Everything You Need to Know About the New Things to Do in Wears Valley TN
Considered one of the Smoky Mountains’ best kept secrets, Wears Valley, Tennessee doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. However, this is likely to change soon, because a number of exciting new businesses are opening up in this beautiful area! Visit My Smokies has the scoop on all of the new things to do in Wears Valley TN.
1. Cades Cove Corner
The new activity in Wears Valley centers around the intersection of Lyon Springs Road and Wears Valley Road (Highway 321). This scenic corner is a fantastic location, because Lyon Springs Road leads right to a secret entrance into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Before heading into the national park, visitors can now pick up picnic supplies at Cades Cove Corner. This charming new store sells everything people renting a cabin in the area may need including:
- Grocery items
- Handcut steaks
- Fresh deli meats
- Fresh produce
- Beer
- Ice
2. Mountain Brothers General Store
Cades Cove Corner is currently open for business. Next door, construction is still underway at the new and improved Mountain Brothers General Store. When completed, this shop will sell a variety of unique East Tennessee souvenirs, such as:
- Smoky Mountain T-shirts
- Jewlery
- Homemade fudge
- Apple butter
- Locally roasted coffee
- Other speciality food items
3. Laporte Archery
One of the most exciting new things to do in Wears Valley TN is Laporte Archery, a one of a kind target shooting game. State of the art machines launch foam discs into the air that participants try to hit with a specially designed bow and arrow.
No prior experience is needed to play the archery game, and it is appropriate for both kids and adults. Can you imagine shooting a bullseye at a target hurtling through the sky?
4. Antique Shop and Cades Cove Distillery
In addition to Cades Cove Corner, Mountain Brothers General Store, and Laporte Archery, a number of other new businesses will open in Wears Valley in the near future. The corner of Lyon Springs Road will also host an antique shop and the eagerly anticipated Cades Cove Distillery.
All of the new construction will match the existing country style of architecture people have come to expect in Wears Valley. New signs pointing the way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance are also planned.
5. More Things to Do in Wears Valley TN
Wears Valley is already home to a great collection of fun things to do! Here are a few of our favorite activities:
Search for Buried Treasure
Your kids will feel like Indiana Jones when they go mining for gems in Wears Valley! Young treasure hunters will love these two attractions:
- Friendly Falls Gem Mines – 2135 Wears Valley Road
- Goats on a Roof Gem Mines – 1341 Wears Valley Road
Have a Picnic at Metcalf Bottoms
The scenic Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area is minutes away from the Wears Valley entrance into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Guests will enjoy a full picnic pavilion with tables, benches, charcoal grills, bathrooms, water fountains, and convenient parking. Best of all, the picnic area is located right beside the Little River, which is a great spot for tubing and fishing!
Go Fishing
Licensed anglers can go fishing year round in Wears Valley. As mentioned previously, Metcalf Bottoms is a great place to cast your line and reel in some of the biggest brown trouts in the Smoky Mountain area. Other stellar fishing spots include The Sinks, Tremont Road, and the Middle Prong of the Little River.
Take a Zipline Adventure
If you’re looking for a thrilling way to see the Smokies, you can’t beat a canopy tour with Wears Valley Zipline Adventures! Located at 1911 Wears Valley Road, this awesome course provides 3,600 feet of exhilarating fun.
Eat at Wears Valley Restaurants
Visitors to Wears Valley have a wonderful selection of restaurants to choose from. Here are five of the best places to dine:
- Elvira’s Cafe – 4143 Wears Valley Road
- Geppetto’s Restaurant – 3250 Wears Valley Road
- Bootlegger’s BBQ – 2881 Wears Valley Road
- Friendly Falls Food & Stuff – 2135 Wears Valley Road
- Grandmother’s Kitchen – 3030 Wears Valley Road
For a detailed overview of all these excellent eateries, check out our blog 5 Wears Valley Restaurants You Didn’t Know About – But Should.
Is there another activity you would add to our list? Which of the new things to do in Wears Valley TN are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!
