Sevierville, Tennessee

1. Forbidden Cavern

Tennessee has 8,350 caves, more than any other state, and Forbidden Cavern in Sevierville, Tennessee is one of the most beautiful. The cavern was known to the Eastern Woodland Indians who hunted in East Tennessee's forests and mountains. They used the cave as a shelter in the winter and the river in the cave provided a steady supply of water. It is believed that the water comes from an underground lake located under English Mountain. The cave contains unique calcite formations that are still growing as well as the largest wall of rare cave onyx or dripstones in the world. Forbidden Caverns was opened to the public in June 1967. Visitors are offered an entertaining and educational tour through the sparkling formations, grottos, towering natural chimneys and a crystal clear stream. Plenty of light and handrails ensure safety at all points of the 55-minute tour.

455 Blowing Cave Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876, Phone: 865-453-5972

2. Dolly Parton Statue

A visit to Sevierville is a visit to the world of Dolly Parton who was born in the county. You can hear her music everywhere, visit her famous theme parks, but don’t forget to pay homage to the popular singer by visiting her life-size statue on the County Courthouse lawn in downtown Sevierville. The beautiful bronze statue is a portrait of Dolly Parton as a young woman, sitting on a rock while strumming her guitar. The statue was created by the sculptor Jim Gray, who chose to show Dolly with her signature smile. The statue was erected in 1987, after Dollywood theme park opened nearby. The statue is part of a self-guided walking tour of Sevierville, the best way to get to know this fascinating town.

125 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN 37862

3. Harrisburg Covered Bridge

The Harrisburg Covered Bridge in Sevier county is known under many names: Pigeon River Covered Bridge, McNutts Bridge and East Fork Bridge. This historic covered bridge is located east of Sevierville, just off U.S. Highway 441. The bridge crosses the East Fork of Little Pigeon River and is known as a king post truss design. The Harrisburg Bridge was constructed in 1875 to replace the McNutts Bridge, which was destroyed in a flood. In 1952 the bridge was supported with a concrete bridge pillar that was attached to its framework. After additional repairs and renovations, in 2004 the permissible total weight of vehicles crossing the bridge was set to 15 tons.

Sevierville, TN 37876

4. Robert A. Tino Gallery

Robert TIno is a talented artist who spent the last 30 years immortalizing the magnificent landscape of the Smoky Mountains in oil, acrylic, and watercolor. His paintings are rendered in incredible detail and depth, with a blend of realism and impressionism that make his paintings grab the eye and attention both of art critics and average art lovers. Mountain scenes, colorful florals, abstract and contemporary art are now part of private collections and art galleries all over the world.

Tino’s gallery in the old farm in Sevierville is a must see when passing through this part of Tennessee. Every October Robert Tino opens his farm for his annual “Robert A. Tino Smoky Mountain Homecoming.” Besides his own works, the Homecoming also features other artists living and working in the Appalachians.

812 Old Douglas Dam Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876, Phone: 865-453-6315

5. Sevier County Heritage Museum

Open by appointment, the Sevier County Heritage Museum opened in 1995 in Sevierville, Tennessee, in the former Sevierville Post Office building, in the heart of the Sevierville historic district. The Colonial Revival-style building, constructed in 1940 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum was co-founded by Patsy Galyon Bradford and Janie Hearn, with the goal of preserving Sevier County's heritage. The Museum offers displays of local artifacts and memorabilia, hosts lectures and classes, transcribes historic documents, and offers research services for historians and genealogists. The museum works closely with other organizations including the Smoky Mountain Historical Society and the Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains.

167 Bruce St, Sevierville, TN 37862, Phone: 865-919-5383

6. First Baptist Church

In 1789, the same year George Washington was selected as the first President of the United States, Richard Wood led a group of faithful pioneers to establish a Baptist church in a small settlement near the forks of the Little Pigeon River, which will later became Sevier County and Sevierville. The pioneers built a small log building as a place of worship. Rev. Wood ministered to them for 42 years until his death in 1831. The original cabin was used until 1800 until it was destroyed by fire. A second log building was constructed on a plot of land donated by Spencer Clark and used as a place of worship and a community center until the late 1850’s. The church became Sevierville Baptist Church and developed into a strong group of believers. In September of 1998, the Church moved into a new sanctuary and educational building that are used by the First Baptist Church today.

317 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862, Phone: 865-453-9001

7. McMahan Indian Mound

The McMahan Mound Site or McMahan Indian Mound is a notable archaeological site in Sevierville, Tennessee near the confluence of the Little Pigeon and the West Fork Rivers. The site consisted of a platform mound 16 feet high and 240 feet wide and traces of a large village with a palisade around it. The site was occupied between 1200 and 1500 CE by Dallas Phase peoples who belonged to the South Appalachian Mississippian culture. When scientists started investigating it in 1881, the mound was located on the McMahan family farm, hence the name. There is a sign placed by Tennessee Historical Commission that marks and describes the site of the McMahan Mound.

Forks of the River Parkway, Sevierville, TN