Are you looking for your next great day trip idea? There are plenty of things to do in the Townsend, TN area, but none can quite equal the fun of spending the day at Next to Heaven Mountain Adventures. This ranch offers great family fun and spectacular mountain views that are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime. Next to Heaven is the only ranch to offer unguided horseback rides and zipline rides.
The Zipline
Rather than start with the horseback rides, let’s take a quick (no pun intended) look at the ziplines. The zipline at Next to Heaven is listed as one of the longest in the Smokies with 9 different lines to choose from that will take you soaring out of the trees while you enjoy incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains.
The staff will help get you outfitted with a helmet, a harness, and anything else you need. After filling you in on the instructions and rules, off you go. This is your chance to soar over the trees, taking in the incredible fresh Smoky Mountain air as you fly free as a bird. This may be one of the most amazing adventures you and your family will ever have.
Now for the Horse Rides
At Next to Heaven, you can enjoy the only hour-long unguided horseback rides in the Great Smokies. The 7-mile trail winds through some 45 acres of what many describe as the most beautiful scenery in the Smokies. Along the ride, you come across overlooks that let you see seven different mountain ranges. Depending on the weather, you can see all the way to North Carolina.
The staff will fit each member of your party with a horse that matches them for size and riding ability. Once you take off, you get the chance to see the local flora and fauna along with wildlife in a way that can only be seen at the slow but steady pace of being on a horse. Capture the moment with pictures, videos, or simply drink in the Zen-like experience with as much of the fresh mountain air as your lungs can handle.
Immerse yourself in the experience and let the peace and quiet wash your stress away, even if only for an hour. The ride to the top of the mountain is nothing short of amazing, but when you reach the top, you can truly see what can only be described as “some of God’s greatest work.” Enjoy the ride from atop Appy, Big Red, Stormy, Dakota, or one of the other very gentle horses and create memories your family will never forget. You can even take your little ones for the ride by placing them in front of you, giving them the thrill of a lifetime.
No matter what else you pack along with you, be sure to pack a camera so you can create a separate album covering the fun you had at the Next to Heaven Mountain Adventures. Be sure to book early as this is a very popular attraction in Townsend, TN. Contact the ranch at (865) 448-6947 for more information and to book your adventure.
Category: Blog
Sweet Fall Treats on the Peaceful Side
Fall in the Smokies isn’t just about scenic drives and hikes—it’s also a time to savor the season’s best flavors. With charming markets and cozy coffee shops, the Peaceful Side is brimming with autumnal treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. These are our top picks.
Amburn’s Market in Maryville is fully stocked with fall goodies, including apple and pumpkin butters, jelly pumpkins and pumpkin spice caramels, caramel and candy apples, creamed honey, apple cider and a variety of baked goods. Indulge in fresh pumpkin bars, pumpkin Biscoff cake, pumpkin bread, pumpkin roll slices, pumpkin spice yogurt pretzels or pumpkin whoopie pies.
While you’re there, you can also pick up your fall decor. They have pumpkins and gourds, corn stalks, small scarecrows and mums.
Apple Valley Mountain Village in Townsend has pumpkin fudge and pumpkin praline fudge. At the Apple Valley Cafe, enjoy their famous fried apple pie.
Bear Grounds Coffee in Maryville is offering pumpkin spice lattes—hot, cold or frappe. They recommend adding brown sugar cold foam for the full fall effect.
Bigfoot Popcorn in Maryville has a limited-edition pumpkin spice flavor, perfect for getting cozy and watching your favorite fall series.
Blackhorse Pub and Brewery in Alcoa is offering Apple Crumb Crunch for dessert.
The Dancing Bean in Townsend added the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Apple-achian Chai-der (apple cider and chai), Honey Bear Latte (butter pecan, honey and caramel) and Pumpkin Cinnamon Horchata to the fall menu.
RT Lodge in Maryville has Caramel Apple Cake and Caramel Floating Island on the menu.
