Knoxville: seen the city? Then head on out for the following attractions

Travel America, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Alice Ross

Knoxville is a modern metropolis close to all kinds of recreation and historical sites in the mountains of eastern Tennessee. Its unique location offers visitors the best of both worlds--they can play in the great outdoors all day, then enjoy top-notch entertainment and fine dining at night. City sights include the Knoxville Museum of Art; Knoxville Zoo; Women's Basketball Hall of Fame; and landmarks like Blount Mansion, the 1796 birthplace of Tennessee statehood, and Knox County's first stone house, the Ramsey House Plantation. The region's colorful past--along with Davy Crockett's first gun and marriage license--can be explored in the East Tennessee History Center.

20 South of Knoxville, Maryville's main attraction is the Sam Houston Schoolhouse, the oldest school in Tennessee and where Houston taught in 1812. To the west lies Oak Ridge, cloaked in secrecy during World War II when it was the site of the Manhattan Project, which resulted in the atomic bomb. A 38-mile self-guided driving tour includes the American Museum of Science & Energy, which tells the story of the city "born of war." Head north to Norris and the Museum of Appalachia, a pioneer mountain village and working farm.

35 An early Cherokee Indian hunting ground, Pigeon Forge is now the place for country fun and frolic, with almost a dozen music theaters. Dollywood theme park offers entertainment, crafts, music, and rides. Police items and "Walking Tall" Sheriff Buford Pusser's memorabilia can be seen at Carbo's Police Museum, and "the King's" fans will love the Elvis Museum. Cut your own gemstone at The Mine and see The Old Mill, which has been grinding out flour since 1830. Sevierville also has music theaters, plus attractions like Forbidden Caverns and Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo.

40 Chockful of chapels, Gatlinburg is the South's unofficial Honeymoon Capital. It's also gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ride America's largest aerial tramway to skiing and amusements at Ober Gatlinburg, see handiwork of artists and craftsmen in the shops and galleries at the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, or find inspiration in the religious-themed, life-size dioramas at Christus Gardens.

50 In the 1880s, English jurist and author Thomas Hughes created a socialistic community in Rugby. At Historic Rugby, 20 of the original Victorian buildings remain, including a library and the charming Christ Church, where services are still held. To the north of Knoxville in Harrogate is the Abraham Lincoln Museum, housing one of the nation's largest Lincoln collections.

60 Southwest in Athens, tour a milk and ice cream production plant at Mayfield Visitors Center and trace Tennessee's pioneer years at McMinn County Living Heritage Museum. To the northeast, discover Rogersville and Crockett Spring Park, where Davy Crockett's grandparents lived. Take a picture of one of the South's most photographed buildings, Hawkins County Courthouse, and walk the beautifully restored Rogersville Historic District. Hiking trails lace Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

70 Before entering politics, Andrew Johnson, the 17th U.S. president, was a tailor. His tailor shop and two of his homes can be visited at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, one of the oldest cities in Tennessee. The President Andrew Johnson Museum & Library is at Greeneville's Tusculum College, the state's oldest college. Greene County's first century is recalled in the Nathanael Greene Museum. The Historic Greeneville District is on the National Register. Not far away is Greene County's Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park.

At A Glance

Enjoy Scottish dancing, bagpipe bands, whiskey tasting, and athletic events at the May 20-22 Gatlinburg Highland Games.

The Knoxville Zoo's new Kids Cove opens in April, offering a giant playground, rock-climbing wall, and water play area, plus a beaver exhibit and aviary.

McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens boasts a collection of more than 200 quilts and from April through June puts on one of the largest quilt shows in the South. Also see a log cabin and general store.