Tag: tennessee

Pigeon Forge Winterfest

There is no shortage of fall events in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee this year and it starts with the town’s seasonal extravaganza – Pigeon Forge’s Winterfest. It’s a four month celebration of winter with such events as the Trolley Tour of Lights, Wilderness Wildlife Week, and Saddle Up.

The kickoff event itself is one to behold with the lighting of 5 million Christmas lights following a salute to veterans with a Veterans Parade throughout town. It’s not only a celebration of our heritage past and present, it’s a combination of the things that Southern Appalachians hold so dear. Look no further than Pigeon Forge’s Winterfest for what to do in the Smokies as fall turns into winter!

Winterfest in Pigeon ForgeThis incredible event has garnered numerous honors over the years from various publications and news outlets around the United States with some even proclaiming it a top event nationwide. But you don’t have to read a book or tune in for the national news to see why this is such an incredible event. Pack up your things, drive on down to Pigeon Forge, TN for the weekend, week, or even month, and enjoy everything our little town has to offer this time of year! You’ll see why Pigeon Forge’s Winterfest is the perfect time to book a Smoky Mountain vacation for the holidays.

Holiday lighting displays illuminate Pigeon Forge from one end of town to the other during these few months. We’re talking around 5 million LED lights! This lighting creation was sparked out of an idea in the mid-80′s when two city officials visited a Virginia town that featured holiday light displays that drew in thousands of visitors during the holiday season. Thus, the Winterfest idea grew and was implemented. The goal being that every year the town adds even more lights to the display. Next stop, 6 million lights!

Each year, the lighting displays get bigger, more detailed, and more breath taking. The town has even developed trolley tours in recent years so that people do not have to worry running into the car in front of them and can take in everything. It’s simply an experience you can’t find in most towns, at least around these parts.

As previously mentioned, outside the enormous lighting display, there are also numerous events and festivities taking place in Pigeon Forge throughout the winter. Winterfest officially kicks off this year on November 8 with a salute to Veterans held at Patriot Park. Other events that stretch throughout the winter include Wilderness Wildlife Week, Saddle Up, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, Pigeon Forge New Year’s Eve Celebrations, and a number of new yearly events.

The Old Mill

Small general stores used to be a staple for small Smoky Mountain towns. They supplied all the goods that a supermarket now carries, only it wasn’t produced in 10 different forms by 5 separate companies…. It was a simpler time of course.  For people living in Pigeon Forge then, the current Old Mill was where the general store was.  Since then, Pigeon Forge has grown drastically, and what is now the Old Mill Restaurant operate a  general store to keep the old time feel from totally disappearing.

If you’re at the restaurant, do a little shopping for corn meal that was milled by the Mill’s own water wheel. You’ll also find a variety of area souvenirs.  The Old Mill General Store is a landmark that everyone should see at least once in their life just to experience the idea of what it once was like…. how people lived back then.

Old Mill area MapTake notice as you’re traveling through Pigeon Forge and you’ll notice a sign at traffic light No. 6 for the Old Mill and Patriot Park.  Take the turn onto Old Mill Avenue, past Outback Leather (on the right), before coming to a large water wheel on the right.  You’ve come to the Old Mill General Store and the Old Mill Restaurant. Spend a few hours, or if you don’t have time come back the next day.

The walls and tables of the general store are lined with jams, jellies, cookbooks, souvenirs and of course sacks of flour and corn meal.  It’s like you’ve stepped back to the turn of the last century, almost. The collectible Pigeon Forge t-shirts and things that greet you at the door probably weren’t around then.  Our advice is to keep going until you reach an aisle.  You’re sure to find something along the shelves that will just make your mouth water.  Cookbooks from churches and organizations in the area (maybe even one by Dolly Parton herself), jams and jellies from the foothills of the Smokies, and of course flour and corn meal.

