May 10, 2023
Our Summer Playlist | This Summer’s Peaceful Side To-Do List
We’ve assembled the perfect Peaceful Side Playlist for your Summer trip to the Smokies. Check out our Summer To-Do list full of some of our favorite spots, events, and activities happening this summer in Blount County.
“Hot Fun In The Summertime” by Sly & The Family Stone (1969)
Hiking the Smokies
There are over 900 miles of hiking trails, 150 different trails, including 71 miles of Appalachian trails in the Peaceful Side. Whether you are looking for a day trip with the family or love the challenge of backpacking through the mountains, we have the hiking experience.
Vee Hollow
Vee Hollow offers 14 miles of adventure bike trails, a skills course for beginners, XC trails, downhill mountain trails, and a one-of-a-kind jump zone through the woods. Enjoy a unique mountain biking experience designed for beginners and experienced riders alike.
Tremont Institute
In partnership with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tremont Institute’s mission is to deliver experiential learning for youth, educators, and adults through programs promoting self-discovery, critical thinking, effective teaching, and leadership. Click on the link above to see which program speaks to you.
Bigfoot Popcorn
Bigfoot Popcorn is a family-owned and operated business crafting in-house gourmet flavored popcorn. They pride themselves on different, intriguing flavors that create happiness for your taste buds.
Cades Cove
Step back in time to rediscover life as a settler in the 1820s. You’ll find log homes, churches, mills, barns, smokehouses, and more. Cades Cover offers visitors opportunities to hike, drive the winding Cades Cove Loop, picnic, bicycle, ride horseback, or camp under the stars.
“Summer Nights” by John Travolta And Olivia Newton-john (1978)
Sunset Concert Series
Unwind with music at the Sunset Concert Series at the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center. The 350-seat outdoor covered amphitheater hosts the Friday night concert series. Concerts begin at 7 pm, last about two hours, and feature some of the best new and established musical groups – bluegrass, jazz, blues, Americana, and country. Click on the link above to see the concert schedule.
Peaceful Side Social
Peaceful Side Social brews memories with a Smoky Mountain Purpose in the heart of Townsend Town Square. Welcoming locals & travelers alike, they offer respite from the crowds with flavorful plates, their own craft beer, uncluttered mountain views, and fresh air. Kick back, relax, play corn hole with friends, and enjoy delicious Farm-to-Counter fare.
The Townsend Abbey
The Townsend Abbey proudly showcases local Craft Beer in the unique setting of a remodeled chapel. We pride ourselves on offering the finest local brews and tasty bites. Watch your favorite sports event with us, or sit by the river and enjoy the Smoky Mountain atmosphere!
Dancing Bear Lodge
This Townsend resort is on a 38-acre property and features 26 charming and rustic accommodations and an award-winning restaurant. “Dancing Bear Lodge is home to the Appalachian Bistro, where comfort food classics paired with the breathtaking beauty all around will make you want to sit a spell and soak it all in,” as featured on the Travel Channel’s hit series Food Paradise: Hotel Hot Spots.
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort
Little Arrow Resort is steps away from the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the closest resort to Cades Cove. Their luxurious accommodations include perks like wood-burning fireplaces, plush bedding, fully stocked kitchens, and more. They offer RV sites, cabins, glamping tents, tiny homes, airstreams, and vacation homes. Other amenities include a spa-like swimming pool, easy river access, hiking trails, and other exciting onsite activities.
“We’re Gonna Save The Summer” by The Pearlfishers (1999)
Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival
May 20th – 21st from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Welcome to East Tennessee’s premier celebration of Scottish culture and history, the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games. The Townsend Visitor Center is the host, offering 30-plus acres, including adjacent parking. This event features clans, vendors, and local and national performers. Festival attendees will be treated to vibrant cultural and educational presentations. Competitions include the hammer throw or caber toss, a medley of bands including bagpipes and drummers, and clan challenges like the kilted mile run or the battle axe competition. At the same time, Scotch-tasting seminars will feature a bit of history and humor, and the Border Collie demonstrations will showcase their herding abilities.
Burger Master
Once known as “The Chalet” to locals, Burger Master Drive-In has been a staple in this gorgeous Smoky Mountain valley for generations. Over 50 years later, the original iconic lit ice cream chalet sign is still shining bright on our rooftop to let old and new friends know it’s finally summertime in Townsend. They proudly serve Braveheart Black Angus Beef® in each of our delicious burgers. Beef this tasty can only come from U.S. family ranches that raise their cattle with care. The Mayfield® soft-serve ice cream makes its sweet debut in classic shakes, swirled and dipped cones, flurries with all your favorite fixings, banana splits piled high, and so much more.
Summer on Broadway
June 23rd – 24th
Come to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies in Blount County for Summer on Broadway, a series of outdoor events to celebrate the region and season. Events include Smoky Mountain Dock Dogs, Headphone Silent Disco, Big BBQ Bash, Farmer’s Market, Craft Vendors, Food Trucks, and Kid’s Area.
