Rush hour in Townsend means innertubes getting caught on the Little River. That’s about probably the most crowded I’ve ever seen it – exterior of the occasional competition – and that’s exactly what I really like about this small mountain city. It’s my favourite place to remain within the Nice Smoky Mountains as a result of there are a lot of fantastic issues to do in that city.
The native tourism of us describe Townsend as “The Peaceable Aspect of the Smokies” – they usually’re proper. Away from the hustle and bustle of Gatlinburg and overcrowded procuring facilities of Pigeon Forge, Townsend is the place folks go to flee the crowds, take heed to the refrain of tree frogs, and depend the celebrities at night time.
My first go to to Townsend was in 2017, and I’ve returned yearly since. It’s one in every of my favourite locations and one I’ve been desirous to brag about for a while. I lastly devoted the time to write down concerning the issues to do in Townsend and why you actually need to go to.
No. 01
Begin on the Townsend Welcome Middle
The Townsend Customer Middle is among the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park’s official customer facilities – nevertheless it additionally serves the larger Townsend space. It’s among the finest customer facilities within the Smokies and the primary place I go to each time I return to city.
The knowledge desk on the customer heart is at all times staffed by somebody who is aware of the world. You will get ideas on what to do, issues that you must see, and inside suggestions, you gained’t discover anyplace else – not even on my web site. The employees will eagerly help you in selecting out journey brochures and even assist you to accumulate the Nationwide Park Passport cancellation stamp.
The reward store is among the greatest within the space. Loaded with books on native historical past, journey, geology, and fiction, I at all times stroll away with one or two in my arms. The reward store additionally has a pleasant assortment of clothes, jewellery, toys, and journey equipment.
7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN | 800-525-6834 | www.smokymountains.org
No. 02
Go to the Nice Smoky Mountains Heritage Middle
The Nice Smoky Mountains Heritage Middle hides among the finest points of interest in Townsend. The museum’s Most important Gallery is house to the Native Individuals of East Tennessee Assortment – an assortment of historic artifacts from the bands of Native Individuals who as soon as referred to as the world house. Displayed in well-lit exhibit instances, the artifacts embrace interpretive data for the historical past buff.
However the most effective attraction on the museum is hidden behind, obscured from sight. The Historic Village is a set of 13 historic buildings from the Northeast Tennessee area relocated to the museum. The buildings are open for guests to discover and furnished in accordance with the time the construction was constructed.
The museum costs an admission starting from $7-$10 per particular person. It takes about an hour to see all of the displays contained in the Most important Gallery and take a stroll by the Historic Village – however I might advocate spending at the least two hours.
123 Cromwell Dr, Townsend, TN | 865-448-0044 | www.gsmheritagecenter.org
No. 03
Study Native Historical past on the Little River Railroad & Lumber Museum
Do you know Townsend was based in 1900 as a logging city by a railroad firm? Visiting the one-room Little River Railroad & Lumber Museum was a good way to spend an hour one scorching summer time day. It was a small museum, however the partitions have been coated in fascinating info concerning the city’s historical past.
Contained in the museum, you’ll study concerning the city’s founder, W.B. Townsend, and the way he was instrumental in establishing the Elkmont Historic District and creating The Sinks within the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park. You’ll be able to discover an previous logging locomotive that when hauled the fresh-cut timber into Townsend to be sawed into lumber exterior the museum.
7747 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN | 865-661-0170 | www.littleriverrailroad.org
No. 04
Discover Tuckaleechee Caverns
A neighborhood newspaper editor as soon as referred to as Tuckaleechee Caverns the “Best Sight Below the Smokies.” The privately-owned attraction is run by the second technology of the household who opened it within the Nineteen Fifties. In the present day, it’s among the finest caverns open to the general public in Tennessee and a must-see attraction within the Nice Smoky Mountains.
Guided excursions take about an hour to discover the 1.25-mile out-and-back route by the caverns. Guests are handled to the gargantuan Massive Room – large enough to carry a soccer area – and one of many tallest underground waterfalls within the nation.
