Category: Blog

The Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival

Posted on July 31, 2023 by - Blog, Events, Townsend

great smoky mountain hot air balloon festival

Are you looking for a little spice in your life? Have you been missing that warm comfort from home? No worries, we have reds, oranges, and yellows ready to offer an ocular hug. Maybe you are over this insanely hot summer and need to take a refreshing break and find an ethereal sense of peace. To you, we offer you greens, purples, and blues to splash your senses into clarity. Whatever your emotional state, The Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival on August 19 brings a kaleidoscope of color to satisfy your hunger and spark your curiosity.

gsm hot air balloons

What to Expect at the Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival

Although the hot air balloons are obviously the main attraction, we have plenty of fun activities leading up to the big Balloon Glow. We will have a wide variety of food and beverage vendors ready to taunt your taste buds and fill your bellies with goodness. You will be able to find everything from southern BBQ to Cuban cuisine, or maybe brats and shaved ice are more your style. We have something for all ages and palates. And what festival is complete without a cold beer? Our beer tent will be serving visitors over 21 years of age, saving you from the dehydrating summer sun. 
kids at the gsm balloon festival
Once you’ve quenched your thirst and have completed your rounds at the food truck court, it’s time to enjoy the activities. We will have crafter booths, both demonstrating their skills and selling their artwork. And in keeping with the event’s theme, there will also be water balloons and balloon animals. We will also have plenty of kid-friendly activities to keep your little ones entertained throughout the day, as well as live entertainment for everyone.  

couple in front of flower and butterfly hot air balloon
The Grand Finale begins at dusk when the tethered balloons are inflated and light themselves with the giant flame produced by a gas propane tank. The vibrant balloons glowing with the Smoky Mountains in the backdrop is MUST SEE event! Imagine the sky filled with a vision of multicolored, gigantic light bulbs.

Irish hot air balloon illuminated

This Year’s Festival Includes:

  • Family-Friendly Activities
  • Live Entertainment
  • Crafters – Both Demonstrating and Selling Their Artwork
  • Tethered Group Rides ($25 each)
  • Food Truck Court
  • Beer Tent
  • Exclusive VIP Lift Off! – An Elevated Festival Experience!

Tethered Ride

VIP Package Includes:

couple with their dog at the great smoky mountain hot air balloon festival

How much does it cost to ride a hot air balloon?

To ride is $25 per person, and only ages 8+ are allowed to ride in balloons. Rides will last approximately three minutes, will go 30 feet into the air, and will begin around 6:00 pm and go through 10:00 pm.

Tethered group rides can also be purchased independently but are dependent on the weather. In the unlikely case the balloons are not permitted to fly, we will refund our tethered ride guests for their purchase after the close of the event. Tickets must be purchased online before August 19, 2023. 
Parking passes can be purchased online for $20, or they can be purchased on-site for $25 on the day of the event. Event tickets are $5 per person (cash only accepted at the gate).

Pets are permitted to attend the Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival, but keep in mind balloon inflation can often be very loud and frightening for our four-legged friends. And it goes without saying that if you bring your pet, you are responsible for bringing and using your poop bags.
For more information or to pre-purchase tickets, go to our website at www.gsmballoonfest.com. We look forward to seeing you soon!!

dad with daughter on his shoulders in front of hot air balloon

Check out other Peaceful Side activities on the links below:

Kid-Friendly Activities on the Peaceful Side

Peaceful Side Spotlight | Millennium Manor Castle

By Rachel Coffman

The Pink Marble History Beneath Friendsville

Posted on July 31, 2026 by - Blog, Uncategorized

Written by: Emily Huffstetler 

The 1924 map identifies 26 quarry sites along the marble belt around Friendsville, based on a 1921 survey. Courtesy of the Tennessee Geological Survey.

On a 1924 map of western Blount County, 26 quarry sites crowd the countryside around Friendsville. Together, they trace a belt of stone stretching roughly 16 miles from the former community of Morganton toward Louisville.1,2 

Many of the buildings that once supported the industry are gone. Much of the stone also left Blount County before it was polished, carved or installed, so Friendsville was often left out of the story.1,4,5 

Despite its name, Tennessee marble is limestone rather than true marble. Its color, durability and ability to take a high polish made its pink, rose, red and brown varieties popular for floors, walls, stairways and other architectural details.3 

An Industry Takes Shape 

Commercial quarrying took hold in western Blount County after the Civil War. John J. Craig Company became one of the area’s leading producers.1,4 

John J. Craig entered the marble business in 1878. His company opened its main Friendsville quarry in 1896 and, by 1903, had built a tram road connecting the property to the railroad. A mill equipped with eight gang saws processed stone sold as Pink Tennessee and Dark Cedar.1,4 

Railcars carried Craig stone to New York, Chicago, Houston, St. Louis and San Francisco. The company also sold marble overseas, including to buyers in Italy and Australia.1,4 

In 1926, Craig expanded the site with a brick gangsaw building, an employee commissary and worker housing. Steel derricks lifted blocks from the pit, while belt-driven saws cut them for shipment.1 

The Craig quarry’s 1926 gangsaw building and steel derricks remained standing when the site was documented in 1988. Photo courtesy of the Tennessee Historical Commission.
Original belt-driven machinery remained inside the gangsaw building when the quarry was documented in 1988. Photo courtesy of the Tennessee Historical Commission.

