When realtors Mike and Becky Johnson were charged with the task of selling a stunningly scenic 1,000-acre property along the Foothills Parkway in Blount County, they passed. Instead, they bought the land for themselves and turned it into a camping and fishing haven for their family.
The result? Memories that were so special, the Johnsons eventually decided they couldn’t just keep them in the family. In 2004, they began construction on Butterfly Gap Retreat, a picturesque, peaceful bed and breakfast that caters to couples.
“It was a dream of theirs,” said Mandy Sitzlar, one of the Johnsons’ daughters who helps run the resort. “They had a vision for the property.”
Today, adults-only Butterfly Gap is a treasured getaway for honeymoons, babymoons, weddings (Butterfly Gap also hosts events) and others seeking a romantic escape. The resort offers the kind of privacy not often encountered in a bed and breakfast – seven individual houses, each on their own five-acre plots to maximize the sensation of seclusion.
“We can be completely full and people hardly run into each other. It can very easily feel like you’re the only ones out there,” said Sitzlar.
But don’t mistake seclusion for isolation: Butterfly Gap is in the heart of Blount County’s wilderness, but it’s only ten minutes from Maryville, 20 from the airport and a short drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“Staying with us, you get the best of both worlds – you get the proximity to the park and all the things in Townsend, which are excellent to go see by day,” Sitzlar said. “Part of your stay can be experiencing the activities out there, and you can spend a couple days never leaving our property, too.”
Those who choose to stay on the property find plenty to do. Butterfly Gap boasts a fully stocked 12-acre lake open to fishing, paddle boarding and kayaking. There’s a trail that leads to a scenic overlook on the edge of Chilhowee Mountain and a fire pit behind the main office. And, of course, there’s the gourmet breakfast – hand-cooked by Becky, Sitzlar’s sister Laura Lockwood and Lockwood’s culinary-school-trained husband, Ryan. They deliver the breakfast to each cottage daily. As an added bonus, each house has a full kitchen.
“Some people stock up at the grocery store and never leave,” Sitzlar said. “A lot of people go out to nearby restaurants, which are about a ten-minute drive away.”
The contours of the land inspired each cottage’s modern-yet-rustic design, crafted by architect Gary Best – Becky’s brother.
“We gave [Best] a lot and said, ‘we’re going to build on this lot. Look at the terrain and build something based on the terrain,’” Sitzlar said. “We didn’t want to do what’s traditional to this area, because we feel like that’s been done.”
The priority: Building dwellings that showcased the environment around them.
“When you look at the outside you think the cottage is really modern, but there’s so much glass and window that it makes it feel rustic, because you have nature coming inside,” said Sitzlar. “It’s neat how much wildlife you can see out your window.”
“Why would you want to rent a place that looked just like your home? The houses are different from each other, and some people want to stay in a different house every time and check them all out,” Sitzlar added.
The houses may look different on the outside, but they all offer luxurious amenities on the inside; each cottage boasts satellite TV, an air jet tub and a queen- or king-sized bed, and many have large living rooms and screened-in porches.
Sitzlar and the Lockwoods take an active role in running Butterfly Gap’s day-to-day operations. Sitzlar manages wedding guests and public relations, while Laura and Ryan perform daily operations tasks and apply special touches, like making complimentary pint ice cream for every stay.
“We’ve done everything from cooking to housekeeping to running weddings and reservations,” Sitzlar said. “We made our own website. We’re jacks of all trades, and I think guests recognize that.”
And just as Butterfly Gap began as – and remains — a home for the Johnson family’s memories, it has become a meaningful marker for many couples, as well.
“It’s really cool for couples to come back to celebrate special moments in their lives,” said Sitzlar.
”When it’s your own, you just want to take care of it.”
For more information about Butterfly Gap Retreat, visit www.butterflygap.com or call (865) 984-6021.
Tag: Smoky Mountain Tourism
Camp at Great Smokies KOA Campground in Townsend
Summer comes every year, and with it, the call of the wild! Longer days and warmer weather mean plenty of opportunities to spend time outside, surrounded by rugged natural beauty. Roughing it, though, just isn’t for everyone, especially families with children.
