If you are looking for a city that offers a lot of exploration opportunities for your short weekend getaway, check out what awaits you in the quaint city of Maryville.
Boasting its rich history with abundant outdoor spaces, Maryville offers unique experiences and amazing attractions.
Maryville is a city in the county seat of Blount County, Tennessee, with a population of up to 30,000 locals.
If you’re planning a short vacation to this little city in Tennessee, here are the 15 best things to do on your trip to Maryville:
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Visit the Cades Cove Museum in the 230-year-old Thompson-Brown log cabin, showcasing the original furnishings of the cozy log home.
The museum is home to over 1000 artifacts dedicated to preserving the heritage and culture of Cades Cove and commemorating the lives of the people who lived in Cades Cove.
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A trip to the Cades Cove museum is like a trip down memory lane because you’ll be able to have a glimpse of what life was like in the cove.
Aside from the extensive collection of artifacts and archives, there is also an on-site cemetery near the picturesque cabin.
The Cades Cove museum is a hidden gem in Maryville, and it’s a must-visit if you want to learn more about the history of Cades Cove.
This public park in Maryville is an ideal location for families traveling with children.
Sandy Springs Park features three different play areas suitable for all ages surrounded by lush trees to protect the kiddos from the scorching heat of the sun.
The park has picnic tables where you can enjoy your prepared snacks under the shade of large trees surrounding the area.
You can have a relaxing stroll in the park in their tree-lined paved walking trail and cross a few bridges that run along the meandering creek with some ducks swimming in the area.
There are a few sports facilities in this park, such as the lighted softball field and tennis courts, where you can watch local sports events in Maryville.
This place is also pet-friendly, so take them on a walk here if you have your furry friends with you.
A trip to Sandy Springs Park is perfect for a day out with the family, so make sure to stop by for a relaxing day in the park.
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The greenway runs on a 9-mile linear trail linking the two cities, Maryville and Alcoa, with a paved path surrounded by lush greens.
The Maryville-Alcoa Greenway is a scenic location perfect for leisure and recreation.
You can go for a jog surrounded by beautiful natural scenery in the mornings or even at night to enjoy the well-lit paved path of the park.
There are plenty of spots to rest and take some great pictures with the scenic natural areas along the park.
Whether you want to go for a quick nature walk or prepare some snacks for a picnic day out, this place should be on your list of destinations in Maryville.
This family-operated farm and vineyard is a quaint destination set on the beautiful valley of the Great Smoky Mountains—a visit to this place is perfect for a serene outdoor time in Maryville.
The wine tasting room is nestled in a classic barn-shaped building giving out a rustic and cozy atmosphere while tasting the best selection of fine wines.
Have a seat in their patio area to chill while sipping a glass of wine with an overlooking view of the picturesque vineyard and mountains.
Nothing beats the joy of a sunny day on a farm surrounded by adorable farm animals, so make sure to have a stroll around the farm and meet new friends in their pastures.
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The Bicentennial Greenbelt Park is another public park located in downtown Maryville—an urban renewal project of the City of Maryville aimed to turn a heavily polluted area into a greener space.
The walkways in Bicentennial Greenbelt Park also serve as a nexus for the 9-mile Maryville-Alcoa Greenway.
This park features a fountain, shaded walking trails, bridges crossing the creek, and nearby Blount County Library.
You can stop by to watch the small population of ducks and birds living in the park or listen to the relaxing cascading sound of water from the fountain.
The Bicentennial Greenbelt Park is ideal for setting up picnics or hanging out in a peaceful area to relax the mind.
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The Blount County Historical Museum in Maryville showcases the history of Blount County, ranging from Native American times through World War II and later.
This museum may be small, but they have a vast collection of artifacts and archives of the local history on display.
This hidden gem is located beside the Cades Cove Museum, so make sure to stop by to discover more of Blount County’s history.
Note that volunteers run this museum, and the admission is free, so you might need to call ahead to check for the museum’s availability.
Support local producers of locally-made products in Maryville Farmers Market located in downtown Maryville.
There is a variety of local products in the farmers’ market that are reasonably priced, so make sure to stop by to get a dibs on the freshest produce sold in Maryville Farmers Market.
All products sold in the farmers’ market are grown from the vendor’s farm, and some vendors make their products from scratch.
Not only will you get fresh produce, but you’ll also get to help preserve family farms and local businesses in Maryville.
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Located along the Bicentennial Greenbelt Park in Maryville are the ruins of the historic manufacturing mill established in the early 1900s.
