Wears Valley, Tennessee

Wears Valley, Tennessee is located between Pigeon Forge and Townsend right next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The easiest way to get there from Pigeon Forge is to go to traffic light 3 and take Wears Valley Road.  From Townsend drive down Lamar Alexander parkway until you come to 321 and follow it to Wears Valley.  Located in Wear Cove, which runs parallel the Smokies, Hatcher Mountain to the Northeast and Cove Mountain to the southeast form the natural boundaries.  Wears Valley has nice eclectic shops, plenty of activities and it needs to make its way onto your travel itinerary.

History
When Samuel Wear established a fort near the entrance to Wear Cove he had no idea that Wears Valley would eventually bear his name by early in the 20th century.  Wear was one of the earliest settlers in this region and he along with others farmed the region.  Due to the natural valley they were in, crops grew well and the valley became a prosperous farming community.  With the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park the quiet life in Wears Valley changed.  By the 1950s tourist businesses had started to sprout up in Wears Valley and that particular valley would never be the same.

Attractions
Wears Valley’s main attraction is the proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Wears Valley is surrounded by the mountains on all sides and there is almost no better place to view the changing of the colors in the fall.  Along with just enjoying the scenery, Wears Valley has plenty of shopping and galleries lining both sides of Wears Valley Road.  Finding local crafters is always a great joy but being able to see them in such a vibrant setting is even better.

Restaurants
Wears Valley has great food.  From home cooking to the eclectic dishes you will be able to find something interesting to dine on in Wears Valley.  Most of the dinning fair is like grandmother used to make.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner you can have some great mountain vittles.

Lodging
Wears Valley is cabin central.  There are a few Inn and B&Bs but for the most part cabins are the lodging of choice in the valley.  The sides of the mountains are dotted with cabins and these cabins have all the amenities you could ever want on a vacation.  Stay in the mountains, with the wilderness on all sides and still have all the best parts of home and resort.