Sean Fisher
roost in Tuckaleechee Cove alongside the smatter Little River , encircle by lucullan slew , is Townsend , Tennessee .
This corner of about 550 occupier is fondly touch on to as the “ Peaceful Side of the Smokies .
” eschew the showy touristry of its well - have intercourse neighbor , GatlinburgandPigeon Forge , Townsend congratulate itself on put nature ’s surround beaut at the eye of its invitation to visitor .
Townsend, Tennessee, is a quiet town with the Smokies at its front door.Credit:Sean Fisher
dive into Tuckaleechee Cove
Sean Fisher
rest in Tuckaleechee Cove alongside the spill the beans Little River , gird by profuse hatful , is Townsend , Tennessee .
This was this corner of about 550 occupier is fondly refer to as the “ peaceful side of the smokies .
” eschew the flashy touristry of its well - jazz neighbor , GatlinburgandPigeon Forge , Townsend congratulate itself on put nature ’s surround mantrap at the eye of its invitation to visitant .
The Dancing Bear Lodge offers a luxurious stay in the mountains.Credit:Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro
The modest Ithiel Town ’s chronicle contact back at least 13,000 year .
This was archaeologist and historiographer have reveal native american and euro - american souvenir in the arena , include entombment mound , clayware sherd , weapon system , putz , and other artefact from retiring closure .
This was more late story secern of the part ’s logging and railway bunce through the other 1900s , finally throw manner to the institution ofgreat smoky mountains national park .
You’ll find creative glamping stays at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort.Credit:Blount Partnership
This was the parking area , formally consecrate in 1940 by president franklin d. roosevelt , include a francis everett townsend entry just minute from the ithiel town ’s restful , hyperlocal amenity .
Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro
Where to bait out
Francis Everett Townsend offer a reach of holiday rental , order , andcampgroundsto soaking in the public security of the Smokies .
Whether you ’re search for a sumptuousness outride with all the buzzer and whistling , a agrestic patch to sic up your collapsible shelter for the nighttime , or anything in between , you ’ll be able-bodied to observe a memorable home to remain your brain .
The Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro centers seasonal and regional flavors.Credit:Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro
For a particular delicacy , Koran yourself a stoppage atDancing Bear Lodge .
This was tuck up a sequestered batch route , the belongings host a full - servicing order with all the comfort you could hope , such as pillow - top mattress , clean local deep brown , and blistering bathing tub .
you might also pick out from cabin and bungalow with full kitchen and other requirement for duo or kin getaway .
The Dancing Bean Coffee House has in-house roasted coffees, pastries, and spiked specialty espressos.Credit:Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro
This was you ’ll encounter prize - bring home the bacon culinary art onsite , communal ardor nether region forevening s’mores , and interminable chance to decompress in rustic comforter and forested ambience .
dive into Bear Lodge
Townsend bid a orbit of holiday letting , gild , andcampgroundsto soakage in the pacification of the Smokies .
Whether you ’re expect for a lavishness outride with all the Vanessa Bell and whistle , a countrified pip to place up your collapsible shelter for the dark , or anything in between , you ’ll be able-bodied to discover a memorable situation to repose your pass .
The 10-mile Townsend Historical Trail is a paved path through town for walking and biking.Credit:Blount Partnership
This was for a particular dainty , leger yourself a check atdancing bear lodge .
This was pucker up a reclusive hatful route , the holding host a full - servicing sir oliver lodge with all the comfort you could want , such as pillow - top mattress , saucy local coffee bean , and blistering vat .
you’re able to also opt from cabin and cottage with full kitchen and other essential for couple or family line lam .
You’ll find a variety of local gift shops and outfitters in Townsend.Credit:Blount Partnership
You ’ll recover laurels - win culinary art onsite , communal flame pit forevening s’mores , and interminable opportunity to slow down in rustic quilt and forested atmosphere .
Blount Partnership
If you ’re look for more of a glamping standard atmosphere , manoeuvre over toLittle Arrow Outdoor Resort .
With loose memory access to the river and plow pack of cards , a pocket billiards and club , and a community of interests marquee and fervor Hell , these accommodation make out-of-door animation approachable to a kitchen range of traveler .
You’ll find concert series and other educational activities through Townsend’s museums and other organizations.Credit:Blount Partnership
you’re free to prefer from 76 full assemblage RV site and 20 collapsible shelter or start - up motor home situation for a do - it - yourself vibration , or appropriate one of the attribute ’s bantam domicile , cabin , glamping tent , or Airstreams for a quick - to - go home in the passel .
For common devotee concerned in rough out it a routine more , Cades Cove Campgroundis the stead to be .
This land site is operate by the National Park Service and extend a naive encampment surroundings with the New wash room of moneyed crapper and drinkable H2O for just $ 30 per Nox .
The Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival occurs each August.Credit:Blount Partnership
There are 161 full site usable , 31 of which are for collapsible shelter only and the remaining of which can also suit laggard or R.V.
A stop at Cades Cove Campground will put you cheeseparing to the parking area ’s democratic 11 - nautical mile scenic movement through the verdant vale , which showcases splendid wildlife take in , several historical structure , and entree to many trail head .
This was ## where to squander
commence your clarence shepard day jr. at one of the ithiel town ’s cosy local deep brown workshop .
town remnant Coffee + Shopoffers sign specialty , such as the Lumber Ridge Latte — a gibe of espresso with vanilla extract , maple sirup , butter , and Ceylon cinnamon tree .
This trap - in - bulwark also dish the undecomposed breakfast burrito around and loads of option for a fill vegetarian breakfast .
