From the Peaceful Side of the Smokies
Written by: Emily Huffstetler The bridges on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies bring charm to local trails, parks and scenic spots. From unique pedestrian walkways to historic covered bridges, each crossing offers a glimpse into the area’s past and invites exploration. Here are a few of our favorites. Sunshine Bridge (Townsend) The Sunshine Bridge,…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler The early 20th century marked a period of transformation for the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. Following the forced removal of the Cherokee people in the late 1830s, European settlers brought new developments to the region. The advent of commercial logging at the turn of the century drastically altered the natural…
Peaceful Side Brewery earned a gold medal at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival (GABF®) competition, hosted and presented by the Brewers Association. In the 2024 competition, beers and ciders spanning 107 categories and 175 different styles were judged meticulously by 285 judges over 7 days. Awards presented during the Great American Beer Festival competition…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler As the leaves begin to change color and the temperature cools, fall on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies invites celebration. This season offers a variety of community gatherings and Halloween festivities. Here’s a preview of what’s in store. Oct. 19: Blount County Public Library Fall Festival Bring the whole family…
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is proud to announce that, for the second consecutive year, it has earned a place among TripAdvisor’s Top 1% Fine Dining Restaurants worldwide for 2024. This prestigious accolade underscores the restaurant’s commitment to delivering unforgettable culinary experiences and consistently earning outstanding reviews from the TripAdvisor community. Being recognized in the TripAdvisor…
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,…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Grace (noun)—Unmerited divine assistance. When COVID-19 struck Townsend, Kathy Janke decided to temporarily close Gracehill Bed and Breakfast and devote herself to her art. “I thought, I’ll answer the phone; I’ll take a reservation and pay my bills. But I’m not cooking. I’m not cleaning. I’m just going to work on art,”…
In consultation with local authorities and out of an abundance of caution due to expected inclement weather produced by Hurricane Helene, the Blount Partnership made the difficult decision to cancel the Townsend Fall Heritage and Bluegrass Festival scheduled for September 27-28 at the Townsend Events Center in Townsend. With the safety of attendees, performers, and…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler With winding mountain roads and incredible scenery, it’s no surprise that the Peaceful Side of the Smokies is such a popular biking destination. Make your way down for the second-annual Smoky Mountain Bike Week, set for Sept. 28 to Oct. 5, to experience some of the world’s best riding, check out…
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…
As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County ranked eighth among Tennessee’s 95 counties in 2023 visitor expenditures at $576.1 million, a six-percent increase from $543.9 million in 2022, according to the Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties report issued by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Gov. Bill Lee. On an…
A new National Park Service report shows that 13,297,647 visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2023 spent $2.2 billion in communities near the park. That spending supported 33,748 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $3.4 billion. “I’m so proud that our parks and the…
