Discover Blount County, TN: Lakes, Mountains and City
What type of adventure do you prefer? When visiting Blount County, you don’t have to choose just one type of trip. Here, you can have fun on the water at Fort Loudoun Lake, hike the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and explore charming downtown Maryville.
Houston Oldham, the vice president of operations at Oldham Hospitality, a group that runs several local lodging, dining and retail brands, says it’s easy to navigate between these distinct areas in a single 30-minute drive. Here’s how to explore each one:
By the Water
You can experience the waterfront community in Louisville, starting with a morning game of pickleball at Pickleville. As one of the largest indoor pickleball facilities in East Tennessee, the venue has 10 climate-controlled indoor courts, an outdoor court park and a social players’ lounge.
From there, it is a short drive to the water to experience what makes the area unique. “The north side of the county is total lake culture,” Oldham says. “People live on the lake, they boat, they have incredible homes.”
Dotted with tranquil inlets, the shoreline offers a safe and serene haven for visitors eager to cruise the water by boat or paddleboard.
After working up an appetite, head over to Maria’s Bistro Lakeside. Serving hearty lunch and dinner options, the menu features crowd-pleasers like juicy gourmet burgers, crispy flatbreads and flavorful chicken wings. Grab a table out on their patio for panoramic views of the lake.
In the Mountains
Known for its diverse wildlife and mountain scenery, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. “You’re surrounded by mountains on four sides with incredible views and huge grassy fields,” Oldham says.
Visitors often spend the morning exploring Cades Cove scenic loop for wildlife viewing or hiking the nearby Middle Prong Trail to see the breathtaking waterfalls.
After hiking in the mountains, Peaceful Side Social is the next best stop to fill up. Oldham operates the place and says, “We built our name on a fast-casual food environment with really high-quality, chef-driven pizza, sandwiches, salads and other entrees.”
For refined mountain cuisine, try Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, which has ranked among the top 25 dining destinations in the U.S. Oldham also operates this restaurant and says the goal is for visitors to feel “transported away from their lives” and fully relaxed through Appalachian hospitality. One of the best-known dishes is the Appalachian Lunchable, which is a high-end take on a regional charcuterie board.
In the City
For some local shopping and food, start out at Alcoa’s SpringBrook Farm town center. Then, drive into Maryville to explore downtown and hit up Greenway Village for cool boutiques, food and wine bars.
“Maryville is a charming, vibrant city nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains,” says Hannah Brawley, marketing and communications coordinator for the Clayton Center for the Arts. Located on the Maryville College campus, the Clayton Center for the Arts is a performing arts complex that offers Broadway shows, concerts and an art gallery.
“Our newly announced 2026-27 lineup features a vibrant tapestry of legendary folk-rock, world-class bluegrass, family-friendly adventures and side-splitting comedy,” Brawley says.
For a different type of nightlife experience, try The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint. Located adjacent to Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, this open-air venue serves authentic, slow-smoked Southern barbecue seven days a week. From April through October, there are concerts featuring national rock, country and Americana acts.
But why choose just one adventure? Get the best of all worlds in Blount County: hiking trails, city sights and lake adventures, each wrapped into a single, unforgettable trip.
Get to Know Blount County
Want to learn more about living and working in Blount County? Check out the latest edition of Livability Blount County.
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