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The Great Smoky Mountains Region is located in Tennessee and covers various cities, including Knoxville, Jefferson City, White Pine, and Pigeon Forge. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the destination's greatest draws to the area. The territory is known for being the hometown of Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton still has family in the area and visits the area annually. There is a statue of Parton that was made by a local artist, Jim Gray. The statue was unveiled in 1987. Dolly Parton opened her own amusement park in 1986. Dollywood is a popular attraction in the area and frequently has performances from Dolly Parton's brother, Randy.[13]
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular spot to visit in the area. The park is located in parts of North Carolina and Tennessee. The park offers hiking trails, wildflowers, fishing streams, and an observation tower.[1] The national park has some of the highest mountains in North America. The park has more visitors annually than any other national park.[1] The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for the diversity of species seen in the area.[7] The Island in Pigeon Forge is an amusement park with an arcade, laser tag, and various rides, including a Ferris wheel and carousel. The Island in Pigeon Forge serves multiple treats, including different flavors of pretzels, homemade sweets from scratch, Byrd's Famous Cookies, and fresh lemonade. Shops around the island include a boutique with apparel and accessories, a beef jerky, candy, and winery shop.[2]
Dollywood is an amusement park in the area named after and owned by Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton was raised in the area and opened Dollywood in 1986. The amusement park has rides, water slides, and shows.[3] The Gatlinburg Space Needle takes visitors up in a glass elevator to a 407 feet observation tower and offers views over the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg. Tickets range from $10 to $16.[4] The Apple Barn is a popular store to visit that is located next to an apple orchard and offers various apple-based treats, including apple pies and apple cinnamon donuts.[5] The Great Smoky Mountains is one of the biggest draws to the region and averages around 12,000,000 visitors a year. Visiting the national park is free, and the park is the most visited national park in America.[10]
There are two peak seasons for visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, that being the summer months, June through August, as well as weekends in October.[11] 53% of visitors that visit the park are ages 46-70 years old, 11% are 15 years old and younger. Most visitors are in family groups and come from different areas in the United States. One of the primary reasons reported for coming to the area is because of the mountain scenery.[12]
The Great Smoky Mountains Region covers various cities in Tennessee, including Knoxville, Jefferson City, and Pigeon Forge. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the parks that draws the most visitors into the destination. The most famous species of animal in the area is the black bear. More than 1,500 bears are in the area, and they are most active in the late spring and summer months. Other animals frequent to the area include white-tailed deer, elk, groundhogs, chipmunks, and squirrels. Over 200 species of birds are frequently cited and are in the area. The streams are full of fish, including the brook trout. The park has over 50 native fish species. Douglass Lake is a popular spot for fishing in the territory and offers bass and crappie fishing. The national park provides trout and smallmouth bass fishing.[13] The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been called the "Salamander Capital of the World." There are 30 different species of salamander species.[7]
Local goods that the area is known for include apples from the surplus of apple orchards in the area, knives from the Smoky Mountain Knife Works, and distilleries. The Smoky Mountain Knife Works prides itself on the vast amount of knives that can be found at the shop, from antique knives to hunting knives.[8]
The hottest month of the year in the region is during the month of July. In July, the high tends to be around 80 degrees (Fahrenheit) and the low being around 57 degrees. The other summer months reach the mid to high 70s. These summer months are the peak season for tourists. The coldest months of the year in the area are December, January, and February, reaching a low of around 43 degrees. July is the month that gets the most amount of rain, typically raining for 12 days out of the month. March, May, and June are also generally high when it comes to rainfall.[9]
Native Americans from the Cherokee tribe were some of the first to settle in the Great Smoky Mountains Region. The Cherokee tribe set up settlements mostly along the Little Tennessee River. During the mid-18th century, Europeans arrived in the area. Isaac Thomas was one of the Europeans who arrived in the area. The Cherokee tribe well respected him. As settlers continued to come into the area, the Cherokee tribe became much more aggressive. This eventually led to the defeat of the Cherokee tribe. The county was established in 1794 and was named after the first governor of the town of Tennessee, John Sevier.[10]
The county grew, and eventually, many different farms were established in the area. In the early 19th century, distilleries brought in an income for the city, and by the year 1850, 6,000 gallons of whiskey were produced each year. Slavery wasn't particularly common in the area. A large portion of residents supported the freedom of African Americans. In the 1880s, the population of Sevierville grew exponentially. The first railroad was finished in 1910 and offered service from Knoxville to Sevierville. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened in 1934 and was one of the first significant attractions to bring many visitors from around the country to the area. Dolly Parton is a singer and songwriter who was born in the territory in 1946. There is now a statue of Dolly Parton, as well as a theme park that is owned by Dolly Parton called Dollywood.[6]
Around 15,000 people are living in the area. The majority are white citizens, about 1.5% are African Americans, .6% are Native Americans, 1.3% are Asian, 6.1% are from other races, 1.7% are mixed races, and 10.3% are Hispanic or Latino.
