Southeast Travel Guide » Tennessee tourism http://geckosgeorgia.com/blog Southeast Travel Destinations Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:27:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 The Ballad of Casey Jones http://geckosgeorgia.com/blog/2010/04/the-ballad-of-casey-jones/ http://geckosgeorgia.com/blog/2010/04/the-ballad-of-casey-jones/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:23:41 +0000 Jan Slagell http://geckosgeorgia.com/blog/?p=431 “Come all you rounders if you want to hear A story ’bout a brave engineer, Casey Jones was the rounder’s name “Twas on the Illinois Central that he won his fame…”

“…Casey’s body lies buried in Jackson, Tennessee Close beside the tracks of the old I.C. May his spirit live forever throughout the land As the greatest of all heroes of a railroad [...]]]> “Come all you rounders if you want to hear
A story ’bout a brave engineer,
Casey Jones was the rounder’s name
“Twas on the Illinois Central that he won his fame…”

“…Casey’s body lies buried in Jackson, Tennessee
Close beside the tracks of the old I.C.
May his spirit live forever throughout the land
As the greatest of all heroes of a railroad man.”

If you love history or perhaps have a train aficionado in your family, then perhaps you know that April 30, 1900, is day that was not easily forgotten by many in the railroad industry. After all, it is the day that Casey Jones became a hero. If you want a chance to learn more about this brave American then don’t overlook Jackson, Tennessee. This gem of Tennessee tourism is a great place to spend a day.  Located between Memphis and Nashville, this Tennessee town offers two locomotive related attractions.

The Casey Jones Village offers turn of the century shops, buildings and hands on history. Be sure to check out the Brooks Shaw & Son Old Country Store has more than 15,000 antiques on display. More fun and locomotion facts can be had by visiting the Casey Jones Amphitheatre, touring the Judge Milton Brown Pullman Railcar or touring the Wildlife in Wood Studio. More fun can be had playing a round of mini-golf at the course by the Country Store or shopping at the many shops in the Casey Jones Village. There is also a restaurant, a confectioners shop and an ice cream parlor to visit here.

The Casey Jones Home and Railroad Museum gives guests a peak into the past. You will find railroad memorabilia like the railroad passes, timetables, steam whistles and other related items. Don’t forget to check out the 1890s steam locomotive and coach cars on display!

Jackson, Tennessee is just the spot to spend a day with your family. Come make some memories.

]]> http://geckosgeorgia.com/blog/2010/04/the-ballad-of-casey-jones/feed/ 0 Visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee http://geckosgeorgia.com/blog/2010/04/visiting-gatlinburg-tennessee/ http://geckosgeorgia.com/blog/2010/04/visiting-gatlinburg-tennessee/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:18:50 +0000 Jan Slagell http://geckosgeorgia.com/blog/?p=428 Perhaps one of Tennessee’s most visited places is the mountain town of Gatlinburg. Located convenient to the Great Smokey National Park, Gatlinburg has accommodations for up to 40,000 guests, despite being a town with a population of around 3,500. And, with its quaint shops, quiet bed and breakfasts, great restaurants and ski lodges there are plenty [...]]]> Perhaps one of Tennessee’s most visited places is the mountain town of Gatlinburg. Located convenient to the Great Smokey National Park, Gatlinburg has accommodations for up to 40,000 guests, despite being a town with a population of around 3,500. And, with its quaint shops, quiet bed and breakfasts, great restaurants and ski lodges there are plenty of reasons that people come to Gatlinburg each year. Matter of fact, Gatlinburg has been called the “Honeymoon capital of the South” because so many choose to get married her than spend time her after the wedding.

Once in Gatlinburg, you can choose to spend your days in a variety of fashions. There is exploring the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum, taking river walks along the Little Pigeon River or wandering around shops selling mountain art, pottery and other local favorites ranging from clothing to local food items or home décor to custom jewelry. If you want to see the Smoky Mountains as the birds do, then be sure to head to the Gatlinburg Space Needle. This glass enclosed elevator, rises 342 feet to an observation deck proving you with a panoramic view of the region. The Space Needle is an especially delightful activity during the fall when the splendor of the trees is enough to make one think that God poured out His paint box and shared the colors with us.

Gatlinburg is best known, however, for its skiing.  You will find the Aerial Tramway-Ober Gatlinburg Ski to provide easy access to the top of Mount Harrison and the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort with its ski runs of as much as 5,000 feet and vertical drops of 600 feet. The ski resort also has a restaurant, a ski school, an alpine slide and an indoor ice skating rink. More sightseeing fun can be found on the double chair lift ride up Crockett Mountain via the Sky Lift.

Gatlinburg is a beautiful town that guests have enjoyed for years. Should you have the chance to spend some time there, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity. It is sure to become a favorite.

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