Category: Maryville

Spend a Day Exploring Maryville, Tennessee

Posted on January 8, 2019 by dstech - Blog, Maryville

Tucked into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the town of Maryville, TN dates far back in America’s history. Beginning as an 18th century fort, it officially became a town before the turn of that same century. Just twenty short miles from the bright lights and fun of Knoxville, it retains a small-town feel and, as it is surrounded by beautiful scenery, it is a popular place among the region’s many travelers.

What to Do in Maryville

While one of the common things to do during a visit to Maryville is to actually leave it and head into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with an entrance just 13 miles from downtown), there is a great deal to see and do in the town itself. A brief list of the local activities include:

The Alcoa-Maryville Greenway – Running between the two towns, it features a riverside footpath and bicycle path with many ways to enter or exit along the way. Nine miles in length, it begins in Maryville’s Sandy Springs Park and you will often be able to access shopping districts and nature areas from the trail.
Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse – Though associated with Texas, Sam Houston originated in East Tennessee and was a teacher in the Maryville area. A visit here is unforgettable and truly charming at any time of year.
Blount County Historical Museum – Located in town, it can be a great companion to a visit to the Cades Cove Museum and the Sam Houston site (above) if you want a good history of the region.
Capitol Theater – This authentic Art Deco treasure dates back to the 1920s and can seat around one thousand guests. Book a tour, and visit their coffee house.
The Antique Malls – If you are an antique enthusiast, you have some great choices right in Maryville, including the Parkway Antique Mall and the Druid Hill Antique Mall, among others.
Foothills Mall – A classic mall with movie theater, shops, and big box stores, it also features specialty stores and eateries.
Vineyards and Breweries – Like other areas of the region, Maryville also meets the needs and interests of those eager to sample local specialties that include wine and other alcoholic beverages. Options popular with travelers include Blue Goose Farm and Vineyards, Round 6 Brewing, and Pleasant Hill Vineyards, among others.

When the weather is fine, there is even more you can do and see in town. For example, there is a fully functional drive-in movie theater, The Parkway Drive-In, that remains open from spring through fall.
Don’t forget that the area is ideal for cabin rentals all year long, and these can serve as a wonderful base from which to make a greater exploration of Maryville and the entire region. Whether you head to Look Rock Tower along the Foothills Parkway (another great thing to explore while in town) or do a food tour of the many barbecue restaurants and other specialty foods, you can make an entire vacation from this one town and the natural beauty all around it.

Take the Kids to a Real Drive-In Theater in Maryville, Tennessee

Posted on June 22, 2018 by dstech - Activities, Blog, Maryville

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

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Rachel Coffman - Blog, Lodging, Maryville

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

Trek Out to Look Rock Tower in Maryville

Posted on May 14, 2018 by dstech - Activities, Blog, Maryville

It has often been said that the best gems are those found off the beaten path (no pun intended). Look Rock Tower trail isn’t as popular as many of the other trails in the area, mostly because it is outside of what is referred as the “Traditional Tourist Zone.” Yet, along this short, paved trail, you will find amazing scenery and incredible beauty.
The parking lot, right off from the Foothills Parkway, sits by a stone overlook with spectacular mountain vistas that provide camera buffs with incredible scenery for landscape photography. The overlook is easy to reach via a short staircase.

It’s a Short Hike to the Look Rock Tower in Maryville, TN

Although the hike is only a half hour round trip, it’s a great starter hike for the whole family. Along the way, there are sitting rocks with which to take a break or take some really great family photos. Unlike many other trails, this one is paved and wide enough for you to walk alongside your kids. The trail is exceptionally well-maintained, making it a pleasure for everyone in your family.
There aren’t any sharp drop-offs along the way for you to worry about the young ones falling down, and the trail offers only a mild climb from beginning to end. One thing for those with little ones, you may find the slope a bit much if you are planning to use a stroller. You might find that using a carrier sling or kid-backpack is a better option. Take all the time you want, let your little ones walk for a bit and explore, and enjoy the hike.

