Maryville may be called the gateway city to the Great Smoky Mountains, but it is also a town worth a stop and a stay.
This small town is bursting with a 200-plus-year history, and is a must-visit for those who enjoy the outdoors and are looking for a hike or a pleasant stroll through a quaint downtown.
Maryville was established by John Craig in 1785 on the site of a former Cherokee village and is named after Mary Grainger Blount, the wife of territorial governor William Blount. Rich history like this runs throughout the town, which also boasts of having 150 different hiking trails covering more than 900 miles.
Stop on by and stay awhile - there is plenty to keep you busy.
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Maryville ‘has it all’Population: 27,914Biggest employers: Denso, Clayton Homes, Blount Memorial HospitalLandmarks or geographic features: Maryville is in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, with Chilhowee Mountain to the south.Date founded: July 11, 1795History: Maryville was established on the site of a former Cherokee village called Elajay. John Craig built what became Fort Craig on what is now the city site in 1785. He donated 50 acres next to his fort for the founding of the town. It was named in honor of Mary Grainger Blount, wife of territorial governor William Blount.Most famous residents: U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, former UT-Knoxville head football coach Phillip Fulmer, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall CobbFacts: Maryville College is one of the 50 oldest colleges in the United States and the 12th oldest in the South.Source: blountcountychamber.com, Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture, “History of Blount County, Tennessee: From War Trail to Landing Strip, 1795-1955”
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Places to Visit Year-round>Clayton Center for the Arts: Home of the Maryville College fine arts and performing arts program, the Clayton Center is constantly hosting a variety of musical and theatrical performances. Check out its website at claytonartscenter.com for a full listing of events and performances throughout the year, along with current gallery hours.>Cades Cove Museum: Explore the history of Cades Cove and a portion of the county’s past at the historic Thompson-Brown House. The museum is free of charge and open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.>Blount County Historical Museum: This museum provides a variety of American Indian, early settlement and Civil War artifacts. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.>Music Row: This venue offers weekly live music on Monday and Saturday nights starting at 7 p.m. The cost of admission is a donation at the door — $5 is recommended. Music Row also offers a cafe that serves top-notch homemade food in a family-friendly atmosphere.Source: claytonartscenter.com, cadescovepreservation.com
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Outdoor adventures>Alcoa Greenway Trail: Walk this 4-mile paved trail that connects Alcoa and Maryville. It is well lit and weaves along the river. Depending on the time of year, you can leave with a fresh-picked bouquet of wildflowers.>Rich Mountain Loop: This is a trail perfect for all skill levels. An 8.5-mile loop just outside of Maryville, it is accessible year-round and offers many stunning views of Cades Cove and the mountains.>Royal Oaks Golf Course: Play a round at this 18-hole championship course, designed by C.J. DeVictor. The course boasts manicured bermuda fairways and bent grass greens. It is a semi-private club, and visitors are welcome to use the course and the 19th Hole Bar & Grill located in the club house.
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Fall in the Foothills>Bicentennial Greenbelt Park: This park rests in the heart of town and was a part of an urban renewal project in the 1970s to redevelop the highly polluted Pistol Creek. Cleaning up the creek allowed this green space to be created with walkways, picnic tables and an exercise course. Locals call this park the Greenbelt and enjoy walking along the creek and watching the variety of birds that congregate in the park.>Parkway Drive-In Movie Theatre: This silver screen offers a family-friendly outdoor movie-watching experience. Open on the weekends, with the movie starting soon after dusk, the gates open at 7 p.m. and people are encouraged to bring a Frisbee and snacks to be ready for a unique experience under the stars. Check out the website for movie listings: bluemoontheatres.com/parkway.>Foothills Fall Festival: This annual festival takes place Oct. 17-19. The festival includes first-class concerts, juried arts and crafts, and activities for the whole family. Tickets are on sale now for the concerts, and most of the other events are free of admission. Find out more at foothillsfallfestival.com.