825 Cavern Rd, Townsend, TN | 865-448-2274 | www.tuckaleecheecaverns.com
No. 05
Go Tubing in Townsend
The one site visitors jam I ever witnessed in Townsend occurred on the Little River. Together with dozens of different guests, I started my summer time day at Smoky Mountain River Rat. Wearing swimming shorts with my favourite Crocs Swiftwater Sandal, I plopped right into a vibrant yellow innertube and commenced to float down the cool mountain stream.
River Rat has two choices for tubing in Townsend. From Outpost A at Wears Valley Highway – the place I started my journey – it’s a two-hour float down the river to a pull-out at Webb Highway. This part is calm and appropriate for all ages. The extra adventurous part from Outpost B – positioned beside Burger Grasp Drive In – requires a better age restrict as a result of the river contains extra rapids.
On that specific summer time day, the splash of chilly mountain water was a welcome respite from the humid summer time warmth. The tempo was pleasurably gradual beneath the shade of large bushes lining the riverbanks. The occasional burst of giggles and the low murmur of dialog between innertubers was the one break within the silence. Close to the tip, simply earlier than the Webb Highway bridge, a site visitors jam emerged as dozens of individuals bumped collectively making an attempt to get out of the water. It was probably the most enjoyable site visitors jam I’d ever seen.
205 Wears Valley Rd, Townsend, TN | 865-448-8888 | www.smokymtnriverrat.com
No. 06
Go to Cades Cove
The primary time I visited Cades Cove, I stayed at a pleasant lodge on the fringe of the nationwide park in Gatlinburg. I rapidly realized it was the worst place to remain whereas visiting the secluded part of the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park – and I by no means did it once more. It took almost an hour to get there and for much longer to get again.
Townsend is my favourite place to remain whereas visiting Cades Cove. It’s solely a twenty-minute drive to the doorway signal and barely congested with site visitors. The 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Highway takes about an hour to drive straight by – however you gained’t try this since you’ll make at the least one cease alongside the way in which.
Historic houses, mountain climbing trails, scenic views, hidden waterfalls, and an abundance of wildlife make Cades Cove probably the most standard sections of the nationwide park. Plan to spend the day within the cove to provide your self time to discover it. Seize a reasonably first rate lunch on the deli beside the campground, benefit from the meal on the Native Plant Overlook, and wait till sundown throughout the sphere on the Dan Lawson Place.
No. 07
On the west fringe of Townsend, Apple Valley Mountain Village & Café is a one-stop vacation spot for native arts and crafts, presents, and eating. The Normal Retailer advertises “Fried Pies, Fudge, Souvenirs,” and that’s exactly what it’s best to get. Souvenirs embrace clothes with a complete room devoted to graphic tees, toys, stuffed animals, and reward concepts for the nationwide park. The fudge is made recent every single day, and the fried apple pies are a beautiful deal with.
Apple Valley Café is open for 3 meals a day. It options the Burger Toppings Bar – a self-serve counter for getting your personal toppings for his or her recent hand-patted burgers. Get a cushty seat inside or take the meals to go.
Throughout the parking zone, The Dancing Bean is their coffeeshop open till mid-afternoon every single day. It’s an excellent place to seize a freshly brewed espresso to go, nevertheless it’s not my favourite espresso store on the town.
7138 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN | 865-448-9878 | https://applevalleystores.com
10 Causes Why You Have to Go to Townsend
- 1. Least crowded of any city bordering the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park
- 2. Comfy lodging at motels, campgrounds, and cabins
- 3. Simply sufficient procuring and eating to maintain you going
- 4. Easy accessibility to Cades Cove
- 5. Quiet evenings
- 6. You’ll be able to really hear the tree frogs and depend the celebrities
- 7. Pleasant locals
- 8. Spend much less time sitting in site visitors
- 9. Driving distance to different cities when you needed to go to
- 10. Simple to get there through U.S. 321 by Maryville
No. 08
Go to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville
Though I’m definitely a supporter of staying in Townsend when visiting Townsend, there may be nothing flawed with visiting close by mountain cities for procuring, leisure, or dinner. Attending to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville from Townsend is straightforward and nearly an journey of its personal.