Towns End Coffee in Townsend has several seasonal beverages, including Campfire Cold Brew (chocolate and marshmallow), The Cozy Pumpkin and Stars Hollow (salted caramel, toffee crunch and pumpkin). Pair your coffee with a pumpkin cream cheese muffin.
Vienna Coffee House in Maryville is honoring local bakers with lattes that mimic their signature items for the month of October. They have lattes for Small Comforts Kitchen (gluten free) – Brown Sugar Cinnamon Hand Pie Latte (brown sugar and cinnamon), Crustic – Cardamom Bun Latte (brown sugar, honey, and cardamom) and Hammie’s Sammies – Vanilla Almond Macaron Latte (vanilla, almond, amaretto, and white chocolate).
The Walnut Kitchen in Maryville is serving the Tellico Grains Cinnamon Roll, topped with house bourbon caramel, bacon, walnuts and vanilla bean ice cream.
Will you be trying any of these sweet treats? We’d love to hear about it. Be sure to tag us on social media (@peacefulsmokies).
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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.
Synchronous Fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
East Tennesseans who live near the Smoky Mountains know their home is a special place. This area is so special, in fact, that it hosts one of the rarest sights in the world: synchronous fireflies in the Smokies. Every year, this species of firefly gathers in the Smokies for their two-week mating season in late spring. At the peak of their season, these fireflies can be seen blinking in synchronicity.
The flashes of bioluminescence emitted by lightning bugs are essential to their mating ritual. The males flash to the females, who may or may not flash in response. During this special time, though, all males and females of this species flash together in mass. No one knows for sure what makes synchronous fireflies behave this way, but the effect is truly awesome—hundreds of individuals acting in harmony. Perhaps the mystery of it is what draws so many people year after year.
A few weeks before the event, the National Parks Service distributes a limited number of advanced parking tickets online. However, as in the case of this year, the tickets are gone the instant they go on sale. For those who miss out, there are 85 passes that can be reserved starting at 10:00 a.m. the day before you wish to attend by going to www.recreation.gov or calling (877) 444-6777. Again though, these disappear faster than the flash of a lightning bug, so plan ahead.
And yes, this spectacle is worth every bit of the mania it takes to get a pass.
The lucky few who get their hands on a ticket must park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and ride a shuttle to the Elkmont viewing area after sundown. This year, the synchronous fireflies can be seen from Tuesday, June 2, through Tuesday, June 8.
Because viewers will be walking around in the woods after dark, some may want to bring a flashlight. However, if you do, be sure to cover it with blue or red cellophane, and point it directly toward the ground and only when you’re walking to your selected viewing spot. Once you are settled, turn off the artificial light and revel in nature’s light show, an experience that is nothing short of magical.
Take a Historic Walk in Downtown Maryville
Written by: Emily Huffstetler
In February, local leaders unveiled a master plan to revitalize Downtown Maryville, focusing on six key goals: economic investment, expanding housing options, creating interconnected public spaces, promoting placemaking, improving connectivity and accessibility, and broadening the customer base. As Downtown Maryville evolves, its historic charm endures. Take a stroll down Broadway and explore the past lives of the city’s most iconic buildings.
Then: New Providence Presbyterian Church
Now: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Location: 314 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN
New Providence Presbyterian Church was one of Maryville’s first two churches. This fourth building, completed in 1893, initially served as a community space known as Columbian Hall from 1893 to 1911. A large Sabbath school annex was added in 1916. In 1953, the congregation moved to its current Gothic-style structure across from Maryville High School. Today, the building houses St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Many of Maryville’s early leaders are buried in the New Providence Church Cemetery, including William Bennet Scott Sr., the first African American to run a newspaper in Tennessee. His paper was Maryville’s only one for a decade. Scott also helped establish the town’s Freedman’s Normal Institute and was elected mayor of Maryville in 1869.
Then: White Star Bus Station
Now: White Star Station (Event Venue)
Location: 133 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN
Built in 1800, this building was partially destroyed by arson in the early 1900s. In 1926, it became home to Maryville’s first bus service, the White Star Bus Line. During the 1930s, it housed a Sterchi Brothers store, a Knoxville-based company that once held the title of the world’s largest furniture chain. In 2015, the building was restored and transformed into a premier event space.
