With top-rated attractions, renowned shopping and a charming small-town setting in the midst of the Smokies' scenic beauty, it's no wonder Sevierville's tagline is "Where Smoky Mountain Fun Begins." The town of about 17,000 sits at the entrance to America's most visited national park, so it goes without saying that adventure awaits.
In town, you'll find two of the largest outlet malls in the area along with a host of under-the-radar attractions that helped garner Sevierville a spot on Smithsonian Magazine's list of 20 Small Towns to Visit in 2015. The quaint downtown commons offers restaurants, boutique shopping and events including movie nights and a weekly farmers market in the warmer months.
Of course we'll steer you to the well-known sights that draw millions of tourists each year - and you'd be remiss if you didn't join them - but if you're also looking for to discover some new places, look no further.
Hidden Mountain Cabins in Sevierville Tn.More Info
MOUNTAIN MAJESTYThe Great Smoky Mountains National Park needs no introduction; its splendor is renowned. Perhaps that’s because it has so many unique claims to fame.It is the most biodiverse park in the National Park system. For example, a trip over Newfound Gap Road, the lowest drivable pass in the park, has often been compared to a drive from Georgia to Maine in terms of the variety of forest ecosystems one experiences.It’s home to the highest point in Tennessee, and the third-highest mountain east of the Mississippi: Clingmans Dome.The tallest dam in the eastern United States — Fontana Dam — also calls the park home.It is the most visited National Park in the U.S., drawing 10,712,674 visitors last year.It is one of the few National Parks that is free to enter.*Source: nps.gov
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ADVENTURE AWAITSFrom the thrill of ziplining over a waterfall to the calm of the trail, outdoor opportunities wait around every corner.Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park: Whether you want to experience nature from an extreme 8-wheel-drive ATV on rugged off-road trails, while freewheeling high in the treetops or from a front-porch rocker, this park has something for you. One of its two ziplines, the Goliath, is the highest zipline in the Smokies, and the park also houses the longest swinging bridge in America. Want to do it all? The seasonal “Get It All” package grants you access to eight adventures for one low price. (3757 Thomas Lane; 865-446-5149; foxfiremountain.com.)Hike The Smokys: If you want a more “natural” experience, this outfit offers the expertise of a Red Cross Certified former Boy Scout who’s led hundreds of hikes. He’ll take you to hidden treasures away from the crowds of tourists, creating better opportunities to come across wildlife — or, perhaps, to explore the enchanted streets of Elkmont, once a playground and party town for some of the Smoky Mountains National Park’s founders and Knoxville’s societal elites. From private romantic hikes and island kayak tours to waterfall hikes and winter walks, you’re sure to find something special, no matter your skill level. (1016 Dolly Parton Pkwy. #8; 865-363-4663; hikethesmokys.com.)Scenic Helicopter Tours: If you’re looking to cover a lot of ground, consider a helicopter tour. This TripAdvisor-awarded outfit promises the most FAA & National Park Service approved flights over The Smokies, with a variety of options designed to accommodate your desire, time and budget. (1949 Winfield Dunn Pkwy.; 865-453-6342; scenichelicoptertours.com.)Source: foxfiremountain.com; hikethesmokys.com; scenichelicoptertours.com
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OFF THE BEATEN PATHYou can get way off the path just outside Sevierville by venturing into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but here are some some lesser-known locales in town that also offer adventurous finds:The Tennessee Museum of Aviation: In the whole world, there are believed to be 12 airworthy WWII-era P-47 Thunderbolt aircrafts. Two are located at this museum. This warbird-focused museum is also home to the Doolittle Medal of Honor, awarded to James Doolittle for his valor and leadership as commander of the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo during WWII, as well as a host of other 20th century aircraft — some of which take to the skies in impromptu flights.The Relic Room at Smoky Mountain Knifeworks: Located in the heart of Sevierville’s popular Smoky Mountain Knife Works, the Relic Room is easy