Buy a bag of flour or meal while you are at the general store, especially if you’ve never had natural corn meal or flour from a mill, not processed in some far off factory.  Stop by and watch the mill at work while it’s in operation during the day.  You’ll see the corn and wheat getting ground the old fashioned way.  You’re witness to the making of a product that has been produced in this same location since 1830. Some things never change.

History of Pigeon Forge

With such an original name, it’s no wonder that people often ask how the town of Pigeon Forge got its name. For some, the abundance of pigeons in the area at the time and a popular local iron forge will suffice. Still, for those wanting to know more about the history of Pigeon Forge, TN, we’ve dug a bit deeper, forged a few more irons, and tried to spot some pigeons.

It’s appropriate that one of the first businesses in this East Tennessee town was a furnace and iron forge, or bloomery forge, that once operated at the site of the Old Mill. Appropriate due to the burning quest of hardworking mountain settlers who forged a town out of the Smoky Mountain wilderness. Standing back and taking a good look at Pigeon Forge today, one notices the highly successful business community that sprung out of gravity of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Pigeon Forge was once an area of fertile hunting grounds tracked by the Cherokee and other eastern American Indian tribes. The Treaty of Dumplin Creek, signed in the late 1700s, opened the fertile valley for settlement.

In the 1700s and early 1800s the Little Pigeon River’s banks were lined with beech trees. Beechnuts were a mainstay in the diet of Passenger Pigeons, which made the river a natural stopping point for huge flocks of the now-extinct species. Naturally, the name “Pigeon” was used as common theme that settlers of the area could identify with.

Still, Pigeon Forge wasn’t the burgeoning metropolis you might think. At the turn of the 20th century, population records show Pigeon Forge with a mere 154 residents. The year 1934 would bring about change with the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which proved to be the natural Pied Piper for tourism for towns like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

After the founding of the national park, out-of-towners became a staple in the area if not solely for the park, but also for the numerous specialty stores popping up. Hotels replaced private homes where vacationers had previously stayed. Farming still remained the area’s primary business, but that also would soon take a backseat to the tourism trade.

The sale of the first parcel of property smaller than a farm was negotiated in 1946, paving the way for the lucrative property sell-off that would come to mark the region in the decades to come. It was during that time that Pigeon Forge’s thoroughfare, the Parkway, was beginning to become populated and featured two general stores and two churches.

Pigeon Forge finally became incorporated in 1961 as the visitors came in and concrete continued to be poured. With a firmly established city government and a new Department of Tourism established in the early 80s, Pigeon Forge was turning into a vacationers dream.

New businesses, primarily tourism-related, were being recruited to the area. With all the new jobs, the population started to spike as well. As of the mid-90s, statistics indicated that Pigeon Forge had 3,975 permanent residents within the city limits. The small, peaceful community where cornfields once stood had been transformed into a bustling, two-lane city whose main thoroughfare is now six lanes wide and known as the Parkway.

But don’t let anyone fool you, the Parkway’s overhaul was nothing compared to the impact one of the county’s own had on tourism. In 1986, Sevier-native and country superstar Dolly Parton, established Dollywood as a major theme park on the site of the former Silver Dollar City. Its only competition was three hours away in Nashville and was an immediate hit with visitors. To this day it has continued to expand with 2012 bringing the new high-flying Wild Eagle roller coaster.

As far as places to stay go, if you haven’t been down here in a while you might not recognize the place. The primitive rows of stone cabins along the riverbanks have been replaced by homes and businesses. Hotel and motel rooms numbered nearly 7,750 by the late 90s and cabins, condos and villas dot the mountains surrounding town. Numerous campgrounds can be found outside town and most are equipped with features such as laundry rooms, swimming pools, picnic tables and electrical hook-ups.

The mix of restaurants in Pigeon Forge has grown from locally-owned to fast food to fine dining written about in magazines like Southern Living and featured on the Food Network. Over a dozen theaters offer a variety of performances, all delivering family-style entertainment from the oh-so-popular Dixie Stampede dinner theater to the brand new Lumberjack Feud.