Thankfully, Great Smokies KOA has family camping in its DNA, and is ready to accommodate families of all ages, sizes, and preferences with its RV sites, tent camping sites, and even rental cabins. Read on to find out why they’re a family favorite in the Smokies region!
Bringing Your Vacation Home with You? KOA Has RV Sites and Tent Sites!
If you’re someone who puts the R in RV, Great Smokies KOA is ready for you. Back-in and pull-thru sites are available with 50/30 amps, and cable TV, fire pits, and patios are all available options. Going camping the old-fashioned way? No problem! Individual tent sites accommodate up to 6 people, include onsite parking, picnic tables, and fire rings, and fill up fast, especially those facing the Little River. Oh yeah, and pets are allowed at both RV and tent sites, so no need to leave Fido at home!
Is Your Family the Cabin Type? Great!
It might surprise some people, but besides tent and RV sites, this KOA campground includes both deluxe and camping cabins. Deluxe cabins sleep up to 4 or 6, and generally include a partial kitchen with a microwave, mini-fridge, and Keurig, as well as a private bathroom including a shower (and in some, even a bathtub!). Many also include outdoor living space, kid-friendly sleeping lofts, linens, fire pits, gas grills, patio furniture, and even air conditioning! Just check when you book to make sure it has the amenities you’re looking for.
Camping cabins are also available, for those who want that unvarnished back-to-nature experience without the hassle of setting up tents or worries about what to do when it rains. These basic units have all the charm of a classic log cabin, and amenities vary, from just an old-fashioned porch swing, to mini-fridges and air conditioning.
Amenities for Everyone
Regardless of whether you decide on a tent, RV site or cabin, Great Smokies KOA offers facilities and services the whole family can appreciate. These include easy access to an ice cream and fudge shop, a swimming pool, one-of-a-kind log-cabin-themed children’s playground, propane and firewood for purchase, as well as a large covered pavilion with a barbecue pit, horseshoe pits and a basketball court.
That’s not all – this KOA also has WiFi access, an outdoor movie area, tube rentals for tubing on the Little River, an enclosed dog park where your dog can run off-leash, bike rentals, and great fishing. Laundry and two very clean bathhouses are available when you need to take care of the details, and Great Smokies KOA also offers special discounts and deals throughout the season, so just give them a call or take a look online to see what is available when you’d like to book. Check out their website and plan your vacation today!
Capture Photos of Spring Wildflowers at These Smoky Mountain Spots
Spring is the perfect time of year to visit the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. The mountains are alive with a riot of color created by the millions of wildflowers that bloom here every year. According to botanists, the Smokies are home to one of the most diverse ecologies in the world. Over 1,600 different types of flowering plants covering the mountains throughout the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. If you are looking for great places to take pictures of springtime in the Smokies, here are a few of the most popular spots.
The Chestnut Top Trail
The trailhead for the Chestnut Top Trail starts at the Townsend “Y” just inside the park. The trail takes you to what is arguably the best place to see early spring flowers in the park. You should see Bloodroot, one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. It has a white flower wrapped tightly around bright yellow stamen and a blood red stem (hence its name). You might early-blooming violets, trailing arbutus creeping out from under a rock, or many other early blooms that make spectacular photographs.
The Bradley Fork Trail
The trailhead for the Bradley Fork Trail can be found at the back of the Smokemont Campground. Don’t be confused as the trail begins life as an old dirt road before shrinking down in size. It’s a great place to capture images of hepatica, violets, wood anemones, and rue anemone.
The Porter Creek Trail
While Chestnut Top Trail might be one of the most popular places to take photos of the wildflowers blooming in March, the Porter Creek Trail is nothing short of spectacular in April. In fact, on any given day you are likely to come across plenty of photographers and more than a few painters with their easels set up and brushes in hand. Here you will find a white carpet of fringed phacelia, violets in purple, yellow, and white, foam flowers, bluets, and others.
