Summer may be over, but the fun sure isn’t!
Temperatures are still warm in East Tennessee – what better time to get out and keep the good times going? Festivals and other events are just getting cranked up for the latter half of 2018.
Fall festivals are on the horizon throughout the region offering eats and treats to go with all the fun. How about a candy apple or a funnel cake to top off the day?
There are several outdoor offerings to take advantage of while warm temperatures are still hanging around. These are just the ticket to keep costs on the lower end too.
The Northeast Corner
Northeast Tennessee has a lot to offer for a day’s worth of vacation fun.
Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium in Kingsport features a zoo with well marked walkways around the animal habitats. See wolves and deer up close and personal! Glide along the private lake on a relaxing barge ride. You might just catch a glimpse of a blue heron. There are also hiking trails to explore, a nature center and, of course, the Planetarium
Get out and take a walk in one of Johnson City’s many park areas, including Winged Deer Park, Founders Park or the Tweetsie Trail.
Bristol is home to Steele Creek Park which boasts 20 picnic areas, a disc golf course, a Nature Center and a 52-acre lake.
The Mountains Are Calling
In the Smoky Mountains/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville there’s so much to do and see you would need a week or two to sample everything this mountain playground has to offer. Dollywood, of course, is planted right in the middle of it all. Plan ahead and get season tickets because you will want to visit every season to see what’s new.
If you’re looking for something a little different to slow down the pace, seek out the beautiful mountain drives surrounding Gatlinburg or a relaxing trip down through Cades Cove. At Sevierville City Park you can take a walk by the creek, play on the playground or splash in the pool at this neat little oasis.
Knoxville is the Place to Be
Visit Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness for a “recreational, cultural and historic “experience, according to outdoorknoxville.com. Located near downtown Knoxville, it is a 50-mile trail system that offers adventure ranging from easy to extreme.
See Rock City in Chattanooga
Search “things to do” in Chattanooga and you will get a line up that includes the great Rock City Gardens, Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee Aquarium. Look a little further and you will find the Spaceship House and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.
State Parks Abound
You will find the best of East Tennessee at the areas state parks. Smoky Mountain State Park is the most widely known and most visited. The other parks aren’t to shabby either. Roan Mountain State Park boasts beautiful vistas and restful picnic areas that are perfect for a family getaway. Some others include Big Ridge State Park, Warriors Path State Park, Cumberland Gap (a national historical park), Hiwassee State Scenic River Park and Panther Creek State Park.
Get Outdoors
Whatever you decide to do, get out and enjoy East Tennessee. You might be surprised at what you find.