Complementing the entertainment of the theaters and the array of dining establishments are more than 50 family attractions, more than 200 stores in six outlet malls and an additional local 140 craft, gift and specialty stores.

While the town continues to address issues regarding traffic congestion, which should make it a lot easier to get to Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and around Pigeon Forge it’s clear there is one continual goal –  building on the city’s rich history, literally, but it also looks toward a bright future at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge, TN has become a vacation destination.  With attractions lining both sides of the streets, plenty of restaurants and fun around every corner, Pigeon Forge has grown from a small burg to a thriving town in the shadow of the Smoky mountains.  Whether you are looking for an award winning theme park or just some good shopping, Pigeon Forge has it all.

Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge gets its name from the iron forge that was built towards the center of town and the passenger pigeons that congregated around the rivers that run from one end of the town to the other.  The area that would become Pigeon Forge was at one time a mere wide place in the trail that led from one side of the Smokies to the other.  The Cherokee had settlements, at times, in the area but it was not heavily settled until the Europeans came to the area.

By the 19th century the area had become settled and Isaac Love established a water driven iron forge that became the heart of the community.  Along with the forge, Love built a mill near the current site of the Old Mill and a health resort was established at Henderson Springs.  The town stayed small until the 50s and 60s when the traffic in Gatlinburg began to overflow into the area.  In the 60s, two brothers opened Rebel Railroad (which would eventually become Dollywood) and the now incorporated town continued to grow.

Nowadays, Pigeon Forge is as much a destination as Gatlinburg.  Pigeon Forge continues to reinvent itself as the tourist that flock to the area ask for more diverse attractions, restaurants and activities.

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  • Honda Goldwing Spring Fling - Roaring engines, whether from automobiles or motorcycles, have definitely carved out a place amongst the tourism industry in Sevier County. It’s a loud and fast growing group of motorcycle enthusiasts that all come together in April for the Tennessee Goldwing Road Riders Association Rally & Show. Honda Goldwing motorcycles riders bill get this spring get … Continue reading "Honda Goldwing Spring Fling"
  • WonderWorks - If you’re taken aback by the upside down house that rests beside the Pigeon River in Pigeon Forge, you wouldn’t be the first. WonderWorks, a combination arcade/science museum, is one of handful of Pigeon Forge attractions that not only stand out because of their rave reviews, but because of their outward appearance. Constructed to look … Continue reading "WonderWorks"
  • Dollywood - Don’t miss out on the Dollywood experience if you’re going to be coming through the Pigeon Forge/Great Smoky Mountains area during the summer. With a theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark all on site, there’s something for everyone. Based in the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park open nine … Continue reading "Dollywood"
  • Dixie Stampede - The Most Fun Place to Eat in the Smokies! If there is one show that has made itself a stop for visitors to the area each and every year it is Dixie Stampede.  Dixie Stampede became the second big attraction from the owners of Dollywood and Dolly Parton herself.  The show is very simply a … Continue reading "Dixie Stampede"
  • Hatfield & McCoy’s Dinner Feud - Everyone loves a dinner show.  You get to see world class entertainment and you get to eat a great meal at the same time.  One of the most successful dinner show locations in the Smokies is the Hatfield & McCoy’s Dinner Feud.  Taking its story from the mountain families of the Hatfields and McCoys, there … Continue reading "Hatfield & McCoy’s Dinner Feud"
  • Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show - Lumberjack Feud is  now Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Adventures. Information is maintained below for historical purposes. One of the newest entertainment venues in Pigeon Forge, TN is the Lumberjack Feud.  The Lumberjack Feud is one of the first non-musical shows in Pigeon Forge and it’s a dinner show to boot.  Their state of the art theater is … Continue reading "Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show"
  • Elvis Museum - Everyone loves the King of Rock & Roll!  In Pigeon Forge, TN, there is no shortage of Elvis memorabilia and places to get into your Elvis groove.  One of those places is the Elvis Museum in Pigeon Forge.  Combining both a museum and a theater this venue is all things Elvis and the fact that … Continue reading "Elvis Museum"
  • Gatlinburg Golf Course - Best Municipal Golf Course in all 50 States – Golf Digest With all the majestic beauty surrounding you when you visit the Smokies, it is no wonder that people choose to come to the area to spend some time on a golf course.  The majestic sweep of the mountains draw the eye to the beautiful … Continue reading "Gatlinburg Golf Course"
  • Dollywood’s Splash Country - Dollywood added on to their amusements here in the Smokies when they built Splash Country in 2001.  And though the number of months they are open each year is limited due to the climate, while they are open they are one of the best waterparks in the country.  With activities aimed at each and every … Continue reading "Dollywood’s Splash Country"
  • Country Tonite Theater - 16 Spectacular Seasons in Pigeon Forge For years, during the height of the live theater shows in Pigeon Forge, the variety show was the staple form of entertainment.  Now, you can still see variety show excellence at Country Tonite, right on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.  Located at traffic light 1 in Pigeon Forge, Country … Continue reading "Country Tonite Theater"