Essentially the most scenic – and most time-consuming – path to Gatlinburg can be Little River Highway by the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park. It takes about an hour alongside the two-lane highway with a number of stops alongside the way in which at Meigs Falls, The Sinks, and Elkmont.
The quickest route into Pigeon Forge is Wears Valley Highway. It solely takes about thirty minutes on the two-lane highway by the valley – and also you simply may need to cease in Wears Valley to browse the vintage retailers.
No. 09
Townsend isn’t a procuring vacation spot – at the least, not like how Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville have developed. You’ll discover extra native art work on this small mountain city and some downright fascinating locations to buy.
My favourite place to browse is Tennessee Sally’s. A two-story white home has been transformed into a present store chocked filled with native artisan’s items, quirky souvenirs, and all kinds of nice reward concepts. The Townsend Artisan Information is one other excellent spot to seek out native art work. The guild is operated by the artists and might embrace all kinds of art work relying on what the locals produce. After I visited, I discovered watercolor work, clothes, and a pleasant assortment of pictures.
Want some provides to your dulcimer? Do you even personal a dulcimer? Wooden-N-Strings Dulcimer Store is definitely a singular discover in Townsend – nevertheless it’s wildly standard with the locals. Saturday evenings all through the summer time imply it’s time to take heed to dulcimer artists pickin’ on the entrance porch of the native retail store. Possibly that can encourage you to purchase one of many musical devices?
Little River Outfitters has every thing that you must get pleasure from fishing or fly fishing whereas visiting Townsend. Additionally they supply lessons and can join you with an area information to seek out the most effective fishing holes. Smoky Mountain Out of doors Middle – positioned subsequent to River Rats – affords tube and bicycle leases and a small outside gear choice. Yeti coolers and cups have been stacked to the ceiling, however I additionally discovered clothes, camp chairs, and bug spray amongst their wares.
No. 10
Experience a Bicycle Via City
One characteristic of Townsend I really like probably the most is the 5-mile Townsend Bicycle Path. The path begins at a parking zone throughout U.S. Freeway 321 from Apple Valley Mountain Village & Café. After passing one other parking space – and the higher place to park your car – the path crosses the four-lane divided freeway and continues alongside the south aspect of the highway by city.
The paved path is often a cushty distance from the freeway, with bicycle crossing indicators on most roads. After passing by all the city, the path ends at a parking zone throughout the highway from the KOA campground.
The perfect place in Townsend to hire a bicycle is Smoky Mountain Out of doors Middle. Half-day leases start at $20, and you’ll hire a motorbike for a number of days to cowl your whole journey.
No. 11
When the newest part of the Foothills Parkway opened in 2018, it supplied guests an opportunity to get pleasure from a 33-mile scenic drive between Wears Valley and U.S. Freeway 129. The parkway was Tennessee’s reply to the Blue Ridge Parkway with a imaginative and prescient to create a 72-mile route alongside a mountain ridge that supplied views of the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park.
The unique part between Walland and U.S. Freeway 129 has been round for many years however has remained one of many least-visited areas of the nationwide park. That part included a number of gorgeous overlooks – most notably the Look Rock Statement Tower. The brand new part has fewer overlooks – and no official mountain climbing trails – however the views are significantly better.
Guests from Townsend can take Wears Valley Highway to the present finish of the Foothills Parkway, drive about an hour to U.S. Freeway 321, and return to city for lunch. Then, an out-and-back journey from U.S. Freeway 321 to U.S. Freeway 129 takes about two hours – three when you cease as a lot as I do to benefit from the view.
No. 12
Get a Espresso at The Inventive Bean
There are a number of espresso retailers in Townsend, however my favourite is The Inventive Bean. Proprietor David Fahidy is aware of a factor or two about espresso and begins every single day roasting his personal beans within the nook of the charming espresso store.
The barista behind the counter was nonetheless studying easy methods to make latte artwork – one thing I’ve by no means been in a position to grasp myself. She giggled as she ruined the highest’s artistry, however the scrumptious espresso greater than made up for it. The entrance half of the espresso store is furnished with giant couches and armchairs, whereas the again half has a few tables – the right place for me to get some work completed.