Where Friendsville’s Name Disappeared 

The Friendsville quarries supplied raw material, but much of the finishing happened in Knoxville.4,5 

In 1914, Craig and several business partners established Candoro Marble Company in South Knoxville. Candoro handled milling, finishing and shipping for a network of quarry operations that included Craig’s Blount County properties.4,5 

The former Candoro Marble Works cutting facility in South Knoxville was built in 1914. Photo by Brian Stansberry via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0.

Craig maintained a local presence, too. In the late 1930s, the company converted a former bank near the Friendsville railroad tracks into an office and showroom with marble floors and wainscoting.4 

After the stone left Friendsville, records might name only the company that finished it or identify it simply as “Tennessee marble.”4,5 

From the Marble Belt to National Landmarks 

The National Register nomination for the Craig quarry credits its Friendsville operation with interior marble used in the National Gallery of Art’s West Building in Washington, D.C. The project drew on three East Tennessee companies and stone from several quarries.1,4

The local industry remained active well after the Gallery opened in 1941. Blount County had eight working marble quarries in 1962. At six of those sites, crews were extracting stone for a new Smithsonian building that became the Museum of History and Technology, now the National Museum of American History.4 

One of the clearest Friendsville connections came from the Endsley Quarry. Tennessee Valley Marble supplied stone for the First Amendment tablet installed on the Newseum’s 74-foot-tall Pennsylvania Avenue facade. Crews quarried 278 tons to obtain 50 tons with a consistent appearance.6 

The First Amendment tablet on the former Newseum showed the pale pink color of Tennessee marble. Photo by David Monack via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 US.

After the Newseum closed, the tablet was moved to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Installation was completed in January 2022.7 

The Industry Continues 

By the late 20th century, many of East Tennessee’s historic marble companies had closed. The Craig family retained its Friendsville quarry property until 1982.1,4 

The Craig quarry pit was still active when the property was documented for the National Register in 1988. Photo courtesy of the Tennessee Historical Commission.

The modern Tennessee Marble Company was founded in 1993. It is separate from an earlier company that operated under the same name during the mid-20th century.4,9 

The company supplied Tennessee Dark Rose marble during Grand Central Terminal’s 1990s restoration.8 In 2007, it acquired Tennessee Valley Marble’s assets, including additional quarry and mineral rights.9 

Grand Central Terminal’s Main Concourse, where Tennessee marble was used in the flooring. Photo by D. Benjamin Miller via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0.

In 2014, the company purchased 70 acres associated with the historic Craig property, joining that land with its Brown Quarry holdings along the marble belt. Tennessee Marble Company also operated the Endsley Quarry as a source of Dark Pink marble.10

In November 2025, Raider Quarries LLC, an affiliate of Silvara Stone, acquired Tennessee Marble Company’s operational assets. The new owners announced plans to continue supplying the company’s established marble varieties and fabricating custom stone projects.11 

Today, marble is still quarried and fabricated in Friendsville, more than a century after the area became one of East Tennessee’s major centers of production.10,11 

For a more comprehensive look at where Tennessee marble has been used around the world, visit the Tennessee Marble Company’s project directory.

Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and storyteller of the Greater Smokies region. She holds a Master of Science in Conservation Education from Mississippi State University.     

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1 National Park Service — John J. Craig Quarry Historic District National Register Nomination

2 Tennessee Geological Survey — Marble Deposits of East Tennessee, Bulletin 28, “Marble Belt of Friendsville and Vicinity,” Plate 2

3 Episodes Journal of International Geoscience — “Tennessee ‘Marble’: A Potential Global Heritage Stone Resource”

4 National Park Service — Marble Industry of East Tennessee, ca. 1838–1963

5 National Park Service — Candoro Marble Company Showroom and Garage National Register Nomination

6 Knoxville News Sentinel — “Newseum Showcases Tennessee Pink Marble”

7 National Constitution Center — “50-Ton First Amendment Tablet From Newseum Façade Now on Display”

8 Tennessee Marble Company — Grand Central Terminal

9 Stone World — “Tennessee Marble Co. Acquires Tennessee Valley Marble”

10 Stone World — “Tennessee Marble Continues to Make History”

11 Stone World — “Tennessee Marble Company Under New Ownership”

The Six Sisters Who Kept One of the Smokies’ Last Homesteads  

Posted on March 31, 2026 by - Blog, Uncategorized

Written by: Emily Huffstetler 

View of the Walker sisters’ cabin from the trail. Photo by Emily Huffstetler.

Just beyond Townsend, a quiet trail leads to one of the Smokies’ best-preserved homesites. Starting at Metcalf Bottoms, the 3.4-mile route passes Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse and follows an old roadbed to a preserved cabin, springhouse and corn crib. Six sisters, all unmarried, lived here together as the surrounding land became Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

John and Margaret Jane Walker raised 11 children in Little Greenbrier: seven daughters and four sons. The sons left home or married, and one daughter, Sarah Caroline, married and moved away. 

