Attractions

Attractions •  Activities •  Places of Interest


While you are lodging at the Townsend Gateway Inn, there are lots of things to see and do. Whether you like to go hiking, golfing, fishing, horse back riding, bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, river tubing, or touring, Townsend, TN and the Great Smoky Mountains have it all. Or just relax in our peaceful, hilltop setting and enjoy the mountain views from your room.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Established in 1934 the Great Smokey National park is the most visited National Park in the United States and remains free to visitors. Today the park protects over 800 square miles of mountains and rivers and preserves a safe haven for more than 15,000 different species of plants and animals while providing visitors endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.
www.smokiesInformation.org

Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center

Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center celebrates the history of east Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains, and is dedicated to preserving the regions unique culture. View artifacts dating from 3000 B.C. to the 1930's and catch a glimpse of Native American life and its pottery, hunting weapons, ceremonial dress, homes, and masks representing the Cherokee seven clans. Learn about Native American and early settler life through three-dimensional displays, interactive exhibits, media presentations and an historic village of authentic log cabins, cantilever barns, wheelwright shop, smokehouse, sawmill, setoff house and more.
www.gsmheritagecenter.org

Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont

Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont provides in-depth experiences thru educational programs that celebrate ecological and cultural diversity, foster stewardship and nurture appreciation for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
www.gsmit.org

Cades Cove Heritage Tours

Tour Cades Cove on a comfortable 19-passenger Educational Touring Vehicle with an experienced and friendly guide. Learn all about the history, personal stories, and natural resources that make Cades Cove so unique and share the beautiful scenery and wildlife with your family and friends, instead of worrying about the brake lights in front of you.
www.cadescoveheritagetours.org

Tuckaleechee Caverns

Carved over tens of thousands of years in one of the earth's oldest mountain chains, the Tuckaleechee Caverns at Townsend, Tenn., are known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies.” Estimated to be between 20 and 30 million years old, the Caverns are rich in history and lore in recent years as well. Tuckaleechee Caverns are open from mid March through mid November and offers guided tours of this beautiful underground wonderland.
www.tuckaleecheecaverns.com

Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum

Collecting, preserving and exhibiting the history of the Railroad, lumber industry and the people in this region, the Museum features one-of-a-kind locomotives, hundreds of photographs, restored equipment and interpretive exhibits. Free
www.littleriverrailroad.org