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There’s a selected mixture of nostalgia, awe, and reverence related to the mountains of Tennessee. Dolly Parton wrote about it in her track, “My Tennessee Mountain Dwelling,” the place she sings of her beloved honeysuckle vines, crickets, and porch swings. You may really feel it in any rendition of “Rocky High,” whether or not you’re cheering on the Vols in Knoxville or listening to a little bit of bluegrass from throughout state traces. It’s particularly prevalent within the Blue Ridge area — dwelling to a number of subranges of the eponymous mountain formation, together with the Nice Smokies — and into the Cumberland Mountains. Right here, tucked between the peaks, valleys, and dense forests, sit quite a lot of mountain cities, every as charming as the following.
A number of of those mountain cities act as base camps for outside adventures; others are gateways to a number of the nation’s best nationwide parks. Just a few of the bigger cities are locations themselves, stuffed with all types of fantastic sights, unforgettable actions, and a complete host of causes to go to.
That can assist you plan your subsequent journey to the Volunteer State, we requested a few native specialists to offer us the rundown on the highest ones — beneath, learn their picks for one of the best mountain cities in Tennessee.
Whitwell
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“As soon as a booming coal-mining city earlier than the mines abruptly shut down within the early ‘90s, Whitwell is thought for its wealthy historical past and gorgeous rock faces,” says Seth Bolt, founder and CEO of Bolt Farm Treehouse. At this time, you possibly can study a few of that historical past on the Coal Miners Museum on Predominant Road, which is run by retired miners from the world. Whitwell can also be dwelling to the Kids’s Holocaust Memorial at Whitwell Center Faculty and Bolt Farm Treehouse, one of many greatest tree home lodges on the earth. “Lower than a mile up the street from Bolt Farm Treehouse is likely one of the nation’s most coveted paragliding spots, because of the distinctive form of the rift valley,” Bolt provides. If that form of journey is up your alley, e book a flight with Flying Camp Paragliding.
Gatlinburg
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“Gatlinburg is a busy little city and a gateway to Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park. In actual fact, [it] presents three entrances to the park,” says Clayton LaPrees, proprietor and information at Smoky Mountain Guides. For teams containing vacationers of all ages, he recommends including Ober Mountain to your itinerary: “It’s a family-friendly journey park that provides mountain biking, a mountain coaster, an alpine slide, indoor ice skating, and can quickly have a four-person cover zip line journey.” For those who’re desirous about an “genuine Gatlinburg” journey, LaPrees suggests staying at The Historic Gatlinburg Inn, after which filling up at The Greenbrier Restaurant, The Park Grill, and Pancake Pantry, referred to as “Tennessee’s first pancake specialty restaurant.”
Lookout Mountain
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Bolt calls Lookout Mountain (inhabitants simply over 2,000) a “rock climber’s paradise,” as there are a number of in style climbing locations, crags, and cliffs inside a brief drive – most notably, Sundown Rock. Even when you’re not into scaling rock formations, you possibly can nonetheless take a look at a number of the city’s most well-known sights: Rock Metropolis Gardens, Ruby Falls, the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, and Chickamauga & Chattanooga Nationwide Navy Park. You might discover, nonetheless, that a lot of Lookout Mountain, together with Rock Metropolis, is definitely positioned in Georgia; Lookout Mountain, Tennessee and Lookout Mountain, Georgia are neighboring communities, and each are only a brief drive from Chattanooga.
Sewanee
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Greatest identified for the College of the South, Sewanee is one among Bolt’s selects resulting from its “breathtaking views, miles of climbing trails, and a serene tutorial village ambiance.” The faculty city is positioned within the Cumberland Plateau, and when you’re not visiting to discover the historic campus (don’t miss the Sewanee Herbarium), you’re in all probability within the space to immerse your self in nature. To just do that, plan on climbing the 20-mile loop Perimeter Path, and ensure to get a photograph of Sewanee Pure Bridge, a 25-foot-high pure sandstone arch.
Pigeon Forge
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“Simply north of Gatlinburg and inside an hour of Knoxville, Pigeon Forge is legendary for its iconic leisure venues, together with Dollywood, dinner theaters, and museums. It’s a family-friendly vacation spot with heaps to do and scenic views, and it’s much less crowded than Gatlinburg,” says Bolt. For a mixture of outside enjoyable and luxurious lodging, e book a number of nights at Beneath Canvas Nice Smoky Mountains. Assume personal, well-appointed tents with rainfall showers, wooden stoves, fireplace pits, and a concierge group that may assist e book park excursions or another close by exercise. Alternatively, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort opened in Pigeon Forge within the fall of 2023; it’s a contemporary tackle the traditional mountain lodge, with 302 rooms and suites, indoor and outside swimming pools, and 4 completely different eating locations.
Townsend
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Each Bolt and LaPrees title Townsend, referred to as the “peaceable facet of the Smokies,” as among the best Tennessee mountain cities. “Townsend is a extra laid-back different to the busier cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, however equally stunning,” says Bolt, who recommends “visiting the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park [and] the Tuckaleechee Caverns, biking on the Townsend Historic Path, and tubing on the Little River.” In between hikes, bike rides, and afternoons on the water, cease by a few of LaPrees’ favourite native spots: Apple Valley Cafe, Peaceable Aspect Social, and the Nice Smoky Mountains Heritage Heart. He additionally suggests Little Arrow Out of doors Resort or Dancing Bear Lodge for in a single day guests.
Hartford
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In Hartford, an unincorporated group in Tennessee’s Cocke County, it’s all about getting on the river or spending time within the woods. “A number of firms provide white water rafting on the Pigeon River,” says LaPrees. Rip Roaring Adventures, River Rat Tubing & Rafting, and Speedy Expeditions are all extremely rated for his or her rafting adventures, and there’s nothing higher than a fast journey down the river to chill you off on a scorching summer time day. “That is additionally an important city for accessing the nationwide park, the Cherokee and Pisgah Nationwide Forests, and the Appalachian Path,” he says. For a fast hike, strive Little Fall Department Falls Path, a 0.9-mile out-and-back route that’s marked as “straightforward.”
Cosby
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Cosby is a census-designated place and unincorporated group inside Cocke County, a area of the state known as “the journey facet of the Smokies.” In line with LaPrees, you’ll wish to head to Cosby for entry to Nice Smoky Nationwide Park in addition to a “much less crowded part of the Foothills Parkway,” which winds by a number of the park’s most picturesque areas. Cosby additionally has a repute and historical past related to the liquor business; within the early 1900s, it was referred to as “the Moonshine Capital of the World.” To strive a few of that moonshine your self, cease by Journey Distilling Firm for tastings and dwell music within the summertime. For those who’re in Cosby within the fall, LaPrees says the recent apples and fried apple pies at Carver’s Apple Orchard can’t be missed.
Jonesborough
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Jonesborough claims the title of “Tennessee’s oldest city,” with roots courting again 17 years earlier than Tennessee obtained statehood. Like many mountain cities, it has a tree-lined important road proper out of a postcard, full with historic pink brick buildings and numerous one-of-a-kind outlets. Whereas meandering by, cease in Scarlett & Firm, Jonesborough Vintage Mart, The Lollipop Store, and Mauk’s of Jonesborough. In October, Jonesborough’s Worldwide Storytelling Heart produces the Nationwide Storytelling Competition, however there are completely different live shows, instructional programming, and storytelling workshops placed on all year long — test the calendar earlier than planning your journey.
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