John Walker, father of the Walker sisters, poses with cherries from his orchard. He was a blacksmith, carpenter, miller and farmer. NPS Archives.

Margaret Jane, Mary Elizabeth ‘Polly,’ Martha Ann, Nancy Melinda, Louisa Susan and Hettie Rebecca remained on the family farm, which was fully in their hands after their father’s death in 1921. Martha and Polly were engaged to be married, but their fiancés both tragically died in work accidents.  

The seven Walker sisters in 1909. Front row, left to right: Margaret, Louisa and Polly. Back row, left to right: Hettie, Martha, Nancy and Caroline. Photo by Jim Shelton, 1909.

The sisters lived off the land and worked for what they had. They tended herb and vegetable gardens, raised sheep and hogs, spun and wove cloth, sewed clothing and preserved food by pickling, smoking and salting. 

When Congress authorized the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1926, land buyers began negotiating for private property across the region, including the Walkers’ 122-acre farm.  

Hettie, Martha and Louisa Walker gin cotton at the family farm. Photo by Edouard E. Exline, 1936. Library of Congress.

The sisters resisted several offers. A NPS report says they worked with an attorney and asked for $7,000 after a 1939 appraisal of $5,466. Faced with condemnation, they ultimately accepted $4,750 and a lifetime lease. 

The lifetime lease came with limits. Park rules barred hunting, fishing and grazing livestock. Tourists also began visiting what became known as Five Sisters Cove.  

The National Register notes that the sisters were “at first suspicious and shy” around park visitors, but they gradually warmed to them. They even made souvenirs to sell, including tiny baskets, toys, crocheted doilies and fried apple pies. 

By the mid-1940s, the sisters had become part of the Smokies visitor experience. A 1946 Saturday Evening Post feature invited readers to “spend a leisurely autumn afternoon with the Walker sisters” in Little Greenbrier Cove. The article described visitors gathering around the kitchen fireplace while beans simmered over hickory logs and bread baked on the hearth.  

One of the fireplaces inside the Walker sisters’ home. Photo by Emily Huffstetler.

It framed the Walkers’ lifestyle as practical, not primitive. “Why, they reason, should anyone want to worry about changes and improvements when the ground is so fertile, one of their two cows is always fresh, their spring flows freely, and heavy forests around them provide all the fuel they need?” 

Polly died in 1945, Hettie in 1947 and Martha in 1951. By 1953, only Margaret and Louisa remained at the homestead. With more work than the two could manage alone, they wrote to the park superintendent and asked that the sign directing visitors to their homesite be removed. 

“We are not able to do our work and receive so many visitors, and can’t make [souvenirs] to sell like we once did and people will be expecting us to have them, last year we had so many people it kept us [busy] from sun up till sun down,” the sisters wrote. 

The Walker cabin at Little Greenbrier. Photo by Emily Huffstetler.
Corn crib. Photo by Emily Huffstetler.

The Walker sisters’ three-room, two-story log home in Little Greenbrier still stands at the end of the old roadbed that once brought visitors to their door. Some of their belongings are preserved in Townsend at the park’s Collections Preservation Center. 

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. 

The Smoky Mountains are Harley-Davidson Paradise

Posted on July 22, 2019 by - Activities, Blog, Smoky Mountains

Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson

Would a ride through the Tail of the Dragon, with its 318 consecutive banked curves in 11 miles, get your blood pumping?  Or maybe a trip on the Cherohala Skyway, a road featured as one of Discovery Channel’s Top 10 Motorcycle Rides in North America, is more your style. Why not plan the ultimate ride and add the Blue Ridge Parkway and a stop to admire the gorgeous Great Smoky Mountain National Park to your trip? Riders from all over the world have said there is no better place to ride than the Smoky Mountains. So, when owner Scott Maddox decided to turn his love of music and motorcycles into a full-on destination experience, he knew Maryville, Tennessee would be the perfect hub for his Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson Dealership. As the #1 Harley-Davidson Dealership in the world in 2017, it is safe to say the experience they have created is second to none.
Nestled in the valley of the Smokies, this is not your typical Harley dealership. The Retail Showroom stuns with its locally sourced building materials, a massive inventory of bikes, and all the motor clothes a biker’s heart can imagine. The extensive Parts Department carries everything from engine kits, audio, and electronics to bags, luggage, racks, helmets, and more. With worldwide visitors, the Service Team understands the importance of getting travelers back on the road in a hurry. Whether you run into technical problems, tire issues, need simple maintenance, or want to upgrade accessories, they are available seven days a week. (Appointments are preferable, but they understand unexpected needs arise for travelers.) To learn your way around a bike and take a full course to get your motorcycle license, they also offer a Riders Academy. Check out their website at www.smh-d.com for more dealership information.

Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson

For those coming from long distances, who want to ride, but can’t bring their bikes, they also partner with Eagle Rider, making bike rental an easy process. Project Ride More is a program where they have staff on board to lead group rides several times a week. The rides are open to anyone who wants to join; just show up the day of the journey with a bike and a sense of adventure. Ride sizes vary, from groups as small as 5-6 bikes up to larger groups of 30-50 bikes. Scheduled rides generally stay within a 100-mile radius, with a variety of shorter or full-day ventures. Find a complete ride schedule at www.smh-d.com.
In conjunction with the dealership side of Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, they also have an award-winning restaurant and concert venue called The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint. The restaurant offers delicious East Tennessee BBQ smoked on the premise, freshly prepared sides, cocktails, and cold beer, for lunch and early dinner, seven days a week. Not to be outdone by the showroom and smokehouse, the concert venue has a huge stage, state of the art sound rig and lighting, and holds a sold-out crowd of 2000 concert goers. They pride themselves in booking shows with artists on the verge of stardom like Brent Cobb, or top acts like Old Crow Medicine Show and Jamey Johnson. The Shed introduced artists like Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell to East Tennessee well before they were household names. Concerts are scheduled every Saturday, from April through September, with encore shows and local/regional artists playing on Thursdays and Fridays. For concert schedules and ticket information, please go to www.theshedtickets.com.
On your next trip to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, be sure to stop in at SMOKY MOUNTAIN HARLEY-DAVIDSON – 1820 W. LAMAR ALEXANDER PKWY, MARYVILLE, TN 37801 and immerse yourself into a little slice of Harley-Davidson Paradise!

These 3 Driving Tours are the Best for Smoky Mountain Scenery

Posted on August 16, 2018 by - Blog, Smoky Mountains

One of the best reasons to visit the Smoky Mountains is the chance to explore the gorgeous view up close and personal. You don’t have to be an athlete to get an amazing adventure in the Smokies. There are many beautiful places to drive, with loops that don’t have traffic passing through – so you can take your time cruising by the sights. Think of it as a hiking trail for your car. This is a great way to enjoy the Smokies if you have young children, older or disabled family members, or just want to stay in the air conditioned car while you explore!
Driving Tours in the Smokies: Foothills Parkway West
This is a 17-mile one-way trip that stretches between Townsend and Chilhowee Lake. You’ll drive through the Chilhowee Valley, seeing green stretches of mountain all along the drive. It’s a gorgeous part of the Foothills Parkway that shouldn’t be missed. You’ll also see Cumberland Mountains along the way, and if you want to walk part of the way, you can get out at the Lake and take a 15-minute hike up to Look Rock. This is a great place to get a scenic view of the whole area before you head back.
Drive Along the Appalachian Trail As Long as You’d Like
Another great way to get a view of the Smokies is to hit Newfound Gap Road. This trail starts in Gatlinburg, passes through Blount County, and stretches all the way into North Carolina. You can drive for as long as you like, and the trip will take you up to the highest point of the National park, at 5,046 feet. You’ll see everything from pine-covered forests to rolling hills, to beautiful mountain peaks along the way. There are stops for hiking and resting, as well.
Cades Cove: Famous Among Driving Tours in the Smokies
The most famous driving tour in the Smokies is Cades Cove, an 11-mile loop that is separated from the main road. You can really take your time driving through this area to see historic buildings, wildlife, and gorgeous scenery. You can stop and explore the old buildings, like the historic churches and working grist mill, as well as log cabins and barns. There are many stops that lead to hiking trails, such as the five-mile loop to Abrams Falls, if you want to stretch your legs. You’ll see things like fox, turkey, deer, and maybe even a distant black bear as you drive by.
Come Visit the Peaceful Side of the Smokies
Here in Blount County, the peaceful atmosphere of the mountains defines the local lifestyle. After your wonderful drive through the view, come visit us to relax and unwind!

These Blount County Parks are the Perfect Spots to Relax in Tennessee

Posted on May 30, 2018 by - Activities, Blog

The warmer seasons are upon us, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to get outside! Sometimes, though, just sitting out on the lawn won’t do. To really relax, you need to stretch your legs and spread your wings, but where should you go? Check out these local parks to experience some of the best free recreation Blount County has to offer.
A Park for Teams of All Sorts
Need to get the whole gang together? Pearson Springs Park could be just the place you need to meet up. The park includes 2 irrigated soccer fields, 2 Little League practice softball fields, a pavilion with 10 tables, and a large charcoal grill. The 8-acre park is connected to the Greenway, and can be found in Maryville, just off Montvale Station Road. Since the pavilion is such a pleasant place to spend a warm afternoon, it’s best if you check online to see if it’s been booked before you go. Or, better yet, just plan ahead and reserve it for yourself!
A Park for Anglers
Singleton Park, just off of Topside Road, may be small, but offers great fishing. Launch your boat from the boat ramp, or just use any one of the 4 fishing benches. There’s also a dock that will get you out over the water, and picnic tables, should you decide to break for lunch. It’s open from dawn until dusk, so you should have plenty of opportunities to see if the fish are biting.
A Park for Disc Golfers
The Clayton Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole disc golf course normally, though the front 9 holes will be out of commission until the fall of 2018. However, don’t let that deter you – the back 9 holes will still be in use all summer long. The entire course is 120 acres, and you can find it next to the Clayton Corporate Headquarters, as well as near Clayton Road. Signs are posted throughout the course to guide you, and green and blue baskets are available for long and short courses, respectively. Fore!
A Park for Dogs and Their Friends
Maryville’s first public dog park is the Petsafe Pistol Creek Dog Park, a park near McCammon Avenue that offers a pavilion and benches to those on two legs, and an acre and a half for those on four. The park is divided for safety reasons, with half an acre for smaller dogs, and a full acre for those larger breeds who need room to run. The park is also purpose-built, with waste stations, dogs-only water fountains, and an unleashing area. Parking is available nearby, with limited availability on McCammon, and a municipal lot and parking garage just a hop, skip, and a jump away.
A Park for Everyone
Sandy Springs Park has a little something to offer all kinds of park visitors. The 20-acre (linear) park in Maryville is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic outdoors, with a concession stand, 2 picnic areas with 14 tables, 5 charcoal grills, and a pavilion with 6 tables and a charcoal grill. Athletes can appreciate the 4 lit tennis courts, 2 lit basketball courts, 3 softball fields (2 are lit) as well as the fun of the Smoky Mountain Classic Softball Tournament, held there every July. There’s 1.7 miles of walking trails to stretch your legs, and 3 playgrounds kids can enjoy.
Whether you’ve found a great park to spend your summer or just an afternoon, don’t hesitate to visit the Blount County Parks & Rec website to check out even more parks and learn about how getting outside in Blount County can enrich your life!

