What to Do – Page 7 – Smokies Guide

Bristol Caverns

It is no wonder that with the beauty of the mountains and the great outdoors around the Smoky Mountains that there is beauty under the earth as well. In Northeast Tennessee, Bristol Caverns has been giving visitors the chance to see that kind of hidden beauty for decades and has become a huge draw for the twin cities of Bristol, TN and Bristol, VA.

The waters of an underground river and other natural forces conspired to form the beauty of Bristol Caverns. Over time the water and the forces of nature carved the rock causing beautiful formations and features to be developed deep underground. At this point, the Underground River is 180 feet below the surface and it is continuing to have effects on the formations as it flows through the cavern. Ancient people and the early pioneers and settlers to the area found the underground chamber, they found these formations and gazed in wonder as they used the naturally cooled chambers and shelter of the caverns. In modern times, the cavern is now a protected area and tourist attraction.

Some of the formations and features you will see include:

Mayor Preston’s Chamber
The Underground River
Lover’s Leap
Bridal Veil
Entrance Hall

Guided tours leave from the gift shop area every 20 minutes. You get walked through the caverns by a trained tour guide, someone that knows the caverns like the back of their hand. They will make sure that you don’t miss a thing while you are in the caverns. Bring your camera, listen to the tales of how people have used the caverns over the years, how the rock formation were formed and of course marvel at the beauty of this underground wonderland.

The Bristol Caverns are easy to find. Get on 349E past the Bristol Motor Speedway. Stay on 349E for about 6 miles past the speedway. You will come to the traffic light, travel through the traffic light where the road becomes 435N which is Bristol Caverns Highway. You will find the caverns on the left about 2.5 miles past the traffic light. Enjoy your vist!

Bristol Caverns
1157 Bristol Caverns Highway
Bristol, TN 37620
423-878-2011
http://www.bristolcaverns.com/

Christ in the Smokies

One of the perennial attraction sin Gatlinburg, for years, was Christus Gardens. Several years ago, Christus Gardens closed and it was thought that the location where it had been for years, was going to become a set of condominiums. Well, that deal fell through and the management team of Christus Gardens opened a new attraction: Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens.

Much like Christus Gardens, Christ in the Smokies depicts various scenes from the bible and life of Jesus in life-sized dioramas, with painstaking detail. From the architecture to the clothing that is one by the models in the dioramas, the artists at Christ in the Smokies have made sure to be as historical as possible in an attempt to let people get a better feel for the heroes of their faith. You get to walk scene to scene and experience the various parts of the bible like never before.

One of the most moving and emotional exhibits is the depiction of the Last Supper. The Christ in the Smokies staff has duplicated the Leonard da Vinci fresco in every detail. From the items on the table to the colors on the clothes of the Disciples and Jesus, they have copied the entire scene. You get t a better sense for the meeting of these friends for the meal they were sharing and for the emotion of the scene. As you take in the scene you feel like you are there, like you are actually taking part in the least meal that Christ took with the disciples before he was arrested.

Another highlight of the tour is the gardens. In the center of the garden is the face of Jesus carved into a marble block. This marble sculpture has been carved to give the impression that the face of Jesus follows you wherever you stand in the garden. It is a trick of the eye and a true testament to the artists that designed it. This amazing piece of art has been in the same spot in this garden for decades. It has become a tradition for people of all ages to bring their families back for this unique experience.

Christ in the Smokies Museum & Gardens is one of the most wonderful museums of its type in the southeast. There are always new exhibits going into the museum and you will find something new every time you walk through the doors. Add Christ in the Smokies to your itinerary next time you are in the Smokies, you might just find that you are blessed by the experience.

Christ in the Smokies Museum & Gardens
510 River Road
Gatlinburg, TN
http://christinthesmokies.com/

Secret City Festival

Each year, Oak Ridge, TN puts on a festival to celebrate the people, culture and history of the city that was a secret until after the second World War. This festival, which used to be known as Mayfest, brings community organizations, crafters, entertainment and all of the people of Oak Ridge together in a mass celebration that takes place downtown. This is one of the highlights of the Oak Ridge events calendar each year and it brings thousands of people to AK Bissell Park each year.

In 1982, Oak Ridge started a festival in the late spring called the Azalea Festival. This festival wa sa one day craft show that evolved over time into a two day event called Mayfest. In 2003, Mayfest got a name change and a face lift. Mayfest became The Secret City Festival. The celebration moved to the first Friday and Saturday in June and become a much bigger celebration of Oak Ridge’s people and history.

