First Time on the Peaceful Side? Start Here

Written by: Emily Huffstetler

The Peaceful Side of the Smokies lies in Blount County, where the Appalachian foothills meet Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

These mountains are part of the ancestral homeland of the Cherokee. European-American settlers came later, establishing communities whose cabins, churches and barns remain in places like Cades Cove. 

The same mountains support remarkable biodiversity. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to 31 species of salamanders, along with thousands of other plant and animal species. 

There’s a lot to take in, but no reason to rush through it. If it’s your first visit, here’s where to start. 

What Towns Are on the Peaceful Side?

Townsend borders Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Little River runs through town. 

About 20 miles away, Maryville has a walkable downtown. McGhee Tyson Airport is in Alcoa. 

Walland sits along the Little River between Maryville and Townsend. In Friendsville, Quaker roots date to the 1790s, with local history tied to the Civil War. 

Louisville is on Fort Loudoun Lake. Rockford takes its name from an early rocky river crossing between Maryville and Knoxville. 

Where Should I Start? 

The Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority operates two visitor centers: 

Townsend Visitor Center 
7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Townsend, TN 37882 

Maryville Welcome Center 
201 S. Washington St., Maryville, TN 37804 

Both provide local information and trip-planning resources. Before you arrive, view the Peaceful Side Vacation Guide online or request a printed copy. 

Where Should I Stay? 

Blount County lodging ranges from campsites and cabins to hotels and resorts. For a luxury stay, Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain are two options in Walland. 

Browse Places to Stay by location or lodging type. 

Do I Need a Car? 

For most visitors, a car is the easiest way to travel between Blount County communities and the national park. Public transportation is limited, and reaching most trailheads and scenic drives requires a vehicle.  

Check out this guide to getting around the Peaceful Side. 

What Should I Know About the National Park? 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park doesn’t charge an entrance fee, but vehicles parked for more than 15 minutes need a parking tag. Daily and weekly tags are available online through Recreation.gov or at machines and sales locations throughout the park. Annual tags are another option. 

The park covers more than half a million acres and has over 800 miles of trails. If you’re new to hiking in the Smokies, start with this guide. 

Cades Cove, one of the park’s most popular destinations, is a historic mountain valley with preserved homes and churches. You can drive the 11-mile, one-way loop or explore it on foot or by bicycle during seasonal vehicle-free Wednesdays. Wildlife sightings are common. Cades Cove Riding Stables also offers horseback rides, carriage rides and hayrides. 

For a shorter outing, follow the 0.8-mile round-trip paved trail off Foothills Parkway West to Look Rock Tower. The observation tower overlooks the Smokies and Blount County.   

If you see wildlife, keep at least 50 yards from bears and 25 yards from elk. 

Before heading out, check current road conditions and closures through the National Park Service. 

What Else Is There to Do? 

In Townsend, the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center covers regional history and culture. The Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum tells the story of the logging operation and railroad that helped build the town. 

Townsend Artisan Gallery and Gracehill Fine Art & Basketry feature work by regional artists and craftspeople. For souvenirs, shops like Townsend Mercantile Co. and Apple Valley General Store carry Smokies apparel, home decor and treats.  

Company Distilling produces Tennessee whiskey, bourbon and other spirits, with tastings available. 

Fly fishing and tubing with Smoky Mountain River Rat or River Rage Tubing are great ways to spend time on the Little River. On foot, there are little treasures to discover along the way. 

In Maryville, spend an afternoon along Broadway Avenue, browsing local shops or stopping by the Capitol Theatre. Nearby, The Armory has duckpin bowling, digital darts, a nine-hole putting course and VR games. 

The Maryville-Alcoa Greenway follows Pistol Creek and connects several parks between Maryville and Alcoa. At Maryville College, the 140-acre College Woods has trails and a disc golf course. 

Find more activities in Things to Do. For fresh ideas and weekend events, follow @peacefulsmokies on Instagram and The Peaceful Side of the Smokies on Facebook. 

Where Should I Eat? 

Southern Appalachian cooking is part of the Peaceful Side experience. 

In Townsend, Sharons’ Half Day Cafe serves breakfast and lunch, including biscuits with Benton’s country ham. Peaceful Side Social incorporates ingredients like smoked trout and pimiento cheese into a casual menu, while Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro takes a seasonal approach to Appalachian cooking. 

Maryville’s Foothills Milling Cafe has a creative lunch menu, with dishes like pimiento mac and cheese and a salad topped with cornbread croutons. The Walnut Kitchen pairs Southern staples with a broader contemporary menu, while RT Lodge makes many items in house and changes its dinner menu with the seasons. 

Find more restaurants in Eat & Drink. 

Where Can I Hear Live Music? 

The region has a strong bluegrass tradition, alongside a broader mix of live music. For a taste of true Appalachian music heritage, head to Rocky Branch on Friday nights, where local musicians gather for an evening of traditional mountain music.

In Townsend, the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center hosts bluegrass, Americana, country and other genres in its covered amphitheater. The Abbey also has live music on Fridays and Saturdays beside the Little River. 

The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint in Maryville hosts concerts throughout the year. Tri-Hop Brewery regularly brings live music to its downtown taproom, while the Clayton Center for the Arts presents touring performers and Maryville College ensembles. 

Check Upcoming Events for performances during your stay. 

What If It Rains? 

If rain changes the plan, museums and indoor recreation offer alternatives to trails or scenic drives. Tuckaleechee Caverns offers an underground adventure in Townsend, with guided tours through its cave system.

Use this rainy-day guide to build a backup plan before your trip. 

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.