Southern Charm in Dolly’s Hometown
Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Sevierville, Tennessee, is the hometown of music superstar Dolly Parton. Visitors to this beautiful and interesting part of the world enjoy natural wonders such as the Great Smoky Mountains, world-class entertainment, and high-end name-brand outlet shopping, all served up with signature Southern charm.
The entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park serves as a portal into the past. Once inside the 800-square-mile stretch of deciduous forest, visitors could explore cabins built and inhabited by some of the first settlers to the region. This unique national park is also one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. It was named an International Biosphere Reserve because it's home to over 10,000 discovered species, with 90,000 more believed still to be discovered. There are also hiking trails, fishing and swimming holes, picnic areas, and opportunities to ride horses.
While Mother Nature certainly takes center stage, Sevierville's attractions are a must-see while visiting. Spend a summer evening enjoying the all-American pastime, baseball, at Tennessee Smokies Stadium. The home team Tennessee Smokies are the AA Minor League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Year-round, aviation and history buffs will love the Tennessee Museum of Aviation, where rare and remarkable flyable warbird aircraft from World War II through Vietnam are on display. Animal lovers will enjoy Rainforest Adventures—one of the finest small zoos in the nation. Take on an adventure at fun ropes courses and zipline attractions such as Adventure Park at Five Oaks. From there, check out a bit of Tennessee spirit with a trip to one of Sevierville's many moonshine distilleries.
Historic downtown Sevierville is well worth a visit. Pick up a free Discover Sevierville Historic Walking Tour brochure and learn about more than 20 points of interest, including the famed statue of hometown hero Dolly Parton. Groups will also have the opportunity to enjoy shops and restaurants located downtown.
Ready to find an amazing deal on high-end name brands? Sevierville is the shopping capital of the Smokies. With great places to shop like Tanger Outlets Sevierville—home to more than 100 name-brand outlets, among them Alex & Ani, Coach, Columbia and North Face—it's no wonder shopping is so popular in the Smokies. Artist galleries, such as the Robert A. Tino Gallery, feature beautiful paintings of the area's natural beauty, while out-of-this-world megastores like Smoky Mountain Knife Works offer everything from specialty cutlery to dinosaur fossils!
Luxurious cabin resort accommodations are a great lodging option in Sevierville. Hidden Mountain Resort and Oak Haven Resort offer hundreds of high-end cabins at affordable prices. Choose a cabin that sleeps more than 40 people or select several cabins that sleep fewer for a unique mountain experience. Enjoy amenities such as gas fireplaces, hot tubs, game rooms and full kitchens in most all cabins. Of course, Sevierville also offers award-winning hotel properties and even water park resorts.
For more information about visiting Sevierville, please contact the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at 888.SEVIERVILLE (888.738.4378) or see VisitSevierville.com.
Courtesy of Visit Sevierville.
Photo by Gary L Breeden. Courtesy of Visit Sevierville.
