Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with FacebookLatest Townsend hotel reviews
Pro
Solitude, serenity, silence!
Con
Remote & private
In a nutshell
Great place to relax and unwind, very laid back atmosphere
Little River Lumber Company Museum
Toughluck Says: The Little River Lumber Company was the largest employer in the valley and owned a great portion of what has become the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Railroad was used to bring the timber from out of the mountains to the mills located in the open flats around the...
Toughluck Says: The Mountain Heritage Museum includes indoor and outdoor exhibits. The interior exhibits includes a history of the mountains from the Native American Indians through the Pioneer and Mountain Culture. Exhibits include a postal wagon, farming vehicles, a surrey, a freight...
Toughluck Says: There are several rental places in Townsend, where you can rent a tube and drift down the Little River. The river is not vary deep (check with the local companies in the spring), so it's fun for the entire family.
Toughluck Says: Bring or rent a bike and travel through Tuckulukee Cove, otherwise known as Townsend. There are paved bike trails along the main road through the cove. It's safe for the entire family.
See the Smoky's and Cades Cove
Toughluck Says: This is a great location to spend time in Cades Cove. It's the closest lodging (other than a park campground) to the Cove. It also has access to the rivers and trails of the area. See my Smoky Mountain page for details.
Toughluck Says: They call it the 'Quiet side of the Smoky's' for a good reason. While on holiday weekends, no place is quiet (same goes for spring blossom and fall color weekends), This place is a lot less noisy (cars, people, motorbikes), than any of the other access points. You can find a...
Little River Railroad and Lumber Co. Museum
CoAir13 Says: This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of steam logging in the Smokies. Admission is FREE and appeals mostly to those interested in trains. Good rainy day activity.
CoAir13 Says: For a leisurely afternoon, rent a bike or walk the 4.45 loop trail through this small town. There are places along the way that you can stop and take in the mountain view and learn a little of the history of the area. Trail starts at the visitor's center and is a fairly flat...
CoAir13 Says: For a leisurely afternoon, rent a bike or walk the 4.45 loop trail through this small town. There are places along the way that you can stop and take in the mountain view and learn a little of the history of the area. Trail starts at the visitor's center and is a fairly flat...
CoAir13 Says: This river runs through town and into the park and offers a variety of activities. Fishing is among the most popular! Tennesse has some strict regulations so be sure to check them out before you cast! REGULATIONS ARE DIFFERENT INSIDE THE NATIONAL PARK! If fishing isn't your...
CoAir13 Says: Townsend lies adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park near the Cades Cove entrance. The Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11 mile, one way motor vehicle road that takes you through a peaceful valley surrounded by mountain peaks. There are over 1,500 kinds of flowering...
CoAir13 Says: Any information you need about Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas can be found at the Townsend Visitors Center. Of course, there is a gift shop, but you can get maps, directions, and business information from the friendly, helpful staff, as...
CoAir13 Says: Cemeteries offer a glimpse into the past...family position or prominence can sometimes be determined by the size and magnificence of the tombstones. Many were started on family farms as resting places for family members. Much of the population of Townsend can trace their...
CoAir13 Says: Since the Foothills Land Conservancy was founded in 1985, it has protected more than 14,300 acres of land along the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary. In 1995, it purchased 4,700 acres that were threatened by commercial development along the northern edge of the...
CoAir13 Says: Specializing in rides for large groups, these guys know their stuff! Trips range from 1 hour (4 miles) to overnight trips. Open year round, but during the winter months it's by appointment only! Don't let it's (ahem) "rustic" look scare you!
CoAir13 Says: You can't miss the signs all over town for this place! We were expecting a small, cheesy tour of about 20 minutes that leads out of a small house/tacky souvenir shop! We were pleasantly surprised when we were lead deep under the mountain to a specactular feast for the eyes!...
105 Opinions
35 Opinions
Came here after an afternoon of hiking, but before starting the long drive home. Boyd and I likes to stop at local restaurants when we travel (rather than chains), and this one looked perfect. The inside looks like a cabin with wood-paneled walls and woodland decorations, including photos of the Great Smoky Mountains. I ordered the Jack Daniels burger (served on a kaiser roll with french fries) and Boyd ordered the BBQ Pork sandwich (also served with fries). The food came quickly, and was very tasty. A good deal for the price - we enjoyed very much!
The sandwiches, drinks (cola), tax and tip came to ~$25.
Written May 22, 2012
Address: 8503 State Hwy 73, Townsend, TN
Phone: 865-448-8816
Website: http://www.theriverstonerestaurant.com/
Townsend is a quiet town, so the best options for nights include:
>sitting on a porch or deck listening to the crickets and owls
>curling up by a fire with a good book
>hot tubbing under the stars
Dress Code: Totally casual
Written Feb 6, 2004
Helpfulness
The bear's keen sense of smell leads it to nuts and berries, but the animal is also enticed by human food left on a picnic table or offered from an outstretched hand. Feeding bears or allowing them access to human food causes a number of problems:
• Nuisance bears damage property and injure people. In 1993, 110 bear related incidents were recorded and extensive property damage occurred.
• It transforms wild and healthy bears into habitual beggars. Studies have shown that nuisance bears never live as long as wild bears. Many are hit by cars and become easy targets for poachers. Beggar bears may die from ingesting food packaging and aggressive nuisance bears must be destroyed y park managers.
For these reasons, National Park Rangers issue citations for improper food storage and feeding bears. These offenses can result in fines of up to $5,000 and jail sentences lasting up to six months. Visitors are urged to view all wildlife at a safe distance and never to leave food or garbage unattended.
Written Feb 7, 2004
I can't remember who dubbed it that, but it fits. Pigeon Forge, TN offers wall-to-wall tourists, outlet shops, miniature golf, go-carts, bumper boats, water rides, laser games, bungee jumping, and country music theatres...not to mention bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Unique Suggestions: If you have kids and they're bored with the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains, take a day trip to Pigeon Forge and go to Dollywood, I guess. Then return to Townsend to relax again.
Written Feb 6, 2004
Sponsored Links
"The Quiet Side of the Smokies"
Prior to the first white settlers' arrival in the late 1700's, the Cherokees called this area "Tuckaleechee", which means "peaceful valley". In 1900, a group of Pennsylvanians made their way to...
Townsend, TN in the Smoky Mountains
Although I live in Knoxville, I spend a lot of time in Townsend, TN, " the peaceful side of the Smokies." Unlike Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Townsend is a charming, quiet destination, where one can...
Townsend, TN, is a beautiful area. Although a half hour from outlet malls & bumper cars, Townsend feels remote. Terrific scenery.
The Peaceful side of the Smoky's
We preferred this to Gatlinburg or Cherokee. We had easy access to everything in the Great Smoky Mountains, a short drive to Gatlinburg and the strip, without the mass of people or activities.
Build your own Townsend page
Sponsored Links
Comments