Then: Park Theatre
Now: Bluetick Tavern
Location: 128 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN
This building was originally home to the Park Theatre, one of three theaters in Downtown Maryville. Later, it became the fourth and final location of Roy’s Record Shop, a beloved hub for music enthusiasts, operating from 1965 until its closing in 2007. It’s now Bluetick Tavern, a popular spot for pizza, burgers, and drinks.
Then: WA Dunlap Building
Now: The Capitol Theatre
Location: 127 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN
This site was originally the WA Dunlap Building, built around 1910, and home to the Bogle McCammon Furniture Co. and Undertaking establishment. Later, the J.C. Penney Company leased the space until 1934, when the Crescent Amusement Company, which owned theaters throughout the South, constructed the Capitol Theatre. It became the largest movie house in downtown Maryville, with seating for nearly 1,000 people.
The Capitol Theatre closed in the 1970s, and various tenants followed, including a record shop, disco, wedding dress store, and sports collectibles shop. In 2008, the theater was revived and is now an award-winning event space, featuring an art deco coffee shop and ice cream parlor.
Then: Bank of Maryville
Now: Available for lease
Location: 131 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN
This building was the third home of the Bank of Maryville, established in 1885 to support the growing banking needs of Maryville College, which was one of the town’s largest institutions at the time. The bank later merged with the Bank of Blount County, located nearby at 101-103 W Broadway Ave. In the 1980s, it became First Tennessee Bank, eventually rebranding as First Horizon Bank in 2019.
Then: Federal Building
Now: Office building
Location: 201 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN
This was Blount County’s first federal building, serving as the Main Post Office from 1917 to 1962 and then as a branch from 1962 to 1990. In 1935, it became the first headquarters for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most recently, it was home to a family dentistry practice.
Then: Maryville’s Public Library
Now: Dandy Lions Gifts
Location: 300 E. Church St., Maryville, TN
Built in 1917, this served as Maryville’s first library building. In 1931, it was dedicated to the late mayor A.K. Harper. It continued to house Blount County’s Public Library until 1981, when a larger building was occupied. Then, the American Red Cross moved in and remained until 2006. Since 2007, the former library has belonged to Dandy Lions Gifts. Two concrete lions, installed by the current owner, serve as a reminder of the building’s past.
Do you have a favorite memory in Downtown Maryville? We’d love to hear about it. Be sure to tag us on social media (@peacefulsmokies).
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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.
Take in the Smoky Mountain Winterfest by Making Reservations to Stay on the Peaceful Side
‘Tis the season for fun, snow, holiday lights, and, of course, shopping for that perfect gift for friends and family. Now imagine going out shopping under more than 5 million tiny sparkling holiday lights! If you can’t picture what this feels like, you need to head over to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville for the annual Winterfest. This year, the lights will keep shining on the holidays from when they were turned on early in November until the end of February.
And, when you’ve had your fill of light displays, crowds, and bustle, do yourself and your family a favor, and make reservations to stay on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. Enjoy some uninterrupted quality family (or couple!) time each night after a busy day enjoying Winterfest. Every form of lodging imaginable is available.
From amazing light displays to incredible holiday shows and so much more, the Smoky Mountain Winterfest Celebration has something spectacular for everyone, no matter how young or old. Take a look at the many things there are to do as part of this year’s Winterfest.
So Much More to Do in the Smokies
Pile the kids in the car so you can get out there and enjoy the Winterfest Driving Tour of the Lights. Driving tour maps for the 3 main towns celebrating Winterfest can be found here: Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. No matter how many times you have visited the Smokies, coming here for the holidays and the Smoky Mountain Winterfest Celebration is the perfect way to usher in the holidays and create amazing memories with family and friends!
