See the otherworldly when Bald River Falls Freezes Over
Bald River Falls is one of Tellico's most famous landmarks and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The 90 foot cascade is a popular spot for hikers, road-trippers, and photographers. It is a beautiful site year round but things get really interesting in the Winter. On occasion, when the temperatures get low enough, the entire waterfall freezes over. The dark rocks are coated in ice and snow, forming an almost-alien looking natural wonder which you have to see for yourself if you are lucky to be in Tellico when it happens.
Celebrate Christmas the old fashioned way at the Candlelight Walk
Downtown Tellico is already a great destination to do some shopping and dining, so what can make it better? Each December, the downtown is decorated for Christmas, and for one night (the first Saturday in December), it hosts a Christmas festival. The Candlelight Walk is an old-fashioned party where visitors listen to carolers, ride a horse-drawn wagon, and visit the local businesses which are open late and have special festive items for sale. Grab as many of the fresh-baked cookies as you can get, watch the live nativity, and stay warm by the bonfires. The festival starts at 04 PM and ends at 08 PM.
Learn local history and go shopping at the Charles Hall Museum
Monroe County, and East Tennessee as a whole, has a long, complex history which often goes overlooked. A great place to learn about this local history is the Charles Hall Museum, located at the start of the Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains. This museum features a variety of artifacts ranging from arrowheads and firearms to antique telephones and the first television in Tellico Plains. Founded by the long-time Tellico mayor Charles Hall, the museum has two buildings, both free to enter, and many of the artifacts were collected by Charles Hall himself. While you are there, check out Timeless Treasures which is a store selling a variety of items from local vendors. A history lesson, gift shopping, and a great way to get out of the cold all in one trip!
Grab a cup of coffee at Trout Mountain Inn
An essential part of any Winter day is a hot cup of coffee. The best place in Tellico to get your caffeine fix is Trout Mountain Inn. Located in downtown, this coffee shop serves a variety of beverages for both people who love coffee (such as lattes and mochas) and those who prefer something sweeter like an iced tea or a cream soda. Once you get your drink of choice, you can sip it while looking out the panoramic windows to get a wide-angle view of downtown. This is a great opportunity to decide which shop to check out first or just people watch.
See the full majesty of space from the Cherokee National Forest
There are so many daytime activities to enjoy when you go outdoors, so what can you do at night? Go stargazing! Winter is the best season to go stargazing because the cold air is more clear and it gets dark earlier. The further from civilization you are, the more stars and planets you can see. Tellico has several spots great for stargazing including Cherokee National Forest, overlooks at the Cherohala Skyway, and Buck Bald (if you are willing to drive really far from town). Check out our full stargazing guide for more information.
