From the Peaceful Side of the Smokies
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has been named to OpenTable’s 2026 Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America, earning the distinction as the only restaurant in East Tennessee to appear on the national list. Based on more than 14 million verified diner reviews, the honor recognizes restaurants that consistently deliver exceptional food, service, and atmosphere. For Dancing…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Love is in the air! Valentine’s on the Peaceful Side is for couples, families and friends alike. From pop-ups and brunches in Maryville to prix-fixe dinners and overnight getaways in Townsend and Walland, here are the local events and specials happening February 6 through 15. February 6–7 – Love Local Market Two full days…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler On the Peaceful Side, it’s not unusual for a longtime-local’s basement to feel like a mini history museum, filled with practical pieces, family heirlooms and other treasures. That tradition of holding on to things and taking good care of them makes the area great for antiquing. Here are 10 shops worth exploring in Walland, Rockford, Louisville and Maryville. Walland Cook’s…
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is pleased to announce the fourth annual Tremont Writers Conference, an intensive five-day retreat for writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry coordinated in conjunction with Smokies Life. Applications to participate may be submitted online now through May 15 at writers.gsmit.org. Held Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 25, the…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler The Peaceful Side of the Smokies gets even quieter in the wintertime. If you like a slower pace and a little more breathing room, this is the season for you. Here are five reasons off-season trips feel easier. Off-season days usually come with fewer cars on the road, which means less time sitting…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Long before DoorDash and Instacart, rolling stores delivered essentials to Blount County residents who couldn’t make a quick run to town. Trucks or retrofitted buses followed regular routes, stocked like a compact general store. America had traveling merchants long before the term “rolling store” existed. But the model changed once motor vehicles became more common. A driver could carry more goods than…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Feeling cooped up after the holidays? Kick off the New Year with fresh air and a fresh start. Here are five gentle ways to get outside on the Peaceful Side. Dogwood Arts’ Art in Public Places brings outdoor sculptures to spots around Maryville and Alcoa, and several are easy to pair with a walk on the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway. The greenway…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler A Peaceful Side wedding marries breathtaking mountain scenery with ease of access. Loved ones from afar can fly in at the McGhee Tyson airport, a quick drive from a multitude of incredible venues. Here’s a glimpse of our favorites. Blackberry Farm – Walland Up to 140 guests A Blackberry Farm wedding…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler In the weeks leading up to Christmas, children in Blount County wrote letters to Santa Claus for publication in the local newspaper. These letters, spanning the 1920s through the 1960s, record Christmas wishes and everyday life across the county. The 1920s In the 1920s, Blount County was still rural, and Christmas lists…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Sometimes, the best gifts don’t fit under the tree. They’re the memories you make with the people you love and the stories you’ll tell for years to come. Here are our favorite giftable experiences on the Peaceful Side. For the Outdoor Adventurer: A Day Out with Smoky Mountain Guides Smoky Mountain Guides offers guided day hikes for all levels,…
RT Lodge announced the retirement of General Manager Gary Doyle, whose leadership has shaped the property for more than two decades. Doyle will remain on RT Lodge’s board of directors but will pass the role of general manager to seasoned hospitality executive and Blount County native Kelley Harris at the end of this month. RT…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler No need for a DD this holiday season. Daisy’s Non-Alcoholic Bar and Bottle Shop is Maryville’s hot new hub for sober fun. Across the country, more people are rethinking their relationship with alcohol. Recent national surveys show that 49% of American adults say they’re actively trying to drink less. Meanwhile, Gallup finds that only 54% of U.S. adults say they…
