December 2025: Why Downtown Sevierville Deserves a Spot on Your Itinerary

Are you in for a treat this month, dear readers. This month we headed to downtown Sevierville—yes, the Sevierville that was home to Dolly Parton. Everyone 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. And since we hadn’t been to the very walkable downtown Sevierville in quite some time, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to reintroduce you to this cozy little district. It’s literally right off the Parkway and a great place to stop and stretch your legs. Plus, this month I had my trusty sidekick, Anna Lee, along for the adventure—Sevierville is just too dog-friendly not to bring her.

We found ample parking on the day we visited and decided the weather was nice enough for a leisurely stroll. The first thing on our agenda was simply to wander and take in the sights. Did you know there’s a statue of Dolly on the courthouse grounds? It’s a must-stop for a selfie. From there, we continued onto Bruce Street, which has the most attractions and is a great spot for visiting the gazebo and enjoying all the decorations around the square.

Since we arrived hungry, we checked out our lunch options—but first, we decided to visit the quilt store! Yes, dear readers, a real, live quilt store. We haven’t seen one in a very long time, and while our quilting days are behind us, you don’t have to be a quilter to enjoy this shop. They even offer classes, so if you’ve ever wanted to learn, check out their website and register for a class while you’re in town.

Jan, the proprietor of Cherry Pit Quilt Shop (how cute is that name?!) was on hand and gave me a tour. The shop is filled to the brim—I believe she said they have over 7,000 bolts of fabric. You can buy by the yard or purchase kits that include a pattern and all the fabric you need to get started on your quilting journey. They also host a retreat each year right in Sevier County. Everyone works on the same pattern, but you choose your own fabrics. Who wouldn’t want to spend a weekend with other quilters—talking, sewing, and relaxing in the heart of the Smoky Mountains? You can call the shop or visit their website for more details.

The shop was a blast. There’s so much going on, from their monthly “Block Party” that runs February through the end of the year (each month you get everything you need to complete one quilt block) to their annual summer shop hop, where you tour quilt and fabric stores across East Tennessee. Visit Cherry Pit Quilt Shop’s website for details or give Jan a call. She was a delight!

After our visit, we stopped right next door for lunch at Graze Burgers. I’ll be honest—Anna Lee wasn’t allowed into the quilt shop, so she was already seated on the patio. (The staff at Graze were amazing and let me “park” the dog there while I browsed.) We had the whole patio to ourselves, and everyone was so friendly and wanted to stop and say hi to her. I ordered the Classic Burger with fries, and it was delicious. The burger was piled high with all the right fixin's, and the bun was the perfect amount of squishy. And they did not skimp on the fries. The shakes, floats, and desserts looked tempting, but we had our sights set on a different dessert stop—so we passed this time. We highly recommend this burger joint for a quick bite while you’re in Sevierville.

After lunch, Anna Lee and I took another walk around town. We explored most of the downtown streets, visited the courthouse, walked Bruce Street again (because why not?), and eventually found ourselves outside Red’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream. We’d heard about Red’s and knew we needed to stop in. As we approached, a happy crowd was pouring out of the shop. We chatted for a moment and instantly knew we’d found a gem.

Inside, the place was as charming as could be—like stepping back into a slower, sweeter era. We ordered butter pecan ice cream in a waffle cone (because you know how we feel about ice cream—no trip is complete without it). Red’s sources their ice cream from a local Knoxville creamery, Irveys Ice Cream Co. Put Red’s Soda Fountain on your list the next time you’re in town. You won’t be disappointed!

We truly enjoyed our time in downtown Sevierville. It’s a walkable, friendly town filled with kind people, good food, amazing ice cream, and adorable shops. If you’re looking for a slower-paced adventure off the main Parkway, make time for this little downtown. It’s well worth the visit.

Visiting soon? Start your downtown adventure with a stroll down Bruce Street, a burger at Graze, and a scoop at Red’s—you can thank us later. Send us a message or tag us on Instagram @destinationtnvalley! We’re always on the hunt for new spots to feature in our Tennessee Valley Guide series.

About the Author:

Kristin is the creative behind Chicken Librarian where she shares real-life stories, seasonal living inspiration, and her love for all things local. A freelance blogger and storyteller, she’s been chronicling her journey since 2017 at chickenlibrarian.com. Through her writing, Kristin celebrates slower living, community, and the simple beauty found in everyday moments — from small-town bakeries to life on her own farmstead.