The Core Hardwood Nature Trail
You can find the trailhead for the Core Hardwood Nature Trail at the Chimneys Picnic Area. This trail is only 3/4 of a mile long yet is rated as offering some of the most spectacular wildflower viewings and photographing spots in the park. The trail is rated as easy for everyone and makes a great place to take your family for a hike while you snap a few hundred photos of the local flora.
The Middle Prong Trail
The trailhead for the Middle Prong Trail is at the end of Tremont Road close to the Townsend “Y.” As you hike along this old dirt road, you should see toothwort, foamflower, violets, trilliums, and wood sorrel. Along with flowers to photograph, there are waterfalls to discover and add in with the rest of your photos.
These are just a few of the most popular place to take photographs of the incredible array of spring wildflowers for you to check out. There are many other trails to hike and meadows filled with a virtual cornucopia of flowers in every color imaginable. Make sure you bring plenty of memory cards with you, you’re going to need them here!
Celebrate Appalachian History at the Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day
Spring is in the air, and that means it must be time for the Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day! This free two-day event celebrates the rich history of the Appalachian way of life. You will find plenty of Bluegrass music, handmade crafts, and delectable food choices.
Bring a chair or a blanket for sitting back and enjoying the fresh mountain air. You will want to plan to stay all day because this event is packed to the brim with historical fun. There will be bands to listen to, handmade goods to peruse, food to sample, and other activities to participate in. Head out to Townsend, TN on May 3rd and 4th to join the fun.
About Townsend Spring Festival
On May 3rd, the fun will start at 10am with the craft vendors and food vendors opening up their booths. The demonstrators will begin showing off their talents at 10 am as well. At noon, the music will kick in to really get the party started. The festivities will last all day with bands playing until 10 pm. You can expect the same basic schedule on the 4th with except that the bands will start a little earlier.
While the full list of vendors and bands is yet to be announced. There are a few activities that you can expect. The author of the book “The Last Man from Tremont,” Roy Oliver, will be in attendance. If you would like to have a book signed or just simply have a chat, make sure to stop by and see Mr. Oliver. The pickers in attendance will definitely want to check out the tents for Jammers.
Other area initiatives and associations will be on hand to help you learn more about the area. These groups include:
- Appalachian Bear Rescue
- Cades Cove Preservation Association
- Great Smoky Mountains Institute of Tremont
- Keep Blount Beautiful
- Chilhowee Area Ministries
Some of the bands scheduled to play so far include Wayne Wright Review, Blackberry Jam, Grandview Pickers, Appalachian Grass, Raven Welch and Crew, Foothills Express, Steve Jordan Band, Muleskinner, and many more!
Parking at the Event
Parking at the event can be purchased daily for $10 or you can get a two-day pass for $15. The parking fee proceeds will go to support the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department, and they can be purchased in advance at the Townsend Visitor Center and the Maryville Visitor Center. However, if you do not purchase in advance, you will be able to pay at the gate when you arrive.
If you would like to experience a little more of what Townsend has to offer, you can take the FREE shuttle from the Townsend Visitor Center and get a good tour of the town. The shuttles will start running at 10:30 am and continue until 6 pm on both days.
The Townsend Spring Festival is an annual event that is beloved by all. Come for the bluegrass once, and you will find yourself making the trip back year after year. The beauty of the Appalachian way of life will call to you across the miles.
Celebrate Fall with Hard Apple Cider: Here's Where to Find It in the Smokies
Autumn is upon us, and that means it’s time to break out everybody’s favorite fall traditions. Whether you’re in the mood for corn mazes, haunted houses, apple picking, or any of the rest of the season’s highlights, if you’d typically enjoy them with a beer or a glass of wine, consider trying a hard apple cider to really capture autumn’s spirit.
There are plenty of locally-made hard apple ciders to choose from, and they’ve got all the flavors of the season, brewed, bottled, and available to people in Blount County.
Wyile Cider in Sevierville
You’ll find plenty of varieties to choose from at Wyile Cider in nearby Sevierville. Made in small batches since 1998, this cidery offers both sparkling sweet and sparkling dry hard apple cider, as well as 16 other flavors of hard apple cider.