The Abbington Green Bed & Breakfast Inn and Spa is settled in Asheville's Montford Historic District. Described as having a colonial revival style, the house is over 100 years old and has been dubbed the Jackson-Peyton house. It serves a multi-course breakfast every morning and has extensive gardens on the premises. In 2021, TripAdvisor rated the property as the number two bed and breakfast in the United States and number seven globally.
...Read MoreIn Ashville, North Carolina, one can find Inn on Montford, which is located in the Montford Area Historic District. The home was built in 1900 by Richard Sharp Smith, who also helped build the Biltmore Estate. Currently, the business is open year-round and offers a total of eight rooms to the public. Three of these rooms, which are located in the second building called the Carriage House, are pet-friendly. Social hour begins at 6:00 P.M. every day, and on Saturdays, the inn invites a local band to play music in the evening. Other events can be held on the property, including celebrations such as weddings. Breakfast is available each morning at 9:00 A.M., and the owners are capable of accommodating specific diets and food allergies. Snacks are put out in a few of the common areas for guests to eat at their leisure.
...Read MoreThe Yellow House on Plott Creek Road
The Yellow House on Plott Creek Road, located in Waynesville, North Carolina, is a local bed and breakfast that offers ten units that can be reserved by visitors. There are two buildings: the Main House, which has seven units, and the Pond House, which has three rooms. Common areas for guests are located in the main house, such as a living room, dining room, and a library. The dining room is where breakfast is served every day, either at 8:30 AM or 9:15 AM. Three courses make up the morning meal, the first course consisting of fruit, then a pastry course, and the last course being an entree. The property is five acres and features a waterfall, stream, pond, deck, and a veranda. The inn is open year-round, and is busiest in October due to the changing color of the foliage in the area.
...Read MoreThe Hawkesdene House is a resort-style location for high-end venues, such as weddings, reunions, and retreats, that has 35 rooms available. Its secluded location in Andrews, North Carolina, and the maximum capacity of 102 guests makes The Hawkesdene House more ideal for guests that come accompanied by a larger group and plan on holding a celebration. The Hawkesdene House is open at all times of the year, with the more busier time of the year being from the middle of April through to the middle of November. The property's staff includes a culinary expert who has over three decades of experience and is capable of making a large variety of dishes and meals.
...Read MoreThe Brook Trout Inn is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. Staying at the property can be considered a "mountain getaway" due to the nearby attractions such as the Blue Ridge Mountains, Gorges State Park, and Whitewater Falls. Brook Trout Inn is comprised of three separate buildings, with eight rooms in the first, six in the second, and three family suites in the main office of the establishment. A continental breakfast is served daily, consisting of relatively basic breakfast foods such as bagels, English muffins, yogurt, fruit, and coffee. Some exterior amenities of Brook Trout include an outdoor area with a fire pit, a pet area, and a trampoline. The most common time of year for guests to visit the inn is in the fall, when the colors of the leaves are changing.
...Read MoreThe Black Walnut Inn rests in the residential district of Asheville, North Carolina. There are six guest accommodations in the main house on the property and two additional suites in the carriage house. A unique thing about the property is that it is over 120 years old and resides in the Montford Area Historic District of Ashville. It has only been operating as an inn for around 20 years and can be described as having a bed and breakfast style of lodging in an old, European feel home. There are many activities and attractions nearby the inn that include hiking, biking, fishing, dining, and wining. Because of the abundance of historical sites, the area is also known for its tours of museums and historic homes. Most notable among these is the famous Biltmore Estate.
...Read MoreThe Five Star Inn, located in North Carolina, can be found in the center of Maggie Valley next to Jonathon Creek. Known by some as a tourist town with various events and attractions, Maggie Valley is covered in trees, mountains, and valleys. There are three buildings that comprise the property, and all of the rooms at the Five Star Inn have private entrances. Occasionally, the owners host ice-cream socials at the inn to interact more frequently with their guests.
