Tennesse

[ILuvMulan]

OP, I don't know how soon you're planning to visit, but we have a very unique experience in the area early each June. At the Elkmont campground in the Great Smoky Mtns. Park, near Gatlinburg, for about a week each June, you can see a wonderous display of nature. Thousand of synchronous fireflies, lighting in unison for a few hours each night. It's the only place in America you can see this. It's amazing! This year's "show" is June 5-12.

The Fireflies are amazing!! Glad to see the dates on here. We will have to put that on our calendar!

 

[crazelion]

Chattanooga. Riverbend Festival is June 11 - 19 and 35 dollars gets in for the whole days. I would also check out Lookouts baseball game. We is a cheap staduim. Kids tickets as low 2 dollars.

 

[taylor3297]

Chattanooga. Riverbend Festival is June 11 - 19 and 35 dollars gets in for the whole days. I would also check out Lookouts baseball game. We is a cheap staduim. Kids tickets as low 2 dollars.

Don't forget Rock City! I know it is technically in GA but it doesn't seem like it when you drive there. Also, the Battle Above the Clouds battlegrounds and park are interesting.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Wanted to say Hi to all the Tri-Cities folks! We moved from Bristol (VA) about 6 years ago and I still miss it. Loved the area and the people. I keep telling DH that I want to go back there when we retire.

OP there is so much in this area and so many great suggestions. Another thing in that general area, that I never got around to doing, is the Tweetsie Railroad in NC.

But you can't go wrong with the Pigeon Forge area, except that you may find that 4 days isn't enough! All of the things suggested here are great options, and there are so many things that I didn't do when we lived there and I wish we had. Funny how you don't see what is in your backyard.

 

[gower525]

I live in Nashville and we love to take trips into the Gatlinburg / PF area. There are lots of things to do there. I would tell you to visit Nashville, but Opryland Hotel and Opry Mills probably won't open until November at the earliest. The mall has extensive flood damage. Apparently they are going to have to completely redo all the electrical work in the mall

 

[mom2d&b]

THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the great ideas. Sounds like I will need to get busy googling the Pigeon Forge and Gaitlinburg areas. The touristy issue doesn't bother me too much, we spend a good deal of time near Disney. But, I will look at staying outside the area but close enough to experience the attractions. I forgot about all the caves in the area. I am sure that is something my kids wil enjoy. I also am intrigued by the water slides in Chattanooga.

 

[intheworks]

THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the great ideas. Sounds like I will need to get busy googling the Pigeon Forge and Gaitlinburg areas. The touristy issue doesn't bother me too much, we spend a good deal of time near Disney. But, I will look at staying outside the area but close enough to experience the attractions. I forgot about all the caves in the area. I am sure that is something my kids wil enjoy. I also am intrigued by the water slides in Chattanooga.

If the touristy part doesn't bother you, I would stay right in the thick of things. Most of the hotels in Pigeon Forge are right on the main drag the " Parkway" and it is very easy to get around from these hotels to shop, even on foot. Dollywood and Dolly's Splash Country are worth a couple of days of time and then there is the mountains. You can do a car tour of Cade's Cove. Good places to eat are Bennett BBQ and Apple Barn.

 

[swilshire]

Google TN State Parks. Most of them have cabins for rent and are on lakes. We've been looking at some of them because my daughter is getting married next year and may choose a venue in one of them. Some of the facilities are amazing and dirt cheap.

Sheila