Featuring everything from blueberry to mango to blackberry to mulled cider, this cidery’s ciders all have an apple base and natural fruit concentrates or extracts, and all the apples are sourced exclusively from Appalachian orchards. Ciders are aged from 3 to 12 months and are made without any added sugars or chemicals. You can visit the Wyile Cidery for tastings by going to the Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park at 3757 Thomas Lane in Sevierville.
Mill Bridge Winery in Pigeon Forge
If you’ve got a mix of wine and cider lovers heading out for an afternoon or evening’s tasting, you won’t want to miss the Mill Bridge Winery over in Pigeon Forge. They offer four different hard apple ciders, including the South Cider, a blend of different kinds of apples, the Cider House Blues, featuring sweet apples and blueberries, their Farmhouse Cider, an English-style dry apple cider, and finally their Iconic Tonic, with a fresh honey taste and crisp lemon finish.
Unbeatable wines are also available, of course, and you’ll find the Mill Bridge Winery at 3331 South River Road in Pigeon Forge, just off the Parkway and Old Mill Avenue. Mill Bridge Winery is also a member of the Rocky Top Wine Trail, so be sure to visit them if you’re on a tasting trip!
Round 6 Brewing in Maryville
Craft beer enthusiasts who want to mix it up with a little cider are in luck. They can stay in Blount County and visit Round 6 Brewing, where they offer a hard pear cider on tap from Bold Rock Hard Cider that’s a blend of New Zealand pears and apples from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Considered “refreshingly delicious” and “superbly drinkable,” this pear cider is sure to satisfy even the “apple-only” purists among cider drinkers.
Family owned by Will and Kathy Wesselman, Round 6 also offers beers from around the United States and Europe, and can be visited at 427 Whitecrest Drive in Maryville.
Celebrate St. Patty's Day with a Visit to One of Our Local Breweries
What could be better than celebrating St. Patty’s Day than sharing a pint or two at your favorite watering hole. A trip to Ireland and Guinness on tap? Well, that might be fantastic, but on a more realistic note, why not try some of the craft beers made right here on the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies?” Craft beers have become very popular in the U.S. with hundreds of small breweries pumping out an even larger number of excellent beers that we just can’t seem to get enough of. What better day to sample some of the local brews crafted right here?
Round 6 Brewing
Drop by Round 6 Brewing located at 427 Whitecrest Dr, Maryville where the taproom serves over a dozen craft beers brewed on location along with a small selection of their favorite beers from other breweries. With five large-screen TVs, Round 6 is the perfect place to watch your favorite sports while sipping on a pint of your favorite brew. It’s also the ideal place to party on St. Patty’s Day with your friends. The Taproom seats 99, but there is an outside deck with room for 40 and a quiet patio with room for 20.
Smoky Mountain Brewery
Located in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Turkey Creek, and Maryville at 743 Watkins Rd, the Smoky Mountain Brewery serves up more than a fantastic selection of beers brewed on-site. The restaurant serves up tasty subs, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, their famous “WET Wings,” and much more. Always on tap are Cherokee Red Ale, Helles, and Mountain Light, plus three others. There are also four seasonal brews along with the “Brewmaster Special” that change every couple of weeks.
Blackberry Farm Brewery
You’ll find the Blackberry Farm Brewery at 106 Everett Avenue, Maryville. Whether you are coming out for a special occasion, like St Patty’s Day or just looking for a great craft beer to enjoy at home, the taproom here offers you the opportunity to sup one of their craft brews while standing just a few feet from the tanks. Along with a long list of beers that are available all year round, there is always a rotating selection of limited-edition brews on tap for you to try that are only offered in the taproom.
Tri-Hop Brewery
Drop into the Tri-Hop Brewery at 205 Court St in Maryville; you can always find a wide range of craft brews on tap from breweries located throughout Tennessee. The idea for the business came from co-owners Matthew Tipton and Nick Pierce love of homebrewing. While the tap room is not serving any on-site brews, things will not be this way for long. Both Tipton and Pierce say that they are already working on turning the downstairs into a craft brewery that lets them finally realize their dream of sharing their love for craft brewed beer with locals and tourists alike. There is always a food truck outside, live music and the place is pet and family friendly.