The Pigeon Forge light display, alone, features more than 5 million lights! Light displays feature trees, snowmen, Santa, forest animals, snowflakes, dancing fountains, rocking horses (and everything in between) and cover light posts, streets, bridges and the ground, all to spectacular effect.
What Else Besides the Driving Tour of Lights?
Complete your holidays with a trip to Dollywood for a Smoky Mountain Christmas. Christmas in Dollywood brings you over 4 million lights, plenty of rides to enjoy, holiday music playing throughout the park and the nightly Parade of Lights. This year sees the addition of “Dolly’s Parade of Many Colors,” with many new floats, songs, and specialty characters, as well as a stage production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the first time.
Don’t pass up on the chance to visit the Old Mill District, to get to the Old Mill Square’s Holiday Open House; you must drive through the “covered bridge” constructed from thousands of miniature lights that takes you into one of the most “historic” areas of Pigeon Forge. Take the kids out to Christmas at the Smoky Mountain Opry where you might just get to catch Jolly Old St. Nick in the act of making a rooftop delivery. The theatre is decorated with numerous huge trees and thousands of tiny lights.
Don’t Forget to Take in Dolly Parton’s Christmas Stampede
Whoever said a stampede is no fun has never seen a stampede put on the way Dolly Parton does it. Talk about a place to take the kids for some magical memory-making time! The 60-foot tall Christmas tree is a sight to behold. Covered in colorful lights, sparkling ornaments, and ribbons from top to bottom with a twinkling star at the top, this is the perfect place to take pictures for your social media post or annual Christmas cards.
Meanwhile, over at the Island in Pigeon Forge, they have put together all-new decorations and three new Christmas trees, the tallest of which stands 40-feet tall. Decorators used approximately 40,000-holiday ornaments, 500,000 lights, and more than 5,000 feet of garland to decorate the Island for the holidays. Santa and Mrs. Claus have a new workshop this year and will greet their guests while listening to the roving troupe of singers belting out Christmas carols.
Places to Stay in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies
While these activities are all a lot of fun, if you are coming in from out of town, don’t forget to choose a place to stay over on the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” where you and your family will find several great choices of more peaceful accommodations. From hotels like the pet-friendly Best Western Cades Cove, where you can enjoy a free breakfast buffet, to cabins such as the Chimney Tops Cabin where you and your significant other can enjoy a 2-bath, 1-bedroom rustic cabin, the options are endless.
There are plenty of amazing places on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies to park your suitcases while you enjoy a great Smoky Mountain Christmas vacation with your loved ones.
Take One Last Family Vacation to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Before School Starts
If you’ve never been to a national park, you may be surprised to learn that there is far more to do inside than just walk around enjoying the view. Although there are tons of hiking trails that lead to gorgeous waterfalls, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park does have plenty to thrill every member of the family. If you want to sneak in one more getaway with the kids before school, here are some attractions to check out.
Animal Lovers Should Take a Cruise Through Cades Cove
There is one part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that is a must-see for any first-time visitor. Cades Cove is a driving loop that allows you to tour the park without leaving your car. Perfect for young children who can’t hike, this loop is separated from other roads, so you can take your time. Along the way, you’re sure to see turkey, deer, and maybe even black bear or elk. There are also historic buildings and stunning views of the mountains along the way, as well as places to stop and stretch your legs.
Adventure Seekers Can Fly Through the Trees
Does your crew like the adrenaline rush of roller coasters? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers one of the most exciting adventures you can get – zip lining! Check out the many zip line courses across the park, like Climbworks, where you can not only zip line, but also go through an aerial obstacle course with swaying rope bridges and more. Perfect for teens and families that can’t pass up a chance to have a blast, you’ll get a great view of the park up there!
Get a Unique View of the Park from Horseback
Another unique way to explore the park, especially if you want to see some of the beautiful waterfalls, is to take a guided horseback tour. Your kids will get the thrill of being led around on their very own horse, and the guide can lead you to some of the most beautiful spots in the region. Not interested in riding a horse? There are many other guided tours of the park you can take advantage of on foot, such as bird watching tours.