Townsend, TN

“The Peaceful Side of the Smokies”

Townsend is known as the Peaceful Side of the Smokies and though it might not have the hustle and bustle of the cities that are in Sevier County, it has plenty of exciting family adventure.  Outdoor activities abound in Townsend along with plenty of history, plenty of great people and lots of down home fun.  Tubing down the Little River and fishing for brown trout are just a couple of the things that brings people to Townsend each year.

Townsend started due to the logging industry and though the Cherokee had certainly been in the area for centuries (especially near Tuckaleechee), once the logging industry came to the area it was a completely different area.  One of the first people to open a logging company was Colonel WB Townsend.  Townsend logged areas that are now in the National Park such as Treemont and Elkmont.  In fact the roads that you travel today follow the Lumber Companies Railroad lines that went into the forest to get the lumber to mill. With the development of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the lumber industry dried up.

With the lumber industry gone, the area did fall on hard times until visitors to the National Park begin to come to the area.  Though Townsend has never achieved the huge amount of success as places like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, the fact that it is the quickest way to get to Cades Cove means that people pass through the Blount County entrance to the park all the time.

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Bristol, TN

“The Birthplace of Country Music”

Two states, two cities, one community.  Bristol, TN is the sister city of Bristol, VA and they share not only their border but they also share the visitors that flock to the area every year.  With plenty of history, lots of outdoor activities and the fastest half mile in NASCAR, Bristol is a destination that you don’t want to miss.

Bristol (both the Virginia and the Tennessee side) grew in the shadows of the Smokies.  Bristol first took the national spotlight when Ralph Peer began recording the ‘local’ sound of the folk music in the area.  In 1927, Peer recorded the Carter Family and then a young man named Jimmie Rodgers and from these recordings, country music was birthed.  Bristol is now officially the birthplace of country music due to these visionaries.

The 20th century saw lots of change in the Bristol area.  Increased traffic through the area due to the location of the Smoky Mountains and the establishment of Bristol Motor Speedway have brought thousands of people to the area each year.  Bristol has embraced its history to expand their futre and have festivals that celebrate their past.

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  • 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 … Continue reading "Bristol Caverns"
  • Bristol, TN - “The Birthplace of Country Music” Two states, two cities, one community.  Bristol, TN is the sister city of Bristol, VA and they share not only their border but they also share the visitors that flock to the area every year.  With plenty of history, lots of outdoor activities and the fastest half mile in NASCAR, … Continue reading "Bristol, TN"

Tennessee Smokies

Tennessee SmokiesThe Tennessee Smokies play their home games in Kodak, Tn and are the Double-A minor league affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs. Located between Knoxville and Sevierville, Tn in the small town of Kodak is Smokies Park. Smokies Park opened in 2000 and can hold up to 8,000 spectators. Fans knew the team as the Knoxville Smokies prior to 2000.

