Exploring Maryville: A Home Base Contender in the Smokies
Sometimes, a stop isn’t about adventure or sightseeing—sometimes, it’s about finding home. This two-week stay brought us to Maryville, Tennessee, a quaint college town near Knoxville that seemed like it could be a perfect home base.
Why Maryville?
🌄 Proximity to the Smoky Mountains – Endless outdoor beauty, with Foothills Parkway offering some of the most breathtaking mountain views we’ve ever seen.
✈️ Convenient for Work Travel – With Knoxville Airport nearby, hopping on a plane for work trips would be a breeze.
🏡 Less Touristy, More Local – Unlike Sevierville, Maryville has a laid-back, small-town charm that felt inviting and peaceful.
Fall Colors & Relaxation
Since this stop was more about soaking in the season, we spent our days driving through the Smokies, where vibrant fall leaves framed the winding roads and creeks carved through the mountains in the most picturesque way. The crisp mountain air and golden hues made every ride feel like a scene from a postcard.
Friend Meetups & Fried Pies
One of the highlights was a get-together with friends in Townsend, aka the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies.” We stopped at Peaceful Side Social Brewery, where we enjoyed fantastic brews and delicious food before wandering over to the local General Store—where we hit the jackpot with amazing fried pies and beautiful handcrafted pottery to take home.
The Home Search Continues
While we loved the Maryville area and its natural beauty, the reality hit: home options here were limited and way out of our price range. So, as much as we adored the idea of settling here, it just wasn’t the right fit.
And so, the search continues.
Next stop: another town, another possibility, and hopefully… home.