Tiny Treasures in Townsend, TN 

Posted on July 9, 2026 by - Blog, Uncategorized

Written by: Emily Huffstetler 

Townsend is all about slowing down. Look closer, and you’ll find the small stops many visitors miss, from a bakestand under a great oak tree to a neighborhood book box and faerie villages along the River Walk. Some are tucked along roadsides, others are hidden in plain sight, but all are worth the hunt.

Bakestand on Schoolhouse Gap Road 

Photo: Carli Williams, Bakestand on Schoolhouse

A small bakestand opened this spring at 909 Schoolhouse Gap Road. It offers a rotating selection of fresh baked goods, including cookies and baguettes.

Hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to dusk. Follow the Bakestand on Schoolhouse Facebook group for updates on what’s in stock. 

Little Free Library on Tiger Drive 

Outside the Townsend Municipal Building at 133 Tiger Drive, a Little Free Library gives visitors and neighbors a place to swap books. Take a book, leave a book. The library is sponsored by the Blount County Friends of the Library and listed as Charter #57896. 

Chicken Feet Fleet Farm Egg Stand 

Photo: Chicken Feet Fleet Farm

Chicken Feet Fleet Farm is a veteran-owned small family farm in Townsend specializing in free-range eggs and produce. At 1027 Dry Valley Road, the farm keeps a self-serve roadside stand stocked with fresh eggs on weekends and select weekdays. 

The selection depends on the day and season, but if the “open” sign is up, eggs are available. Sometimes, they also offer homemade bread, butter and jelly, announced on their Facebook page. 

Townsend River Walk & Arboretum 

The Townsend River Walk & Arboretum is full of small discoveries. Along the walk, find faerie villages, painted stones, wood spirits, a hand-carved bear, the Townsend Express train, nature play areas, tree markers and other small details that reward a slower pace. 

Families can also use the Adventure Lab app to follow “Welcome to the Townsend Riverwalk and Arboretum,” a self-guided hunt along the trail. 

Geocaching Around Townsend 

Photo: Geocaching.com

Townsend has other treasures you can only find with the Geocaching app. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt that uses your phone’s GPS to guide you to hidden caches nearby. 

Several Townsend caches are free to access with a basic Geocaching account, including Capt’n Dave’s Flying Pig near the Little River, Choo Choo Stop at the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum, An Apple a Day at Apple Valley Mountain Village and Our Smoky Mountain Heritage at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. 

A traditional geocache usually contains a small container and a logbook. When you find it, sign the log and return the cache exactly where you found it. Some caches include small trade items; the idea is to take something and leave something of equal or greater value. 

Additional caches in the area may require a paid Geocaching Premium membership. 

The next time you’re in Townsend, leave a little room in the day for the places you didn’t plan to find.

Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and storyteller of the Greater Smokies region. She holds a Master of Science in Conservation Education from Mississippi State University.     

Tips on Taking the Best Travel Photos

Posted on March 2, 2023 by - Activities, Blog

friends tubing down the Little River in Townsend, TN

You always want to remember your vacation on the Peaceful Side of the Great Smoky Mountains. The Smokies are one of the most beautiful places in the world, so there will be no shortage of photo opportunities during your stay. We put together expert advice to ensure you take the best travel photos on your visit. 

Travel Photo Tips

Plan Ahead

  • Get to know your camera. Pull out your camera’s instruction booklet and get comfortable with the different buttons and settings. If you’ll catch most of your memories on your phone, play around and get comfortable with the various features, like portrait or panorama modes. Remember a tripod. Pro Tip: Use the camera on your phone, not one built into apps like Snapchat or Instagram. These apps can reduce the original image size, making them terrible for printing.
  • Research the locations you’ll be visiting to find popular photo spots, the best times of day for lighting, and when is the best time to avoid crowds.
  • Pick a theme or something to photograph each trip, like morning dew on a spring bloom or diverse wildlife. Another idea is to pick a handful of items you want to find: a trail sign, a creek, your favorite thing about your hotel or Airbnb, a chainsaw carving by Bubba Daniel, or your favorite mountain view. Those five items can tell the story of your day, ending with a selfie of yourself at Dancing Bear Bistro for dinner.