The Inventive Bean affords espresso nearly each approach you might get pleasure from it – they usually even promote their beans to take house with you! Come out on Friday nights, and chances are high good, you’ll get pleasure from some stay music.
8027 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN | 865-738-3412 | www.theartisticbean.com
No. 13
Get a Meal at a Native Restaurant
Townsend could also be a small city, however that doesn’t imply they don’t have some improbable native eateries. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner – there’s a place to go for any meal of the day.
My breakfast at Townsend Pancake Home wouldn’t have gained any culinary awards, nevertheless it was served quick, cooked to order, and scrumptious to the final morsel. The inside of the restaurant was plainly embellished, however at the least the seating was comfy.
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is probably the most upscale restaurant in Townsend – and also you’ll see that while you pay for the meal. The meals is improbable, although, impressed by the mountain area with menu gadgets like elk chop, smoked ham, and beef tenderloin. The bar is among the greatest stocked I’ve ever seen, with a number of pages of wine, beer, and liquor from native breweries and distilleries, and identify manufacturers.
Trailhead Steak & Trout Home affords precisely that: domestically raised steaks and recent catch trout. The family-friendly restaurant has cheap costs, a cushty ambiance, and a large assortment of menu choices. The Trailhead Potato Skins have been an excellent starter, and I actually liked the Mississippi Fried Catfish.
Smokin’ Joe’s is my favourite place in Townsend for lunch. You’ll odor the standard of the meals the second you step out of your automobile. The Massive Sandwich – a “whopper sized bun” piled excessive with pulled pork – was a improbable meal that threatened to place me right into a meals coma. You may as well order racks of ribs, brisket, or rooster sandwiches.
The Burger Grasp Drive In is among the most iconic locations to eat in Townsend. The old school drive in has you ordering by a window and sitting exterior at one in every of their coated picnic tables. The whole lot is cooked recent simply the way in which you order it – which might be why that cheeseburger was among the finest I’ve ever had.
Should you’re on a strict finances – and even when you’re not – don’t low cost the deli on the Townsend IGA. Mornings begin with scrambled eggs and breakfast sandwiches, after which they’ll put out salads and fried rooster for lunch and dinner. It’s an excellent place to seize a meal to go – possibly for a highway journey on the Foothills Parkway or a visit to Cades Cove.
No. 14
Attend a Unbelievable Pageant
There’s at all times an exception to the rule – and the exception to Townsend’s peacefulness is one in every of their improbable festivals. There are only some every year – so don’t fear about regularly competing with lodge charges and availability – however one in every of these simply may be the explanation you need to go to.
I attended the inaugural Nice Smoky Mountains Sizzling Air Balloon Pageant and had the time of my life on the small competition. The big area beside the Townsend Customer Middle performed host to a couple of dozen scorching air balloons. They weren’t taking anyone on rides – however I’m unsure I might have taken that likelihood anyway. Would you?
The Townsend Heritage Pageant kicks off the Autumn season with stay bluegrass music, arts and crafts, and meals. The 2-day competition spans a weekend and it among the finest festivals to attend if you wish to get to know the mountain city.
Much like the heritage competition, the Townsend Spring Pageant signifies the tip of Winter every year with two days of bluegrass music, arts and crafts, and native meals. Held the primary week of Could, it’s a good time of yr to go to Townsend.
Grains & Grits is one other new competition for Townsend – and it’s improbable to attend. The competition showcases brewers and distillers from all through the Appalachian Mountains in a fun-filled ambiance of mountain music and pattern drinks. It’s an excellent alternative to find a brand new beer or liquor and meet the individuals who make it.
No. 15
Discover the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park
Cades Cove is among the hottest locations within the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, nevertheless it’s not the one vacation spot. There are various locations to discover within the nationwide park inside an hour’s drive of Townsend, making this an excellent place to spend the night time.
The Townsend Wye has grown in reputation in recent times. It’s the primary vacation spot within the nationwide park to go to after leaving Townsend behind. It’s a well-liked place for tubing or swimming within the shallow water within the river’s bend.