...Read MoreAndon-Reid Inn Bed & Breakfast
Andon-Reid Inn Bed & Breakfast is located in Waynesville, North Carolina, a city east of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The home was built in 1902 by a man named John White. It was used as a private residence by different owners until 1998 when it first began operating as a bed and breakfast. Currently, the business is open year-round and offers a total of seven units to the public. Each unit differs from the others in decoration and in some amenities that are provided. A complimentary breakfast is available to all patrons, which the owners of the inn cook. The bed and breakfast offers online packages that can be added to a reservation to make a stay more unique. The inn cannot accommodate children under the age of 16 or pets.
...Read MoreTerrell House Bed and Breakfast
The Terrell House Bed and Breakfast is located in Burnsville, North Carolina. The property is near Mt. Mitchell, and many events take place in the town including a paint festival. As a bed and breakfast, there are six guest accommodations offered to the guests who stay at the Terrell House Bed and Breakfast. The old-school house-inspired home is two stories with varied themes and decorations throughout its interior rooms. The building was first built as a school house in 1898. Breakfast is served by the property owner Laura daily. Laura often serves a variety of quiches, pancakes, french toast, and fresh pastries. Those with dietary restrictions can be accommodated to.
...Read MoreFound near the center of the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, Oak Hill on Love Lane Bed and Breakfast is nestled on the north side of the town of Waynesville. The property was originally constructed in the late 1800s as a family home and has been operating as a bed and breakfast since 1979. Currently owned and operated by Anna Tzis, the building is a white, two-story, southern-style home equipped with six rooms available for rent. Anna strives to create an atmosphere for the guests of the establishment where they "feel at home" during their stay. The bed and breakfast has received various reviews throughout its time of operation, with the quality of service being one of the most commonly mentioned aspects in these reviews.
...Read MoreChestnut Street Inn is located near downtown Asheville, North Carolina. The property comprises the main building with seven units and a cottage serving as an eighth. Chestnut Street Inn offers classes for making salsa and margaritas or for "natural wine" tasting at an additional cost to its patrons. The bed and breakfast is near several common attractions, such as the River Arts District, which hosts various art galleries and studios. It additionally contains places where tourists can find furniture, blow glass, or make porcelain pottery. Asheville offers local city tours, music and theater venues, and over 50 breweries. Asheville is also next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, where visitors can participate in kayaking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, paddle boarding, and rafting.
...Read MoreHickory Falls Guest House is located in Chimney Rock, North Carolina. The hotel is placed on two acres in a small village just outside of Lake Lure. There are rivers and waterfalls, as well as green forests and valleys surrounding the property. The two story hotel has eleven rooms each varying is size and amenities. The larger rooms have kitchens, large bathtubs, and double sinks. Every room has fresh linens and personal access to air conditioning and heating. There is a large gathering area outside and barbecues guests are welcome to use with blankets and binoculars available to keep warm and look out into the surrounding nature and wildlife. Movie rentals and a snack bar are open to guests, and housekeeping services are offered daily. Hickory Falls Guest House is open year round its slow season being during the winter, and its high season being from May to October.
...Read MoreCabins at Long Branch are located in The Great Smokey Mountains on the western side of the state of North Carolina. The wooded property was founded in 2010 by Jim Clinton, who still utilizes the area for his own family cabin. The business is open year-round, contains 40 acres of woodland, and offers three cabins for rent. Jim strives to create a peaceful atmosphere so that guests can have the opportunity to relax and enjoy nature. The Cabins at Long Branch has received various reviews throughout its operation. The host’s responsiveness and information, as well as the overall character of the property, are the most commonly mentioned items in these reviews.
...Read MoreThe Mimosa Inn
Mary and Kevin Parker have been the owners of The Mimosa Inn since 2015. The inn itself was built in 1903 for the purpose of being a casino for a local hotel. Currently, eleven rooms are available for guests to make reservations. Every morning, a complimentary breakfast is served to all patrons of the inn. Some potential breakfast dishes include quiches, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and a yogurt bar, among others. The location of the inn is relatively rural, and a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains can be seen from the front porch of the property. A few on-site activities are provided for visitors during their stay, including bocci ball, corn hole, puzzles, and a swing that hangs from an oak tree on the premises. Beyond the borders of the property, a few prominent draws for tourism in the area are attractions such as hiking, motorcycling, and attending events that are held at the nearby equestrian venue.
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