The “Smokies” nickname refers to the Great Smoky Mountains, which the town of Kodak lays at the foot of. The Smoky Mountains got their name because of its hazy mist that gives the appearance of smoke rising from the mountains. It was named “Shaconage” for the blue-gray haze by the Cherokee centuries ago.

Prior to 2005, the Smokies were the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and prior to that were affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Cardinals later purchased the El Paso Diablos, which had been the Arizona Diamondbacks’ AA affiliate, and the Diamondbacks retained the Smokies as their new AA affiliate. The Chicago Cubs reached a deal with the Smokies through the 2008 season on September 21, 2006. That deal was renewed before the 2009 season and ran until this year – 2012 being the final year of this current deal.

The Smokies’ 2013 regular season schedule was released recently and starts out with a road trip to Florida. On Thursday, April 4, the Smokies travel to play the Pensacola Blue Wahoos before opening at Smokies Park on Wednesday, April 10, in a series that matches them with the Chattanooga Lookouts.

Tennessee Smokies

The team’s home finale is set to match the Smokies against the Mobile BayBears on Tuesday, August 27 before concluding the season with another divisional series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on September 2.

As for the best time to catch the team at Smokies Park this coming 2013 season, there are two 10-game homestands. One falls in April and the other in August. The Smokies will also stay out on the road for 10 days in row in May.

For all you fans that get holidays off, be sure to mark these dates on the calendar: May 27 vs. the Huntsville Stars on Memorial Day, June 16 vs. the Mississippi Braves on Father’s Day and July 4 vs. the Huntsville Stars for the Fourth of July Celebration. These dates are also usually promotion nights so be on the lookout for that information as well. As for other holiday dates, Tennessee will be in Jackson for Mother’s Day (May 12) and Chattanooga for Labor Day (September 2) respectively.

In all, 140 games will be played as part of the 2013 season with start times being announced at another time. For additional information, please call the Smokies front office at (865) 286-2300.

Haunts and Haints at Marble Springs

Two days before Halloween, the former home of Tennessee’s first Governor, John Sevier put on a new face and had some Halloween fun.  Marble Springs was the home of John Sevier from 1745-1815.  It has been kept as a historic landmark of the history of Tennessee.  Throughout the year, living history and educational tours happen daily.  Along with the living history they have many special events.  One of the events this year was their Halloween Haunts and Haints.  The event included decorations, a costume contest for the kids and storytelling around a bonfire.

Haunts and Haints at Marble SpringsMarble Springs is a beautiful location.  Set in the woods right off Governor John Sevier Highway in South Knoxville, it is idyllic.  Add to that setting, lots of pumpkins, the gorgeous colors of an East Tennessee fall and you have a painted landscape that is the perfect backdrop for Halloween fun in the Smokies.  Luminaries lit the path down to the historic buildings and pumpkins were placed at the door of each log structure.  Trying to replicate the late 18th century means that electric lights are few and far between so the light of a bonfire provided the majority of the lighting in the area after the sun went down.

Before the sun sunk below the horizon, the kids and adults went house to house to learn about the history of the site.  Most of the kids came in costume and participated in the Halloween costume contest.  Pirates, princesses, superheroes, ghost and ghouls roamed around the site and the winners were chosen.  Candy was handed out and as the day grew older, the light got dimmer and the bonfire began to rage, everyone settled in around the bonfire or in the tavern to listen to ghost stories.

The Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association provided their voices for the ghost stories. As promised they had not so scary stories around the bonfire for the young and timid at heart and seriously scary stories in the tavern for those that were feeling more adventurous.  The atmosphere around the bonfire was warm and inviting.  With a bit of a nip in the air, everyone gathered around the bonfire for fellowship and warmth.  The stories began and everyone from the youngest to the oldest person listened with rapt attention as the stories unfurled around them.  The stories at the bonfire were new telling’s of fairy tales and fables, tales that everyone had heard but were fascinated to hear again in this wonderful environment and unique setting.

