Location: Townsend
Top Things to do in Townsend
Top Restaurants in Townsend
Things to do in Townsend, Tennessee (TN): The Best Museums
Townsend is a city in Blount County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The population was 244 at the 2000 census and 448 at the 2010 census. For thousands of years a site of Native American occupation by varying cultures, Townsend is one of three "gateways" to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has several museums and attractions relating to the natural and human history of the Great Smokies.
Restaurants in Townsend
1. Townsend Artisan Guild Gallery and Studios
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
The Townsend Artisan Guild Gallery and Studios offer original art from twenty local artists. Fiber Arts, Jewelry, Paintings, Photography, Pottery, Sculpture, and Wood Working are displayed for your enjoyment. Our artists creatively interpret the world we live in. Often artists are at work in the Gallery or the Studios. Looking for unique artistic expression in the for of art or gifts, or to just enjoy, stop by to visit!
Reviewed By andyhiker77 - Tampa, United States
Lots of items generated by local artists. A nice place to stop and browse. Three store next to each other.
2. Smoky Pearl Gallery of Fine Art
3. Cades Cove Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Cades Cove Gallery offers local products and the work of nature and wildlife photographer Barry Spruce. We specialize in capturing the beauty and wonder of the Great Smoky Mountains and Cades Cove. Stop by and take a piece of the Smoky Mountains home with you.
Reviewed By LordJosmar
We almost missed this place, as the hours posted on Google were incorrect. They have some AMAZING shots of the local flora and fauna available for purchase. All of these options were available in different sizes and formats, like post cards, or normal prints. They also offered empty frames for you to purchase and frame up the prints you buy. We also got to spend some time talking to the owners about their travels and photographs. All in all, this is a MUST visit for anyone who appreciates nature photography.
4. Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
Connect with the spirit and history of Townsend, Cades Cove, and the Great Smoky Mountains at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. A 501(c)(3) organization located just one mile from the Townsend entrance to the National Park, the Heritage Center offers indoor museum galleries as well as an Appalachian village containing historic structures covering the time period of 1802-1960. On weekends, the Heritage Center also hosts a variety live concerts that draw attendees from across the region. Admission tickets may be purchased online, by phone, or on a walk-up basis.
Reviewed By scubacamper
This is a pretty cool place to see some of the historical artifacts and experience some of the cultural norms of the area. The curators have presented a nice collection of Native American artifacts discovered in the area as well as a nice collection of original buildings from the area. It appears they have moved some original log style buildings from the area to this one location, offering a neat little "tour" of they way folks lived in that area a century or more ago. The pricing is reasonable and their gift shop has a decent selection of "dust-collectors" for you to remember your trip. The staff was very friendly, helpful, and professional.
5. The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By texdawg89 - Bogart, United States
This is most definitely worth a visit for anyone with an appreciation of local history that reflects American history from the early 20th century through the depression era. A "must" for children as this museum accurately depicts how timber and railroads were a huge part of the industrial revolution and created jobs and an economy for many small towns in America. The Shay steam locomotive on display is unique not only in how it was built but very few escaped the scrapyard. This railroad and lumber mill were the "lifeblood" of several Tennessee towns and the pictures, log loader, steam engine and various artifacts take you back to a time when railroads were essential to get the lumber out of the mountains to the growing country. It's free!, but donations are appreciated.
6. Captain Dave's Little River Artistry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By ChiquitaP1 - Bowling Green, United States
This place is totally awesome! If you like wood works and talent then you much check this place out! It is filled w/an abundance of both! Artists there are very nice and friendly. You might even catch a glimpse of Captain Dave at work.
