7 Scenic But Underrated Small Towns Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract

• Andrews, NC is a hidden gem close to Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, providing a tranquil environment and numerous sights for adventurers.
• Waynesville, NC boasts a wealthy historical past and charming downtown space, making it a best choice for vacationers visiting the Smoky Mountains.
• Robbinsville, NC is a vibrant city close to Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, with easy accessibility to outside adventures and a vibrant arts scene.

The Nice Smoky Mountains is the US’ most visited nationwide park, and in 2023, it welcomed about 13.3 million visitors. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, the closest cities, bear the load of the park’s excessive visitation, serving as basecamps for adventurers who need to discover the best hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains with incredible ratings on AllTrails.

Nevertheless, the bustling scene might be overwhelming, for the reason that two cities obtain over 11 million guests a yr, but, they’re solely house to lower than 7,000 residents. Throughout the nationwide park’s peak season (from June to October), motels, eating places, and different sights battle to maintain up with the demand. Fortunately, there are different cities close to the Nice Smoky Mountains with a extra tranquil environment, making them nice alternate options to the vacationer traps.

From the best mountain towns in North Carolina to the cutest small towns in Tennessee, these uncrowded locations are the perfect choices for a quieter expertise of the area’s pure magnificence. Listed here are seven scenic however underrated cities lower than an hour’s drive from the Nice Smoky Mountains.

7

Andrews, North Carolina

38.7 miles (52 minutes) from Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park

Andrews is a tranquil trip spot appropriate for adventurers looking for a city with a serene environment and spectacular year-round surroundings. It is considered one of the cutest towns in North Carolina with less than 5,000 people and offers the right base when visiting the park, since it’s only a 50-minute drive away.

Andrews boasts numerous sights that hold guests entertained throughout their keep. A stroll by city reveals must-visit spots such because the FernCrest Vineyard Tasting Room, the place wine fanatics pattern handcrafted creations from the very best grapes. The tasting room additionally hosts a locals’ night time out each Thursday, providing an idyllic spot for wine aficionados to socialize and luxuriate in themselves.

One other venue the place vacationers can unwind as they sip one-of-a-kind beers is the Snowbird Mountains Brewery, identified for its laid-back vibe.

6

Waynesville, North Carolina

16.6 miles (35 minutes) from Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park

Other than being considered one of the best mountain towns to retire in North Carolina, Waynesville attracts avid vacationers with its charming downtown space, a wealth of sights, and proximity to the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park. Waynesville additionally has a wealthy historical past value exploring on the Shelton Home Museum, that includes over 4 acres of grounds, a Pennsylvania Dutch-style barn, and a carriage home.

This Charleston-style farmhouse dates again to the 1870s when it was house to Stephen and Mahala Shelton. Nevertheless, in 1977, Mary Cornwell transformed the home right into a museum showcasing distinctive handicrafts and an enchanting historical past of North Carolina. As we speak, historical past buffs can go to this museum to discover heritage crafts, antiques, agricultural displays, and the totally different rooms inside this historic landmark.

5

Robbinsville, North Carolina

18.5 miles (25 minutes) from Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park

Robbinsville is a pleasant city set within the foothills of the Nice Smoky Mountains, offering the perfect background for outside adventures. This underrated city gives easy accessibility to the park, which is a lower than 30-minute drive away.

As an out of doors lover’s haven, Robbinsville can be close to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, identified for its spectacular forest with over 400-year-old bushes. Adventurers reconnect with nature as they hike alongside a brief however scenic 2-mile-long path main hikers by magnificent big bushes. After mountain climbing, vacationers can relaxation in a delegated picnic space with tables and close by restrooms.

Along with the picturesque landscapes, Robbinsville has a vibrant artwork scene greatest explored on the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Middle, that includes an artisan gallery and a 1926 Grand Stage.

4

Dillsboro, North Carolina

16.6 miles (23 minutes) from Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park

Dillsboro is a small, stunning city of round 215 individuals positioned alongside the Tuckaseigee River within the North Carolina Smokies. Though small, this city boasts distinctive pure magnificence resulting from its location, providing easy accessibility to the Cherokee Indian Reservation and the Nantahala River.

Furthermore, the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park is barely 16.6 miles or a 21-minute drive away, making Dillsboro an idyllic base for outside adventurers.

In addition to having fun with proximity to breathtakingly stunning pure areas, vacationers experience Dillsboro’s small-town allure as they browse the lovable streets with mom-and-pop companies promoting distinctive merchandise. Vacationers visiting through the summer time additionally witness the streets come to life through the Dillsboro Art Walk, held in mid-July to showcase the creativity and skills of native artists.

3

Walland, Tennessee

10.1 miles (14 minutes) from Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park

With a inhabitants of round 332, Walland is among the hidden gem small towns in Tennessee vacationers can base their keep throughout their go to to the Nice Smoky Mountains.

Located in Blount County, this off-the-beaten-path city can be identified for its tranquil environment, rightfully gaining the Peaceable Aspect of the Smokies nickname. Other than having fun with the serenity, vacationers spend their time searching Walland’s charming outlets, resembling Rivermill Antiques Mall, to find collectible treasures.

Alternatively, music lovers attend jam periods on the Rocky Department Mountain Music each Friday from round 6 p.m. Company dance and hearken to totally different music genres starting from old-time gospel to Appalachian and nation. This venue is an ideal spot to socialize with locals, filmmakers, and fellow music fanatics.

2

Cosby, Tennessee

3.2 miles (5 minutes) from Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park

Vacationers can uncover small-town allure in Cosby, considered one of Tennessee’s most beautiful small towns. It’s the good underrated spot for vacationers looking for a rural setting and a quieter expertise away from the bustling cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Moreover, the city offers easy accessibility to the Nice Smokies, which sits simply 3.2 miles away.

In addition to the handy location of the park, this city delights adventurers with its scenic magnificence and numerous sights, starting from mountain climbing trails to native outlets and artwork galleries.

Nature lovers can expertise the city’s pure magnificence as they discover gorgeous trails, such because the Gabes Mountain Path, resulting in the picturesque Hen Wallow Falls. This secluded route meanders by a lush hemlock forest to the bottom of the 90-foot waterfall. Whereas mountain climbing, adventurers encounter rocky, rooty, and slippery sections after rain, giving the path a reasonable problem ranking.

1

Wears Valley, Tennessee

1.5 miles (3 minutes) from Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park

Wears Valley is considered one of Tennessee’s most underrated cities regardless of boasting distinctive pure magnificence and a wealthy historical past courting again to the late 1700s. This city can be one of many closest locations to Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park since guests solely must drive for round 3 minutes to achieve the doorway.

Adventurers additionally take pleasure in easy accessibility to the historic and verdant valley of Cades Cove, identified for glorious wildlife viewing alternatives. Wildlife lovers flock to the valley to identify white-tailed deer, raccoons, coyotes, and even black bears alongside a scenic 11-mile highway welcoming motorists and hikers.

For these exploring Cades Cove on foot, there are a number of mountain climbing trails originating from the realm, together with the Thunderhead Mountain Trail, offering the right day hike.