Enjoy a barbecue meal at Smoke-N-Bonz
Barbecue is a quintessential Appalachian dish and one of the best barbecue restaurants in Monroe County is Smoke-N-Bonz. Located in Vonore on Highway 411, this local favorite has a menu of barbecue classics like baby back ribs, barbecue pork, and Smoky Mountain Chicken. And for those of you who do not enjoy a slow-roasted slab of meat, they also serve hamburgers, hot dogs, fried fish, and popcorn shrimp. They even have veggie burgers. Regardless of what you get, the chilly Fall weather really makes you appreciate a warm meal, especially in a place rich with Southern hospitality and culture.
Hike to the Chota Memorial
Want to go for a hike, learn some local history, and see the Fall leaves all at the same time? Then you'll need to venture to the Chota and Tanasi memorials in Vonore. They commemorate the Cherokee towns whose historic sites were flooded by the TVA in the creation of Tellico Lake. Both memorials offer a space for quiet reflection as well as beautiful views of the lake and surrounding forests. The Tanasi memorial is the first you'll come to on Bacon Ferry Road (20 minutes from Fort Loudoun and the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum). To get to the Chota Memorial, drive north on Bacon Ferry Road until you reach the roundabout, then walk down the south facing trail until you reach the memorial. The Tanasi memorial is easily accessible on Bacon Ferry Road while the Chota memorial may be a challenge for visitors with disabilities because it can only be reached by a five minute walk on a mostly flat dirt trail. If you are unsure of how to get there, use this map.
See living history at Fort Loudoun
No, not the electric company. Fort Loudoun State Historic Park features a reconstruction of the original fort built by the British in 1756 as part of their campaign to rally Cherokee support during the French and Indian War. Artifacts from the original fort are displayed in the visitor center. On select weekends, reenactors bring the fort to life with demonstrations of how the fort was operated, including how 18th century firearms were shot. The grounds feature panoramic views of the lake and forests. In the Fall, the multi-colored leaves become the perfect backdrop for a day at the fort.
Cherokee Fall Festival
Members of the Cherokee Nation (both the Eastern Band from Tennessee and North Carolina as well as the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma) welcome you to experience their heritage at the Cherokee Fall Festival. Held every September at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, this is a celebration of the indigenous people of this region. This festival showcases Cherokee culture with live music and dances, a blacksmith shop, craft vendors, and native cuisine. Kids can get Cherokee name cards and compete in a blowgun competition. This festival is open to all visitors and tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for kids 13-18, and kids under 12 get free admission.
Rent a pontoon boat to see the leaves around Tellico Lake
When you think of Fall, going out on a lake may not be the first thing you think of, which is why we are so excited for you to try it. Go slow around the lake and bask in the beautiful array of colors as the leaves turn yellow, orange, and red. This would also be a great opportunity to go fishing and see local landmarks like Fort Loudoun from a different point of view. If you already own a boat, there are several launches which can be found here. If you don't own a boat, visit Cherokee Outdoor Resort to rent a pontoon boat. Before you take to the water, make sure you understand boat safety. A Boating Education Certificate is required for anyone born after January 1989.
