From the Peaceful Side of the Smokies
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…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Summer fun on the Peaceful Side doesn’t require a big vacation budget. Across Maryville, Alcoa and Townsend, visitors can cool off at local pools, explore museums, catch free concerts, watch drive-in movies, play indoor games, float the Little River and attend seasonal events for $25 or less. This guide is organized by base adult price, using the lowest realistic entry point for each activity. Taxes,…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler One of the fastest-growing airports in the nation is named for a man who died before commercial air travel reached East Tennessee. Charles McGhee Tyson was a Knoxville-raised World War I naval aviator who died in service in 1918. His name became part of East Tennessee’s aviation history because his parents, Brig.…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler It’s not too late to make Father’s Day plans on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. Whether you’re building a full weekend around Dad or choosing one special outing, here are two itineraries to inspire you. Townsend Father’s Day Itinerary A Father’s Day weekend in Townsend can be as simple as a morning hike, lunch in town and a relaxed afternoon activity. You can stay overnight or make…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler For most trips to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, a car is the easiest way to get between Townsend, Maryville, Walland and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can visit without renting a car in some cases. Downtown Maryville has walkable areas, and parts of Townsend are easy to explore on foot…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler In Townsend, summer has a way of drawing people to the Little River. The river runs alongside the road, slips beneath the trees and winds toward Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For visitors and locals looking to cool off, tubing offers a direct way to experience one of the Peaceful Side’s defining features. Townsend has two…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Maryville shoppers have two farmers market options this season. Rural King’s Blount County Farm Days brings local crafters, homestead vendors, small-scale farmers, food vendors and makers to Rural King twice a month. Downtown, the Maryville Farmers’ Market operates Saturdays at Founders Square with a formal, producer-only structure. Rural King’s Blount County Farm…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Before travel influencers, East Tennessee had Bill Landry. From 1984 to 2009, Landry hosted WBIR Channel 10’s The Heartland Series, a program that gave people a closer look at what made the region special. Today, many of the episodes are free to watch online. Here are 10 Heartland Series picks about the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. The Townsend Dig Archaeology…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Mother’s Day weekend is here, and there are plenty of ways to spend it close to home. From brunch reservations to craft classes, here’s what’s happening around Maryville, Townsend and Louisville. Saturday, May 9 Mudder’s Day Madness Mud Run 5K & Fun Run Camp Montvale, 4901 Montvale Road, Maryville, TN 37803 5K at 10 a.m.; fun…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler On Wednesdays from May 6 through Sept. 30, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close Cades Cove Loop Road to motor vehicles. The closure gives cyclists, walkers and runners access to the 11-mile loop without regular car traffic. Here’s what to know before you go. Don’t Count on Early-Morning Parking Vehicle-Free Wednesdays are popular, and parking…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Three routes on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies are now part of BikeTN, a statewide program from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development that highlights road and gravel rides across Tennessee. The local additions include a shorter paved ride in Townsend, a gravel climb into Cades Cove and a longer Foothills Parkway challenge. Townsend Out-and-Back …
Written by: Emily Huffstetler The best memories are made outdoors—and even better with your dog by your side. From morning walks along the river to evenings around the campfire, the Peaceful Side offers plenty of ways to plan a pet-friendly trip. Here’s where to camp, where to eat and what to know before you go. Where to Camp with…
