The Best Things To Do In Townsend, Tennessee

Rested in Tuckaleechee Cove alongside the babbling Little River, encircled by lush mountains, is Townsend, Tennessee. This nook of about 550 residents is lovingly referred to as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies.” Eschewing the flashier tourism of its well-known neighbors, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Townsend prides itself on putting nature’s surrounding beauty at the center of its invitation to visitors.

The small town’s history reaches back at least 13,000 years. Archaeologists and historians have uncovered Native American and Euro-American relics in the area, including burial mounds, pottery fragments, weapons, tools, and other artifacts from past settlements. More recent stories tell of the region’s logging and railroad boom through the early 1900s, eventually giving way to the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park, officially dedicated in 1940 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, includes a Townsend entrance just minutes from the town’s relaxing, hyperlocal amenities.

Where to Stay

Townsend offers a range of vacation rentals, lodges, and campgrounds to soak in the peace of the Smokies. Whether you’re looking for a luxury stay with all the bells and whistles, a rustic spot to set up your tent for the night, or anything in between, you’ll be able to find a memorable place to rest your head. 

For a special treat, book yourself a stay at Dancing Bear Lodge. Tucked up a secluded mountain road, the property hosts a full-service lodge with all the comforts you could desire, such as pillow-topped mattresses, fresh local coffee, and hot tubs. You can also choose from cabins and cottages with full kitchens and other essentials for couples or family getaways. You’ll find award-winning cuisine onsite, communal fire pits for evening s’mores, and endless opportunities to relax in rustic comfort and forested ambiance.

If you’re looking for more of a glamping atmosphere, head over to Little Arrow Outdoor Resort. With easy access to the river and covered decks, a pool and clubhouse, and a community pavilion and fire pits, these accommodations make outdoor living accessible to a range of travelers. You can choose from 76 full hookup RV sites and 20 tent or pop-up camper sites for a do-it-yourself vibe, or reserve one of the property’s tiny homes, cabins, glamping tents, or Airstreams for a ready-to-go home in the mountains.

For park fans interested in roughing it a bit more, Cades Cove Campground is the place to be. This site is operated by the National Park Service and offers a primitive camping environment with the modern conveniences of flush toilets and potable water for just $30 per night. There are 161 total sites available, 31 of which are for tents only and the remaining of which can also accommodate trailers or RVs. A stay at Cades Cove Campground will put you close to the park’s popular 11-mile scenic drive through the verdant valley, which showcases excellent wildlife viewing, several historic structures, and access to many trailheads.

Where to Eat

Start your day at one of the town’s cozy local coffee shops. Towns End Coffee + Shop offers house specialties, such as the Lumber Ridge Latte—a shot of espresso with vanilla, maple syrup, butter, and cinnamon. This hole-in-wall also serves the best breakfast burrito around and lots of options for a filling vegetarian breakfast. You may also recognize the shop from Hallmark’s recent movie, “Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance.”

The Artistic Bean offers small-batch roasted coffees for true espresso connoisseurs. The Dancing Bean Coffee House is a great stop for in-house roasted coffees, fresh-baked scones, and other pastries, as well as spiked specialty coffees for a little afternoon or evening treat. Try the Spiked Dinner Mint—espresso, vodka, creme de menthe, chocolate, and cream. 

For a heartier, sit-down breakfast or perfect, pick-me-up lunch, stop by Apple Valley Cafe. You’ll find all the classics, from pancakes, eggs, biscuits, and hashbrowns in the morning to burgers, barbecue, salads, and chili in the afternoon. Whatever you order, make sure to leave with at least one of the restaurant’s world-famous fried apple pies.

Another quirky spot to grab lunch is The Townsend Abbey. Housed within the old Heartland Little River Wedding Chapel, this restaurant offers craft beers, sandwiches, flatbreads, and other pub snacks. Sit inside The Abbey’s main hall with its high ceilings and knotty wood walls or outside next to the river on its expansive patio.

For an elegant dinner that leans on seasonal and regional flavors, make a reservation at the Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro. Enjoy true farm-to-table favorites like cornmeal-dusted rainbow trout or duck breast with rosemary-roasted turnips and pears.

For a more relaxed dinner vibe that’s perfect after a day of hiking, check out Peaceful Side Social Brewery and Craft Kitchen, which serves local beers, hosts a taco bar on the patio, and cooks up a full menu of tasty dishes like smoked trout and avocado sandwiches, fig and pear hand-tossed sourdough pizzas, and all the truffle fries you can eat.

What to Do

While maintaining its peaceful ambiance, Townsend offers an array of activities for visitors. Whether exploring a trail or a locally owned shop, you’ll experience the town’s authentic mountain charm.

Get Outside

With the national park at its front door, Townsend is made for lovers of the outdoors. Drive into the Smokies to travel the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road or take a 1.5-mile hike to Spruce Flats Falls. Venture to Tuckaleechee Caverns just outside the park for a 1.25-mile tour through impressive cave formations and the tallest subterranean waterfall in the eastern United States.

Many area businesses also offer special ways to explore the surrounding naturescapes. Head to Davy Crockett Riding Stables for a family-friendly equestrian adventure. Smoky Mountain River Rat will set you up for a day of tubing on the Little River. Little River Outfitters can get you all the information you need for a day of fly fishing, including recommendations for local guides.

For a more leisurely outdoor experience, bike or walk the Townsend Historical Trail, a paved 10-mile loop through town, which also connects to the Townsend River Walk and Arboretum.

Shop Local

The shops of Townsend offer unique gifts and souvenirs, as well as art and relics that capture the essence of this little Appalachian town. Stop by Townsend Mercantile Co. for gifts and home decor, including the perfect Townsend and Dolly-related apparel. The Apply Valley General Store has lots of regional candies, preserves, butters, and other food items, as well as shirts, quilts, flags, and other classic souvenirs.

The Townsend Artisan Guild Gallery showcases paintings, photography, sculptures, and other crafts from area artists. The Cades Cove Gallery at Townsend has prints, cards, calendars, magnets, and other gifts featuring Smoky Mountain scenes from photographer Barry Spruce.

The Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop is also worth a visit to see an array of beautifully handcrafted mountain dulcimers from a Townsend-based couple.

Learn and Explore

There are a few organizations in Townsend that can help you learn more about the environmental and cultural history and significance of the area. The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center includes a museum with hands-on activities, tours of original 19th-century buildings, and a Cherokee Native American exhibit. It also hosts a summer concert series and other festivals and events throughout the year.

The Little River Railroad and Lumber Museum shares information and exhibits on the history of those industries in the Townsend area and how they shaped the town today.

The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont offers fun ways to learn about and experience the national park throughout the year. Keep an eye on its special events for volunteer days, writing and photography workshops, naturalist classes, and hiking and backpacking courses.

When to Visit

If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains, Townsend always provides a great basecamp for exploring. Its quietest months are during the “shoulder seasons,” when overall tourism lulls. January through April (after the holiday season and before spring break and summer travel pick up) and September through mid-October (before the “leaf peepers” and holiday travelers begin arriving) will offer the fewest crowds, especially if traveling through the national park.

Townsend also hosts a variety of fun festivals throughout the year that are worth planning your trip around. The Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival occurs in August, bringing family-friendly activities, crafts, food trucks, and dozens of colorful hot air balloons floating throughout. The Grains & Grits Festival takes place in November, celebrating Southern spirits and gourmet grub alongside live entertainment.