There’s just something about a small town—and the walkability of it, isn’t there? These quaint towns, rich with history here in the Knoxville area, are always worth mentioning—and worth adding to your list of places to visit when you’re in town.

Did you know that Bush’s Baked Beans started right here in East Tennessee, about an hour outside Knoxville and just 30 minutes from Pigeon Forge? That’s right—not only is East Tennessee home to Dolly Parton, but it’s also home to the famous baked beans. But the company didn’t start out in the baked beans business.

veryone knows the mainstream things to do in Sevier County: the outlet shopping, Dollywood and all it has to offer, the hiking, the biking, and the restaurants along the main drag (the Parkway). But we love finding hidden gems for you to explore while you’re visiting the area.

This month, we visited three new-to-us places we’ve been eager to try: an ice cream shop in Powell, the recently reinvented creamery on the UT campus, and a beloved local bakery that’s been on our radar for a while.