Celebrating 50 Years at Tremont
The Institute at Tremont, in the Great Smoky Mountains, has been serving the Walker Valley community for 50 years. It all started in 1969 when a group of local leaders and educators came together to turn a group of old Job Corps buildings, slated for demolition, into a residential environmental learning center. The idea was to offer hands-on outdoor discovery experiences accessible to everyone. The successful implementation has only grown stronger and flourished over the years, with programs for everyone – from young children to adults, and educators to the curious public.
To celebrate this golden anniversary, they have invited everyone to attend their annual Homecoming gathering on the weekend of October 12 – 14, 2019. A full weekend package is available online, which will include Saturday and Sunday night lodging in their dormitory. Four meals will be provided, including Saturday supper, Sunday breakfast, a sack lunch, and Homecoming dinner. Many informal activities have been planned, such as a campfire and moonlight walk, a waterfall hike, and a tour of Tremont’s new property in Townsend. Space is limited, so if you are interested, please go to http://gsmit.org/event/homecoming-full-weekend-package/ to register.
If you aren’t able to make the homecoming celebration, there are many other ways to get involved with the Institute at Tremont. A popular fall activity is their Monarch Tagging program in Cades Cove. Each year monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico for the winter and Tremont Institute using tagging as a way to track their migratory patterns and monitor population status. Tremont has been tagging monarch butterflies for many years, and each year their volunteer pool grows because of its popularity with participants from every age group. Grab your butterfly net and play in the fields of Cades Cove, while also using a field guide to identify the different species. Monarch tagging is just one of several Citizen Science programs, which allows the public to gather hands-on experience with real scientific research. Other Citizen Science programs throughout the year include bird banding, salamander monitoring, phenology tracking, and otter spotting. If you are interested in volunteering and want more information about the Citizen Science programs, please check out http:/gsmit.org/citizen-science/.
The Institute at Tremont also has summer camps and adult programs that are open to the public. Summer camps start at age four and are available through high school ages. They have family camps that allow families to stay on-site and offer all kinds of outdoor activities. Leave the planning to the Tremont Institute and come and enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains in a structured and educational environment. They offer a Firefly Camp, which allows a parent or grandparent to accompany children from four to nine for a one, two, or three-night adventure. There are also discovery camps, science camps, and backpacking camps. Leave the kids for a unique camp experience while you and your spouse enjoy some private time alone in the mountains for the week. With so many different camp experiences, there is one for any family.
Not to leave the adults out of the fun, Tremont has a wide variety of programs for the older generation, as well. There are Road Scholar hiking trips, Sierra Club hikes, and a Women’s Fall Backpacking excursion. Twice a year, they offer photography workshops, which allow students to stay at the facility and sharpen their nature photography skills. They also provide Naturalist Classes and Certifications under the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program, which is a field-based program in Southern Appalachian ecology and interpretive techniques. The Wilderness First Responder course is led by instructors from Roane State Community College and meets the Tennessee Emergency Medical Services curriculum standards. If you love the outdoors, Tremont Institute has the program for you.
With 50 years of experience, the Institute at Tremont has been instrumental in serving our community with environmental educations resources and programs. Their journey is far from over, as new environmental concerns arise, they are prepared to teach the public how to get involved and make a difference. For more information on the Tremont Institute or any of their programs, please go to their website at www.gsmit.org.
Check Out These Restaurants for a Hearty Weekend Brunch in the Smokies
There is something about being on vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains that seems to make just about everyone wake up hungry. It could be the water, maybe it’s the fresh air, or perhaps it’s all that extra hiking you’ve been putting in. But, if you wake up hungry in the Townsend, TN area on the weekend, we suggest you try these great local restaurants that serve up some amazing weekend brunches.
Country Steak N’ Eggs
Located at 7613 Old Highway 73, Townsend, Country Steak N’ Eggs serves up a full range of All-American brunch fare, vegetarian fare, and vegan dishes. From steak and eggs cooked to perfection to some of the finest biscuits and gravy, you will leave full and happy. Their famous “Garbage Can” omelet may be the largest omelet you have ever seen. There is an outside dining area where you can enjoy your brunch while looking out over the river.