Use the Rule of Thirds

  • Simply put, take pictures of your subject off-center. The Rule of Thirds states that the best place for your subject is where the horizontal and vertical lines cross. Place your subjects in the image’s righthand, lefthand, top, or bottom third. Some phones and cameras have grid settings to help you visually divide your image.
  • You can also use your Rule of Thirds gridlines as a perfect guide for the horizon, allowing for straight photos.
  • Pro Tip: Experiment with angles. Try shooting from different perspectives, using high or low angles, to add depth and dimension to your photos.

Simplify the Clutter

  • Instead of photographing the whole forest in one frame, focus on one subject, like an Eastern Sweetshrub, and use the forest as a backdrop. The eye wants to land on something in the frame, then take in the rest of the photo. If an image is too cluttered, your audience will not know where to focus.
  • Showing the subject in its environment tells a story by placing the subject in the environment without losing the subject in the entire scene. You can do this with a somewhat shallow depth of field, placing your daughter off to the side and in the foreground so that the background is identifiable but slightly blurry. It is the shock of cold you want to see on your daughter’s face but identifying the river as the source of emotion. The portrait mode of your phone’s camera can automatically create this effect. Pro Tip: If you can find a pattern, and something that breaks it, definitely take the shot.
Butterfly on a flower in the Great Smokey National Park

Take Photographs of People

  • Yes, Clingman’s Dome is breathtaking, but you can Google professional pictures of Clingman’s Dome anytime. The wonder on your child’s face when they see all the reds, blues, yellows, and greens of a Smoky Mountain sunset that’s an image worth more than any you could Google.
  • Take a picture of that perfect sunset, but take the family pictures or goofy selfies first.
  • Capture candid moments: Don’t just focus on posed photos; some of the most memorable vacation photos capture genuine, spontaneous moments.
  • Incorporate people and local culture. Including people and elements of the local culture can help bring your vacation photos to life and make them more unique. Pro Tip: Be sure to ask for permission where necessary.

Follow the Light

  • One of the biggest amateur mistakes in vacation photos is shooting into the light. Photos or videos with light behind the subject, rather than in front, expose the background but leaves faces darkened by shadows. Always let light hit the focus of your subject. Always look at the light.
  • Focus on Golden and Blue Hours. The Golden Hour is that first hour, as the sun peaks over the horizon in the morning or the last hour before the sun sets. The light casts a warm, mystical glow on the world. The Blue Hour is when the sun has fallen behind the horizon, giving off a blue and violet hue. Remember to set your morning alarm depending on where you want to get photos on the Peaceful Side. Pro Tip: Stay around if sunrise or sunset could be more impressive. You never know when the clouds will break or the sky will burst into brilliant color.
  • Pro Tip: Whatever you do, don’t use flash. Instead, look for ambient light around you, like street lights. Another approach is to find a pool of light and step into it, or as a last resort, use the “night mode” on your phone.

Forget About Social Media

  • Don’t focus exclusively on the photos you think will get you the most “likes” on social media. The in-between moments will often capture the true nature of your family. If you are taking a video, these moments will make excellent b-roll content for editing. Keep it organic and loose by letting your vacation happen; capture those candid moments.
  • Once you are on the plane or get back home and download all of your pictures, treat your social media as a highlight reel of your family’s best of the best.
  • Pro Tip: Take time to enjoy your vacation instead of trying to one-up your frenemy from college.

See the blog posts below if you are looking for some fantastic places on the Peaceful Side to photograph:

Waterfalls in The Great Smoky Mountains 

Best Views for Sunrises and Sunsets

The Smoky Mountains are Harley-Davidson Paradise

Top 5 Things To Do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Spring

Posted on March 15, 2019 by - Activities, Blog, Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park…just its name alone inspires all kinds of visions and thoughts. There are, of course, the mountains, but there are also the 100+ waterfalls, the miles of trails, the scenic drives, the historic buildings and settlement areas, the wildlife…there is so much to see and do!
Naturally, that is why more than nine million visitors pass through the park each year, and as you might guess, there are times when there are many more travelers than there are at other times. However, if you book a visit in the spring you may beat a lot of the crowds and enjoy experiences that you cannot at other times of the year.
Here are our top five things we think you should do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this spring:
 

  • Just Go!

 
It seems silly to make that one of the things to do in the park, but to put it plainly, you won’t enjoy the area if you don’t book the trip. That means finding accommodations, choosing the things you’ll do and making all of the other arrangements. Then, you can head out and get to the park!
 

  • The Trails

 
There are many hiking trails throughout the park, and they can be found in any level of skill or experience. Whether you want a trail safe for your toddler or a senior family member or you are eager to enjoy an advanced hike with stunning views from high up in the mountains, you’ll find plenty of options. Among the most popular in the spring are the Alum Cave Trail and the Chimney Tops Trail. You will also want to hike to Rainbow Falls and Mouse Creek.
And speaking of waterfalls, remember that the spring thaws mean lots of water and stunning waterfall action!
 