to walk through without taking the time to look. But look you should! From vintage aviator sunglasses to ancient pottery — and even a few silly things thrown in (like casts of Bigfoot foot prints) — this is definitely a fun place to shop.Forbidden Caverns: One of the area’s oldest attractions, Forbidden Cavern’s hour-long guided tour points out natural wonders such as a wall of rare white cave onyx. This spectacular cave once served as a refuge for Eastern Woodland Indians and a hideout for moonshiners.Burchfiel Grove and Arboretum: Part of the greenway system that runs along the Little Pigeon River, this trail introduces you to dozens of varieties of trees and shrubs. By visiting the “Parks and Recreation” tab at seviervilletn.org you can download a self-guided tour that identifies 73 species of trees along both the East and West Bank of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River and feeds you specific information about each individual tree. And, the trail is dog-friendly!Source: seviervilletn.org
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EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRYSevierville offers plenty of examples of country cooking at its finest, but it also lays claim to some other tasty stops, whether you need to wet your whistle or refuel:Courthouse Donuts: This downtown coffee and doughnut shop/event space opened last year and features a unique approach to doughnuts. Customers choose from a chocolate, vanilla, glazed or “daily” dip, then top their doughnut with anything from coconut to Reese’s Pieces to Fruity Pebbles. (160 Court Ave.; 865-286-9073; courthousedonuts.com.)The Diner: The milkshakes alone are worth the trip, but coupled with charming checkerboard and an all-American menu that combines classics with a modern emphasis on fresh, it’s a no-brainer. If you’re lucky, you might happen upon one of the many cruise-ins the restaurant holds, cementing its blast-from-the-past appeal. (550 Winfield Dunn Pkwy.; 865-908-1904 ; thediner.biz)Hickory Cabin Seasoning Company: This barbecue restaurant also sells its own brand of seasoning and sauces. If you stop in, try “The Squealy,” a 1/3-pound ground pork patty topped with grilled onion and Hickory Cabin BBQ sauce on a kaiser bun. (105 Joy St.; 865-908-2400; hickorycabin.com.)Wineries and distilleries: There are many wineries in and around Sevierville, including Apple Barn Winery, Eagle Springs Winery, Hillside Winery, Mountain Valley Winery, Rocky Top Wine Trail, Sugarland Cellars, Thunder Road Distillery, Doc Collier Moonshine Distillery, Ole Smoky Distillery (Tennessee’s first legal Moonshine distillery), and recently opened Jake’s Creek Distillery.
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ALL IN THE BAGSevierville’s plethora of antique malls, boutiques, specialty stores, flea markets, outdoor stores and more mean you’re sure to find whatever you’re shopping for, even if you don’t know what that is yet.If you’re in the market for quality clothing at discount prices, Tanger Outlet Mall is just your bag. The largest authentic outlet center in the state, it boasts more than 300 clothing, accessory and specialty stores. The mall brings in some record-smashing revenues compared to others the country over — as does the Bass Pro Shops that Sevierville shares with Kodak, Tenn., in case you need to pick up something for your Smoky Mountains adventure.And to help you keep up with all the memories you’ll make, Sevierville is also home to Your Scrapbook Super-store, the scrapbook store with the largest inventory in the U.S.Source: visitsevierville.com
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DESTINATION: DOLLYIf you happen upon a tribute to a familiar-looking persona in front of the courthouse downtown, it’s because the town was the stomping grounds of one of the most honored female country performers of all time: Dolly Parton. One of 12 children, the Sevierville native was regularly heard on Sevierville’s WSEV radio station before she was 10 years old and was also a regular on the Knoxville television program “The Cas Walker Show.”A statue of her, sculpted by local artist Jim Gray, has graced the lawn of the Sevier County Courthouse since 1987, a year after she opened her Dollywood theme park. (The Beaux Arts-style courthouse, completed in 1896, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.)Parton comes home each spring for the park’s seasonal grand opening and makes several other appearances throughout the year.Source: visitsevierville.com