition worldwide, but also secured a place in the top 25 fine dining restaurants in the United States.

TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards are known for celebrating excellence in the travel and dining industry. These awards are granted to businesses that consistently deliver exceptional experiences and have met TripAdvisor’s rigorous trust and safety standards. Less than 1% of the 8 million listings on TripAdvisor receive the Best of the Best recognition, underscoring the remarkable achievement and commitment to excellence that Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has demonstrated.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive the TripAdvisor Top 25 Fine Dining Restaurants in America Award,” said Mark Oldham, CEO at Oldham Hospitality, which owns Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro. “This recognition reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team to provide exceptional Appalachian-inspired cuisine and unparalleled dining experiences. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our loyal patrons and the TripAdvisor community for their continued support and outstanding reviews.”

Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has become a culinary destination known for its locally-sourced, farm-to-table fare and its comfortable rustic ambiance. The restaurant’s commitment to crafting innovative dishes inspired by the Appalachian region, combined with its picturesque natural surroundings, has made it a favorite among travelers and locals alike.

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has consistently received glowing reviews from diners who have praised its culinary creativity, attentive service, and inviting atmosphere. This consistent stream of above-and-beyond feedback has culminated in this prestigious accolade.

As one of the top 25 restaurants in the nation, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro continues to set the standard for excellence in the hospitality industry. This award is a testament to their dedication to providing an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.

For more information about Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro and to make reservations, please visit www.dancingbearlodge.com.

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