Not Just Dollywood

Sevierville, Tennessee

by Robert Painter

Sure, you could easily spend a couple of days at Dollywood, and we’ll visit this wonderful amusement park before we leave the county, but there is a lot more to do in Sevierville, Tennessee.

Probably the first thing you need to know is that Sevierville is strategically located on U.S. Highway 441, just minutes north of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The highway cuts across the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and provides easy access into the park with its abundance of nature trails, hiking, camping and picnicking.

A nice day hike could include a visit to Laurel Falls, an easy 2.5 mile roundtrip hike on the paved Laurel Falls Trail.  Access the trailhead just 3.9 miles west of the Sugarlands Visitor Center, located just 2 miles south of Gatlinburg.  Another highly recommended stop is the Clingman’s Dome observation tower.  It’s a short, paved half mile trail from the parking lot, but steep.  With 360 degree views from the highest point in Tennessee you won’t want to miss this one.  If you take some of the other trails a little bit more out of the way, you might even see a black bear or two – the Smokies Guide (The official park newspaper) anticipates a big year for bears in the park.  And, if you hike early in the morning or late in the day you might even encounter one of the magnificent elks that have been reintroduced into the park in recent years.

I hiked the Alum Cave Trail which followed a stream up to Alum Cave Bluffs.  I didn’t have time to go all the way up to Mount Le Conte, but enjoyed the path as it followed the mountain stream.  You may know that the Appalachian Trail winds through the park. Although I didn’t get on the actual trail itself, I did see some hikers preparing to do the section of the trail that extends from near the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the northeastern corner of the park.

One last point of interest – The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.  All the more reason to spend a couple of bucks picking up souvenirs, maps, books and videos at the visitor’s center.

Back in town you may want to get an overview of the area just to get a better idea of where you are visiting.  Or you may just want to say you’ve been up in a helicopter.  Scenic Helicopter Tours will take you up for as little as $10 just to get you off the ground.  They also offer a very nice variety of flights to many of the surrounding areas, even over part of the national park.  Check out the website at the end of this story for a better idea of what’s available.  Notice, too, that you may get a 15% discount by booking online. Try it, you’ll like it.

Do you know that Sevierville, Tennessee, is the home of Dolly Parton?  You’ll find her statue in front of the historic courthouse downtown.  This is a building that burned down a number of times.  Then one day they realized that brick might be a better way to go and it hasn’t burned down since.

If you visit in summertime, you may find you have an evening free to spend relaxing outdoors after a busy day at Dollywood or hiking in the park.  If you’re lucky, there will be a Tennessee Smokies Baseball game.  If it’s 50 cent hot dog night you can feed the whole family and save a bit on your travel budget.  The stadium is beautiful, the summer nights are wonderful and the game is fun.  If you didn’t know you liked baseball maybe you’ll be surprised.  It’s a perfect family evening.  And, if you don’t like hot dogs there’s even a full buffet dinner at a very reasonable price. One extra attraction – you may want to get a baseball signed by the Smokies manager – none other than the great pitcher Ryne Sandberg!

O.K.  It’s Tennessee in the Smokies and it might just rain.  What now?  Don’t worry, there is plenty to fill your time.  You might even wish for more rain.  You came for adventure so first let’s just stay right at your hotel for the day.  Of course, you need to be staying at the Stone Hill Lodge at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort.  As long as there is not too much thunder and lightning, you can take the free shuttle to Wild Water Dome indoor water park.  If you do nothing else you must do this - The Storm Chaser Thrill Ride, a four-person tube slide featuring a 55-foot drop into a swirling, funnel ride. You don’t have to have four people – two will do nicely.  The 55 – foot drop is breathtaking, but the funnel is what you’ll really love as you slosh from one side to another, all downhill, of course.  But, don’t stop now, grab a tube and hike back up the other stairs and zip down the tube slide.  I especially recommend this one at night.  Part way down you’ll find yourself in a totally dark tube with no idea where you are or how far you have to go.  It’s great fun in the daytime, too.

If you’ve ever wanted to try surfing you can do it right here.  There is a pool designed just for board surfing.  There’s even a large wave pool, a toddler pool and play area, and, naturally, a grill for a quick snack so you don’t even have to leave.  Another nice feature of this fantastic playland – it is for guests only, so probably won’t be too crowded for you to enjoy all the fun things to do.