The stories in the tavern were of a different nature.  None were gruesome or graphic but they were not for the faint of heart.  With just enough edge to set your hair on end, you experienced the feeling of sitting around a campfire swapping stories with you friends.  The listeners in the cabin sat facing the fireplace and the storyteller.  The fire gave off more than enough warmth to keep everyone toasty but the sound of the wind whistling across the top of the chimney certainly added to the tales being told.

Speaking to some of the guest that attended, parent and child alike had a great time.  One family said that they would like to make this one of their fall traditions.  Another group said they were looking forward to telling their friends how much fun they had so that they could bring them back in 2012.  All in all, this is one of those events that will stick with the attendees for years to come.  They will look forward to the net trip to Marble Springs, especially the next trip at Halloween, to revisit the Haunts and Haints at Halloween.

Puleo’s Grille

It is nice to find a local chain of restaurants that you love.  One of those places in East Tennessee is Puleo’s Grille.  Puleo’s bills themselves as having ‘Southern Roots with Italian Heritage’ and they live up to that concept.  Their food is simply amazing, the atmosphere and the service is second to none and they have locations all over Knoxville and as well as one in Murfreesboro, TN.  Puleo’s should be on your dining agenda while you are visiting the Smokies.

Puleo's GrilleWhile you are on vacation, it is important to find a place where you feel comfortable taking your friends and family.  You slide into one of the booths and immediately you are in your own little world.  Each one of their restaurants is designed to let you have your privacy while you are in a public restaurant.  You don’t have to scream to be heard over everyone else.  You don’t have to yell your conversation to the rest of your dining party.  It is laid back and the service is some of the best you will find anywhere in Knoxville.  Whether you need a place to celebrate with that special someone or if you are looking for a place to bring your spouse and kids, Puleo’s is the place.

There are 5 Puleo’s in the Knoxville, TN area.  They are headquartered in Knoxville and they have expanded as their customers have demanded it.  When they found that they were having more customers than they could handle they simply added another location in a different part of town.  The nice thing is if you get to Puleo’s and one location is full, you can just drive to another one.

Locations:

  • Puleo's GrilleAlcoa
  • Cedar Bluff
  • Deane Hill
  • Merchants / Cedar Lane
  • Strawberry Plains
  • Murfreesboro

Here is the most important part:  the food.  I have yet to have anything at Puleo’s that I would not have again and again and again.  I do seem to have a problem though… I am stuck on their Shrimp and Grits.  They are my favorite version of this low-country delicacy.  Made with Taso sausage and gravy, there is no part of the dish that doesn’t shine.  The grits are cooked to perfection and the peppers and onions that are sautéed in the same sauce are the perfect counterpoint.  The last several times I have been to Puleo’s I don’t even get a menu because the Shrimp and Grits are so good.  If I had to pick something else to recommend it would be the Rattlesnake Prime Rib which is a pan seared prime rib with an indescribable dry rub topped with a cheese sauce.  My mouth is watering just thinking about the Shrimp and Grits though.  I may be at Puleo’s tonight.

If you are passing through or if you are in the Smokies for a week-long vacation drive back toward Knoxville or end a day in Knoxville eating at one of the best local chains you will ever find.  Puleo’s has a full menu and there will be something for everyone in your traveling party to enjoy, but if you are a seafood fanatic, get the Shrimp and Grits.

Knoxville, TN

Gateway to the Smokies

Knoxville is one of the largest cities in the Smokies.  Home to more than 175,000 people, this city offers activities to fit almost every taste.  From culture to museums, outdoor adventure to sports, Knoxville is a tourist destination unto itself.  If you are staying in the mountains and you are looking for a night out or just something a little bit different, Knoxville welcomes you to come experience the Gateway to the Smokies.

