Off the Beaten Path in the Smoky Mountains

Exploring the out of the way places off the strip and beyond in the Smokies

We start with some parameters.

In Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, the strip is a quite literal designation. Both the Pigeon Forge – Highway 321 – and the Gatlinburg – Highway 441 – strips hold dedicated demarcation of space, often marked by excessive traffic.

The strip is a literal definition. For instance, Dollywood is not on the strip in Pigeon Forge. You have to drive off the strip onto Veterans Boulevard to get there. But the strip is also a figurative delineation. Dollywood isn’t on the strip – no one would say that it is. But it is at the “heart” of Pigeon Forge and therefore is also not in any way off the beaten path.

In fact, many of the secondary roads in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have been so well traveled that while they are not technically part of the Strip, proper, they are still somehow spiritually part of the main drag.

In this article, we will push beyond the limits of the literal definition of the strip and find some destinations that are truly out of the way.

Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, Townsend

Nestled into the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountain Nationals Park, Little Arrow is one of the upscale getaways that have developed in Townsend. Aka, the Quiet Side of the Smokies. Little Arrow offers several types of accommodations. They range from tiny homes to cabins to RV sites, tents and pop-up campus sites. There’s also 8 luxury tent locations for those interested in a little glamping.

Amenities include a zero-entry pool with grottos, splash pad and hot tub. There’s a 24/7 coffee lounge with a movie and book exchange as well as games and a kid’s playroom. The site has its own closed loop scenic hiking trail that offers various stages for hikers of all skill levels.

Because Little Arrow’s trail is not in the national park, it is dog friendly. However, it should be noted the same reasons dogs are discouraged on trails in the park apply outside the park, it’s just that outside the park, dogs are allowed.

The site has river access for swimming and fishing and a lot more. Just minutes from the Townsend Wye, the site allows for quick access to Elkmont, Tremont and Cades Cove. As a result, it is a perfect basecamp for hikers who want to explore the park’s many trails like Spruce Flats Falls.

You can take Little River Gorge Road up to the Sugarlands Visitor Center and explore the Gatlinburg entrance to the park. A word of caution, however. If you are prone to car sickness, Little River Gorge Road may be the worst in the National Park. The way the edges of the Gorge close in on the roadway makes it a miserable trip.

Also, if you’re going to Gatlinburg proper, Google says it’s faster to go through Wears Valley to Pigeon Forge and up to Gatlinburg. But that likely depends on which part of Gatlinburg you’re going to.

Ristorante DellaSantina, Sevierville

Located in the Pitman Center community of Sevierville, it’s strange to see this highly rated and truly excellent Italian Restaurant so far off the beaten path. Sevier County dining has been slow to offer high quality Mexican, Asian or Italian cuisines. Most places dabble a little bit. But menus in the more highly sought after locations tend to be less specialized – though that has changed a lot in the last few years.

Ristorante DellaSantina probably deserves a more noteworthy location but seems to be doing fine right where it is. With seafood flown in fresh three times a week, DellaSantina does not have a microwave and does not have any frozen food. The menu options are fresh – and whenever possible – organic. It is spiritually akin to the excellent downtown Sevierville culinary scene, just located out of the way in Pittman Center.

The website claims the DellaSantina Family has been providing excellent food and service since 1420 in Verona, Italy. I did not take the time to trace the DellaSantina family tree on ancestory.com. So, we’ll take their word on it. The menu is heavy with classic pasta dishes with a wide variety of seafood options. Main courses range from $20-$40. There is large but not massive wine menu and bar.

The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays and only open for dinner service – starting at 3 p.m. – the rest of the week.

Bush’s Visitor Center, Chestnut Hill

Gatlinburg hosts the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. There are museums in Pigeon Forge dedicated to a ship that sank in the Northern Atlantic and a prison in the San Francisco Bay. Therefore, tiny Chestnut Hill, can have a museum/visitors’ center/restaurant dedicated to its greatest success story.

Bush’s Beans began in 1908 when A.J. Bush started a cannery in Chestnut Hill, located in South Jefferson County not far from the Sevier and Cocke county lines. The company thrived in relative secret until an ad campaign – starring AJ’s great grandson Jay and his dog Duke – rolled that beautiful bean footage into America’s hearts.

Is it a bit silly to visit a Bean company museum? Maybe. Probably. Yes. But it’s also fun. Kind of fun. And the Bush’s facility is quite nice. The Visitors’ Center building is picture worthy – if the factory really isn’t – and the restaurant makes for a nice spot for some lunch.

All things considered, the Bush’s visitors’ facility is significantly better than the Mt. Olive pickles gift shop in Mt. Olive, North Carolina. That is, if food production tourism is your thing.

What do they have at Bush’s Family Café? A lot of what you’d expect, chili pie, chili cheese fries, beans, and cornbread. But they also have surprisingly tasty deli sandwiches, catfish, barbecue, and country-fried steak as well as salads and sweets. It’s a pretty full-service experience down there at the bean factory.

Do you have a favorite off the beaten path destination in the mountains? Let us know in the comments!