Stephen & Kristen’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Go early in the day for the best wildlife sightings. There are great areas on the cades cove loop to get out and explore. Remember to carry out any food or trash with you to help us protect out black bear population.
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Cades Cove
Go early in the day for the best wildlife sightings. There are great areas on the cades cove loop to get out and explore. Remember to carry out any food or trash with you to help us protect out black bear population.
Considered to be the peaceful side of the smokies, Townsend offers local restaurant options and water adventures on Little River. You can find tubing, moto rentals, and jeep off-roading rentals in town.
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Townsend
Considered to be the peaceful side of the smokies, Townsend offers local restaurant options and water adventures on Little River. You can find tubing, moto rentals, and jeep off-roading rentals in town.
Tuckaleechee Caverns of Townsend, TN. Known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies” are the highest rating Cave or Cavern of the Eastern United States. Carved inside the earth’s oldest mountain chain and estimated to be between twenty to thirty million years old, the Caverns are rich in history and lore in recent years as well. You will find the “BigRoom” on one end of the tour that could almost fit a football stadium inside it. On the other half of the tour you get to view “SilverFalls”. It falls 210 feet from top to bottom and the tallest subterranean waterfall in the Eastern US . Millions of formations are viewed along the 1.25 mile round trip adventure. Adult – $18.00
Child (5 – 11) – $8.00
Child (4 – Under) – FREE
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Tuckaleechee špilje
825 Cavern RdTuckaleechee Caverns of Townsend, TN. Known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies” are the highest rating Cave or Cavern of the Eastern United States. Carved inside the earth’s oldest mountain chain and estimated to be between twenty to thirty million years old, the Caverns are rich in history and lore in recent years as well. You will find the “BigRoom” on one end of the tour that could almost fit a football stadium inside it. On the other half of the tour you get to view “SilverFalls”. It falls 210 feet from top to bottom and the tallest subterranean waterfall in the Eastern US . Millions of formations are viewed along the 1.25 mile round trip adventure. Adult – $18.00
Child (5 – 11) – $8.00
Child (4 – Under) – FREE
Foothills Parkway
Foothills ParkwayGreat Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
9275 Tremont RdAmusement Fun
505 Old Cades Cove Rd, Townsend, TN 37882
(865) 448-6411
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks BlvdGo early and stay all day!
Open-air chairlift ride to the top of an 1,800-ft. overlook with views of the Smoky Mountains.
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Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
765 ParkwayOpen-air chairlift ride to the top of an 1,800-ft. overlook with views of the Smoky Mountains.
Gatlinburg
Davy Crockett Riding Stables
505 Old Cades Cove RdFood scene
Some of our absolute favorites for local and unique places to grab a bite to eat.
This is still one of my favorite burger joints in town for two reasons: 1. They offer an impressive selection of burgers; and 2. They execute their recipes well. And I’ll add a third reason; 3. They have the right bourbon or beer to accompany any burger. Or would that be four reasons? Don’t overlook the appetizers, though. Their pan-seared feta with honey drizzle on a baguette is delish, and the Duck Fat Fries are indulgently good. The burgers — which are generally served up as a towering behemoth of beef (but not always), bun and toppings — include The Steakhouse (topped with A1 sauce, crispy onions and sautéed mushrooms) and The Elvis, beef topped with peanut butter, fried banana and Benton’s bacon. It’s the kind of burger that makes adventurous burger lovers say, “Thank you… Thank you very much…”
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Stock & Barrel
35 Market SquareThis is still one of my favorite burger joints in town for two reasons: 1. They offer an impressive selection of burgers; and 2. They execute their recipes well. And I’ll add a third reason; 3. They have the right bourbon or beer to accompany any burger. Or would that be four reasons? Don’t overlook the appetizers, though. Their pan-seared feta with honey drizzle on a baguette is delish, and the Duck Fat Fries are indulgently good. The burgers — which are generally served up as a towering behemoth of beef (but not always), bun and toppings — include The Steakhouse (topped with A1 sauce, crispy onions and sautéed mushrooms) and The Elvis, beef topped with peanut butter, fried banana and Benton’s bacon. It’s the kind of burger that makes adventurous burger lovers say, “Thank you… Thank you very much…”
This restaurant’s art deco aesthetics provide a welcoming and engaging setting for its rotating seasonal fare. For example, on my first visit, The Grub Spouse and I dined on mussels and clams, pasta carbonara, and short rib served with whipped potatoes, oyster mushrooms and kale. These days, the dinner menu features the likes of smoked pork belly and seared sea scallops as starters, while entrees include sous vide swordfish, Norwegian steelhead and bone-in rib-eye. Many of the dishes we ordered a few years back are still offered. For dessert, I’ve enjoyed what is currently listed as its flourless chocolate torte accompanied by raspberry ganache and jam, Nutella dust, salted caramel truffle, toffee and baked chocolate bits. Excellent service and an extensive cocktail menu also help make this place a contender for date night.