White Water Rafting and More
The park is a huge area, and adventure waits around every corner. From exploring caves to going white water rafting, you’ll find tons of activities that you and the kids will adore. Make a weekend out of trying as many as you can, or come back for more during spring break! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great place to make memories that will last forever.
Take the Kids to a Real Drive-In Theater in Maryville, Tennessee
Remember the days when Saturday nights meant the latest movie showing at the drive-in? There was once a time when just about every town large enough to have a drive-in theater had one. It was the way America took the family out for a low-cost night of entertainment. The smell of the popcorn, hot dogs sizzling on the grills behind the booth, and the scratchy sound of the window speakers. Ah, such wonderful memories. Sadly, in most parts of the country, those days are long gone, as drive-ins are few and far between these days.
Guess What? – It’s Movie Time in Maryville, TN
While drive-in theaters may be gone in most of the country, you can still introduce your kids to the same level of excitement you enjoyed as a kid. Here in Maryville, TN, you can still pile everyone in the car and head to the Parkway Drive-In. Here, you can enjoy some of the latest movies with double-features showing every Friday and Saturday night and some Sunday nights.
Many of the movies shown are rated PG or PG-13 so you can bring the whole family. Prices are extremely reasonable at only $8 for adults, $3 for kids ages 5 through 12, and kids 4 and under are free. There is room for up to 400 cars. Once the theater reaches maximum capacity, the gates are closed and no one else is allowed to enter. To make it more enjoyable and safe for everyone, they do not allow walk-ins.
Your Kids Are Going to Love the Experience
Make your first visit to the Parkway Drive-In with the kids a big surprise. Pile them in the car and simply tell them you have a really cool surprise for them. Imagine their faces when you pull up to the gates! It doesn’t matter whether the weather is warm and dry or chilly and rainy, the shows always go on and start at dusk or dark.
Remember those scratchy speakers you used to hang on your window? Luckily, those days are long gone. Today, the Parkway Drive-In broadcasts the entire soundtrack via FM radio so you can listen to it from your car stereo. Alternatively, you can rent an FM radio at the concessions booth.
With an FM broadcast, you can tune in on a portable FM radio and sit outside on blankets and chairs as long as you stay within your dedicated space. Don’t forget the concession stand, loaded with burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, popcorn, and more. There are plenty of goodies to treat your kids (and yourself!) with to create a great night out at the movies.
What are you waiting for? Load up the kids and take them out to experience a real part of American history: Saturday night at the drive-in movies. Remember to check the website frequently to see what movies are playing and pack a few blankets to sit on for a great night out with the family.
Terminal 1346: Smoky Mountain Staycation
TERMINAL 1346: SMOKY MOUNTAIN STAYCATION
We found an East Tennessee jewel for your Smoky Mountain Staycation. Terminal 1346 is an Airbnb property that offers a unique and unexpected place to stay in Maryville, TN. In 2016, the Smith family purchased a six-acre plot of land that housed an old airplane hangar and a World War II train car. A year later, they took on the task of renovating the structures, resulting in an architectural masterpiece. This two-bedroom space offers comfort, luxury, and magazine-worthy design.
Read all about why travel writer Kristin Luna calls Terminal 1346 one of her all-time, top three short-term rentals here.
For other lodging ideas in the Great Smoky Mountains, check out these links.
Bring Fido: Pet-Friendly Activities and Lodging in the Smoky Mountains
Townsend’s Romantic Richmont Inn Provides Stunning Views of the Smokies
Enjoy a Peaceful Getaway to Whispering River Resort
The Best Breakfast Spots in the Smoky Mountains to Get You Going
Any visit to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies is a good time to explore the many amazing dining options. But, if you are paying a visit in the winter months, you have every excuse imaginable to indulge in a hearty breakfast. Known as the most important meal of the day, this is particularly true when you are going up against the chilly weather of the winter season. Even if you intend to do little more than cozy up to a crackling fire in your rental cabin, or especially if you are going to head out for a serious day of snowshoeing, skiing, shopping or sightseeing… a good breakfast is a must.