The Piece de Resistance

If you think the scenery as you walk up the trail is magnificent, “you ain’t seen nothing’ yet,” as the saying goes. The most spectacular views are those seen from the top of Look Rock Tower. To get to the top, you must go up three separate ramps. The good news is that these ramps have only a mild incline, so you shouldn’t need to rest on your way up.
Once you reach the top of Look Rock Tower, you are treated to a breathtaking 360-degree view of this part of eastern Tennessee. From the left side of the tower, you can see incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains, while from the right you have one of the most spectacular views of the seemingly endless Tennessee Valley. In fact, while you are at the top of Lookout Tower on a clear day, you can see all the way to Knoxville and then some.
The hike to Look Rock Tower may not be one of the most challenging you and your family have ever hiked, but it is perfect for those who are just getting started hiking. The trail measures 0.9 miles from the starting point to the tower and is accessible all year round. You can even bring Rover along for the walk as long as you keep him on a leash and pick up after him. Plan to hike here several times a year as the scenery changes dramatically with the seasons! You never know what you might see while you are here.

Walls for Women in Maryville: Meet Nicole Salgar's Mural, Senderos

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Rachel Coffman - Blog, Maryville

Murals have become a growing trend in East Tennessee, and for good reason. Public art brings communities together by creating vibrant neighborhoods people take pride in and work to keep beautiful. It draws people into conversation, creating opportunities to share ideas and experiences. Earlier this year, DMA-events, Inc. chose Maryville to be one of seven cities to participate in Walls for Women as a celebration of the 19th Amendment centennial and Tennessee’s place in that history.

BEFORE: Bike ‘N Tri in Downtown Maryville prior to the mural

AFTER: Bike ‘N Tri in Downtown Maryville now

Walls for Women Inspiration

DMA seeks to educate through art and capture the creative spirit of a community via artistic vision. By promoting public art and the artists who create these installations, the nonprofit aims to bring beauty and new voices into the world. Tennessee’s part in ratifying the 19th Amendment and 100 years of women’s suffrage inspired the Walls for Women project. DMA co-founder Kristin Luna states: “Like nearly every profession, a gender gap exists in the art world. Women muralists are not afforded the same opportunities as their male counterparts. Tennessee’s street art scene is predominantly male, despite there being hundreds of female muralists every bit as talented. To commemorate 100 years of women having federally- recognized voting rights, we want to give female artists the chance to create and leave a piece of history behind.”

The Artist

The Walls for Women artist chosen for Maryville is Nicole Salgar, a visual artist of Latina descent. She traveled from Miami with her partner Chuck Berrett, with whom she has been working for more than a decade. Nicole’s passion for learning about different cultures has led her to travel around the world; she has worked with local communities in Cuba, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Her travels have allowed her to develop her instinctual self-expression through her art.

When asked about her craft, she says, “art and design are both something I see as a powerful, transformative force which can elevate the practitioners, the people, and their communities.”

Her company, NS/CB, began in NYC in the street realm, but they quickly evolved through their travel and experience. They soon expanded their skillset into high-end interior design, fine art, traditional illustration, fabrication, and installation through various mediums. They have residential clients and commercial clientele, from Fortune 500 companies, small business owners, and non-profit organizations. Their mission is to create an irreplaceable piece unique to living spaces, work environments, and public locations.

“Senderos,” the Mural

Nicole calls her mural “Senderos,” meaning trails or paths; it stretches 35 feet high and 100 feet wide and took over 100 hours to complete. It is located on the Bike ‘N Tri building on Broadway Avenue and is one of the largest walls Nicole has painted to date.

When asked to describe Senderos, Nicole explained:

“The woman in this mural is meant to portray a gatekeeper to other dimensions or realities. Her existence is one that flows through time without boundaries. The lock and key connect to gateways or portals into the unknown. They can also be interpreted as a way to unlock the hidden self. An archway showcasing an upward stairway sits at the center of her chest, while a hand enters the frame holding the key. I intentionally set the woman in a range of misty mountains to reflect Maryville’s location in the foothills of the beautiful Smoky Mountains. I wanted to capture the environment as if it was twilight when everything seems to be covered in a soft illuminating glow. Ultimately, this mural is a culmination of the maternal and feminine spirit of all things, being tied together through reality, dreams, space, and time. Boundless energy which makes up the entire universe.”