Riverstone Family Restaurant
Located at 8503 State Highway 73, Townsend, the Riverstone Family Restaurant serves a range of American cuisine and vegetarian-friendly food. Come for western omelets and country ham or try the frog’s legs, rainbow trout, or be brave and have a good old-fashioned fried bologna sandwich. The service here is superb, the food excellent, and the prices are very reasonable, plus they are right outside the gateway into the park.
Carriage House Restaurant
Located at 8310 State Hwy 73, Townsend, the Carriage House Restaurant offers buffet-style dining with a breakfast/brunch bar, homemade bread, fried okra, burgers, fried chicken, and many other tasty dishes. You can also order eggs cooked to your tastes, have custom-made omelets, and best of all, for one low price, the Carriage House offers all you can eat. No need to be shy here; be sure you bring your appetite, as you need plenty of fuel for your afternoon hike.
Elvira’s Café
Located at 4143 Wears Valley Rd. in Sevierville, Elvira’s Café is home to fresh food made every day using locally sourced ingredients. You just can’t get any fresher than this. Elvira’s serves up a range of local Southern Tennessee dishes with a slight Russian twist to them as a nod to Elvira’s homeland. Enjoy a Mountain Man omelet, your choice of breakfast or sweet crepes, and so much more. They also cater to vegetarian and vegan diets and are one of the most popular restaurants in the area.
Hillbilly’s Restaurant
Located near the middle of the strip in Wears Valley, TN, Hillbilly’s Restaurant/Wears Valley Café is easy to spot. It’s the only place in the area with a 1950s pickup truck on the roof. Once you walk in, the first thing you will see is another 50s-style truck with a whiskey still in the bed. The pancakes are to die for; you can order yours straight up with syrup, add fresh strawberries or blueberries, chocolate chips, or your choice of nuts. Add in the best burgers in the area, and a host of sandwiches, and you can’t go wrong, especially when you always get ham, bacon, or sausage with your breakfast.
Company Distilling Announce Grand Opening Details
Company Distilling announced today the official Grand Opening weekend of their first newly constructed distillery in Townsend, TN on July 8-10. Throughout the weekend, guests can expect to experience live music, enjoy a cocktail, and tour the facility. The full product portfolio for Company Distilling will also be available to sample, including their Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished with maple wood, which hit the shelves last November as their inaugural offering.
Since their founding in 2020, Company Distilling’s goal has been to create spaces where people can gather around and enjoy exceptional spirits. Formed by a group of industry leaders with a goal of creating a strong culture, the focus of Company Distilling is people, places, and communities.
“Our initial vision for Company Distilling was to be more than just a whiskey brand. We envisioned being a full portfolio spirits company, and we had a collective group experience that I thought brought different areas of expertise to the table. We were stronger together especially when we were thinking about doing more than just one thing,” says Jeff Arnett, Master Distiller,
“I think one of the greatest things about where we are is the freedom that comes from being a small, nimble group of people controlling our own destiny.”
Kris Tatum, President, further elaborates on the togetherness aspects of Company. “We’re committed to living up to our promises. We have high expectations and a team that collectively has years of industry experience. Our uncommon bond and friendships drive us to continue to make quality spirits that bring people together.”
Company Distilling is proudly partnering with local businesses to provide guests with an exceptional distillery experience that is unique to Blount County. Maryville-based restaurant, Amici, will have a permanent menu at the distillery, allowing visitors to gather with friends and enjoy delicious food and fine spirits. The new restaurant space will be called “Amico,” which means “a friend” in Italian.
“We are thrilled to share the Amici experience with Company Distilling and their visitors,” says, Chris Thompson, Chef/Owner. “Food has consistently been a contributor to creating friendships and impactful impressions for our guests. It’s clear Company Distilling has similar goals of creating long-lasting relationships by bringing people together to share something they can all enjoy.”
The grand opening weekend festivities will include a concert on Friday night at 7 PM featuring
Southerland and a concert on Saturday night at 7 PM featuring The Coveralls.
