Eastern Tennessee
The New Hot Spot
It has more than 3800 documented caves. It’s considered to be the Turtle Capital of the World, and houses an aquarium that’s the largest fresh-water facility of its kind. It plays host to the world’s largest artificial skiing surface, is bordered by eight states, and was the first place to bottle Coca-Cola. Casey Jones, the legendary derailed engineer, laid his head down here each night. It conceals the largest underground sea in the United States, is home to the nation’s oldest African-American architectural firm, and has a city that bears the title, ‘The Birthplace of Country Music.’ It’s Tennessee, a state that’s rapidly developing a reputation as the place to be.
The Allure
What makes Tennessee so special? Let’s begin with one corner of the state: East Tennessee, home to Knoxville, Chattanooga, and innumerable smaller cities that have a lot to offer…like Pigeon Forge, where Dollywood amusement park sets the tone for non-stop fun, from kiddie rides to thrills to fully-staged shows. Here you can ride the new Mystery Mine steel coaster, where a 1,811-foot track travels through an abandoned coal mine (think 85-foot vertical drop into total blackness) and, of course, immerse yourself in the sounds of music—from bluegrass to country to gospel to seasonal tunes. This holiday season, visit Santa’s Workshop, enjoy the Smoky Mountains Christmas Festival, and experience Babes in Toyland, featuring a cast of 20 performers.
The Great Outdoors An outdoor enthusiast’s delight, east Tennessee is characterized by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited park in the National Park System. Whether you’re in search of extreme sports or just recreation, you’ll find it here—from white-water rafting on the Ocoee River to hiking the Appalachian Trail or canoeing in the Hiwassee. Go hang-gliding over Raccoon Mountain, just outside Chattanooga, rated as one of the top ten caves in the country. In Sevierville, Dolly Parton’s hometown, you can visit the Tennessee Museum of Aviation and then take a helicopter ride of your own.
Sports Fans Take Note
Sports fans will have a good time in Knoxville during football season, when the University of Tennessee fans come out en masse to support their team. Into NASCAR? You won’t be disappointed. Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, carved out of the Appalachian Mountains, will give you a run for your money with the highest banking of any NASCAR track.
Arts and Culture
In addition to the phenomenal Historic Tennessee Theatre, Hunter Museum of American Art, Knoxville Museum of Art and multiple other performance venues, museums and galleries, east Tennessee has something very unusual to offer cultural connoisseurs. It’s home to the National Storytelling Festival, based in Jonesborough, TN. Now in its 35th year and acclaimed as one of the top 100 events in the country, the Storytelling Festival is a “three day extravaganza of compelling performances by nationally-known tellers” (www.storytellingcenter.net). Hear ghost stories under the stars, Native American tales, Japanese lore, comedic interpretations, Welsh folktales…and the list goes on.
Medical Facilities
Knoxville’s medical facilities offer cutting-edge therapies and technologies whose impact is felt throughout the region in the form of more than 17 major medical centers, branch hospitals and specialty facilities. The Baptist, Covenant and St. Mary’s Health Systems, Thompson Cancer Survivor Center and University of Tennessee Medical Center provide access to top-quality, award-winning medical care.
Calling East Tennessee Home: The Communities
East Tennessee is home to some distinctive and remarkable communities, designed to cater to the interests and predilections of their residents. From horse riding to new urbanism to kayaking to golf, east Tennessee’s communities offer something to fit every lifestyle. Here are just a few possibilities.
- The Farm at Tralee
- Rarity Communities
- Ladd Landing
- Grande Vista Bay
- Lowe's Ferry
- Fairfield Glade - Hughes Real Estate
- Grande Harbor
- Serenity Bay
- Quail Creek at The Ridges
- Lighthouse Pointe on Watts Bar Lake
- Fairfield Homes
- Long Branch Lakes
- Fairvue Plantation
Make Every Day a Vacation
The Grande Villas at Indian Beach
Some people enjoy spending their days lounging on the beach. Others would prefer to get out on the water and to explore by kayak. For some, a great day is spent fishing, catching a family meal; for others, time spent exploring the underwater world is best done from an aquarium. Some people enjoy just sitting down and connecting with others - either on the beach or in a quiet lounge; others prefer the quiet convenience of having space of their own away from everyone else.
Lounging on the beach, exploring the coastline, fishing: all of these activities are things that many people enjoy when they plan for and take the family on a beach vacation. But what if you could include them all - the beach, making friends, relaxing, exploring and more - in your every day routine? What if you could live in a place where all of these activities were readily available to you?
A number of people are recognizing the benefits of living the beach lifestyle - some of them are doing so at the Grande Villas at Indian Beachin Indian Beach, North Carolina.
GETAWAY SPECIAL – The Running Y Ranch
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Enjoy a One Night's Stay in a Standard Room at the Running Y Lodge and a One-Hour Spa Service for Two at Running Y's newly updated Sandhill Spa for $259.00. The Sandhill Spa offers a wide range of relaxing spa treatments including foot reflexology, river stone massage, body wraps, steam treatments and facials. This Getaway is the perfect way to unwind and escape while discovering all the Running Y has to offer.
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