Maryville (which has turned into a suburb of Knoxville, really - meaning $$$) is another beautiful area for sure.
I'm more of a national park kind of guy (did my time in cities and got paroled, thanks) and Cades Cove, the Smokies in general, Townsend, Newport, Maggie Valley - heck, MY neck of the woods are all beautiful, as is SW Virginia.
Check yer Yankee-ness at the door and act like you got some sense if you come visit - and be prepared for total
strangers to engage you in conversation at every opportunity, like they've known you for years.
It's how we roll down here...