Now that the spring is in full bloom and the weather has warmed up pleasantly, it is the perfect time to shed off the stuffiness of winters and enjoy some fresh air at a natural retreat. After all, when flowers bloom everywhere, and the weather is so pretty, a vacation sounds like the most inviting thing. And what natural retreat is better than spending time around the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. But if you are hesitant that this tourist season in major towns near the Smoky Mountains will ruin your trip, then head off towards Wears Valley. Wears Valley is nestled at the base of the Great Smoky Mountain and offers you the quiet, peace, and old-country aesthetics you won’t be able to find in big towns. The valley is filled with beautiful natural scenery and offers a great view of the majestic mountains. Therefore, if you plan to visit Wears Valley for your vacation, here is a list of things you can do in the wears valley.
1. Enjoy the view of Cove Mountain
Wears Valley is situated at an elevation of about 1,454 feet above sea level. The picturesque town is surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains, among which Cove Mountain stands out considerably. Cover Mountain happens to be the tallest mountain in that area, and you can enjoy a beautiful view of it from the Valley. Hence, just by driving around the Valley, you can enjoy the view of beautiful mountains all around the town, but the best way to enjoy these mountains is to reserve a cabin. You can choose from a plethora of Wears Valley cabin rentals according to your budget and needs and enjoy your peaceful stay with a great view.
2. Visit the Headrick Chapel
The Headrick Chapel is registered under the National Register of Historic Places list as it was built in the year 1902. While the chapel is quite small, it has always been the center of religion and community in the valley for 120 years now.
According to the local legend, residents of the valley chose this specific location to build a church because a thunderbolt had destroyed an oak tree at that place. But most of all, it offers a beautiful scenic view of the valley.
3. Head to the zip lines
If you have some taste for adventure, then take out some time to visit the Sevierville zip line park in Wears Valley. The park offers almost two miles of breathing and scenic zip line, where you can enjoy the view of the mountains. Once you are done with the zip lines, you can head toward local businesses that provide whitewater rafting services in Wears Valley.
4. Saddle up at Walden Creek Stables
Nothing can beat horse riding when you’re trying to enjoy nature. Therefore, if you want to enjoy the view of the Great Smoky Mountains while riding on horseback, head to the stables situated at Walden Creek. This activity is suitable for tourists of all ages as they can enjoy the view while riding past historic cabins or the old moonshine stills. Moreover, once you’re done with the ride, enjoy a Southern-style Barbeque dinner and a Wild West adventure show.
5. Dine with a mountain view at Elvira’s Café
You can’t spend a vacation at Wears Valley without stopping at least once at the popular Elvira’s Café. This café is well known for its coffee, crepes, and breakfast parfait, which you can enjoy while soaking in the view of the Smoky Mountains from the café’s porch. Apart from that, if you visit at the right time, you might be able to participate in some community celebrations or events often hosted at Elvira’s Café. It gives you the perfect opportunity to mingle with the natives of the area, which will surely make your vacation a memorable one.
6. Ride the Smoky Mountain Alpine coaster
At the north of the valley, you can enjoy the exciting Alpine wooden coaster that snakes down Smoky Mountain’s side and offers adventure and thrill suitable for the whole family. The coaster track is more than a mile long and happens to be the biggest downhill ride offered in the entire country. Moreover, this coaster ride is open all year long, so you can enjoy the ride no matter what month you visit Wears Valley.
7. Tour the moonshine distillery
Although Moonshine Distillery is rather new in Wears Valley, the business is rooted in something that goes back in the Wears Valley history, and that is moonshining. In the past, the farmers who lived in Wears Valley used to make corn liquor by night so that they could escape the clutches of revenuers. To learn all about this interesting history, visit the Moonshine distillery in the valley.
8. Hunt for treasure at the Falls Gem Mine
The local legend says that the Cherokee buried their treasures of gold in Wears Valley before they had to evacuate the area and go down the trail of tears.
If you are interested in finding the treasure, visit the beautiful Falls Gem Mine. The mine features a craft store where you can buy the supplies and a creek-side mining flume where you can look for hidden gems. It is a fun family activity, and you might even end up finding sapphire, rubies, and emeralds while sifting the silt. Once you are tired of the treasure hunt, head to the restaurant to enjoy a meal with the view of a private waterfall.
Conclusion
Wears Valley is the perfect vacation spot for families as you don’t have to go through hours of hiking to enjoy a scenic view. Mountains surround the whole Valley, and you can enjoy the view from anywhere you like. Moreover, there are plenty of activities that individuals of all ages can enjoy, ranging from exploring smoky mountains to horseback riding to enjoying a zip line adventure. This aspect makes Wears Valley a highly desirable vacation destination point.