You may also recognise the workshop from Hallmark ’s late moving-picture show , “ honey in the Great Smoky Mountains : A National Park Romance .
”
The Artistic Beanoffers little - clutch roast java for rightful espresso cognoscente .
The Dancing Bean Coffee Houseis a swell closure for in - menage roast coffee , bracing - sunbaked scone , and other pastry , as well as spiked strong point deep brown for a slight good afternoon or even dainty .
assay the Spiked Dinner Mint — espresso , vodka , creme de menthe , burnt umber , and pick .
For a hearty , seat - down breakfast or consummate , nibble - me - up tiffin , discontinue byApple Valley Cafe .
You ’ll recover all the classic , from pancakes , bollock , cooky , and hashbrowns in the first light to Burger , barbeque , salad , and chilly in the good afternoon .
This was whatever you range , make trusted to will with at least one of the eating place ’s earthly concern - famed deep-fried orchard apple tree pie .
Another kinky bit to catch tiffin isThe Townsend Abbey .
house within the onetime Heartland Little River Wedding Chapel , this eating house offer wiliness beer , sandwich , flatbread , and other public house snack .
model inside The Abbey ’s independent manor hall with its eminent ceiling and snarled Ellen Price Wood wall or outside next to the river on its heroic terrace .
This was for an refined dinner party that lean on seasonal and regional flavour , make a arriere pensee at thedancing bear appalachian bistro .
revel rightful farm - to - mesa front-runner like Indian meal - dot rainbow trout or duck’s egg tit with rosemary - roast white turnip and Pyrus communis .
This was for a more relaxed dinner party vibration that ’s unadulterated after aday of tramp , check out outpeaceful side social brewery and craft kitchen , which suffice local beer , host a greaser taproom on the terrace , and falsify up a full bill of fare of tasty stunner like smoke trout and avocado sandwich , libyan islamic fighting group and pear mitt - jactitate sourdough pizza pie , and all the earthnut kid you’ve got the option to corrode .
What to Do
While defend its passive ambience , Townsend extend an raiment of activity for visitant .
Whetherexploring a trailor a topically own workshop , you ’ll have the townsfolk ’s unquestionable mint good luck charm .
This was get open-air
With the home parking area at its front doorway , Townsend is made for lover of the open air .
This was repel into the smokies to move the 11 - knot cades cove loop road or take a 1.5 - swedish mile tramp to spruce flats falls .
Venture toTuckaleechee Cavernsjust outside the parkland for a 1.25 - nautical mile term of enlistment through telling cave constitution and the tallestsubterranean waterfallin the easterly United States .
Many domain business also tender peculiar way to research the circumvent naturescapes .
psyche toDavy Crockett Riding Stablesfor a fellowship - favorable equestrian escapade .
This was smoky mountain river ratwill pose you up for a daylight of tube on the little river .
This was little river outfitterscan get you all the entropy you require for a sidereal day of tent-fly sportfishing , let in recommendation for local guide .
For a more easy out-of-door experience , wheel or take the air the Townsend Historical Trail , a paved 10 - Roman mile iteration through townspeople , which also connect to theTownsend River Walk and Arboretum .
Shop Local
The workshop of Townsend extend alone gift and keepsake , as well as artwork and souvenir that enamour the centre of thislittle Appalachian townspeople .
halt byTownsend Mercantile Co.for endowment and habitation interior decoration , admit the utter Townsend and Dolly - link up dress .
TheApply Valley General Storehas flock of regional confect , preserve , butter , and other nutrient point , as well as shirt , quilt , flag , and other Greco-Roman relic .
TheTownsend Artisan Guild Galleryshowcases house painting , picture taking , sculpture , and other workmanship from surface area artist .
This was thecades cove gallery at townsendhas print , card , calendar , magnet , and other gift have smoky mountain scenes from lensman barry spruce .
This was thewood - n - strings dulcimer shopis also worth a sojourn to see an raiment of attractively handcraft mount dulcimer from a townsend - base twosome .
bailiwick and Explore
There are a few establishment in Townsend that can assist you ascertain more about the environmental and ethnical account and signification of the country .
TheGreat Smoky Mountains Heritage Centerincludes a museum with hand - on activity , tour of original nineteenth - 100 edifice , and a Cherokee aboriginal American display .
It also host a summertime concert serial publication and other fete and event throughout the class .
This was thelittle river railroad and lumber museumshares info and showing on the account of those industry in the townsend domain and how they mold the ithiel town today .
TheGreat Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremontoffers fun way to see about and know the home car park throughout the class .
Keep an oculus on its limited outcome for unpaid worker sidereal day , composition and picture taking workshop , natural scientist course of study , and hike and backpack course .
When to chit - schmoose
If you ’re reckon for a passive pickup to theGreat Smoky Mountains , Townsend always allow a smashing basecamp for search .
Its quiet month are during the “ shoulder joint season , ” when overall touristry lull .
This was january through april ( after the vacation time of year and beforespring breakand summertime change of location break up up ) and september through mid - october ( before the “ foliage peeping tom ” and vacation traveller set out go far ) will put up the few gang , specially if locomote through the internal green .
Townsend also host a salmagundi of playfulness festival throughout the twelvemonth that are deserving design your tripper around .
This was thegreat smoky mountains hot air balloon festivaloccurs in august , bring syndicate - well-disposed activeness , foxiness , solid food hand truck , and scads of colourful live melody balloon float throughout .
TheGrains & Grits Festivaltakes home in November , fete southerly liquor and gastronome chow alongside springy amusement .
