7 Reasons You Should Move to Blount County Right Now

Nathan Lambrecht

1. Louisville Point Park

In Blount County, Tennessee, you don’t have to drive very far to find water – just go to Louisville Point Park, which is on the Tennessee River. It has a boat ramp and a designated swimming area, so whether you’ve got a boat of your own (or a friend with a boat!) or just looking to splash around in the shallow end, there are options. The park also has picnic tables, grills, sand volleyball and horseshoe pits so you can extend fun beyond being out on the water.

2. Breakfast and Brunch

When it comes to morning meals, you’re spoiled for choice. REO Cheesewagon Café started on four wheels with its food truck, but now it’s expanded to a downtown location, too. The breakfast menu features breakfast biscuits and wraps – all topped with the café’s namesake, cheese.

Jeff Adkins

If elegance attracts you, Southern Grace Manor is a great option. This Maryville eatery has a diverse selection of brunch fare, including its famous waffles. And as an added bonus, everything on the menu is gluten-free.

Finally, discover gourmet cooking in a rustic setting at Townsend’s Dancing Bear Lodge, a three-star resort nestled in the gorgeous Tennessee woods.

3. Live Music

There are so many places to go for live music, it’s actually quite difficult to narrow it down to just a few!

The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint in Maryville, TN, is a must-include. A restaurant and music venue combo, it mostly sells ticketed music events, which are held in its spacious pavilion. It’s a bring-your-own chair kind of place that guarantees a rocking good time.

For more casual listening, you can stop by Two Doors Down in Maryville, Peaceful Side Social in Townsend, Tri-Hop Brewery in Maryville and Rocky Branch Mountain Music in Walland.

And of course, we can’t forget to mention Brackins Blues Club, where the smooth notes are paralleled by the smooth drinks.

4. Craft Cocktails

Throw on something snazzy and hit the town for cocktails. Bella, an Italian restaurant in downtown Maryville, offers a gorgeous setting in which to enjoy a cocktail from the full-service bar. Classics like an espresso martini share a menu with seasonal features like the Big Orange (which is fitting for game days in the fall).

A little farther out, RT Lodge is a boutique inn and restaurant that’s well worth the drive. Enjoy a delicious cocktail outdoors on their lovely patio in a more natural atmosphere.

5. Glamping at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

How amazing does it sound to go for an invigorating hike and then come back to a nice, hot shower and plush bed? That’s exactly why glamping was invented, and for those who crave modern amenities with their outdoor adventures, Little Arrow Outdoor Resort checks all the boxes. Their two-story luxury glamping lodge sleeps up to six, has heat and air conditioning, plus a kitchenette, a full bathroom and incredibly comfortable beds – perfect for resting up after outdoor excursions. Little Arrow also offers luxury glamping tents, with most of the same amenities as the lodge buildings.

Jeff Adkins

6. A New Book

Whether you’re looking to buy something new, thrift something old(er) or borrow something completely for free, Blount County offers its book-loving residents an abundance of avenues to get their print fix. Neighborly Books is a pristine independent bookstore in Maryville stocking new books available for purchase, while not far away, Southland Books and Cafe, with its colorful exterior, sells gently used books (along with baked goodies to enjoy in its cafe section).

As always, if you want to read before you buy, you can always check out a book from the Blount County Public Library.

7. Fresh Produce

Finding quality, locally grown food is important – and luckily for Blount County residents, there’s a plethora of produce to peruse at multiple markets. Of course, there’s the Maryville Farmers’ Market, where growers bring their freshest foods each Saturday from April to November. But there are also a few marketplaces that are permanent, not pop-up, making them accessible on any day of the week. Check out Amburn’s Market (set in an unmissable red barn), Horn of Plenty Marketplace (a small mom-and-pop shop) and Maryville Corner Market & Café (offers a great menu of prepared food as well).