What truly sets the Smokies apart isn’t the breathtaking mountain views, the variety of family-friendly attractions, or the sense of adventure around every corner. It’s the living, breathing heritage that still exists to this day. Appalachian culture continues to thrive, through music, storytelling, crafts, cuisine, and a strong sense of community. It’s these traditions that connect today's Smoky Mountains to its rich history. Here are 5 traditions of Appalachian culture that are still alive in the Smokies today:
1. Storytelling & Oral History
Appalachian culture has always leaned on the power of a good story. Before written records were ever a thing, families kept their history, wisdom, and legends alive through storytelling. These stories served as blueprints for how to live, love, and laugh in the Smokies. Today this tradition continues at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where park rangers and historians share tales from the old days. It’s not uncommon to see a local storyteller at seasonal festivals and heritage events in the area, keeping the tradition alive and well.
2. Traditional Appalachian Music
Nothing says “Appalachia” quite like the sound of a fiddle or banjo! The roots of Appalachian music can be traced back to old European folk tunes and eventually morphed into old-time, bluegrass, and mountain gospel. Music has long been a way to pass down emotion, history, and a sense of place. These days, during Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales, musicians line the Gatlinburg streets playing classic songs. Places like Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge give guests an authentic glimpse at this tradition of Appalachian culture.
3. Handcrafted Arts & Mountain Crafts
Crafts in the Smokies developed out of necessity. People created quilts to keep warm, carved wood for tools, and wove baskets for storage. These practical skills would eventually become a proud tradition of handmade arts and crafts. One of the best examples of this today is the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community in Gatlinburg. It’s an 8-mile loop road featuring workshops and shops where artisans still quilt, pot, carve, and create the old-fashioned way.
4. Appalachian Cooking Traditions
Food is at the heart of Appalachian culture, where in the early days diets consisted of making the most of what you’ve got. Cornbread, beans, greens, and preserves are all staples that came from families who worked the land to get their food. Local restaurants in the Smokies like The Old Mill Restaurant and Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant serve up many of these same classic flavors today. In places in the national park like Cades Cove, visitors can learn about how families grew and prepared their food, from gardening to canning.
5. Sense of Community & Mountain Hospitality
Perhaps the most meaningful tradition in the Smokies is the sense of community. Since as long as folks have lived here, they’ve looked out for one another. From helping with harvests to pitching in when times were tough to sharing what little they did have. That same spirit is still alive and well today. You’ll feel it at festivals, gatherings, and celebrations throughout the area. Visitors are often blown away by how friendly locals are. That’s not just good manners; it’s mountain hospitality, straight from the heart of Appalachia.
Interested in Learning More About Appalachian Culture in the Smokies?
The next time you visit, keep an eye out for these traditions of Appalachian culture that still exist in the Smokies! In the meantime, there’s plenty more to learn about the area’s Appalachian roots. Check out a long list of Appalachian words you didn’t know existed!
