Hailed a town with nothing to do, good ole Maryville, Tennessee has long been home to angsty teens with a desire to skip town for anywhere but here. (They always find their way back though, if they ever leave). There are a few things, though that you might have done if you were one of those angsty teens like me.
The Parkway Drive-In Theater:
It was always so much fun to get with your girlfriends or your sweetheart or your prom date and see the latest movies on the big screen in the bed of a pick-up truck. I remember seeing everything from the Hey, Arnold movie with my family to Toy Story 3 with my group of high school girlfriends before we graduated. This is just a great place to visit.
Crest Bowling Lanes:
Perhaps the smelliest, stickiest place in town, Crest has been home to countless group dates, field trips, and birthday parties for as long as I can remember. If you're looking for a low-budget, humble night out, Crest might just be the place for you.
Sandy Springs Park:
Whether you're playing tennis, taking a walk, having a picnic, or swinging on the swings, Sandy Springs Park has always been the first place on my warm-weather agenda.
Foothills Carmike:
Another sticky-floor sanctuary. May the original Foothills Carmike rest in peace. But the new Foothills Mall Carmike is a great theatre. So when payday hits and you can afford to pay $40 to go see a movie, head on over!
Vienna Coffeehouse:
This is one of my favorite places to go. A banana smoothie in the warm, a chai tea in the cold, and a cozy chair to curl up in on the weekend. An overall wonderful local success story, and a great place to gather with your people or on your own
Sonic:
Happy Hour, 1/2 priced milkshakes after 8, 50 cent corn dogs. Need I say more?
Foothills Mall:
Though slightly dilapidated, and recently posted for sale, Foothills Mall was likely where you had your first job, your first date, your first time out shopping with your friends on your own. From Aeropostale jeans in middle school, to American Eagle clothes in high school, to TJ Maxx thriftiness as a poor college student, Foothills had us covered.
Smoky Mountain Skate Center (Formerly Skatetown USA):
I remember the irony of visiting Skate Town with my 5th grade DARE program (say no to drugs, folks!) While I haven't been recently, I hear it is still a fun place to get your skate on!
Cade's Cove:
What a blessing it is to live just minutes from the most beautiful parks and mountains. Driving the Cade's Cove loop will always be one of my favorite spring, summer, and fall activities. Pack a picnic, roll down the windows, splash in the creek, and don't feed the bears!
River Rat:
Nothing says summer like a neon tube and Chacos, floating down the Little River! Grab your friends, pack some drinks, and let your tush bounce off the river rocks on a hot summer day!
The Green Belt:
Another walking trail, home to the legendary Foothills Fall Festival (RIP), the Green Belt is a great place to get some exercise and enjoy the nice weather as you traipse through downtown.
The Y:
"Don't tell your parents that we're going to the Y" said every Maryville teen ever before they jumped off the rocks into the shallow rocky river water.
It may be true that there's not an awful lot to do in sweet Maryville, but we made our memories none the less, and it will always be home.
