The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5 discoveries in Sevierville
Tennessee mountain town offers more than you might expect.
When most people think of Sevierville, Tennessee, they conjure up that homey mountain-town feeling, stunning Smoky Mountain views, and family fun at Dollywood. And, yes, Sevierville is Dolly Parton’s hometown. And it is surrounded by astonishing natural mountain beauty. And it is most definitely characterized by friendly people and home-style meals.
But, as Sevierville continues to grow (in all the best ways), you’ll find it has a lot more to offer. Today, this historic mountain town meets adventure and style with an ease and hospitality you’ll find refreshing.
Come and explore five unexpected things Sevierville has to offer. You won’t be sorry you stepped out of the ordinary!
1. Cooler-than-ever downtown
Thousands of visitors make the pilgrimage to downtown Sevierville every year, drawn by the bronze likeness of Dolly Parton—barefoot and radiantly smiling with guitar in hand. It might be argued that Dolly made downtown cool. But boutique hotels and high-end restaurants are making sure it stays that way.
The historic Central Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown. Choose from two- or three-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens so you can go out when you want to and stay in if you need to. The hotel’s soon-to-open rooftop bar, with sweeping views of the surrounding town tucked between the rolling green mountains, will make this a better-than-home-away-from home.
For an unexpected taste of Sevierville, head over to Bruce Street, where you’ll find The Appalachian. The menu, crafted by chef David Rule (of Blackberry Farm fame), focuses on bringing innovation to traditional dishes—all powered by more than 20 small southeastern farms. The Appalachian shows that the farm-totable tradition is worth preserving and honoring in the mountains. Dishes like buffalo frog legs, rainbow trout with succotash and roasted chicken with buttermilk mashed potatoes are fresh, flavorful and bring a touch of elegance to the region’s historic tastes. It’s not on the menu, but ask for the Cherry Cola Cake, which is the stuff of local legends.
2. Soaky Mountain Waterpark
If turquoise blue water, cheery umbrellas and a maze of twisting and dipping water slides doesn’t get you excited for an adventurous day staying cool, what will? Soaky Mountain Waterpark, a modern 50-acre waterpark, opened last summer, determined to offer safe fun for the whole family.
Little ones will love the activity pool area with scaled down versions of the park’s towering slides, including Lil’ Rattlers and Mini Mayhem. Bigger kids (and kids at heart) won’t want to miss the Avalaunch, a “watercoaster” that takes you on a wild adventure full of hills, valleys and a heartpumping wall climb followed by a whitewater splashdown.
If you plan to stay the whole day and want to treat yourself to a little more shade and luxury, consider reserving a cabana in Coyote Springs. You’ll have comfortable seating, privacy and your very own waitstaff.
3. Waterfall Ziplining at Foxfire
Atlantans are a diverse people, but we all have one thing in common: We’re all obsessed with waterfalls! No matter the weather or the season, you’ll find us flocking to waterfalls near and far for the thrill of seeing majestic, roaring falls.
There aren’t many Atlantans, however, who can claim to have flown by gorgeous waterfall landscapes from an aerial zipline. Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park’s waterfall tour promises majestic views of the Smoky Mountains and Lost Mine Falls as you zip across mountains and over valleys and creeks from seven tree platforms.
This is a perfect tour for families; Foxfire takes children seven years old and up. With two guides on hand to help you and your dear
ones careen through the mystic beauty of the mountains safely, you can relax and focus on memory making. Just be sure to plan ahead—they tend to book up early.
4. Uncle Hanks Knives
At 104 Knife Works Lane, Sevierville, Tennessee, just past the banks of the French Broad River, you’ll find a red brick storefront with a blue banner hanging over the open front door. It reads “Make your own knife.” And that’s just what you do at Uncle Hanks Knives. This awardwinning establishment, home to artisan-forged knives for sale, also allows visitors to forge their own knives with step-by-step instructions that will have you hammering, twisting, hardening, and quenching a knife made to fit your hand.
Classes range from private to small group, from regular to advanced, and welcome all ages, with past visitors ranging from five to 90 years old. Call ahead to make an appointment. You won’t come away empty handed.
5. ‘Camping’ options
Camping rhymes with glamping. And if glamping means air conditioning, electric hookups, real beds, mini fridges and WiFi, then glamping is where it’s at! The Ridge Outdoor Resort is among the best glamping in the Smokies. Their luxury canvas tents accommodate one to six glampers with indoor/outdoor kitchenettes, modern bathrooms and high-end mattresses and bedding. At the Ridge it’s not just about where you stay, but how you stay.
Their activities—movie nights, kids’ crafts, low country boils and night swims—make glamping not only a unique place to lie your head, but a novel all-inclusive destination you’ll be remembering for years to come.
At Sun Outdoors, on the other hand, you won’t find glamping luxuries. Instead, you’ll discover an RV park and a selection of cozy cabins. It’s a scene right out of a classic family road trip. Except for the ziplines and the obstacle courses. And the lazy river and the splash pad. Actually, this is way better than anything you remember from a classic family road trip!
Wherever you stay, you’ll discover that some of the best memories get made after all the day’s activities are done.