Southeast Travel Guide » TN travel

Visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Jan Slagell — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:18:50 +0000

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.

Hidden Treasures in Tennessee

Jan Slagell — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:48:32 +0000

Tennessee tourism has a variety of offerings ranging from the excitement and energy of big cities like Memphis, Nashville or Knoxville and the peace and beauty of the mountains and valleys. But if you prefer the small towns that make America great, then here a couple of the best of Tennessee tourism.

Crossville- Located 75 mile from Knoxville, and 74 miles from Chattanooga, this beautiful Tennessee town offers many venues for recreation. The activities include fishing at Meadow Park Lake, or camping and picnicking at Crossville Recreation Park. Crossville also boasts three of the top ten rated golf courses in the state. In addition, the town is the site of one of the largest professional theatres in rural America. Convenience to the Cumberland Mountains makes Crossville a favorite fall destination for color seekers all over the Southeast.
Dyersburg- Just over an hour’s drive from Memphis, Dyersburg is a town reminiscent of Norman Rockwell’s America. As you meander through town, you will find charming stores with shade providing awnings, Victorian homes with well tended flower gardens and friendly people. There are streets edge with azaleas, dogwoods and ancient trees-all lending beauty and an air of peacefulness. If you are looking for fun in the outdoors, head to Reelfoot Lake State Park where there is a long list of water activities, camping, hiking and cycling as well as a resort inn and restaurant. Dyersburg also offers you golfing, and an assortment of inside activities at the Neighborhood Community Center or entertainment arts at the Fine Arts Warehouse.
Greenville- Convenient to both Knoxville, TN and Ashville, NC this Smoky Mountain town is just the spot for a weekend getaway. You will find a town rich in history-matter of fact-it is the smallest non-state capital in America to have a naval vessel named for it, the USS Greenville. The city offers a variety of outdoor adventure, cultural art experiences and walking tours through the Historic District.

Touted as the top 3 small towns in Tennessee, these are definitely hidden treasures that you will want to visit.

McMinville?… Where’s That?

Jan Slagell — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:32:12 +0000

Visit McMinville and spend some time in this peaceful Tennessee mountain town.

When it comes to Tennessee tourism, most people think of well-known cities like Chattanooga or Murfreesboro, or music towns like Memphis or Nashville. However, for many looking for a quiet weekend getaway, it is the small towns of Tennessee that have the greatest appeal. One such “city” is that of McMinville.

This Tennessee valley town is flanked by sylvan hills to its north and west and the picturesque Cumberland Mountains to the southeast. Thanks to its over 450 registered nurseries, McMinville is called the “Nursery Capital of the World”, so if you are a flower and gardening enthusiast, you are sure to be delighted. Not only is it a town of horticultural beauty, but it also boasts an abundance of homes and buildings built before 1825.

When you visit this southeastern town, don’t miss out on time spent in at least one of the 4 state parks- Fall Creek, Cumberland, Fall Creek Falls, and Edger Evins. These parks provide numerous hiking and riding trails, fishing and boating opportunities, picnic pavilion, golfing, camping and more. Accommodations in McMinville range from historic B&B’s or campsites to resort areas and a marina. When you are ready to eat, be sure to sample the local favorites like Smokey Joes Hickory House or City Drug Store’s sandwiches and sides.