In 2012, the Secret City Festival presented the following events:

The Cuban Missile Crisis: When the Cold War Got Hot – Exhibit
General Leslie R Groves and the Manhattan Project – Exhibit
Tour f the ORNL Graphite Reactor
Tour of K-25 Site
Art & Craft Show
Juried Art Show
Craft Demonstrations
WWII Living History
Oak Ridge 70 Years of History
Children’s Games
Toddler’s Games
Youth Games
Historic Rugby Play
DOE Facilities Public Bus Tour
Secret City Scenic Excursion Train
Tennis Tournament
Concerts

Each year, one of the highlights of the festival is the WWII Reenactment. With your family gathered around, you get to watch reencators, in fall military gear display the tactics and part of what an actual battle might have looked like during World War II. From infantry troops to armored personnel carries and light tanks, the display the put on brings this time in history to life. For the history or military buff in your life, this is a once in a life time event.

If you happen to be on the Tennessee side of the Smokies the first weekend of June, plan to visit Oak Ridge. Stop by and enjoy the craft show, the concerts, the people and of course an amazing WWII reenactment. Let the kids enjoy the sunshine, browse the booths, find a nice shady tree and watch the crowds roll by and of course, find a place to sit and watch the battle begin. Learn more about the people and the places around Oak Ridge at the Secret City Festival.

Secret City Festival
P O Box 1
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
865-425-3610
http://www.secretcityfestival.com

Getting Ready to Hike

So you have decided to go hiking for the first time in the Smokies. Congratulations! Now, next comes what do you need to take with you when you start your first hike in the Smokies?

We are going to start with the idea that you are planning a day long hike. Not a simple jaunt into the woods for a few hours but a trip down one of the trails that might take you most of the day to complete. In fact, let us assume that your hike is going to be around 8 miles, round trip, and you are giving yourself 8 hours to complete it (more on this later).

Your Feet
One of the most important things you can do, to make sure that you have a fun day hiking, is make sure that you have good shoes to protect your feet. This is vital, if you are a hiker, you know that your feet are going to keep you going. If you are not a hiker, you will soon learn that the proper foot wear is going to make your trek into the woods a lot more enjoyable. If you are going to be climbing in elevation, crossing rough terrain or if you are going to have to go along a trail that is not as cared for as some, get a pair of boots. Keep your ankles healthy, keep the soles of your feet happy and your feet will treat you well in return.

Food and Water
You are going to be on the trail for 8 hours. You will need water, you will need food. Pack something easy to eat while you are on the trail. Sandwiches, peanut butter, trail mix (pun intended), anything easy to eat. You also want to take food items that have plenty of protein and carbs. You will need the energy that these foods provide to get you up and down the trail. Water is also a necessity. Take enough to get you to the destination on the trail and back. You will feel very bad having consumed all of your water on the way in and not having any to drink on the way back to the trailhead. And remember, as with all things in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park “Leave No Trace” – pack out what you take in.

Elevation
If you are not used to the elevation, keep in mind that the elevation change is going to effect you. The air gets thinner the more elevation you gain and the harder it is going to be to get the air you need to finish your hike. Take your time and plan for short breaks to catch your breath. If you find that you are ‘sucking wind,’ don’t get alarmed – this is normal.

Time
Plan for plenty of time on the trail. When you talk to a Park Ranger, they are going to tell you to plan to average 1 mile each hour. Certainly experienced hikers will realize that they can average a much quicker pace but if this is your first long hike, 1 mile an hour is about right. Plan ahead. Don’t assume because it is an 8 mile round trip that you are going to make the journey in 3 hours. Give yourself plenty of time.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of things you need when you go hiking but it is a place to start. Stop by one of the outfitters in the area or the ranger stations and check with them. See what they recommend for the hike you are taking.

Tennessee Theatre

On October 1, 1928, a landmark was opened on Gay Street in Knoxville, TN – The Tennessee Theatre. The first movie they ever played at this grand old theater was The Fleet’s In with Clara Bow. From that time until today, this theater has been a cornerstone ofthe culture and history of Knoxville and East Tennessee. Over the years, this venue has brought both the Silver Screen and live shows to the area and to this day is one of the favorite place sin the Smokies to take in a play or a movie. Tradition and history are the catch words of the day at the Tennessee Theatre.

Knoxville’s Grand Entertainment Palace

From its inception, the Tennessee Theatre dominated the Gay Street area of Knoxville. On Saturdays kids from around the city flocked to the corner to buy tickets and stand in line to take in the Saturday afternoon serials at the theater. Throughout the years, movies were opened at the theatre, star studded casts were in attendance at show like Thunder Road – Robert Mitchum was in attendance at this premier. The theater has been renovated several times over the years. Each time it has gone through renovations, it has kept that old flare, that fill that it had the day it opened. Unlike movie theaters of today, the inside of the Tennessee Theatre is a feast for the eyes, a testament to the builders that made this the Grand Palace of Entertainment that it still is.

