A great little trip just down the road form Gatlinburg is a local favorite.
A lot of visitors to the Smoky Mountains want to find the “hidden gems” of tourism we have within driving distance of the main cities. “Hidden gems” in this context refers to a proverbial sense of attractions that are known and have a following, but aren’t as widely advertised as Dollywood or Ober Gatlinburg or The Island. We have many hidden gems spread far and wide across the incredible expanse of the Tennessee Smokies, as should be appropriate for a region signified by its thick, mountainous ecosystem.
Cosby, TN, east of Gatlinburg could practically be a hidden gem by itself, but in this article we want to introduce you to a gem within a gem – Carver’s Orchard and Applehouse Restaurant!
As you drive on Highway 321 away from Gatlinburg and get closer to Cosby, you’ll start seeing some vast fields where the trees are extremely different than the ones you’ve been driving by throughout the mountain roads, those are just some of the orchards that made Cosby significant as a Smoky Mountain town and community! Carver’s Orchards are located at 3460 Cosby Hwy, Cosby, TN 37722 (turn left as you enter Cosby) and they have not only their orchard open to the public, but a whole Applehouse restaurant for visitors to patron and enjoy as well! Their profile on TNvacation.com tells us more:
“Kyle Carver started his orchard in 1942, hand grafting and planting apple trees in his cornfield. The orchard now sits on 75 acres in Cosby, boasting over 40,000 trees and 126 varieties of apples. To whet your appetite, you will be brought a basket of apple fritters served with apple butter and a juice glass of apple cider. Sample a breakfast special, served with Carver’s homemade apple cider and crispy apple fritters, with Carver’s homemade apple butter, 2 eggs any style, grits or gravy, fried apples or oven-browned potatoes and homemade buttermilk biscuits. The catfish is legendary, pair it with pinto beans and fried apples; the chicken pot pie is exceptional.
In the store, you will find a dazzling array of canned goods from relishes to jams–the perfect gifts to take home. Appalachian specialties such as lye soap, apple butter, candies and, of course, their legendary fried apple pies are available at the store.”
As Spring comes closer and closer to the Smokies, we encourage anyone and everyone to give Carver’s an entry on their itinerary for their upcoming Smoky Mountain vacation!
See more on Carver’s CLICK HERE