Tucked along the Pigeon River in East Tennessee, downtown Newport, Tennessee, offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and authentic local flavor. Whether you’re exploring the Smoky Mountains, road-tripping along I-40, or planning a weekend getaway, Newport’s growing food scene is full of places worth slowing down for.
Riverwalk Park: Newport’s Scenic Escape Along the Pigeon River
If you’re looking for a relaxing place to unwind in downtown Newport, Tennessee, head to Riverwalk Park — a scenic green space that follows the gentle flow of the Pigeon River. This riverside gem is a favorite local spot for walking, fishing, picnicking, and simply taking in the beauty of the Smokies and East Tennessee.
How to spend a weekend in the Adventure Side of the Smokies
Twenty miles east of Gatlinburg is a whole different scene to the Smoky Mountains, one anchored by artsy Cosby, chill Newport and the rafting utopia of Hartford. Cocke County is known as the Adventure Side of the Smokies for good reason. With three rivers, four state national forests and Douglas Lake—one of East Tennessee’s most popular lake recreation areas—this slice of mountainous countryside prides itself on providing Tennessee visitors with ample outdoor opportunities that take your breath away.
A&I Fair- A Timeless Tradition in Cocke County
Every summer since 1948, the A&I Fair honors the past, present, and future of agricultural industry in Cocke County.
Hogs to H.O.Gs- The French Broad River Road
Long before interstates or railroads connected Asheville and Newport, farmers faced a challenge: getting their goods to market. The fertile valleys of the French Broad River and Cocke County produced an abundance of food that was in demand as far south as Charleston, SC.
Newport: A City History Shaped by Transportation
Nestled on the north side of the Great Smoky Mountains is the quiet city of Newport Tennessee. Bordered by rivers, a train track, and divided by a state and federal highway, the city can be easily overlooked. But a glance into its past reveals a historic era from the late 1700’s forward worth exploring.
Newport Harvest Street Festival Oct. 4-5, 2025: Harvesting Memories
Bringing with it an atmosphere of nostalgia and a chance to create new memories, the Newport Harvest Street Festival has for 38 years served as a premier East Tennessee community celebration event
Cocke County’s Century Farms Highlight TN Agricultural Heritage
"Century Farms" are an essential part of the Tennessee Heritage Farms Program. Administered by the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University, the program recognizes and works to conserve farms that have remained in the same family and in continuous agriculture production for 100 years or more.
Cocke County’s Fair Means More than Mere Fun
County fairs are a beloved tradition of late summer, filled with nostalgia, excitement, and friendly competition. Fairs hold a special place in our hearts, with songs, books and movies dedicated to capturing their magic. As we stroll through the fairgrounds, memories of childhood come flooding back - the exhilarating rides of the midway, the tantalizing smells of fair food, and the vibrant displays of animals, canned goods, pies, and other products of country living vying for that esteemed blue ribbon or prize money or, perhaps most coveted, bragging rights. The…
The 3 Rivers of the Adventure Side of the Smokies
The three rivers of Cocke County are destinations for exciting recreational adventures on the Adventure Side of the Smokies. The history of these rivers shaped the past and are now shaping the future of recreation in Cocke County.