Company Distilling Becomes Official Bourbon of the Tennessee Theatre
For the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Company Distilling and the historic Tennessee Theatre will work towards a shared vision of celebrating Tennessee’s rich heritage in distilling, arts, and history.
“We couldn’t be more excited about the partnership with Company Distilling. With their team having deep roots in Tennessee, a passion for bringing people together, and a dedication for progressing the arts in the region forward, we know this partnership will yield a lot of new ideas and creativity for both organizations,” said Becky Hancock, Executive Director of the Tennessee Theatre.
The new partnership is effective immediately, making Company Distilling Bourbon the official bourbon of the Tennessee Theatre. Guests of the Tennessee Theatre will have the opportunity to enjoy Company Distilling Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Maple Wood and Ghost Rail Tennessee Dry Gin at shows throughout the season. Additionally, there will be opportunities to win tickets and participate in special events. Be sure to follow both Company Distilling and the Tennessee Theatre on social media for more information and announcements.
The Tennessee Theatre is 94 years old and opened on October 1, 1928, as a grand movie palace in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. In the early 1980s, the theatre was purchased by James A. Dick, who ensured its future as a performing arts venue. Soon after the purchase, both the Knoxville Opera and Knoxville Symphony Orchestra became resident companies. In 1996, it was turned over to a newly formed non-profit, the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation. The theatre is home to broadway shows and live music throughout the year and continues to develop their programming within downtown Knoxville.
Company Distilling opened its Townsend, Tennessee, location officially in July of 2022. The distillery, bottle shop, and tasting room is a short 31 miles from downtown Knoxville and offers visitors the opportunity to taste fine spirits as they enjoy The Peaceful Side of the Smokies, less than a mile away from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Company Distilling was founded by leaders in Tennessee distilling with a passion for history and elevating the craft distilling industry in their home state. Kris Tatum and Jeff Arnett have been instrumental in the growth of distilling in the state of Tennessee. The Company Distilling team is proud of their Tennessee heritage and looks forward to the partnership with the Official State of Theatre of Tennessee. “The partnership with the Tennessee Theatre fits perfectly with our vision for Company Distilling: the history, high level of service, quality of productions, and the goal of bringing people together. We’re excited to grow together over the next few years,” said Jeff Arnett, Master Distiller.
Growing up just down the road from the theatre in South Knoxville, Kris Tatum, President & Founder, reflected on his experiences at the theatre and what ultimately helped shape his love for movies and film. “Every time I walk into the Tennessee Theatre, I am blown away by its beauty and history. It’s somewhere I want to bring family and friends to spend time together. The work the team is doing to continue to preserve its heritage is something we admire as a company and was what drew us to want to partner. We have big plans for the impact this partnership can have on our home communities in East Tennessee.”
The founders of Company Distilling will continue their passion for the state of Tennessee, its rich history, and education by hosting the “Distilling Greatness” podcast. Recorded inside the beautiful Tennessee Theatre, listeners can Gather Around with the Company Distilling team and a few of their friends to get a taste of the people and places that make up the rich stories of whiskey in Tennessee. Initial episodes include:
- Gather Around: Tennessee Whiskey & Tennessee Theatre History + Why You Should Care – To be released on January 5, 2023
- Gather Around: The Science of Tennessee Whiskey – February
- Gather Around: Whiskey Tourism & Sense of Place – March
The podcast will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and CompanyDistilling.com.
Kris Tatum, President & Founder, spoke in jest that he wasn’t sure “why anyone would listen to myself and Jeff talk to our friends about things we love, but there seems to be a lot of interest in hearing us make fun of each other.” With Company, making fun of each other is part of the process; when pleasantries are replaced with a little provocation. In an environment like this, there are no politics, there is no posturing. And meetings don’t feel like meetings at all. They’re just informal gatherings of like-minded people with their own unique set of skills – exchanging ideas and keeping each other honest. This is where real collaboration comes from and how actual progress is made. Because, in the end, the last thing anyone wants to do is let down a friend.
