Your vacation to the Smokies should be a great one. Our area of Townsend is beautiful and quieter in comparison to the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas. This means you’ll have a better chance of seeing the local wildlife and enjoy the view of the mountains without having to look around a massive building. We have 6 things to do in Townsend TN that are perfect for your next vacation to the area.
1. Hiking
Townsend is just minutes away from the national park. There are tons of trails to hike in and around the park, like Rainbow Falls. This is a great way to see the natural ecosystem of the mountains and to enjoy the crisp mountain air. Bring a lunch along with you and after your hike find a nice spot to sit for a spell. You may even catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife while on your hike!
2. The Bike Trail in Townsend
This 10 mile long bike trail is a great activity for the family. Bikes and helmets are available for rent throughout Townsend, and you’ll even get to ride through a few tunnels! That alone will excite the kids! There are plenty of other trails in Townsend for you to enjoy, check them out here.
3. Tubing
Tubing down the river is a great and leisurely activity to do on a hot day. There are plenty of places you can rent tubes from. Hop into your tub and let the current take you downstream to where you’ll be picked up by the company you rented through so that you can get back to your car and return the tubes. This is a nice activity to do in Townsend to just relax.
4. Tuckaleechee Caverns
The underground Tuckaleechee Caverns will amaze the whole family. Known for its natural onyx formations, this cavern is completely underground. You can go and have a guided tour of the cavern. You’ll be amazed by the natural wonder and the curve of the walls. This is a great activity for those looking to learn something new about the Smokies.
5. Shopping
Most of the shops in Townsend feature local artisans’ work and crafts. There are the typical souvenir shops that you can visit, and you can pick up the promised gifts you said you’d get friends before you left there if that’s what you are looking for. But the artisans’ shops will offer unique, handmade crafts that will wow everyone when they see them.
6. Picnicking
This activity can be enjoyed perfectly in the Cades Cove area, complete with picnic areas with grills and nearby bathrooms! You can grill out, or you could pack your own lunch to enjoy. Either way, the beautiful view of the mountains will be the backdrop of your lunch break. Imagine all the great pictures you will have to remember your day in Cades Cove!
There are a lot of things to do in Townsend TN, but these 6 are the ones we think you’ll enjoy the most. For more fun things to do during your vacation, be sure to check out all of the Townsend TN Area Activities!