Bush’s Visitor Center, located in Chestnut Hill, TN, is the perfect lunch time stop when visiting the Smoky Mountains or Dandridge! With its scrumptious lunch offerings, cute gift shop, free, fun and informative museum and beautiful location, it is a not-to-be-missed locale for families of all shapes, sizes and ages! Here are some things you will not want to miss during your visit!
Take In the Scenery at Bush’s Visitor Center
This corner of Chestnut Hill is beautiful! I never get tired of the view!. The Bush Beans Family Cafe, museum and gift shop are located in very cute buildings surrounded by beautiful landscaping. In fact, it is housed in the original A.J. Bush and Company general store, founded in 1897. There are multiple photo ops around the grounds. Bush Bean’s plant is located just across the street and is surrounded by lush green farmland, with a gorgeous Bush family farmhouse out front. It’s a place you will want to sit and take in the view!
Eat Lunch (Or At Least Dessert!)
The Bush’s Family Cafe is best known for it’s desserts, including their Pinto Bean Pie! The cafe also offers homemade dishes and Southern specialties that will make everyone happy. Inside and covered outside seating are offered and the pricing is very reasonable! The best part is sampling Bush’s famous beans as you wait for your meal! Make sure you check out the hours before your visit, they change a little bit according to the season.
Shop in the Gift Shop
The gift shop is large and full of things that you (or your kids) will want to take home with you! Cute home decorations and Bush Beans souvenirs are just some of things you can find here!
Bush’s Museum
Attached to the gift shop is the Bush’s Museum. It is FREE to visit! I would allow at least an hour to go through the museum because there is so much to see and learn! When you enter you will be given the next Bush’s Story movie time. This is a short film with a welcome by Jay and Duke, along with an overview of the history and a glimpse at the method of processing and canning beans that Bush’s uses. You can also walk through a giant replica can of Bush’s Baked Beans, find out how much you weigh in beans, and learn not only about beans, but about the Bush family and the community of Chestnut Hill. The museum is extremely interactive and is fun for children as well as adults. Don’t forget to stop and get your FREE family photo with Duke!
Kid Tip for the Museum at Bush’s Visitor Center
TIP: If you are visiting the museum with children, make your first stop at the doghouse to pick up a copy of the Paw Print Journey. Answer the questions correctly around the museum and your children will be eligible for a prize! This activity engages your children and helps them learn something too! And they end up with a free souvenir!
Bush’s Visitor Center is a place our family loves to return to over and over again. The people that work in the cafe, the gift shop and the museum are some of the most welcoming and kind people I have ever met. The food is great and the museum is something our whole family enjoys! It is a fun stop that should definitely be worked into your plans during your next trip to the Smoky Mountains!
I would love to know how your family enjoyed a visit to Bush’s Visitor Center! Stop by Facebook or Instagram to let me know!!
