Words By Rebecca Deurlein
Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee is the most visited in the United States? With its location just down the road from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Dollywood, this destination is bound to bring crowds, but here’s a secret: The small town of Townsend, nestled against the national park, remains quiet and inexpensive. You can easily bike to the park from any number of hotels, cabins, or tiny houses, and Townsend is impressive on its own with family-friendly activities, charming lodging options at every price point, and enough restaurants that you won’t have to join a waiting list for your morning biscuits and gravy. That’s the beauty of Townsend. It’s a delightful little town few have heard of, making it one of Tennessee’s best-kept secrets. Here’s everything the locals know about what makes this Southern town so special.
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Townsend’s proximity to Cades Cove, the most-visited section of the Great Smoky Mountains, puts you on the popular 11-mile loop in no time. This route takes you to more preserved historical structures than you’ll find in any other national park, with more than 40 mills, barns, and homes surrounded by 1,200 species of wildflowers and diverse wildlife. Hike or bike 850 miles of trails, taking in the beauty at a slower pace.
Tennessee is famous for its whiskey, and you’ll find some fantastic sippers at Company Distilling. Just 3 years old and helmed by a former Jack Daniels master distiller, it offers whiskeys, ryes, bourbons, gin, moonshine, and beer. Ask for a tasting, and sample bottles only found here. Sit on the outdoor patio perched alongside the Little Tennessee River Greenway and listen to live music, or play a game of cornhole.
Where there are mountains, there are streams, and fly-fishing opportunities abound. Smoky Mountain Guides provides all the gear and instruction you need for everything, from a four-hour trip to a three-day excursion. You’ll fish brown, rainbow, and brook trout in natural, unstocked streams fed by the Pigeon River. Even the kids can get their feet wet with a special package for little anglers.
Stay
Set back from the road, the Dancing Bear Lodge welcomes you with 38 wooded acres and 28 cabins, villas, and cottages. Picture Southern-style front porches with rocking chairs and stacks of firewood, full kitchens, fireplaces, and modern amenities, all tucked away in Tennessee mountain heaven. At the center of it all sits the Appalachian Bistro, a fine dining restaurant where former Blackberry Farm chef Jeff Carter adds his twist to traditional Appalachian dishes. You’ll find an extensive wine list that complements locally sourced, made-from-scratch, farm-to-table foods. You can even visit the on-property garden to see exactly where your food is coming from.
That’s the beauty of Townsend. It’s a delightful little town few have heard of, making it one of Tennessee’s best-kept secrets.
Eat
You’ll work up an appetite in the mountains, so head over to the Riverstone Family Restaurant for down-home, country cooking. Start your day with biscuits and gravy, and return for lunch or a dinner of barbecue with fried green tomatoes or fried catfish. This family-owned restaurant serves up hefty portions, and the service is small-town sweet.
For casual family dining, don’t miss Peaceful Side Social, where a portion of every bill is donated to local nonprofits. Enjoy fig and pear pizza, pulled chicken and bacon hoagies, butternut squash and kale salad, and craft beer. The kids can slide, tunnel, and scramble through the obstacles at the outdoor playscape, while you watch sports in the dog-friendly beer garden.
Check the Calendar
Every season brings a new opportunity for special events, and Townsend plays host to many of them.
Visiting this fall? Don’t miss the Grains & Grits Festival and its “Ring of Fire,” during which five chefs encircle a fire pit while meats smoke and tenderize, each creating a recipe to accompany their assigned distilled spirit. Barbecue and whiskey—it’s what’s for dinner.
In winter, visit Christmas in the Village at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Handcrafting demonstrations, kettle corn, and hot cider keep the traditions alive. When the daffodils appear, it’s time for the Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day with clogging, bluegrass, wood carving, and spring gardening tips. Come summer, crowds gather to see the vibrant colors of the Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival.
