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Greenbrier Campground Gatlinburg, Tennessee |
Spotlight: Sevierville
Enjoy a bright gem in the Shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains
Sevierville, a city of nearly 15,000 nestled in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains, is a town rich with history, from its first Native American settlers to its integral role as a Revolutionary War battleground. That heritage is still on display today, but visitors to “Your Hometown in the Smokies” should expect more than a lesson in our past, as the town is also a major draw for adventurers, families, and, well, fans of Dolly Parton.
Seeing the Smokies
When planning your trip, put Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the top of your list. No visit to the city would be complete without a visit to this nearby treasure, which lies just south of town and occupies a vast swath of mountainous land on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. Interested in fishing? Grab your license and feel free to dip the line into one of the park’s trout filled streams from sunrise to sunset. Is hiking your thing? Pack up the gear and prepare to feast your eyes on bursting wildflowers, vibrant mountain streams and powerful, roaring waterfalls. Would you rather just see historic buildings and landmarks? Smoky Mountain has those too, with one of the largest conglomerations of log buildings in the country. The list of historic structures includes all manner of buildings, including barns, churches, schools and grist mills.
Make sure to give a gander what’s taking place beneath the towering rocks of the Smokies. Tennessee is known as the state with the most caves, with over 8,000 vast subterranean chambers. Perhaps the most breathtakingly beautiful is Forbidden Caverns. Visitors will be treated to the site of twinkling crystal formations, overwhelming natural chimneys and grottos with intimidating names like Grotto of the Dead and Grotto of Evil Spirits.
For a good time that is even more family-friendly, Smoky Mountain Deer Farm Exotic Petting Zoo is worth your attention. Get friendly with any number of animals at this unique attraction, including camels, zebra and kangaroos.
Steven Bridges
Delve Into the Past
Those with an interest in learning about the history of Sevierville would be wise to make the Sevier County Heritage Museum an early stop on their agenda. The museum, established in 1995, features a copious amount of artifacts, memorabilia and documents to give you a window into what life was like for some of our nation’s earliest citizens.
Some of the featured collections include the Library of the Smoky Mountain Historical Society.
If you’re a fan of things that take wing, the Tennessee Museum of Aviation is located on over 50,000 square feet of ground near the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport. Tours are available for individuals interested in delving into the museum’s vast collection of lovingly restored “warbirds.”
Do you cringe at just the mention of the word “museum”? You might enjoy Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum, which features more than 90 American-made muscle cars from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Also on exhibit are more than 5,000 other car-related museum pieces and a 6,000-square-foot gift shop jam-packed with items such as T-shirts, die casts, posters and more.
Dolly’s Stomping Ground
Simply put, Dolly Parton is not only a world-famous actress, musician, and entertainer; she is also just a person who is proud to call Sevierville her hometown. So make sure to check out Dollywood, the spectacular theme park in nearby Pigeon Forge. With festivals, concerts, and rides galore, you’ll be sure to find something for both kids and parents alike. And, by the way, if you would like to pay homage to the great lady but don’t have the money for park admission, you could always just stop by the statue of Dolly Parton that is located on the Sevier County Courthouse lawn.