From the Peaceful Side of the Smokies
Written by: Emily Huffstetler While some national park services are limited during the federal shutdown, Townsend and Blount County remain open and welcoming. Great Smoky Mountains National Park itself is still accessible, but with fewer staffed facilities, some visitors may want additional options to round out their trip. Tourism is essential here. In 2024, visitors…
Blount County and the Townsend community remain open and welcoming to visitors while federal agencies operate with reduced staffing. We are closely coordinating with Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) officials and local emergency services to prioritize visitor safety and protect our natural and cultural resources. What visitors should know now: Townsend & Blount County…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler In the decades following the Civil War, Maryville was a town in transition. The war had left Downtown Maryville in ruins, and rebuilding came slowly. Brick and frame storefronts began to rise again, and on the city’s edges, new homes appeared. Among them was Indiana Avenue, where Quaker settlers from Indiana…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Many East Tennessee place names come from the Cherokee language, especially from the Overhill Cherokee—settlements along the Little Tennessee River that English traders in the 1700s reached by traveling “over the hills.” Some names remain nearly unchanged, while others were adapted by settlers. Here are a few examples located in and…
Written by: Smokies Life Smokies Life announces its fall schedule of Branch Out events, with 19 total activities and adventures being offered between mid-September and December. From moderate-to-robust naturalist hikes on park trails to engaging virtual events enjoyed from home, Branch Out programs offer activities for a wide range of interests.“Fall is an ideal time…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler On September 2, 1940, thousands gathered at Newfound Gap to dedicate Great Smoky Mountains National Park. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, standing against the backdrop of spruce and fir, promised the land “to the service of the millions of American people.”1 “There are trees here that stood before our forefathers ever came…
The Downtown Maryville Alliance in partnership with the City of Maryville, the Blount Partnership and the Clayton Center for the Arts is proud to announce its advancement to the public voting phase for the prestigious Levitt AMP Music Series Grant, a multi-year funding opportunity that could bring a free, outdoor concert series to Maryville beginning…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler From concerts and festivals to workshops, markets and family fun, September on the Peaceful Side is packed with ways to celebrate community and the outdoors. Here’s a preview of what’s in store. September 4 – Taste of Blount The 23rd Annual Taste of Blount takes over Theater in the Park in Maryville,…
As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County ranked eighth among Tennessee’s 95 counties in 2024 visitor expenditures at $610.9 million, a six-percent increase from $576.1 million in 2023, 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…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler The story of Southern Appalachian English in Blount County starts in the late 1700s, when Scots-Irish, English and some German families moved into the valleys and coves of the Smokies. They spread throughout the county, from Cades Cove—settled in 1818—to small hollers and ridges, bringing with them their mother tongues and…
RT Lodge, an approachable luxury retreat nestled in nature on the historic Maryville College campus, has unveiled plans for two new spaces – The Carriage House spa and the Meeting House, to offer an immersive experience for locals, travelers and corporate guests. The lodge, renowned for its welcoming hospitality, inviting accommodations and gourmet dining, is…
Written by: Emily Huffstetler Whether you’re searching for a new way to spend time with family or thinking about picking up a relaxing hobby, birdwatching in Cades Cove is hard to beat. The open fields, quiet woods and mountain views make it one of the best spots in the Smokies to see birds up close.…