The good news is that you have some truly astonishing choices and may want to just decide to eat breakfast “out” each day of the visit – and maybe book a stop in any of the “all day breakfast” joints to ensure you sample every single option available!
Breakfast on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies
Gracie’s Restaurant
A Maryville classic, this restaurant emphasizes fresh ingredients for all three meals a day! If you want a home-style breakfast in a friendly and appealing setting, this is one to try.
Country Steak n’ Eggs
A newcomer to the area, it is a destination for fans of all things breakfast. Offering their namesake dish along with country classics like biscuits and gravy or country ham and eggs, it is tucked along the river in Townsend and provides scenery with its tasty foods.
Midland
Located in Alcoa, it is a “just like Grandma’s” sort of spot that offers amazing breakfast platters that cannot leave you hungry!
Snoring Bear Diner
Serving all meals, and noted for its peanut butter pie or grilled mac and cheese, it offers stick-to-ribs breakfasts for those with a serious appetite in the Walland area.
Savory Rootz
With a motto that says if it “ain’t made with love, it ain’t fit eat’n”, this Alcoa restaurant specializes in casual dining and local foods, and promises a creative menu with a twist on traditional breakfast dishes (like their fried chicken biscuit with sausage gravy!)
Great Choices Further Afield
If you are willing to head anywhere in the Blount County area, you’ll find that some of the best options include:
Crockett’s 1875 Breakfast
Skillet cinnamon rolls as big as your head and all of the breakfast favorites make this the perfect place to start the day. Everything has a wonderful twist, such as pecan smoked bacon or cathead stackers, and so much more.
Sawyer’s Farmhouse Breakfast
The name says it all and you can expect enormous portions, farm fresh ingredients and more than enough in the way of choices. You may find yourself heading back just so you can sample a few more items on the huge menu.
Lil Black Bear Café
Located in Pigeon Forge, it is popular for family breakfasts and meals, and offers up healthy, hearty and fresh fare throughout the day.
Elvira’s Café
Save this Sevierville establishment for a brunch experience as it is noted for this particular specialty. An all day eatery, you can get lots of local dishes along with hearty breakfasts.
Don’t forget other highly-rated area eateries such as the Black Bear Café, Misty Morning Café, Rosy’s Café, TC’s Grill, The Iron Skillet, Farmacy, OliBea and so many others.
The Best Spring Trails in the Smoky Mountains
Springtime in the Smokies offers locals and visitors alike a majestic view not only of the mountains but of the hundreds of different colored wildflowers that bloom starting in spring and staying in bloom into the summer months. This time of year, not only are the millions of flowers a sight to behold, but you have a good chance of seeing new baby bear cubs, newborn fawns, baby birds, and so much more.
The snow line is slowly creeping higher up into the mountains the trees begin to burst out in their canopy of color, and with all this comes a serious case of cabin fever. It’s not unusual for anyone who has been cooped up all winter to feel the need to get outside and enjoy a little warm spring sunshine and fresh air. If you are coming to the Peaceful Side of Smokies to visit, make sure you bring your camera. Here are five of our favorite spots to take photographs.
Abrams Falls – It’s a five-mile round trip to Abrams Falls from Cades Cove. Your hike will take you through dense forest and rhododendrons that are blooming in a riot of color. The falls are one of the most popular spots to hike to and offer amazing photo opportunities.
Little River Trail – The Little River Trail is over in Elkmont and offers a 5-mile trek along the riverside where you will see an incredible selection of wildflowers blooming in a riot of color. Among them are hepaticas, rhododendron, and yellow trillium. Make sure you have plenty of room on your memory card, the photo ops are almost endless.
Laurel Falls Trail – The Laurel Falls Trail is considered by most to be the easiest trail in the Smokies to hike. It’s only 2.6 miles to the falls and back, but the walk will take you to the picture-perfect Laurel Falls. The trail leads you between the upper and lower falls and offers several fabulous photo opportunities.