If it stops raining and you want to do all this outdoors, then take the shuttle back up the hill to the Stone Hill Lodge and use the outdoor water park that you passed on the way to your room.  They don’t have the Storm Chaser, but they do have slide tubes, a tiny tot area, a 750 gallon tipping bucket and lots of spray-and-play activities.  Photo # 46

Another fun indoor adventure is the upside down Wonderworks.  Even though it’s upside down, you’ll be transformed as you enter and everything will appear to be right side up once you get aligned through the first tunnel.  You’re on vacation – do you really know how to relax?  If you do you might just win the “Mindball” game. Check it out. There are over 120 interactive exhibits so stop in and experience a 5.3 earthquake, 55 mph winds in the Hurricane Hole and then relax your body on a bed of 3,500 nails. You can do it! Oh, yeah, there’s also Lazer Tag, a climbing wall, a jet simulator, a gaming arcade and a whole lot more.

One of the indoor activities you’re bound to love simply because it includes everything is the Bass Pro Outdoor World.  If you love shopping, if you love outdoor stuff, if you love eating, if you love fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, shooting, kayaking, canoeing, and . . . .  then this is the place.  It’s an enormous store with a really great restaurant attached. You can find almost everything you’ll ever need for outdoor activities all under one gigantic roof.  Come to dinner at the Islamorada Restaurant first, then walk off the calories touring the store.  The food is great and then maybe you’ll find a special treat, like I did.  I’m a cyclist and I discovered the perfect clip-on LED light for my nighttime biking ventures.

I didn’t have time to stop, but I did notice an Orvis store as well.  You might want to check them out for possible fly fishing lessons and gear.  Once you try fly fishing you may find yourself “hooked.”  And, hopefully, not by your fly casting.

Having broached the subject of food, maybe I should tell you about the Chop House.  If you want a great steak this is the place.  Mine was cooked to perfection.  If you’re looking for ribs try Damon’s Grill. For pancakes you can’t do better than Flapjacks.  Just be careful how you order, you may find yourself with enough food for two!  And, if you go to the Applewood Farmhouse for breakfast you’ll be treated to complimentary Apple Muffins and Apple Fritters with your order.  Naturally, you’ll want to wash it all down with unfiltered apple juice – absolutely delicious.

Make sure and allow time at the Applewood Farmhouse to visit the Barn & Cider Mill.  Try the variety of apple wines and take some apple turnovers and pastries from the bake shop for your midday snacks – you’ll enjoy them on the trail in the Smokies.

I don’t have room to tell you about everything there is to do in Sevierville.  I didn’t even have time to do everything while I was there myself, but I do want to tell you more about Dollywood.  If you’ve been to Dollywood in the past you may not know about the exciting new zip line.  The Sky Zip as it’s called is an added fee attraction and well worth the extra dollars.  I have zip lined in many places and this one is really fun. From segments that stretch above some of the park features to segments in the woods, the well-trained and friendly staff makes it a safe, fun adventure you won’t want to miss.

The Tennessee Tornado is a 70 mph triple-loop steel roller coaster that may have you screaming with delight and the 55 mph wooden Thunderhead has been acclaimed as one of the best wooden coasters in the world.

If you’re not into heart-pounding excitement, there are lots of other rides for all ages, sizes and tastes.  You’ll enjoy the music from live bands and groups throughout the park and there is certainly no shortage of food.  I think it was in the Rivertown Junction section where I passed between Philly Steaks on one side and Sausage Works on the other.  I was already committed to a buffet lunch somewhere else and could hardly pull myself away. I really wanted to stop at the Village Ice Creamery, but was too full after lunch – next time for sure!

Craft demonstrations scattered around the park include leather work, carriage making, woodcarving, glass blowing, a blacksmith and even candy making.  Plus more that I didn’t have time to visit.

As you might expect, there is a music theatre featuring original Dolly Parton songs. The show tells a story of the history of the Great Smoky Mountains. When you enter the park you can pick up a schedule of all the performances.  The nine venues offer shows ranging from 20 minutes to 55 minutes, so plan to see as many different shows as you can work into your schedule.  The magic show is always fun and you can’t miss the iconic Smoky Mountain String Band for terrific mountain music and homespun humor.

However you decide to spend your time in the Smokies be sure and save some of it for Sevierville.  Better yet, make Sevierville your base and you’ll discover how easy it is to get in all the activities you can handle.  And, for some of you, I saved the very best for last. The Tanger Outlet Mall is waiting for you! Check the website for discounts and savings books.

Keep on Traveling (and keep on shopping!)

When You Go

http://www.seviervilletourism.com. Lots of Sevierville and surrounding Smoky Mountain information.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm. Great Smoky Mountain National Park information

http://www.flyscenic.com. Helicopter tour price and schedule.

http://dollywood.com. Check this out if only to see and hear Dolly. Everyone in Sevierville loves her – don’t you?

http://www.wildernessatthesmokies.com. Look here for all the fun and exciting things to do at the resort – you may not want to leave!

http://tennessee.smokies.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t553. You may want to catch a game while you’re in the area.

Story and by Robert Painter (rpainter2006@comcast.net)