  • Cades Cove

 
It is fair to say that you haven’t experienced the park until you’ve paid a visit to famous Cades Cove, and because it is so popular, the spring is a great time to enjoy it without the traffic or high number of fellow visitors who will arrive in the summer. It is an 11 mile drive with lots of spots to stop, explore, walk, picnic and learn. The mountain scenery is staggering and you’ll probably see lots of park wildlife.
Don’t forget that spring is wildflower season, and while Cades Cove is great for them, they are bound to be almost everywhere you go!
 

  • Clingman’s Dome

 
Re-opening in the spring, it is the highest point in the mountains and along the entire Appalachian Trail! Obviously that means you get show-stopping views, and if you are eager to hike, you can carry on to Andrews Bald for even more stunning scenery.

  1. Drive

Here’s a wonderful thing about the park – you don’t even have to exit the vehicle to enjoy it. If you are short on time or have limited mobility, the park is still a stunning spot to visit in the spring with all kinds of scenic parking spots, drives and roads to take in the views.
So, if you haven’t booked a spring getaway just yet, make sure you aim yourself towards the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and savor a truly beautiful experience.
Source
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/maps.htm
 

Townsend Mercantile Co. Celebrates Second Anniversary

Posted on June 14, 2025 by - Blog

Written by: Emily Huffstetler

This weekend, the Townsend Mercantile celebrates its second anniversary, carrying on a name once tied to the town’s early logging days. While the shop isn’t connected to the original company store that served the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company more than a century ago, both have shared a similar purpose: serving the local community. 

When the world shut down in 2020, Brooke Webb voluntarily stepped away from her corporate job to spend more time with her family. As life returned to normal, she transitioned to remote work to stay closer to home, but the traditional 9-to-5 routine no longer felt like a good fit. Her husband had opened several businesses of his own, and she started to wonder: why not build something around the things she enjoyed? 

That’s when her idea to open Townsend Mercantile Co. was born. Today, the shop carries more than 2,000 products, including jewelry and accessories, home decor, toys, books, clothing, canned goods and locally made syrups—a modern-day general store that offers something for both locals and tourists.  

Webb learned early on in her research that this was the name of a business that served Townsend in the early 1900s until shortly after the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company closed in 1949. Back then, loggers paid for their goods with “doogaloo,” coins that could only be redeemed at the company store. Webb said customers have visited and told her they still have some of the coins, and she even received one as a gift. 

Fortunately, modern shoppers at Townsend Mercantile can stick to cash or card. Webb’s daughter, who likes to lend a hand when school is out, might even be the one ringing up customers. 

“They don’t really teach counting change at school anymore,” Webb said. “When people pay in cash, I really try to encourage her to learn how to make change.” 

It’s a win-win: her daughter is building valuable life skills, while also making her own mark on the store. Webb sometimes takes her along to markets, where she helps pick out items to stock. The store’s collection of Jellycats—a trendy line of plush toys—was inspired by her. 

Webb has also taken her staff of high school and college students under her wing. Watching them grow has become one of her favorite parts of the business. 

“I have girls that started with me in May of 2023, and seeing them grow and go on to their actual jobs…it’s a full-circle moment,” she said. “I don’t want to take all the credit, but they’re like my kids.” 

She said she feels proud to give them an opportunity she wishes she had at their age. “Giving that to someone is probably my favorite thing about this job.” 

While it can be challenging to employ young people because of their obligations to school and extracurriculars, Webb tries to give them “the best of both—to work but also get to enjoy doing the things that they should be doing at this age.” 

Webb has also worked to build a collection of products that reflects her own creative vision. Some of her favorite items in the store are ones she’s designed herself or collaborated on with others. 

“I really try to go above and beyond to find things that either a local can come in and get, or a tourist can’t find in other places,” she said. “I love any of our exclusive things that I’ve had a part in designing, whether that be a T-shirt, artwork [or other items].” 

Currently, she’s working with an artist to create ornaments featuring the historic churches of Cades Cove. “I’m not an artist, but I do have a vision,” Webb said. “That’s one of the things I enjoy most: bringing those ideas to life.” 

Along with exclusive designs, Webb makes a point to stock items from local and small businesses whenever possible. Supporting the local economy is especially important in a tourist town like Townsend, where business can slow down significantly in the off-season. 

“Always keep in mind to shop local and small,” she said. “January and February are super slow, so we’re thankful for any type of shopping during those times—at our store or anywhere local. Otherwise, we can’t survive, and we can’t hire people. When you can, support any local businesses in Townsend.” 

To learn more about Townsend Mercantile Co., visit www.townsendmercantileco.com. The shop is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. 

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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.

Townsend, Tennessee: A Hidden Gem Stealing the Spotlight

Posted on November 21, 2024 by - Blog, Uncategorized

Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Townsend, Tennessee, has long been cherished as the “peaceful side of the Smokies.” But 2024 was its year to shine. This charming small town has garnered national—and even international—recognition, inspiring countless travelers to experience its natural beauty.