Considering Spring Break in the Smokies? Here are 5 Great Reasons to Make Reservations on the Peaceful Side
Ask travel experts and they’ll tell you that “spring break” is a season that can start as early as late in February and run into the middle of April. Typically, March is the peak of the season, and while it is often seen as a time of crazy parties for college kids, a lot of families book getaways while kids enjoy a short holiday from the regular school schedule. Lasting around a week, it is the perfect amount of time to visit a place of natural beauty. If you are considering a spring break vacation this year, you would be hard pressed to find something as ideal as the “Peaceful Side” of the Smokies.
Why a Visit to the Smokies is Ideal in Spring
If you are not sure just where in the Smokies, we suggest you opt for the “Peaceful Side” in the area around Blount County. Why? Well, here are 5 very good reasons to do so:
- Fewer People – If you have never visited the Smokies, you may not know that it is an area that sees millions of visitors, and the peak of travel is in the summer season. This means that roads, restaurants, shops and even accommodations can be quite full, and if you are eager to really savor your time in places like the National Park, you’ll see a lot of fellow travelers. The spring is also popular, but there are markedly fewer visitors, and this can allow you to experience a sense of having many places all to yourself! Plus, as its name indicates, the Peaceful Side is less crowded and more peaceful than other areas in the Smokies like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
- Nature – There is little that can compare to the beauty of the Smoky Mountain area during the spring months. All of the different colors of green that spring to life from the trees and plants combine with the first blossoms and blooms, the return of migratory birds and the gentle babble of the streams (and even the waterfalls) to make an unforgettable experience.
- Outdoor experiences and attractions – The return of the warmer weather (daytime highs never reach 80 and night time lows average around 40) means that you can bike, hike, walk, jog, ride your motorcycle, book time at one of the canopy tours, take a brisk ride down the Little River or another body of water, and generally enjoy all of the summer activities with fewer lines and crowds.
- Budget friendliness – It makes good sense to travel outside of the peak season anywhere in the world, and this applies to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, too. Traveling in the spring means you don’t pay the higher seasonal rates, saving money and yet giving you access to exactly the same activities.
- The Cabins and accommodations – One of the most unique things about a visit to the region is the abundance of mountain cabins available to rent. Many are little destinations all on their own with everything from fireplaces to outdoor hot tubs. A spring break at one of these cabins could become your newest and most favorite way to celebrate the arrival of the season.
Whether traveling on your own, with a sweetheart or the whole family, you’ll want to give serious consideration to a visit to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies and its many appealing activities, beautiful scenery, great restaurants and excellent accommodations.
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro Earns Named to OpenTable’s Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, nestled in the heart of East Tennessee at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, has been honored with the distinction of being named one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the USA by OpenTable. This exclusive recognition was officially announced on January 31st, 2024, solidifying Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro as a standout establishment in the realm of romantic dining experiences.
OpenTable, a leading provider of online restaurant reservations, compiled this annual list based on millions of verified diner reviews across the country. Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro’s commitment to exceptional culinary offerings, warm hospitality, and an enchanting ambiance has set it apart as the sole representative from East Tennessee.
Known for its rustic charm and idyllic setting on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has captivated the hearts of diners seeking a romantic and memorable experience. The restaurant’s dedication to crafting innovative Appalachian-inspired cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients has garnered widespread acclaim, including being named one of TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best Top 25 Fine Dining Restaurants in the USA in 2023.
Mark Oldham, CEO of Oldham Hospitality, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “We are thrilled to be acknowledged by OpenTable as one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the USA. This accolade is a testament to the hard work and passion our team puts into creating an unforgettable dining experience. Being recognized for providing a uniquely romantic setting is a really fun and appreciated honor as we begin celebrating the Valentine’s Day holiday with our guests this month!”
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro invites patrons to celebrate this accomplishment by experiencing the romance and culinary excellence that have earned them a place among the nation’s elite dining establishments. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the restaurant is set to deliver an enchanting celebration for couples seeking a memorable and romantic evening between February 10th-17th where they will feature curated Sweet Heart menus for guests.
For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.DancingBearLodge.com/Events or contact 865-448-6000.
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