The Official State Theatre of Tennessee

In 1999, the Tennessee Theatre was made the Official Theatre of the State of Tennessee. This designation, the establishment o the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation and the fact that people were donating money to the theatre meant that another, bigger renovation could occur. The stage was modified to accommodate larger productions, enhancements to the acoustic nature of the theatre, modernized lighting and rigging and updates to the carpet and other decorations in the theatre. The whole process of this renovation kept the original nature of the theatre in mind, kept the look and feel while making sure that the Tennessee Theatre was able to stay functional and bring in the best that Broadway and artists might have to offer.

Another aspect of the Tennessee Theatre is the Mighty Wurlitzer. This pipe organ was installed when the theater opened in 1928. For silent movies this Wurlitzer Organ provided the music and fell of the movie. For the ‘talkies’ the Mighty Wurlitzer was the pre-show entertainment. Nowadays, getting to hear the Mighty Wurlitzer played by a professional organist takes place most Mondays at the Tennessee Theatre. The pipe organ was completely renovated in 2000 and is now a draw all by itself . Throughout the year, the concerts that are given with th organ fill this grand olde theatre from top to bottom and side to side.

Check out the Tennessee Theatre the next time you are in the Knoxville area. Visit their website and see what is playing or what Broadway show is in town. You might get a chance to see a play or a performance that is not coming to your area but you will get to see a show performed in a one of the best theatrical venues that East Tennessee has to offer.

Tennessee Theatre
604 Gay Street
Knoxville, TN
865-684-1201
www.tennesseetheatre.com

American Museum of Science and Energy

It is no wonder, with the history of Oak Ridge, that the American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE) calls this remarkable town home. The purpose of the museum is to teach the young and the young at heart about energy with an emphasis on t nuclear power. It also tells the story of Oak Ridge and its role in the Manhattan Project. Located near the heart of Oak Ridge the museum is easy to find and always a great way to spend part of your day while you are in the Smoky Mountains. If you have a young person in your life that is interested in science then there is no other place to go then to the AMSE.

It is in the permanent exhibits at the AMSE that you find the true heart of this museum. From their very own website, here is the information that they give on their permanent exhibits:

The Story of Oak Ridge: This panorama of historical photographs, documents and artifacts explains the Manhattan Project and the construction of Oak Ridge, TN. A 20-minute video presentation extends the explanations.
Exploration Station: This popular area offers self-directed activities which explore light and color, sound, problem-solving, static electricity, robotics, vision and more.
Y-12 and National Defense: Models of weapons, protective clothing and tools along with video and hands-on activities demonstrate processes, safety features and careers at the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge.
Earth’s Energy Resources: Maps, tools, models and audiovisual materials are used in the exhibits to explore the variety of energy sources, such as coal, oil, geothermal, hydropower and natural gas, found on Earth.
World of the Atom: A cross section model of a nuclear reactor and a simulated underground nuclear waste storage area highlight this area that also covers pioneering atomic scientists, natural radiation, fusion, and nuclear energy in space.

As you can see they are education heavy. They are geared to teaching the concepts of nuclear energy, the value of science and the scientist that created the technologies that we take fore granted and about inspiring the next generation of scientists that might one day come to Oak Ridge to develop the next big concept in energy.

Along with the permanent exhibits, this museum brings in traveling exhibits throughout the year, they host special events and of course they get involved with the schools and locals activities in and around Oak Ridge. The AMSE in Oak Ridge is not only the perfect testament to the history of the area but it is a great place to take your family. It is one of the best hand-on-museums in the south east and is a gem in the crown of East Tennessee due to the creativity of its exhibits and joy they take in their subject matter. Mark a day off your calendar and make sure that visit the American Museum of Science and Energy the next time you are in East Tennessee.

American Museum of Science and Energy
300 S Tulane
Oak Ridge, TN
865-576-3200
www.amse.org

Biltmore Estate

One of the most visited attractions on the North Carolina side of the Smokies is the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The largest private residence in the United States is located right in the heart of the Smokies and it is a wonder to view. From room upon room decorated as they would have been back in the day, to the gardens that cover the grounds and world class restaurants, the Biltmore Estate is an all day excursion.