From awe-inspiring scenery to unparalleled outdoor activities, Townsend has received glowing praise from major publications. Let’s take a look at how the world has fallen in love with this hidden gem—and why it should be at the top of your travel list.

Southern Living’s Love Letter to the Peaceful Side

Southern Living celebrated Townsend in their East Tennessee Road Trip feature, calling it “a gateway to adventure and serenity.” The article highlighted its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its reputation as a quiet haven for families and outdoor lovers.

Another Southern Living piece, Nostalgic Summer Camp Destinations, encouraged readers to embrace a slower pace in Townsend, where simple pleasures like stargazing, hiking, and campfire nights feel timeless.

This desirable locale also made Southern Living’s list of The 10 Best Tennessee Mountain Towns To Visit This Year

Townsend: A Darling Among Small Towns

In AFAR’s Charming Small Towns Near National Parks, Townsend was praised as “a quiet retreat for nature lovers.” Its easy access to iconic locations like Cades Cove and its slower pace were highlighted as perfect for those looking to escape crowds.

Yahoo Lifestyle featured Townsend in its 10 Best Tennessee Mountain Towns roundup, describing it as “a haven for tranquility” and a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

PBS showcased Townsend in a Hometowns episode.

World Atlas Names Townsend a Top Destination

World Atlas couldn’t resist Townsend’s charm, featuring it in multiple articles this year:

Travel + Leisure’s Smoky Mountain Highlight

Travel + Leisure included Townsend in their Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, applauding its blend of small-town charm and gateway access to some of the park’s best hiking trails and scenic spots.

Townsend also made Travel + Leisure’s list of 10 Best Mountain Towns According to Locals. 

Only in Your State’s Springtime Favorite

For seasonal adventures, Only in Your State recommended Townsend as a top destination for springtime exploration in Spring Getaways in Tennessee. The blooming wildflowers, crisp mountain air, and serene vistas make it a must-visit.

Yahoo’s Spotlight on Budget-Friendly Adventures

In another feature, The Cheapest U.S. National Parks to Visit in 2024, Yahoo Lifestyle highlighted Townsend as an affordable gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, emphasizing its budget-friendly lodging and dining options.

PR Magic in Action

This year’s incredible media buzz was partly the result of a targeted public relations campaign that introduced Townsend to 435 million people and boosted county tourism tax revenue by 20%. Interested in the strategy behind this success? Read more about the power of collaboration in this blog post.

Plan Your Visit 

Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat, thrilling outdoor adventures, or a gateway to the Smokies, Townsend is the perfect destination. Come experience the charm that’s captivated national attention—you might just fall in love with the “peaceful side of the Smokies.”

Get started on your adventure today at Smoky Mountains Tourism.

Townsend's Romantic Richmont Inn Provides Stunning Views of the Smokies

Posted on July 20, 2018 by - Blog, Lodging, Townsend

It’s not obvious at first glance, but the stunning view the Richmont Inn offers is right there in the name. That’s right! The “Richmont” in Richmont Inn refers to Rich Mountain, which is the majestic, lush, and endlessly scenic mountain that the Inn overlooks. Read on to find out more about this Appalachian treasure!

A Family-Owned Property in the Smokies Since 1991

Jim and Susan Hind opened Richmont Inn in 1991 as their own escape from corporate life. The couple grew up in the region and wanted to build a different kind of business, and one that would honor the history and culture of Appalachia and its people. When you’re not looking at their incredible view, you might notice that the design of the Inn’s main building evokes a traditional Appalachian cantilever barn, and the décor and furnishings throughout the property are styled to honor and enhance the traditional aesthetics of the Smokies.

The Richmont Experience Is Elegant

Staying at the Richmont offers much more than just a place to hang your hat. Guests of the Inn enjoy a gourmet breakfast, and can choose from upscale offerings like French baked eggs, homemade seven-grain granola, ambrosia oatmeal, and French Toast l’Orange, as well as all the standards like yogurt and freshly-squeezed orange juice. They have a candlelight dessert and coffee service each evening as well, which includes treats like Crème Brulee Kahlua and Strawberry Cassis Soufflé.
No expense is spared on the rooms, either. Named after icons of the Smokies, the stylishly-appointed rooms feature amenities like wood-burning fireplaces, whirlpool tubs for two, mini-fridges, Bose satellite radio, private balconies, and even skylights in the top-floor rooms. Still have your mind on the views? The Nancy Ward room comes with a private sitting balcony with views of the forest and nearby waterfall, and the Stickley Suite features a striking view of Rich Mountain.

Looking for a Wedding Venue?

Anyone looking for a stylish wedding or special events venue on the Peaceful Side of Smokies is in luck – The Richmont Inn is ready to play host! For those planning nuptials, they offer both indoor and outdoor wedding venues, including their romantic Chapel in the Woods and their great room overlooking Rich Mountain. They can arrange everything from the photography to catering to in-room massages for the honeymooners, and, of course, they can provide lodging for the wedding party and guests. Ask them about their wedding packages!
Small- to medium-size groups can also take advantage of the Richmont Inn’s facilities, whether they’ve come for a family reunion or a corporate training seminar. The Richmont offers catered dinners, full A/V support, corporate suites, and access to some of the best hiking and fishing the Smokies has to offer.