Suggestions on my first visit to Knoxville (Chattanooga, Johnson City: fit in, movie theater)

[alikair]

I will be visiting Charlotte, Greenville, Asheville, Knoxville and maybe if I have the time Chattanooga this upcoming thanksgiving weekend.
A total of about 7 days.

I have learned a lot from asking questions on this forum and reading other people’s post.

Now is time for me to see first hand if I would like to move here.
One of my biggest concerns is the people, and more importantly will I fit in.
I am very much looking forward to experiencing this “southern hospitality”. But I am also concern that some of the towns, especially Greenville may be way to religious for me.
Even though I do not attend church, I like people that do.
But with statements like, “Greenville is the belt buckle of the Bible-belt” That maybe a little hardcore for me.

I plan on visiting some restaurants and walking around the main streets, and hitting the malls.
I also read that a lot of stores are closed on Sundays?

Other thing that is important to me is the great outdoors. With a big emphasis on the rivers. My hobbies are fishing and kayaking. Love whitewater, nothing crazy, class 2 or 3 tops.
Things like zoos or museums or tourist attractions, I will probable pass on unless they’re something really special.

Open to any suggestions on what to see and do. Thanks!

PS I will post this message in other cites as well.

[mbmouse]

I used to live in Greeneville....I am agreeing with your assessment. You may want to take a little extra time between Asheville and Greeneville in Johnson City and/or Kingsport and then take a drive through Greeneville on your way to Knoxville instead? The reason I suggest this is it sounds like you would feel more comfortable people wise and have more out doorsy options to check out while in the area closer to the Tri-Cites. I would suggest take 26 from Asheville to the Tri-Cities and check out Boone Lake (Roan St exit, go right,then stay right on 11E) and check out Winged Deer park and the lake areas there. Then you could make your way to Kingsport back on 26 and check out Warriors Path State Park, downtown Kingsport, Broad, Market and Main streets, park anywhere on those and walk around, lots of shops and people....not so much on Sundays though, you are right there. Week days there are great though. There is also the Green Belt in Kingsport that follows the Holston River, fantastic walking/biking paths along the river. If you end up in JC on a weekend night, check out the downtown there and the night/music scene on Main St. downtown. You could get some German food at Frieburgs. Or if night finds you in Kingsport, great pizza at Kingsport Grocery, BBQ at Bone Fire or music at the Bus Pit, they are on Main. Great coffee at Kafe Blues on Broad if you need some warming up. Weather permitting, you could also zip up to Bay's Mountain State park as well.
The reason I suggest these.....can't think of anything but two streets in Greeneville that I could suggest to park and walk to check things out, or a park by water for you to check out except Paint Creek in South Greene and it isn't much to it, everything else is kind of spread out and not very walkable to much of anything. Just being honest.
Oh and if you want to pick up some good snacks for your road trip, from Greeneville while heading to 81 to get you to Knoxville, go a few miles past the on ramp (staying on 11E) towards Bulls Gap, 4 or 5 miles you will see Yoders Country Market on you left just before the bridge, great little Amish market that has some great trail mixes and goodies.
Hope that helps!

[alikair]

Thanks Mbmous, I will try and find these places, but I am a little confused by your descriptions. I will try to look up this places on goggle earth. It's not you though, I'm bad with directions when I don't have a good point of reference.

Originally Posted by mbmouse

I used to live in Greeneville....I am agreeing with your assessment. You may want to take a little extra time between Asheville and Greeneville in Johnson City and/or Kingsport and then take a drive through Greeneville on your way to Knoxville instead? The reason I suggest this is it sounds like you would feel more comfortable people wise and have more out doorsy options to check out while in the area closer to the Tri-Cites. I would suggest take 26 from Asheville to the Tri-Cities and check out Boone Lake (Roan St exit, go right,then stay right on 11E) and check out Winged Deer park and the lake areas there. Then you could make your way to Kingsport back on 26 and check out Warriors Path State Park, downtown Kingsport, Broad, Market and Main streets, park anywhere on those and walk around, lots of shops and people....not so much on Sundays though, you are right there. Week days there are great though. There is also the Green Belt in Kingsport that follows the Holston River, fantastic walking/biking paths along the river. If you end up in JC on a weekend night, check out the downtown there and the night/music scene on Main St. downtown. You could get some German food at Frieburgs. Or if night finds you in Kingsport, great pizza at Kingsport Grocery, BBQ at Bone Fire or music at the Bus Pit, they are on Main. Great coffee at Kafe Blues on Broad if you need some warming up. Weather permitting, you could also zip up to Bay's Mountain State park as well.
The reason I suggest these.....can't think of anything but two streets in Greeneville that I could suggest to park and walk to check things out, or a park by water for you to check out except Paint Creek in South Greene and it isn't much to it, everything else is kind of spread out and not very walkable to much of anything. Just being honest.
Oh and if you want to pick up some good snacks for your road trip, from Greeneville while heading to 81 to get you to Knoxville, go a few miles past the on ramp (staying on 11E) towards Bulls Gap, 4 or 5 miles you will see Yoders Country Market on you left just before the bridge, great little Amish market that has some great trail mixes and goodies.
Hope that helps!