George Vanderbilt’s dream, the Biltmore Estate was completed in 1895. This 250 room home was the center of a small city that included barns, gardens and was a working farming community. From the library, still containing volumes classic literature to the kitchens that were designed to serve a small family to a huge gathering, seeing this wonder of architecture, roaming through the halls and imagining living in a 178,000 square foot home. You get to visit almost every part of the home, from the swimming pool to the beautiful grand dining room. And, if it is a gorgeous day outside, you are going to spend part of your day in the gardens.

The grounds around the Biltmore Estate are a testament to the English Landcape garden style of landscaping. Pathways and trails run through outdoor paradises that are decorated with flowering plants that change dramatically throughout the year. The main garden area, called the Italian Garden changes from season to season and it draws in fans of landscaping and photographers alike from srping to summer. The Tulip Festival each spring is one of the highlights of the Biltmore Estate season as tulips in every color spring forth, lending thir beauty to the landscape designs of Frederick Law Olmsted. And, while you are strolling around outside, you will probably get a bit peckish – let’s go eat.

The food scene at Biltmore is out of this world. From small bistro style restaurants to fine dining buffets at the Deerpark Restaurant, there is no end to your choices. The Stables Cafe is the closet restaurant to the house itself be located with the shops to the right of the home if you are looking at the front of the Biltmore House. Eclectic choices abound on the menu and there is a little something for everyone. But maybe you are looking for a that place for a special Sunday brunch. In this case you should head to the Deerpark Restaurant. Located in what used to be stables on the grounds of the estate, the Deerpark is a buffet like you have never seen before. The food is as good as the scenery and you will have choices that you won’t see at most of your local buffets.

All in all, a visit to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, is one of the most fun experiences you will have outside of the GSMNP. The beautiful home, the immaculate grounds and the dining options will keep you captivated throughout the entirety of your stay. Get there early and catch the early morning air from one of the balconies or maybe you want to spend time with a camera to your eye exploring the gardens, whatever you interest, Biltmore has something for everyone.

Biltmore Estate
One Lodge Street
Asheville, NC
800-411-3812
www.biltmore.com

Moses Cone Manor

Whether you call it the Moses Cone Manor, Flat Top Manor, the Moses Cone Memorial Park or the Parkway Craft Center, the former home of Moses Cone that seats along the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a majestic piece of architecture that has stood the test of time. Moses Cone was a textile entrepreneur that created countless jobs in the area during his heyday. The home itself was given to the National Park Service after his death but it is certainly something that he himself would have loved to have seen done. Nowadays a visit to the Moses Cone Manor lets you see the handy work of countless crafters and artisans of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild.

Moses Cone was a huge name in the textile industry during the 19th century. He and his brother Cesar started their careers as traveling salesmen. The brothers found that their knowledge of dry goods from their time on the roads gave them a foothold in the textile industry. Eventually, Cone moved his operations to Greensboro North Carolina. The people of the highlands of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains had need of plain durable clothing. Cone started manufacture denim and other such fabrics to be used by companies like Levis that made clothes that the people of the area needed and loved. While he made his money through the textiles industry, he also gave back to the area through job creation and through his philanthropic actions.

He also built a home on top of the mountains, Flat Top Manor. The home takes its name from the proximity of Flat Top Mountain. Built at the turn of the century, the Flat Top Manor was finished in 1901. It has 23 rooms and measures in at 13,000 square feet. Built in the Victorian Neo-Colonial style, large white columns surround the front of the house. Dormers up top and leaded glass in ever window make this a wonderful example of this style and because it is open to the public throughout the year, people get to roam though the halls and experience the home much the way that it would have been when it was built.

Flat Top Manor is also known as the Parkway Craft Center. It is home to one of the exhibits of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. With craft demonstrations daily and a wonderful gift shop, this is a huge stop for tourist visiting the area. Each year, more then 200,000 visitors come to the Parkway Craft Center to see the crafts that are for sale, learn more about the crafters and the crafts that are being made and of course, to visit the home itself. Next time you are traveling the blue Ridge Parkway, stop at Milepost 294 and visit the home of Moses Cone: Flat Top Manor.

Moses Cone Manor
667 Service Road
Blowing Rock, NC
828-295-7938
http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/attractions-destinations/moses-cone-manor

Scottish Tartan Museum

It was easy for the people from the Highlands of Scotland to find a home in the Smoky Mountains. They found in the Smokies a place that resembled home, a place that looked like the land they had left. The Scottish and the Irish that live din other parts of the former British Colonies made the move to the Smokies as well. As the communities in the Smokies formed, these people shared there past, their heritage and their cultures with others, with their new neighbors. In Franklin, North Carolina, there is a quaint museum that celebrates the Scottish heritage of the Smokies like no other. The Scottish Tartan Museum tells the history of a people by telling the history of the Tartan.

