7 Things To Do In Townsend, Tennessee
Posted by Leif Palmer in Things to Do
Most folks who travel to the Smokies know about the communities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. After all, that's where you'll find the vast majority of attractions, shops and restaurants in the area. But there's another nearby community that a lot of travelers prefer to visit because it hasn't completely surrendered its Smoky Mountain character to tourism.
That place is Townsend, TN, and its comfortable blend of mountain charm and minimal tourist-oriented businesses has earned it the nickname “the peaceful side of the Smokies.” It's somewhere you might want to think about exploring if you're staying in a cabin. Townsend is less than 10 miles away from most of our properties, and we think you'll find it a refreshing change of pace. So this week, we're passing along, in no particular order, a few recommendations for places to go in Townsend.
Smoky Mountain Heritage Center
This cultural center offers a self-guided tour through the history of the area, beginning with its ancient native inhabitants and going all the way through its European settlers and pre-national-park residents. The exhibits are informative and interactive, and the tour even takes you outside through a small village of authentic historic buildings and structures. The center hosts special exhibits and events throughout the year, including a summer concert series.
Little River Railroad Museum
This attraction is devoted to preserving and passing on the history and legacy of Townsend's railroad industry, which was huge in the early days of the 20th century. The railroads were vital to the area's core business, which was timber. The trains were used to ship felled trees out of town and to bring workers in. The museum's self-guided tour is free and includes both indoor exhibits as well as outside features like restored locomotives and other implements used in shipping timber.
Tuckaleechee Caverns
No matter what time of year you visit, this massive underground cavern maintains a steady temperature in the upper 50s. You can follow the lighted trails deep into the mountain as you explore the seemingly endless network of caverns and their many fascinating geological features, including stalactites and stalagmites.
The Townsend Y
In warmer weather, lots of folks (including locals) like to stop at this natural swimming hole in the Little River. The water is brisk but makes a great way to cool of on those hot summer days.
Tubing
This one's also for warm days only, but there are a few companies in town that rent inner tubes you can then use to float gently down the Little River while taking a break from the heat and humidity.
Biking
There's a great bike trail system that runs from one end of Townsend to the other, on both sides of the highway. The complete loop is about 10 miles long. You can use your own bicycle or rent one from a local vendor.
Attend A Festival
The Townsend Visitor Center hosts several special events each year, including the annual fall festival, which runs September 25 and 26 this year. You can bring your lawn chair and enjoy bluegrass music, arts and crafts, fall foods and a wide variety of things for the whole family.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in the Smoky Mountains. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.
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Gatlinburg Hiking Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge Attractions Places To Eat Places To Eat Rental Cabins Seasons Smoky Mountains Sevierville Smoky Mountain Attractions Smoky Mountains Things to Do Wears Valley