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East Tennessee
This region was America’s major frontier crossing. Thousands of settlers followed in Daniel Boone’s footsteps westwards through the Cumberland Gap. The three cities of Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City dominate the northeast region, or the ‘First Frontier’, where historic towns like Jonesborough offer self-guided walking tours. The family tourism centres of Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Townsend are also gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
CHATTANOOGA: This city began as a trading post in 1815 and has retained its commercial emphasis by evolving into a factory outlet centre. The Hunter Museum of Art houses southern America’s most complete art collection as well as travelling exhibitions. The city is also notable for the Tennessee Aquarium, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater marine life.
Chattanooga contains another record-holding installation – the world’s steepest passenger railway, the Incline, which propels its passengers up a stomach-churning gradient of 72.7°. The journey is worthwhile, especially on a clear day, when the territories of seven States are visible from Lookout Mountain. Here, at Rock City Gardens, subterranean black-lit gnome dioramas and Mother Goose theme areas are constructed around several interesting rock formations. Ruby Falls, a spectacular 44m-high (145ft) underground waterfall flows 341m (1120ft) below the surface of Lookout Mountain.
KNOXVILLE: Knoxville, named after Washington’s Secretary of War, Henry Knox, began life as a frontier outpost after the Revolutionary War. Bordered by huge lakes created by the Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville offers some eclectic sightseeing.
A stroll through the World’s Fair Park leads to the Knoxville Museum of Art, while Blount Mansion, a National Historic Landmark, was the 1792 frame house of governor William Blount. Nearby, the James White Fort still exhibits portions of the original stockade built in 1786 by Knoxville’s founder.
The Farmer’s Market, 24km (15 miles) from the downtown area, offers an authentic taste of Appalachia. The pavilion sells local produce, plants, jams, jellies, arts and crafts. The Museum of Appalachia, in Norris, is a huge village replete with authentic houses, barns and cells.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS: The largest wilderness area in the USA, this national park extends over half a million acres of the Appalachian Mountains, bounded by North Carolina and the Tennessee valleys. The park is home to bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and more than 1500 species of flowering plants. Conifer forests are to be found at elevations of more than 1800m (6000ft). The mountains are beautiful in all seasons, but perhaps the best time to see them is in October when they are showered in colour. The park has three visitor centres, Sugarlands, Cades Cove and the Oconaluftee Visitor Centre. There are also ten campgrounds, each with tent sites, trailer space, water and tables. There are over 1400km (900 miles) of hiking trails and 270km (170 miles) of road throughout the park. Rangers at the visitor centres can assist with trip planning.
DOLLYWOOD: Die-hard Country fans will want to visit this American village in the Tennessee hills, created by the Queen of Country herself – Dolly Parton. Dollywood is usually open between May and October 1000-1800, and in winter for Christmas Specials. Dollywood is located in the city of Pigeon Forge, which has major shopping outlet malls and celebrates the culture of the East Tennessee mountains. Here, craftspeople demonstrate their skills and sell their wares, and Country stars perform.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Feb 2003 Smoky Mountains National Storytelling Festival, Pigeon Forge. Mar Mountain Quiltfest, Pigeon Forge. Apr Dollyparade, Pigeon Forge; Dogwood Arts Festival, Knoxville. May Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Highland Games, Gatlinburg. Jun Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga. Sep Oldies 102 Boomsday (featuring spectacular fireworks), Knoxville. Sep-Oct Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, Pigeon Forge. Oct National Storytelling Festival (America’s oldest storytelling festival), Jonesborough; Fall Color Cruise and Folk Festival, Chattanooga.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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