Tartan is the fabric that not only is used in the manufacture of the traditional kilt but it is an identifier for the various Scottish Clans that exist. The museum was formed out of the Scottish Tartan Society which started in Scotland in 1963. The museum is a tribute to this unique fabric. From pieces of tartan that are decades old, to representations of the way that kilts are made and worn this is one of the best niche museums that you will ever encounter. It is well maintained and curated, the pieces have been lovingly collected and there is a story, well told, to go with each piece.

And after you get out of the museum, if you are really feeling the Scottish vibe then you can go through their gift shop and pick up a piece of Scotland to take home. From bumper stickers with the Scottish fag to your very own kilt this gift shop has everything – everything Scottish. Music to books, t-shirts to food stuffs, there is a little something for everybody and it is worth the time just to stop by the gift shop if you don’t have time to walk through their museum.

Next time you visit the North Carolina side of the Smokies, stop by Franklin. Head to downtown Franklin, literally, their original downtown. Their downtown is very much like the downtown that you might have encountered in the 50s. Small shops and cafes on the street, you park right in front of them and walk inside. The Scottish Tartan Museum is no different. It is located right at the dge of downtown. Park in front and go right in. The museum is located downstairs on the left as you go in, but when you walk through the doors you are in the middle of their gift shop.

Take the family into the Scottish Tartan Museum, and learn a lot more about the people that founded most of the towns around the Smokies. Learn about the Scottish people that moved into the area through the vehicle of the fabric they used to make a very unique piece of clothing called the kilt. Walk through a museum dedicated to a fabric, a people and a lifestyle. Visit Franklin, and step into the Highlands. Who knows maybe you will leave with a kilt around your waist and smile on your face.

Scottish Tartan Museum
86 E Main St
Franklin, NC
828-524-7472
http://www.scottishtartans.org/

NASCAR Speedpark

NASCAR Speedpark brings lots of speed and family entertainment to the Smoky Mountains each season. The fastest track in town, mini-golf, climbing walls, a huge indoor arcade and of course a NASCAR themed gift shop make this a must for NASCAR fans visiting the Smokies each year.

Here is just part of what you can do at the NASCAR Speedpark in Sevierville, TN:

Smoky Mountain Speedway – This is the biggie! A quarter-mile track with 3/8 scale karts. This is as close to real racing as you will find in the Smokies.
The Competitor – A short oval track with side-by-side racing.
The Intimidator – This track is chalenging enough to be named for Dale ‘The Intimadator’ Earnhardt himself.
Slidewayz – A 750-foot slick track. Get ready to drift.
Family 500 – An hourglass shaped track designed for people of all ages.
Young Champions – Another family friendly track. Measuring 1,100 feet long, this is a great one to take the kids on.
The Qualifier – This is a beginner track. Great for those younger members of your family that need to learn how to drive a go kart.
Baby Bristol – This course is designed for the youngest NASCAR fans in mind. A 200 foot starter track that really gets your kids blood pumping.
Speed Bumper Boats – Double seat bumper boats with electric motors. This outdoor attraction is only open seasonaly based on the weather.
Speedome Arcade – Find all of the best racing arcade games ever made.
Rock Climbing Wall – 4 rock walls of indoor challenge. See if you ca make it to the top and then see if you can make it to the top before your kids do.
Dragon’s Lair Fantasy Golf – 2 18-hole golf courses of min-golf fun.
Speedway Draft – This is a small roller coaster with your little one sin mind.
Starship 3000 – If you remember the gravitron from your hometown fair, then you are in for a treat at NASCAR Speedpark.

Again, thi sis only a small list of the many things that await you at the NASCAR Speedpark. They have special going all the time that will give you and arm band for unlimited rides on their most popular tracks and rides. This attraction can turn from a short stop into a whole day of fun. If your kids are wanting a place where they can play for hours, this is the spot. If mom and the girls want to spend the day shopping, NASCAR Speedpark is located right next to the Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Center – let mom drop you off. You and the boys can spend all day riding go karts and having a great time in the beautiful outdoor location. Of course, if you are a NASCAR fan then thi sis the one place that has to be on your bucket list when you come to the mountains. Many NASCAR legends have stopped by to visit this location and occasionally they will have signing while those stars are in town.

NASCAR Speedpark
1545 Parkway
Sevierville, TN
865-908-5500
http://www.nascarspeedpark.com/tn.aspx