Mount LeConte – For those of you who are up for a challenging hike, the Mount LeConte is third tallest peak inside the boundaries of the national park. The hike might be a bit tough, but the view from the summit is breathtaking, and you can capture some amazing photos here, making the trip well worth the effort.
Potters Creek Trail – If you want pictures of flowers, historical buildings, and a four-mile hike that is sure to create great memories, then Potters Creek Trail is for. Along the trek, you will go past the site of the John Messer farm along with a spectacular array of wildflowers including yellow trillium, foamflower, baneberry, wild geranium, dwarf ginseng, toothwort, and many, many more.
These are just a few of our favorite places to hike for photos. No matter who you talk to here, everyone is going to have their list of places they like to go to take pictures. The most important thing is for you to come to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies and find your own favorite places!
The Best Winter Views in the Smokies
It is fair to say that one of the best winter views you can enjoy while visiting the Smokies during the colder weather is the sight of your crackling fire roaring happily away in your cabin’s fireplace. Tucked into a cozy chair, surrounded by family or friends, and gazing out at the majestic winter landscape is probably one of the finest ways to relax and recharge this winter.
However tempting it might be to spend your entire visit inside by the fire, you should also head out into the surroundings and enjoy the unprecedented beauty that is the Smokies in winter. There are frozen waterfalls that you can reach in your car, popular spots now free of summer crowds and blanketed in a peaceful drift of snow, and the mountains themselves, which look entirely different in the winter months.
And if the idea of heading out in a car makes you think you might miss something, think again. CNN picked the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as one of the finest winter drives in the entire United States. So, just opting to pay a visit to the park can provide you with plenty of photo opportunities and show-stopping views.
Holiday Lights in the Smokies
From late November and until the turn of the New Year, the entire region is full of holiday lights. Known formally as Winterfest, it is a celebration of the season and between Sevierville, Townsend, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, there are more than five million little twinkle lights glimmering. There are self-guided driving tours to enjoy, walks through towns, parades, and so much more. Booking a visit in this period can offer some of the most amazing views imaginable. If you prefer all-natural views, consider some of these options:
Newfound Gap Road
Running from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC, the road has a wide array of spots to pull over and snap photos. It is busier in the summer months, and so a winter drive is super enjoyable because you can spend longer stretches at each stop, drive a more comfortable pace and really savor the scenery. If you are particularly hardy, the parking area for the Appalachian Trail access offers truly stunning sunrise photos, and at the northern end of the road, you get great views of the Little Pigeon River, and the Oconaluftee River at the southern end.
Cades Cove in the winter
Long noted as the most popular part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is also a place where loads of local wildlife is frequently spotted – even in the winter months.
The 11-mile loop is one of the most scenic and there are lots of spots to pull over. With the leaves down for the season, you can see a lot of the old homes, mills, barns and churches normally concealed from sight!
Frozen Waterfalls in the Smokies
In the park and throughout the area, you can find many waterfalls reachable by car, including:
- Meigs Falls
- The Sinks
- Place of a Thousand Drips
Frozen by winter’s chill, they can offer some of the most stunningly beautiful views you will ever see, and which are only possible thanks to the changing seasons.
You might also want to head to Ober Gatlinburg to go to the top of the mountain, take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, or enjoy the views from your own private cabin. Wherever you look, it is sure that the Smokies offer something appealing and beautiful to behold.
The Company Distilling Tasting Experience
Townsend has a unique way of bringing the history of The Great Smoky Mountains in current and relevant ways to everyone who visits. To add to this custom of keeping our traditions alive comes a welcomed new addition: Company Distilling & their Tasting Experience. Opened July 8, 2022, their Townsend tasting room is set along 13.5 acres between the Little River and the Townsend Greenway, about a mile from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. You can expect the following upon visiting the distillery:
- Views of the production area while you enjoy tasting or cocktail. Tours are available on select days.
- Bottles and retail items available for purchase.
- Portfolio tastings or cocktails served from the bar within the tasting room.
- Food items from in-house restaurant Amico (the second location for the Maryville-based restaurant).