Hops in the Hills
June 24th from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hops in the Hills Craft Beer Festival, set against the backdrop of the Smokies, returns for its seventh celebration. This festival allows attendees to sample regional craft beer from the best breweries in the area. This year’s festival will take place at the Maryville Greenway Amphitheater, allowing extra space for games, lounging, and live music. Festival price includes tastings, food, and an official event t-shirt.
Company Distilling
The second Company Distilling location—and first newly-constructed distillery for Company Distilling—is located on 13.5 acres on the Little River in Townsend, TN. With a production area, bottle/retail shop, and bar with portfolio tastings and a signature cocktail menu, you can spend some time with your best company in The Peaceful Side of the Smokies. Grab a bite to eat and sip on whiskey and bourbon cocktails as you enjoy one of our scheduled programs, or join us at a quieter time and enjoy the sounds of nature outside. The Townsend Greenway passes right by this location (perfect for walkers and bicyclists). We also have plenty of parking for those driving to and from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gather Around indoors or outside on the patio area and enjoy ample seating, cornhole boards, and other activities.
“Summertime” by Dj Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (1991)
Buggin’ the Dragon
June 3rd from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Once again, Air-cooled VWs will attack the Dragon, starting in Townsend, TN. 318 Curves in 11 miles – Designated US129, the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest.
Air-cooled Volkswagens are more than “just a car” to the enthusiasts that own them. We want to see the individuality in every one of them! They put time, money, and a lot of love into these little cars daily.
Taste of the Smokies
June 3rd from 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Celebrate the Tastes of Appalachian culture with regional food, music, and history at Tastes of the Smokies, an annual community event benefiting the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. At a leisurely pace, guests can see what’s current, new, and on the drawing board at the GSM heritage center. While mingling with living history demonstrators, attendees may meander through the galleries and Appalachian Village. At the same time, they enjoy artfully prepared food and drink provided by respected local restaurants known for their quality regional Appalachian fair. At 7:00, we will gather at the Heritage Center amphitheater for a wonderful concert from the Driftboat Cowboys.
Freedom Fest
June 24th from 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Held at the Duck Pond in Alcoa, Freedom Fest features food vendors, crafters, and a Kid’s Cove with various activities for the entire family. There will be live music and a fireworks show at approximately 9:30.
Hot Air Balloon Festival
August 19th from 3:00 – 9:00
Join us this August for a summertime spectacle when professional balloonist light up the evening sky with a beautiful balloon glow and spectacular tethered rides. The atmosphere will be filled with a kaleidoscope of color against a backdrop of a breathtaking Tennessee Smoky Mountain sunset in beautiful Townsend, Tennessee.
“Cool For The Summer” by Demi Lovato (2015)
Tuckaleechee Caverns
Voted the highest-ranking cave or cavern in the Eastern United States, Tuckaleechee Caverns is a great all-weather option for your Smoky Mountain Vacation. The cave is open from March to November, offering families a great escape from the summer heat or one of those pesky pop-up thunderstorms for which East Tennessee is known. It will not only give you a break from the weather but will also give you a unique glimpse beneath the mountains and into a national treasure! What better place to cool down than the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies,” where the average temperature is a comfortable 58 degrees year-round?
Tubing the Little River
In the heat of summer, there’s no better way to cool off than tubing in the Little River at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Parts of the river are calm pools of cool water, while other parts are fast rapids and swirling pools. The water is clean, clear, and refreshing. Tubing on the Little River is fun for the whole family. To schedule your summer tubing trip, contact one of Townsend’s tubing companies: River Rage Tubing, Smoky Mountain Outdoor Center, and Smoky Mountain River Rat.
Waterfalls
The national park has over 2,000 miles of rivers and streams, resulting in over 100 cascades and falls. We have picked out a handful of beautiful hikes in the Peaceful Side of the park for every experience level. Meigs Falls is one of the most accessible waterfalls to visit. The trip to Spruce Flat Falls is only two miles roundtrip, but it can get significantly steep, making it a more challenging hike. If you want a more strenuous adventure, check out the Ramsey Cascades. Abrams Falls is one of the “Waterfall Quartet,” a group of four waterfalls, including Abrams, Laurel, Grotto, and Rainbow Falls. Don’t forget the Indian Flats Falls is beyond Toms Branch Falls, another half-mile, turning right onto Indian Creek Trail.
Fly Fishing
Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing is an ideal way to spend an afternoon with over 2100 miles of rivers and streams running through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and year-round open waters. We welcome everyone to come and enjoy the solitude and peace of a bit of fishing on the river. Fly fishing is more than just an adventure for experienced anglers. Several local businesses offer lessons and guided tours. A great place to start your search for local guidance is through our friends at Little River Outfitters.
