Bush's Visitor Center — Attraction in Dandridge

GREAT STOP! We were in our Motorhome, on our way to Pigeon Forge we happened to drive by Bush's Baked Beans factory. We then saw their "Visitor Center" across the street. The factor is absolutely HUGE! We didn't stop but made plans to return. It was about 17 miles from our RV park.

We decided to take a half day and drive our Jeep back to see the store. We parked in the Visitor Center parking lot and noticed the "White House" across the street. The house is in several of Bush's advertisement. At the entrance we were greeted by 2 of the nicest ladies that we had the pleasure to meet. They explained the Visitor Center is a store, self guided tour through the museum and restaurant. They pointed us to begin the tour. It was full of antique canning equipment, early B/W pictures of Bush's family to today's modern technology. Then we sat down to watch a short film describing the history and today's canning and cooking operations. It is definitely educational! After the video, we walked around taking pictures with Bush's signs.

After the tour there is a company store similar to a Cracker Barrell with all kinds of products with Bush's name plus cans of Bush's beans and other products that we never saw. Example: Bush's Bean Dip. Of course we bought some and a few other items.

Afterward we stopped in their restaurant that closes fairly early, I believe it was 3pm. Everything on the menu uses Bush's products. I had a Bush's Chili stuffed baked potato. My wife had a Bowl of Bush's Chili and Grilled Cheese. I give them a 5 star for the concept but in the end...it was canned Chili. I think it was the best canned Chili. Now the desert, was a Bush's Baked Bean Pecan Pie. Yes...a Pie made with Baked Beans and Pecans. It was VERY GOOD! I recommend it.

To end, it is worth the drive to get away from the crowds and have a little fun taking pictures. Make sure that you go if you...

We visited Bush’s Best Family Cafe for our first experience and loved it. Our server was Ariel and he did great. We ordered a Bush’s Chili Pot ($7.49) , Bacon Cheeseburger with Onion Rings, Hot Dog with Chili, and an order of Fries with Chili and Cheese. Our server brought us little shots of No sugar added baked bean shots before our order was taken. It was a nice way to try this product. They were tasty but I think our favorite beans are Bush’s original baked beans. The Fries with chili and cheese were really tasty and was listed as an entree ($8.99). The Cheese burger with bacon and onion rings ($13.98) was also nice, great bun. It was a sizeable patty but the patty itself lacked flavor. Not a bad burger but definitely could use some Mrs Dash. The onion rings were perfectly crisp and you could bite into them without taking the whole onion out of the ring. The Chestnut Hill Hot Dog ($7.99) was all beef and thick, the bun was awesome and we would definitely order this again. We all shared a liven of Bush’s Pinto Bean Pecan Pie ($4.99) which was amazing. Great crust and wonderful flavor throughout. The pinto beans really don’t stand out as they seem to take on or compliment the flavors in the pecan pie. This restaurant is across the street from the Bush Bean Plant and there is a general store and museum/virtual plant tour that was really informative and entertaining. Being able to experience the restaurant, museum and store really requires more than 4 hours so it’s best to plan your time. We were rushed getting through the museum and store since we arrived at the restaurant after noon. What a wonderful experience that I recommend when you are visiting the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville areas. We learned so much about this family run company and about the many different...

Visiting Bush’s Visitor Center was an absolutely breathtaking experience—a hidden gem that completely blew me away! This place is not just a museum; it’s a journey through American history, Southern tradition, and the legacy of one of the most iconic food brands.

The exhibits are fascinating, detailing the history of Bush’s Beans with interactive displays, vintage advertisements, and behind-the-scenes insights into the canning process. The storytelling is incredible, bringing to life the hard work and innovation that built this company. The staff is welcoming and knowledgeable, eager to share fun facts and answer questions.

One of the highlights was stepping inside the giant bean can—a quirky and fun photo op! The short film in the theater was both informative and entertaining, giving a deeper appreciation for how Bush’s has remained a household name for generations. And, of course, no visit is complete without a stop at the gift shop and café, where you can try delicious Southern-style meals and take home unique bean-themed goodies.

The experience was so much more than expected, blending history, nostalgia, and Southern charm into a must-visit attraction. Whether you love history, food, or just discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations, Bush’s Visitor Center is an unforgettable stop.

I’ll...