Choose Your Company Distilling Experience
Portfolio Tasting (Select 5) – $15/per person
- Sample five products in Company’s portfolio while being guided by a knowledgeable staff member on tasting notes for each spirit. This experience takes approximately 20 minutes; remember to bring your photo ID.
- First, I want to give Dominique Vitanza, Company’s newest team member in Townsend, a solid shout-out. She went above and beyond to make our experience both knowledgeable and fun. When my husband and I visited earlier this month, I chose the Portfolio Tasting. I tried the Company’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Maple Wood, Ghost Rail Tennessee Dry Gin, and three of the Ace Gap Flavored Spirits. My biggest surprise was that I actually enjoyed the gin. Due to 21st birthday gin and juice PTSD, I can’t even stomach the smell of gin, but Ghost Rail was light on juniper, and the botanicals were very refreshing. I’m still in shock.
Premium Portfolio Tasting – $20/ per person
- Sample Company Distilling’s premium products, including their award-winning Bourbon (proof), Cask Strength Bourbon (121 proof), and the newly-released Seismic Rye Single Barrel (107 proof), with guidance and notes from your tasting guide. This experience also takes approximately 20 minutes; remember to bring your photo ID.
- As a bourbon nerd, my husband opted for the Premium Portfolio Tasting. He was happy across the board but favored the cask-strength bourbon the best. However, he was pleasantly surprised with the Seismic Rye, as he is generally a wheated bourbon guy.
Company Distilling Products
- Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Maple Wood
- This award-winning bourbon is complex and smooth and is both column and pot-stilled. This wheated bourbon opens with sweet notes of caramel and cinnamon toast paired with green apple and finishes with a silky blend of oak and maple. (90 proof/45% ABV)
- Cask Strength Bourbon
- The approachable and balanced original wheat blend recipe is uncut for maximum flavor with a bold maple finish. (121 proof/44% ABV)
- Seismic Rye Single Barrel
- This Straight Rye Whiskey finished with Cherry Wood opens with aromas of rye grass, black licorice, oak, and vanilla, with the addition of dark cherry, black pepper, and leather flavors. It finishes with warm, lingering hints of toasted cherry and oak woods. (107 proof/53.5% ABV)
- Seismic Rye was named after monitoring station AS107, established in 1978. The station was built inside Tuckaleechee Caverns to measure and report seismic activity in the eastern half of the United States.
- Ghost Rail Tennessee Dry Gin
- Company Distilling takes a different approach to gin. Using just six botanicals, they distill gin on a small, open-fired, Alembic still, allowing all flavors and aromas to create a perfect balance. (88 proof/44% ABV)
“Ghost Rails are abandoned train tracks, disappearing into our valleys, mountains, and forests. They mark where we’ve been and leave where we’re going up to each of us. Ghost Rail is our attempt to slow down, extract some deeper meaning out of life, and make real connections with the people and places around us.”
- Ace Gap Flavored Spirits
- Flavored Spirits, or “sophisticated shine” as Company refers to it, have a grain-neutral spirit base and natural flavors. My favorite was the coconut – yummy! Flavors include: Harvest Apple, Blackberry, Chocolate Truffle, Coconut, Espresso, Oatmeal Cookie, Peach, and Vanilla Bean. (60 proof/30%ABV)
- Pro Tip: You can find the coordinates to the Ace Gap trailhead on the back of each bottle.
“A hundred years ago, Tennessee loggers gathered at the Ace Gap to play cards and sip spirits from a makeshift still. And while our spirits are a bit more refined, they bring the same collective joy as their storied predecessors.”
Upcoming Projects
- Company Distilling releases a podcast each month called “Distilling Greatness”. 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.
- Company brews will soon be on tap in Townsend. Expect a variety of styles and flavors, including a Kolsch, American Lagers, and an American IPA.
- Company Distilling also has plans to open a second location in Blount County, just minutes from McGhee Tyson Airport, in a development called Springbrook Farms. The timeline for this opening is still to be determined.
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