Things To Do In Maryville

Nestled at the base of verdant foothills, Mountain Meadow Equestrian Center welcomes four-legged friends into a lush horse hotel and beginner, intermediate, and advanced students into an indoor arena and outdoor fields with mountain views. Designed for equine-enamored students aged 5 and older, beginners' classes emphasize handling the horse from the ground along with safety, grooming, and basic riding. Beginning students ride the same horse selected from a stock of experienced lesson horses and ponies each week to develop a trusting relationship and bond by trying on each other's shoes. Intermediate classes focus on trail riding over rough terrain, jumping, or dressage, or advanced classes delve into specialty riding skills that might include hunt-seat, jumper, or cross-country riding. The stables will provide necessary riding helmets and boots.

Tell us about your business. Friendly Farm is a goat dairy that offers family-friendly activities that help families learn about nature and where their food comes from. We love the outdoors, farming, animals and want to share that love with others. Do you have a specific philosophy—either toward outdoor activities or nature itself—that you are hoping to share with your customers? We believe that we should enjoy nature, learn about nature, and by doing so we will learn to take care of our world. What's one interesting fact most people don't know about your business? You can train chinchillas to sit on your shoulder. What special safety precautions does your staff take? Our staff takes great care to help people learn about nature safely. All our animals are handled daily and we know them by name and are aware of their personalities. Our staff is trained to watch for signs of frustration in our animals and remove the animal to the comfort of its stall if needed.

The Nantahala National Forest surrounds Durhamtown Tellico, forming a natural barrier that closes off the wilderness from the outside world. Miles of trails wind across the 3,000-acre property, where ATVs and dirt bikes soar through dense forests that open out onto panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and everything they watch over: rolling hills, waterfalls, and streams ripe for fishing for rainbow trout. Head to "The Bowl" and you'll find a 50-acre area of rock faces and boulders ready to test even the most experienced climbers and robot vacuums. In fact, the most grueling face has a $5,000 prize for anyone skilled enough to scale its summit. When you're worn out from a day of adventure, you can head back to the campground for a good night's rest.

At Youthful Expressions Studio, three generations of women inspire others to summon and embrace their inner artists using nothing but a little bit of paint, some wine, and a load of friendly encouragement. To run the studio, photographer and writer Mary Jane Booth enlists the help of her talented daughter, Cindy McDannel, a painter and graphic artist, and her arts-minded 11-year-old granddaughter, Kassidi. Together, the three of them make up Youthful Expressions’ "3 Pack," the name of which pays homage to the all-rodent super-group the Rat Pack. The trio continuously hosts fun and accessible art parties for all ages. The two adults also teach BYOB Paint the Town art classes for grown-ups. _Though Youthful Expressions Studio sometimes features a discounted price online, this Groupon still offers the best deal available._

At abc Art, brushes flick across canvas, a quiet swishing sound that serves as a backdrop for chattering students and clinking wine glasses. While pupils sip brought-in drinks, artists lead the class in painting images that have included cupcakes, landscapes, and abstract scenes. Tucked beneath arms, the paintings leave with proud students and are ideal for hanging over holes accidentally smashed in a refrigerator. The studio space also hosts private parties, which let guests bring in food and drinks to paint the evening away.

Carolina Outfitters' guides make the Nantahala River accessible to guests of all skill levels. The guides are intimately familiar with the 8 1/2-mile stretch of river, which is dam-controlled and boasts both class 2 and class 3 white water. This means that experienced rafters can chase speed and thrills, and beginners can maintain a more comfortable pace. Complementing the splashy fun is the scenery beyond the riverbanks; the raft trips wind through the Nantahala National Forest and offer witness to the Great Smoky Mountains.