Things To Do

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TOWNSEND

Townsend Tennessee is known as the Peaceful or Quiet side of the Smokies. Our town features fine restaurants and shopping, bike trails, hiking, caves, golfing, horseback riding, abundant outdoor activities including fishing, swimming, and river tubing in the crystal clear Little River.  All with that quaint, small town feeling, yet a 20 to 30 minute drive to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.   Come, enjoy and relax in the quiet side of the Smokies.

CADES COVE

Cades Cove has been preserved by the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to look much the way it looked in the 1800's.   Once home    to a small mountain community, whose settlers came from mainly from Virginia, North Carolina and upper east Tennessee, Cades Cove is today the largest open air museum in the entire Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Cades Cove has original pioneer homesteads,  businesses, barns, pastures and farmland--a fitting tribute to the hearty people who lived here in the days of yesteryear.

Most of the settlers homes and home sites will be outside of the road you as you travel the Cades  Cove  loop.   To the center of the loop   will be acre upon acre of grass and wildflower fields which were once cleared by frontiersmen for valuable for growing things such as  corn wheat and cattle. Nearly all the buildings built by the pioneers and preserved by the Great Smoky Mountain National Park are outside the   Cades Cove Loop. These remaining original structures, as well as abundant wildlife, are easy to spot as you travel the 11 mile loop.

Cades Cove is one of the most visited areas in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. And is a must see during your vacation.    The     area can be view by car, bicycle, or on horseback.   There are many trails and waterfalls to be view from the cove.   The seasons bring  different activities and events to enjoy.

LITTLE RIVER

Little river is one of Townsend's main attractions. The crystal clear river is the best place for river tubing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, picnicking, sunbathing, wading, and just relaxing. There are several business in the area that rent equipment for your enjoyment.

DOLLYWOOD

An Appalachian theme park located in Pigeon Forge approx 30 minutes from Townsend, TN. There are rides for all ages, shows, festivals, crafts and music that change with the seasons, shops and food galore. Fun for the entire family. If you arrive after 3:00 PM, go the next day for free. See Dollywood website for further information, hours, and ticket cost at  www.dollywood.com

SPLASH COUNTRY

For a unique summer vacation destination that's fun for the entire family, go to Dollywood's Splash Country. This water adventure theme   park has water park rides, slides, and attractions guaranteed to cool you off on a hot summer day! Located in Pigeon Forge adjacent to Dollywood. Go to www.dollywoodssplashcountry.com for further information.

THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN HERITAGE CENTER

The Heritage Center celebrates the cultural heritage of East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains. The gallery exhibit, educational   programs,  and  festivals guide you on an historic journey through time to visit  the diverse culture of Townsend and Tuckaleechee Cove.    The Heritage Center has artifacts representing  5,00 years of Native American life.   The daily life, family, community, medicine, education  and recreation of the pioneer and mountain culture is also explored.   The center also includes eleven restored historic buildings. There is always something new at the Center for the entire family to enjoy.    Visit their website at www.gsmheritagecenter.org   for  further  information.

Smokey Rental Cabins
1034 Dry Valley Road Townsend, TN 37882
Email: towny@comcast.net (865)382-3545
1- 866- 8SMOKEY OR (866) 876-6539
Fax: (865) 448-3213