<p>I am taking a vacation to Tennessee either the week of August 30th or September 6th (if there is no difference, I will go with the 6th).</p>
<p>Does anyone have any ideas, great places to visit, etc.? I would love suggestions about history, nature, adventure, etc. Basically, I would like to have many experiences in different areas. Unfortunately, I am only going to be there for about 4 days.</p>
<p>Also, should I stay in Chattanooga or Knoxville? Which one is the more interesting place? I would probably be getting my hotel through Hotwire, so I wouldn’t know the exact location of the hotel. Does either of those cities have areas I should avoid?</p>
<p>Thank you for all the help!</p>
<p>One more thing, I will be driving from the north. Are there any interesting places to visit along the way? Roanoke, VA?</p>
<p>We book most of our travel hotels through Hotwire … it’s worked out great for us.</p>
<p>Tennessee is a large state … width-wise at least. Are you traveling the entire state, or just the eastern third? Assuming the latter, the Smokey Mountains National Park and adjacent Gatlinburg resort area are very pretty and VERY popular. The Blue Ridge Parkway is worth a drive if you have time. There are historical points of interest in both eastern Tennessee and the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia … a lot depends on how much time you have to meander. As for where to stay, I’m not sure it makes that big a difference … as long as the rate is good!</p>
<p>I am very impressed by Chickamauga Battlefield Park in Chattanooga. Very interesting from a historical viewpoint, but also great hiking, running etc.<br>
Great aquarium in Chatt, too. Come to Nashville- Grand Ol’ Opry, honky tonks, Country Music Hall of Fame…</p>
<p>Tour of jack Daniels distillery is interesting</p>
<p>^^^ I should have mentioned the Jack Daniels tour. It is REALLY interesting- and free!</p>
<p>My kids & I were in Gatlinburg 3 years ago and we hated it. The scenery is pretty but difficult to see with all of the tacky, touristy junk in G’burg. Not to mention, it is the worst traffic I have seen in my life, one way in and out. We will never go back.</p>
<p>We love the Smokies. Suggest you avoid Gatlinburg at all cost. Had a wonderful time in a rented cabin at Roan Mountain State Park. It’s not far from Chattanooga…</p>
<p>[TN</a> State Parks: Roan Mountain State Park](<a href=“Tennessee State Government - TN.gov”>Tennessee State Government - TN.gov)</p>
<p>“… worst traffic I have seen in my life, one way in and out.”</p>
<p>Actually there are multiple ways out. I heartily recommend East Parkway out of Gatlinburg … very pretty route. (I take your point about the traffic coming into Gatlinburg though.)</p>
<p>See Ruby Falls. See Rock City. Ride the Incline. I’m sort of kidding, but those are the classic Chattanooga tourist attractions from my childhood.
I second MOWC’s recommendation of Chickamauga and the aquarium.</p>
<p>whitewater rafting the Ocoee, UT football game(UTenn-Martin), Nashville honky tonks(The Listening Room is a fav),</p>