Meigs Falls is the one waterfall within the nationwide park viewable from the consolation of your personal automobile. It’s positioned a number of hundred toes from Little River Highway in a small ravine, however you possibly can see it out of your automobile or by sitting on the stone wall above the river. Close by, The Sinks is an space of cascading waterfalls created when a lumber firm used dynamite to blast a log jam on the Little River. The explosion created a deep chasm beneath the river and really modified its course.
Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Space is a good place to spend a night with the household. It’s a couple of 25-minute drive from Townsend, so it’s attainable to take one thing to eat with you. The picnic space has a number of coated shelters, entry to the Little River, and a mountain climbing path resulting in the Little Greenbrier College.
The Elkmont Historic District is a captivating space to discover about forty-five minutes from Townsend. The historic district contains an assortment of historic houses and cabins positioned the place a logging village had been constructed within the late 1800s. The cabins are leftovers earlier than the nationwide park was based when rich folks from Knoxville used the world as a summer time trip. Mountain climbing trails, waterfalls, entry to the Little River, and the campground are some things to see there.
The Sugarlands Customer Middle is an hour from Townsend with out site visitors – and when there may be site visitors, it may take as a lot as two hours. Newfound Hole is about two hours from Townsend and Clingmans Dome, about two and a half hours. All of those are simply doable in a prolonged day journey – however why would you need to go that removed from Townsend?
When to Go to Townsend
Many of the native retail retailers, eating places, campgrounds, and motels are open year-round in Townsend. The winter months are definitely the slowest when it comes to guests – and that may be a good time to go to.
However the most effective time to go to Townsend is the summer time months. Most individuals flock to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge on the Tennessee aspect and Bryson Metropolis on the North Carolina aspect of the nationwide park. That leaves Townsend largely peaceable – however not abandoned.
Day-trippers will frequent the city, and campers from Cades Cove will enterprise out for meals and provides. It’s by no means actually a ghost city in the summertime, however it’s much less crowded than options.
The busiest time of yr is often Autumn, coinciding with the height of fall colours. It’s a good time to go to, however you’ll discover in a single day charges dearer – typically much more costly than summer time weekends. However if you wish to go to Cades Cove to see the colours, I strongly advocate staying in Townsend.
The place to Keep in Townsend
Finances
The Townsend River Breeze Inn doesn’t appear to be a lot on the surface, however on the within, you’ll discover lately up to date rooms with fashionable furnishings. The swimming pool is surrounded by a series hyperlink fence, however on the plus aspect, you possibly can admire the mountains whereas floating within the water. The motel has King Rooms with a sleeper couch and Double Rooms with two queen beds.
The Highland Manor Inn is a splendidly nostalgic place to spend a number of nights in Townsend. The motel is positioned in an previous constructing, however the furnishings and bedding are comparatively new and in good situation. They’ve a improbable outside swimming pool, and the lounge is a good place to hang around. They’ve a Normal Room with two queen beds, Deluxe Queen and Deluxe King Rooms, and a King Room with a personal balcony.
The Finest Western is the budget-friendly go-to in Townsend. The lodge has King Rooms and Queen Rooms with two queen beds. With an out of doors swimming pool and reasonably good free breakfast, it’s an excellent place if all you’re searching for is a mattress and bathe.
Mid-Vary
The Tremont Lodge and Resort is positioned in an older constructing, however after the property modified arms in 2017, the brand new house owners have been updating the furnishings. The free breakfast within the morning leaves rather a lot to be desired, however in any other case, this can be a comfy place to spend the night time and benefit from the outside swimming pool. The lodge has King Rooms, Queen Rooms with two queen beds, and a pet-friendly Household Suite with two queen beds and a sleeper couch.
Luxurious
The premiere in a single day vacation spot in Townsend is the Dancing Bear Lodge. The lodge options rustic mountain decor, rooms with wood-burning fireplaces and full kitchens, and outside recreation within the 36-acre property. The lodge options rooms within the villa and cabins with one or two bedrooms, and a few of them are pet pleasant!
Tenting
My favourite place to remain in Townsend is the Little Arrow Out of doors Resort. It’s positioned actually on the nationwide park’s edge, so it’s solely about twenty minutes from Cades Cove. There’s positively one thing you’ll need with a pleasant campground, glamping tents, tiny houses, and cabins.