This place is Maryville’s hidden gem—it’s a little hideaway from the city, featuring a serene and calming atmosphere.
The place is perfect if you want a quick escape from the busy community and just meditate as a peaceful natural area surrounds you.
You can sit under the canopy of blooming trees and listen to the cascading sounds of water.
Be sure to stop by the Pistol Creek Dam and Mill Race and be enchanted with Maryville’s jewel stored away in this little city.
The Capitol Theatre is Maryville’s premier entertainment place for unique family fun or date night.
The theatre embodies the old historic Hollywood ambiance featuring a variety of vintage memorabilia.
Capitol Theatre also houses an ice cream parlor and a coffee shop serving a fun movie-themed selection of foods; there is also an art gallery in the theatre for an authentic vintage experience.
A walk inside the Capitol Theatre will surely take you back in time—you can walk glamorously in their red carpets surrounded by magical neon lights and feel like a Hollywood star of the 90s.
This place is perfect for events like weddings and other celebrations, but you can stop by for a cup of coffee or ice cream as a nostalgic casual hang out at Capitol Theatre.
Round 6 Brewings is nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain in Maryville, a craft beer industry dedicated to brewing the best-tasting beer.
The brewery features a variety of flavorful beers—so whatever your preference in beer might be, they got it covered.
Round 6 Brewing houses a patio, deck, and an indoor taproom—whether you want to enjoy your craft beer with the relaxing outdoor ambiance in their deck and patio or sit inside the taproom to watch a live sports game.
The whole family will definitely have a great time here because even kids get to choose their own beverage and enjoy some snacks in their Kid’s Corner.
They also host live music events in their Beer Garden at night and a huge turf area where you can enjoy bocce ball, cornhole, and more.
This family-friendly hang-out place offers a chill ambiance where you can play some games, watch sports, listen to live music, and enjoy the great company of friends.
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History buffs will be fascinated with the Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse, a log cabin schoolhouse that was built in 1794.
Experience a day at school in early colonial times at Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse and walk along the tree-lined paved path on the grounds.
The school is named after Sam Houston, who taught before the war broke out in 1812.
The museum showcases the early education in Maryville with the preserved original furnishings of the schoolhouse and a number of historic artifacts dedicated to educating future generations.
You will also learn about the schoolhouse educator’s life because the museum is a commemoration of Sam Houston’s works in early education.
Watch dirt track racing, monster trucks show, and more exciting events at Smoky Mountain Speedway.
The Smoky Mountain Speedway is a dirt track where Maryville track racing competitions have taken place for more than 50 years.
The dirt oval features a top-notch wide racing track and a grandstand with wood stadium seating benches to watch exciting events live.
This place is a must-visit for an exciting night out with the family, so make sure to check updates on their website to catch awesome events in Smoky Mountain Speedway.
Nothing beats a day at the mall strolling around for a bit of shopping and stopping by restaurants for good food, so make sure to stop by the Foothills Mall for a pleasant shopping day.
This mall may be small, but you’ll be surprised by how much the mall has to offer.
Whatever you are looking for, the mall has got you covered—they offer a variety of stores up to recreational activities inside the mall.
You can stop by their play areas if you are shopping with kids or dine in the adjacent Foothills Plaza for a nice meal after a day of strolling around the mall.
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If you are in for another outdoor adventure, make sure to visit the Look Rock Tower for a spectacular overlooking view of the mountains.
You can access the Look Rock Tower on a short hike in an uphill tree-lined paved trail, so you get to enjoy the relaxing ambiance of nature while on the trek to the tower.
There is also a designated picnic area, so pack some lunch and enjoy a nice meal under the canopy of blooming trees.
Catch a prestigious show at Clayton Center for the Arts located in Maryville College.
You can watch various live performances like musicals, ballet, plays, orchestras, and more.
The Clayton Center for the Arts features an elegant foyer, four art galleries, event halls, and four theatres with state-of-the-art acoustics and overall layout.
This building is dedicated to provide a place for artistic expression and involve its patrons in art appreciation.
Make sure to check their website for scheduled performances and reserve your seat for an exciting live performance.
If you want to watch outstanding local performances and get to know the artistic community of Maryville, plan to make the Clayton Center for the Arts a stop on your visit to Maryville, Tennessee.
Maryville is a charming little city perfect for a short weekend getaway.
This city is an ideal choice if you want to explore a plethora of parks and learn a bit about the city’s heritage.
If you happen to be stopping by Maryville, make sure to reference this list and head out for an exciting adventure.
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