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Oliver Royale
5 Market SquareThis restaurant’s art deco aesthetics provide a welcoming and engaging setting for its rotating seasonal fare. For example, on my first visit, The Grub Spouse and I dined on mussels and clams, pasta carbonara, and short rib served with whipped potatoes, oyster mushrooms and kale. These days, the dinner menu features the likes of smoked pork belly and seared sea scallops as starters, while entrees include sous vide swordfish, Norwegian steelhead and bone-in rib-eye. Many of the dishes we ordered a few years back are still offered. For dessert, I’ve enjoyed what is currently listed as its flourless chocolate torte accompanied by raspberry ganache and jam, Nutella dust, salted caramel truffle, toffee and baked chocolate bits. Excellent service and an extensive cocktail menu also help make this place a contender for date night.
It’s hard to find truly authentic Italian cuisine in Knoxville, but Emilia may be about as close as you’ll get. The setting is casual and unpretentious, with rural Italian farmhouse sensibilities, but the food is top-notch all the way. Chef Matt Gallaher also takes a seasonal approach to putting together the menu, which is served in a series of courses — antipasti, contorni, secondi and primi piatti. You’re not obligated to participate in them all, of course, but the full Italian meal option is quite an experience. On our first visit, The Spouse and I enjoyed house-baked focaccia bread, the campanelle pasta with braised lamb and spring peas, and the bucatini carbonara — long tube pasta with Benton’s Bacon, pecorinio romano, a poached Shelton Farm egg and parmigiano-reggiano. For dessert, we had no choice but to sample the tiramisu, a generous serving that was completely exquisite.
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Emilia
16 Market SquareIt’s hard to find truly authentic Italian cuisine in Knoxville, but Emilia may be about as close as you’ll get. The setting is casual and unpretentious, with rural Italian farmhouse sensibilities, but the food is top-notch all the way. Chef Matt Gallaher also takes a seasonal approach to putting together the menu, which is served in a series of courses — antipasti, contorni, secondi and primi piatti. You’re not obligated to participate in them all, of course, but the full Italian meal option is quite an experience. On our first visit, The Spouse and I enjoyed house-baked focaccia bread, the campanelle pasta with braised lamb and spring peas, and the bucatini carbonara — long tube pasta with Benton’s Bacon, pecorinio romano, a poached Shelton Farm egg and parmigiano-reggiano. For dessert, we had no choice but to sample the tiramisu, a generous serving that was completely exquisite.
This restaurant is proof that you don’t have to be fancy shmancy to be a great eatery. Mexican food fans like all its locations for their quality cuisine and spirited sports-viewing vibe. They have a decent selection of vegetarian options, but for you traditional meat-loving fans of south-of-the-border grub, look for items like burritos, arroz con pollo and fajitas as well as fresh takes on chicken, pork, steak and seafood-centered entrees. You can also create your own combo featuring building-block items like tacos, enchiladas, tamales and more. When I eat there, I’m partial to their chimichanga — two flour tortillas (I prefer mine deep-fried) filled with chicken or beef (or one of each) and drenched in cheese sauce. Yum!
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Soccer Taco
9 Market SquareThis restaurant is proof that you don’t have to be fancy shmancy to be a great eatery. Mexican food fans like all its locations for their quality cuisine and spirited sports-viewing vibe. They have a decent selection of vegetarian options, but for you traditional meat-loving fans of south-of-the-border grub, look for items like burritos, arroz con pollo and fajitas as well as fresh takes on chicken, pork, steak and seafood-centered entrees. You can also create your own combo featuring building-block items like tacos, enchiladas, tamales and more. When I eat there, I’m partial to their chimichanga — two flour tortillas (I prefer mine deep-fried) filled with chicken or beef (or one of each) and drenched in cheese sauce. Yum!
A neighborhood restaurant located in the heart of Maryville. The menu is a reflection of the seasons and of the farms that provide it with ingredients. Hospitality is shown with courtesy and creates experiences that are sure to become lasting memories. Absolutely our favorite place to eat in Maryville.
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The Walnut Kitchen
606 High StA neighborhood restaurant located in the heart of Maryville. The menu is a reflection of the seasons and of the farms that provide it with ingredients. Hospitality is shown with courtesy and creates experiences that are sure to become lasting memories. Absolutely our favorite place to eat in Maryville.
Dancing Bear Lodge Townsend
7140 E Lamar Alexander PkwyA great spot to grab a meal in Townsend.
The best coffee in TN. Super cool local coffee house atmosphere.
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Vienna Coffee House
212 College StThe best coffee in TN. Super cool local coffee house atmosphere.
Peaceful Side Social | Townsend
Blackhorse Pub & Brewery Alcoa
Foothills Milling Co
315 S Washington StAmici
1420 E Broadway AveBella
Snoring Bear Diner
4543 E Lamar Alexander PkwyElvira's Cafe
4143 Wears Valley RdSouthern Grace Coffee Co.
312 Tedford StThe Townsend Abbey
7765 River Rd