Knoxville, TN

In 1786, James White built a fort above what was to become downtown Knoxville.  From that point until the Civil War, Knoxville became a traveling point for people heading west.  The town grew as more people decided they liked the area and it became a transportation mecca as the railroad began to take over the south.  During the Civil War, Knoxville became a highly contested prize and was the site of several major battles.

As the industrial age grew, the railroad system in Knoxville made it the home of a thriving textile industry.  Though a lot of the manufacturing companies have moved on since then, Knoxville has reinvented itself into a town that welcomes all types of commercial opportunities and is even reinventing its downtown area into a tourism draw full of boutiques, galleries and eclectic food choices.  Knoxville is an every changing example of the character of the people of the southern Appalachians.

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  • Three Rivers Rambler - The Three Rivers Rambler is a train excursion that runs along to the Tennessee River.  This 90 minute train ride starts from the waterfront near downtown Knoxville and takes you on a ride through the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.  You will pass a lot of the history that has formed not only Knoxville but … Continue reading "Three Rivers Rambler"
  • University of Tennessee Football - Go Vols! Looking for some fun in the Smokies on a football weekend.  Plan your visit for a home game weekend and get those tickets early.  plan to sit with over 100,000 of your closest friends and cheer on the UT Volunteers (or their opposition) at one of the best football venues in one of … Continue reading "University of Tennessee Football"
  • McKay Used Books - One of my favorite places to shop in Knoxville is McKay Used Books, CDs, Movies & More.  Imagine, if you will, a library sized store selling every type of book imaginable at hugely discounted rates.  Add to that, shelves of music and movies, videos games and more and you have a shopping trip that might … Continue reading "McKay Used Books"
  • Mast General Store – Knoxville - In 2006, a Smoky Mountain tradition joined the newly renovated downtown area of Knoxville, TN – the Mast General Store.  The Mast General Store is what it was to people back in the turn of the century a store, carrying general merchandise and those things from our homespun past that bring back tons of great memories. … Continue reading "Mast General Store – Knoxville"
  • 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 … Continue reading "Tennessee Theatre"
  • East Tennessee Historical Society - The East Tennessee History Center If you are looking to learn a little bit more about the history of the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains, then you might want to make a trip to Knoxville, TN.  In the middle of downtown, right on Gay Street is the home of the East Tennessee Historical Society … Continue reading "East Tennessee Historical Society"
  • Tupelo Honey Cafe - Fluent Flavor Spoken Here One of the premier restaurants in Asheville has recently expanded to the other side of the mountains.  Tupelo Honey Cafe strives to take southern cuisine to the next level.  They take the traditional and the extremely southern, you know soul food, and they turn it on ts head and put their … Continue reading "Tupelo Honey Cafe"
  • Knoxville Ice Bears - The ice glows as you walk into the arena.  You can feel the coolness of the rink seep into your bones.  You take your seats and get ready for the action.  The Ice Bears take the ice, the adrenaline starts pumping through the crowd.  The puck starts flying and if you are lucky, you might … Continue reading "Knoxville Ice Bears"
  • Haunts and Haints at Marble Springs - Two days before Halloween, the former home of Tennessee’s first Governor, John Sevier put on a new face and had some Halloween fun.  Marble Springs was the home of John Sevier from 1745-1815.  It has been kept as a historic landmark of the history of Tennessee.  Throughout the year, living history and educational tours happen daily.  … Continue reading "Haunts and Haints at Marble Springs"
  • Puleo’s Grille - It is nice to find a local chain of restaurants that you love.  One of those places in East Tennessee is Puleo’s Grille.  Puleo’s bills themselves as having ‘Southern Roots with Italian Heritage’ and they live up to that concept.  Their food is simply amazing, the atmosphere and the service is second to none and … Continue reading "Puleo’s Grille"