From the Peaceful Side of the Smokies
It is Christmastime in the Smokies, and this year, the Peaceful Side has a new holiday experience for the whole family. Smoky Mountain Lights is a drive-thru light show located at the Townsend Visitor Center. This Christmas light display embraces all things Smoky Mountain so that you can expect bears and camping and bigfoot; oh…
We’ve finally made it to that much-awaited time of year when the weather cools down and the fall foliage hits its climactic changes. Peak leaf peeping season is in full effect. The Smoky Mountains are bursting into wondrous red, orange and yellow hues – a must-see for locals and visitors alike. Best Times to See…
With cooler temperatures and the emergence of vibrant red and orange hues, fall is upon us, which means camping season is here. Bundle up! These are the top places to camp in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. Make it a family vacation.Big Meadow Family Campground (RV only)It’s no surprise the National Association of RV…
Any East Tennessee history buff can tell you plenty about the long history we have with Grains & Grits, liquor and bootleg in this neck of the woods. Corn whiskey dates back as far as the early settlers of the Appalachian foothills. Moonshining, named from the practice of distilling under the moonlight to avoid unwanted…
Bubba Daniel is a unique and authentic chainsaw artist creating something special in Townsend, TN. You can currently find him and many of his creations on the plot of land behind Cades Cove Jeep Outpost and beside Bigfoot Popcorn. Although presently a work in progress, Bubba has big dreams for the property. He envisions an…
As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County ranked eighth among Tennessee’s 95 counties in visitor expenditures at $476.68 million, a 41-percent increase from $337.01 million in 2020, according to the Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties report issued by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Gov. Bill Lee. Blount County is…
Famous for its expansive, colorful, and lush landscaping, Anakeesta is enhancing its commitment to being stewards of the living earth by recently receiving an arboretum accreditation for Vista Gardens. The area is an incredible mountaintop garden retreat in the smoky mountains. The mission of the Anakeesta Arboretum is to provide an experiential sensory garden that…
It is #InternationalBeerDay, and in celebration, we put together highlights from some of our favorite watering holes on the Peaceful Side. We’ve also listed some of the local Maryville breweries so you know what to look for while visiting. Townsend Abbey Address: 7765 River Rd., Townsend, TN 37882 Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm (Thurs-Sun) Townsend Abbey…
The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make several appearances in the area on September 10 and 11, including two at McGhee Tyson Airport in conjunction with the Smoky Mountain Air Show, presented by DENSO. The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the…
There is no better outing during the summer than a trip to one of the many Waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains. Luckily, there are over 2,000 miles of rivers and streams in the national park, resulting in a series of over 100 cascades and falls. We have picked out a handful of beautiful hikes…
Some of us live to wake before dawn to witness the promise of a new day as the sun crests the horizon, sending away the navy and blue with its crimson and yellow joy. Others, however, relish as life begins to slow down, pulling the sun through cotton candy skies until it gracefully slides behind…
They’re currently stored in the cool confines of Dr. Nathan Duncan’s basement, but on Saturday, June 25, eight brews created by Maryville College students will be available for sampling by roughly 1,000 attendees of a craft beer festival. The annual event, known as Hops in the Hills and held in downtown Maryville, is part of…