[alikair]

Where is the Tri-Cites?

[Kitties of Domination]

OK, let me see waht I can do. First of all, I need to know if you are talking about Greeneville, SC, or Greeneville, TN. Greeneville, SC is a city very comparable in size to Knoxville, though I think Knoxville's metro is bigger. Greeneville, TN is a large "town", much smaller than Greeneville, SC or Knoxville. Asheville is smaller than Knoxville. Charlotte is really no comparison to any of the above. If you want a big city vibe, then Charlotte would be your choice. Second only to Atlanta in size. Ok, if you are looking for fishing, then Knoxville is the obvious choice. At least 5 or 6 large lakes of the TVA system of the TN river in the general area and plenty of trout fishing in the mountains. For rafting, Knoxville, Greeneville, SC, and Asheville are all within about 2 hours of the Natahala, Hiwassee, and Ocoee rivers. Knoxville is fairly religious (its the South), but large enough to have many diverse views. The university helps alot. Good music scene. Lots of suburban sprawl. Asheville is more the bohemian town than Knoxville (think mini Portland in the mountains) . Good music scene, its in the mountains, but touristy with fewer job opportunities. I personally don't care for it, but some people love it. Sometimes places just become "hip" to the point that it's lame. Greeneville, TN is small with much less "cosmopolitanism", more a traditional Southern town. Don't really know much about Greeneville, SC. Charlotte, well, if you want a true "urban" lifestyle, this is one of the few cities in the South (excluding Florida) that you will probably find it.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by alikair

Thanks Mbmous, I will try and find these places, but I am a little confused by your descriptions. I will try to look up this places on goggle earth. It's not you though, I'm bad with directions when I don't have a good point of reference.

Mbmouse was talking about Greeneville TN whereas you're talking about Greenville SC. Big difference.

In the Knoxville area there are tons of lakes to explore. Lake Loudon is the closest to Knoxville. Norris is probably the favorite lake for many because it's huge and not nearly as busy. There are literally hundreds of miles of shoreline in the Knoxville area on several lakes.

Between Knoxville and the NC state line along I-40 is the Pigeon River which has lots of whitewater rafting.

While Knoxville is a pretty religious place, you absolutely do not need to be religous to get along. The area has a live-and-let-live attitude where people generally keep their noses out of your business. Hiknapster, one of our biggest Knoxville cheerleaders in the forum, is a liberal atheist and absolutely loves living in Knoxville.

[mbmouse]

Ooops...sorry, it was late...I was tired. By his description of Greenville I just assumed he meant TN......I missed the fact that there wasn't an extra "e" in there!

[alikair]

Thats OK Mbmouse. I am more interested in your suggestions for Knoxville. I do not have enough time to do more then just sightseeing. May take a helicopter sightseeing flight to get an overhead view of the terrain.
I would like to drive by areas where I can see the outdoors as well as go to places to mingle with the town folks.

[hiknapster]

Yep. That's me. The liberal atheist! Actually, I was Christian my entire life, and just became atheist because I am having issues with my dad. I just need to not believe in anythig, right now.

But the people here really get along with each other. It's very Libertarian, which I think is a cool thing. I can run far left but have a lot of right leaning, too, so I guess that puts me in that category.

What I am saying is I am open to all possibilities and Knoxville respects that. I hear what Kitties is saying. Start leaning to the left too far and all you are doing is posing.

You'll see lots of churches here. If that makes you cringe, then I would stay out of The South.

People are chatty, warm, welcoming but not prying. There's an art to that, and Knoxvillians do it well.

Make sure to check out Market Square, Gay Street, The Old City and Volunteer Landing to really feel our vibe. Be sure and pass by The Tennessee Theater and the Bijou Theater and the Regal Riviera. Great restorations. Head up I-75 and hit Norris Lake. It's one of the cleanest lakes in the country with great fishing.

West Town Mall is very nice and of course all of the stores are open. If any are closed, it is usually the "mom and pop" ones throughout town because it makes sense to take a day off. Don't miss Turkey Creek. It's open air but has great stores and a fabulous movie theater.



Market Square District Association

City of Knoxville - Market Square

Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation | The Official Site of Knoxville

Historic Tennessee Theatre - Est. 1928 Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation | Volunteer Landing & Marina

Turkey Creek

[Scott LF]

Originally Posted by alikair

Thats OK Mbmouse. I am more interested in your suggestions for Knoxville. I do not have enough time to do more then just sightseeing. May take a helicopter sightseeing flight to get an overhead view of the terrain.
I would like to drive by areas where I can see the outdoors as well as go to places to mingle with the town folks.

.

Still one of my favourite things to do. Park in the Market Square garage, walk over to the Sunshpere, and take the elevator to the observation Deck. While in that exact area, walk around World's Fair Park. I get a lump in my throat at all the beauty, but then again, I am an emotional and spiritual individual. Needless to say, I LOVE Knoxville. Best reccomendation I can think of right now, is go to City of Knoxville Website, and look for directions. Enjoy.