1. Holiday Inn Express Hotel And Suites
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (865) 933-0087, (800) 465-4329
Address: 3526 Outdoor World Drive
Description: This Holiday Inn Express is brand spanking new—opening in April 2009. It offers a decidedly tony atmosphere decorated in a bold and colorful modern design but it charges unarguably discount prices. Of its 91 rooms (on four floors), 19 are suites (featuring microwaves and refrigerators). The hotel features an indoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a business center, free high-speed Internet access, and a free hot breakfast buffet.
2. Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (865) 933-3033, (888) 236-2427
Address: 3620 Outdoor Sportsmans Place
Description: Here’s a brand-new inn that just opened in the fall of 2008. Of its 91 rooms, 15 are suites. The Fairfield Inn has an indoor pool and outdoor hot tub, a business center in its lobby, a state-of-the-art exercise room (where the machines all have their own televisions), and wireless Internet throughout the property. A complimentary hot breakfast is also included in the rate. The inn is located at exit 407 off I-40 at the Bass Pro Shop and is also just across the way from the Tennessee Smokies Baseball Stadium.
3. Smokies Inn And Suites
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (865) 933-7378, (800) 348-4652
Address: 3385 Winfield Dunn Parkway
Description: Conveniently located just off I-40 at exit 407, this hotel is one of the first you’ll encounter on the Smokies Corridor, and it offers a pleasant night’s stay for the traveler who’s eager to get off the road. Known as the Ramada Limited when it opened in 1992, the recently renamed Smokies Inn is a good pick if you’re looking for an attractive room at a price that won’t break your pocketbook. The inn’s 65 standard rooms and 15 suites are accessible from interior corridors on all three floors. All rooms have two queen-size beds. Some feature whirlpool tubs and balconies as well. The inn also offers an indoor swimming pool. Children stay free, and discounts are available for AARP and AAA members.
4. Baymont Inn And Suites
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (865) 933-9448, (800) 939-9448
Address: 2863 Winfield Dunn Parkway
Description: Formerly a Holiday Inn Express, this property was voted 1998’s “Newcomer of the Year” when it made its debut. Now refurbished and flying the Baymont flag, the inn offers 73 standard rooms with inside access that all feature private balconies and porches as well as high-speed Internet. Fifteen suites offer a broader amenities package, including sleeper sofas, refrigerators, microwaves, fireplaces, coffeemakers, and whirlpool tubs. The property boasts a breakfast bar, guest laundry room, indoor and outdoor pools, a whirlpool, a new fitness room and a business center. Children younger than 19 stay at no cost; AARP and AAA discounts are extended as well. Although the hotel is still several miles out of Sevierville, it’s convenient to shops, restaurants, and two golf courses.
5. River Islands Golf Club
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Golf
Telephone: (865) 933-0100
Address: 9610 Kodak Road
Description: River Islands is a spectacular golf course. Laid out alongside and in the middle of the French Broad River, this course is visually as pleasing as any course you’ll play anywhere. Getting there requires a little more attention to the road than the other three area courses, but it’s worth it. Coming out of Sevierville on Winfield Dunn Parkway (TN 66), turn left at the traffic light at Tennessee Highway 139 (Kodak Road). It’s the first traffic light after you cross the river on TN 66. Look for the blue and white signs. About 3 miles in on TN 139, look for the Northview fire hall on the right, and take the next left (it’s a four-way stop). Less than a mile later, turn right at Kodak Road, and follow it about 3 miles to the course entrance on the left. You’ll see most of the course before you get to the driveway. River Islands is an Arthur Hill design. It’s a classic links-style layout, with five holes distributed among three natural islands in the French Broad River. Being laid out entirely along a river bottom, it’s pretty level; it’s also heavily forested. This course also has the interesting distinction of being located in two counties; from the tee at the par-3 third hole in Knox County, your drive crosses the river and the county line, (hopefully) coming down 175 yards later on the green in Sevier County. Tee layouts make River Islands whatever you want it to be: The forward tees neutralize the ever-present river, and the back tees will test your club selection skills. The fairways are a particularly lush Zoysia grass that feels almost spongy but sets a ball up nicely. Of the four courses, this is the one that can bring you to your knees the quickest and for the longest time. Played from the championship tees, River Islands is a test of every shot-making skill in the game. From the two intermediate tees, it’s a constant challenge, and from the ladies’ tees it’s not really a pussycat but it’s a lot drier. Greens fees are $56, including cart and tax, from Monday through Thursday until 1 p.m. After then, it’s $46. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, greens fees are $60 until 1 p.m., when the cost goes up to $50. This is an arduous course despite its relative flatness, and carts and spikeless shoes are required. Due to its extreme popularity, River Islands requires reserved tee times during the tourist season.
6. Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (865) 932-5500
Address: 3629 Outdoor Sportsmans Place
Description: Although this restaurant is indeed part of a chain, it’s notable because it’s located inside of the huge Bass Pro Shop at exit 407 off Interstate 40. The restaurant offers both indoor and patio seating, not to mention a 13,000-gallon saltwater reef aquarium. Popular menu items include venison stuffed mushrooms and the hand-breaded alligator for appetizers, as well as the Islamorada Portofino blackened tilapia topped with grilled shrimp in a creamy lobster sauce.
7. Double Play Cafe
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (865) 286-2300, (888) 978-2288
Address: 3540 Line Drive
Description: Speaking of restaurants in unusual locations, this one is inside the Tennessee Smokies baseball stadium (just off I-40 at exit 407), right behind third base on field level. (You’ll find more information about the Smokies and the stadium itself in the Attractions chapter.) The cafe, open only during baseball games, serves an all-you-can-eat buffet that begins when the gates open and runs through the first pitch (after that, you can order appetizer-type items off the menu). The cost is $10 per person ($7 for kids), plus beverages (which includes beer on tap and by the bottle). There’s a fish fry on Fridays and sandwiches on Saturdays.
8. New Orleans On The River
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (865) 933-7244
Address: 2430 Winfield Dunn Parkway
Description: What’s a five-star chef from Louisiana doing in the Smokies? Creating quite a following with his Creole masterpieces, of course. Chef George Lovell, who has trained at Paul Prudhomme’s K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen in New Orleans, dishes up such Nawlins favorites such as crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice, and bread pudding with praline sauce. This restaurant, opened in early 2009 by owners Marion and Glenda Sheffield, is located on top of a bluff, overlooking a bend in the French Broad River. It’s hard to tell which is better here, the views or the food. What’s for sure is that you won’t find more authentic New Orleans food anywhere else in the area.
9. Beef Jerky Outlet
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (865) 932-4333, (866) 876-3626
Address: 3609 Outdoor Sportsman’s Place
Description: Ever have a hankering for ostrich jerky? How about alligator or even arctic ox jerky? If so, you’re in luck because this outlet near the Bass Pro Shop in Kodak carries more than 200 varieties of jerky, sold by the bag, by the jar, and in bulk. The exotic jerkies (kangaroo, caribou, and salmon among them) are made elsewhere, but the Smoky Mountain beef jerky is made locally. This outlet also carries flavored peanut butters, deep-fried peanuts (eaten shell and all), and locally made jellies and jams. A second shop operates in Pigeon Forge (in Walden’s Landing; 865-774-3441), and the newest location is in Gatlinburg (903 Parkway; 865-277-9019).
10. Country Christmas & Collectibles
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (865) 933-9115, (888) 314-0173
Address: 3044 Winfield Dunn Parkway
Description: This 23,000-square-foot store carries an enormous array of Christmas decorations at a discount, but what makes it even more notable is that their in-house designer can create custom wreaths, swags, and centerpieces to your exact specifications. This is also the store that custom-makes many of the county’s outdoor lighting displays for Winterfest (including the one directly across the street at the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center). In fact, you can flip through their book of examples to get ideas for ordering your own, just in case you’d like to have some Winterfest magic in your front yard back home.
11. Tennessee Smokies Baseball
City: Kodak, TN
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (865) 637-9494, (888) 978-2288
Address: 3540 Line Drive
Description: This AA minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs plays ball at Smokies Park in Sevierville, located just off Interstate 40 at exit 407. The facility features 6,000 fixed seats, grass berm seating for an additional 2,000 spectators on the hillside beyond the outfield, 18 private suites, and two patio areas. Ample restrooms and concession areas open directly onto the concourse that runs above and behind the stadium seating. The Double Play Cafe inside the stadium overlooks the field and is open during ball games (see the Restaurants chapter). Visitors can also stop by an area welcome center located on the 25-acre site. The Southern League season runs from April through early September, and the Smokies play more than half of their 140 games at home. The team runs countless special promotional nights during home stands, and they give away lots of prizes during the games themselves. Between innings, they usually run contest events for kids that take place on the field, including things like musical chairs, throwing water balloons, or racing the Smokies mascot around the bases. The stadium includes three separate “no alcohol” seating areas—two bleacher-level sections and one field-level section.The team’s history goes back to 1896, when they were founded as the Knoxville Indians. They’ve had many names since then, but finally settled on the Smokies in 1993. They still played in Knoxville until they moved to their current dugout digs in 2000. Ticket prices range from $5 to $10, including tax, and on-site parking costs an additional $3. Season tickets are available in different packages.