Mine For Gems, Grab Lunch And Shop At Friendly Falls, A Roadside Attraction Just Feet Away From A Waterfall In Tennessee
The Pigeon Forge area is full of spots trying to grab the attention of any and all tourists who come to visit the beautiful Smoky Mountains, but some of the hidden gems of the mountains can often get overlooked. One such roadside treasure is Friendly Falls, a spot that’s full of fun, food, and falls (waterfalls, that is) for the whole family. Check it out!
Blink and you might miss Friendly Falls as you drive through Wears Valley in East Tennessee, but this is a roadside pit stop that you don't want to pass up.
Originally opened as the Cascades Lodge in the 1920s, Friendly Falls is now a complex of different shops, venues, and activities.
The falls themselves are just behind all of the shops and are absolutely beautiful. You can get great views of the falls from the restaurant on the back patio that overlooks the creek!
There are also remnants of a creek-fed swimming pool from back in the day when the site was a roadside lodge. It's such a cool and beautiful place that you'd miss entirely if you didn't stop here!
One of the favorite activities that Friendly Falls offers younger members of the family is Gnorbert's Magic Gem Mine, an opportunity to sift through buckets of sand to mine for stones, gems, and other hidden surprises.
The space also has a beautiful venue that it rents out, touting that you can get married right over a waterfall! How cool and beautiful is that?
The snack shop on-site offers a picnic-like menu of small plates and sandwiches, but they're especially known for their locally-sourced, fresh trout.
Friendly Falls is open year-round except for the stretch from January 1st to February 14th, but the waterfall out back is accessible year-round. Hours change seasonally, so be sure to check their Facebook page below to stay up to date.
For more about Friendly Falls, be sure to visit their official website, and make sure to follow them on Facebook!
Address: 2135 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862, USA
