3rd visit with family this time! (Knoxville, Maryville: hotel, houses, construction)

[hoosier07]

Hello All, job negotiations keep moving forward and at this time looking positive and close to a final agreement. Therefore we decided to drive to Knoxville and spend a weekend with family (wife and a 3 yr. old) before accepting the offer.

This will be my 3rd short trip and I have already "nailed down" the area of interest for living (as most of you know, the Carter Area, ZIP 37924).

I will be driving on Friday afternoon (taking half a day off) and staying until Sunday afternoon. We don't want to stress and will be looking at two subdvisions on Saturday, one on 11E in the morning (two houses in the same subdvision to see) and a new subdvision very close to the Carter High School in the afternoon.

I decided to stay at a hotel very close by on Strawberry Pike exit from I-40, this help to get a feeling for the area.

I would like to request your help with the following:

- What's the best way to drive to downtown from the Strawberry Pike exit ? We probably want to have dinner in downtown Knoxville on Saturday evening.

- Any restaurant suggestions near downtown or East side that a family would enjoy ? (Not too expensive please!).

- Any other suggestion in a place to visit perhaps on Sunday morning ? Again, preferable near downtown or the East side ?

Thanks

[hiknapster]

I hope your family enjoys the trip.

One of my favorite restaurants is over where you will be staying. It's called Puleo's Grille and it is off of Exit 398. I don't think you can't go wrong. By the way, they serve Italian, Southern and American. Something for everyone.

As far as directions go, I can't keep up with the construction and haven't driven down there in awhile, so I don't know. I work at Asheville Highway, but am out of work for now.

If no one else comes along to give you directions, I would at least take I-40 in and not follow the "scenic" Magnolia Avenue in.

[hoosier07]

Thanks Hiknapster for the feedback, I'll check Puleo's, I saw it the last time I was in the area. I agree with you and I'll avoid the "scenic" Magnolia Ave., of course, all cities have areas that are not "attractive" but it's nice to avoid those in a first visit and when you're trying to get a good impression of an area. By the way, I saw a brand new hospital off I-640 or I-75 just North of the Center Mall.....I could not locate it on Google....I believe you gave me some information about it in the past....can you help me on that one. I believe that will be closest hospital in case I move to the Carter Area. Agree ?

[hiknapster]

No. That hospital won't be the closest. You went to the McDonald's off of I-75 on Emory Road and you were looking at the new St. Mary's. It is St. Mary's north, but there is also one north of downtown Knoxville.

A few months ago, I knew nothing about healthcare in Knoxville. Now, I know a lot.

I've been to St. Mary's. They were the first one's that diagnosed me. This was after years of wrongly being diagnosed in Florida.

Due to a tip by JMT, I had my recent surgery at Fort Sander's Hospital. It is owned by Covenant Health, which also owns Park West. They will also be building a new hospital in Sevierville, with the help of Dolly Parton.

I checked into the health records of all the area hospitals. Fort Sanders was rated the best. However, I must say that every single hospital in Knoxville is fantastic. Not a bad one in the bunch.

Florida had horrible hospitals. But, I lived in Massachusetts for 34 years, and most of those hospitals are fantastic. Still, I have found Knoxville healthcare to be the best I have ever seen.

So, the short answer is you'll be close to a LOT of hospitals. That will be the last thing that you have to worry about. Believe me.

I was very blessed to have my surgery in Knoxville.

[Suzanne1945]

Puelo's on Exit 398 has great food. We have eaten there each time we've visited the Maryville area. You can't go wrong.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Suzanne1945

Puelo's on Exit 398 has great food. We have eaten there each time we've visited the Maryville area. You can't go wrong.

Isn't that the truth?

It looks like a chain from the outside, which immediately put me off, but I figured I would give it a try. Come to find out, I think they only have three locations.

Then, they have a large menu and they do different kinds of cooking. That is usually another recipe for disaster. Nope, it's all good. Heck, they even have New England food, which is next to impossible to find in the South.

Guess what? It's fantastic!

I don't know how they do it, but they do.

[hoosier07]

Wow ! I thought it was a large chain in the South of the US. I'll definitely check it out. Thanks

[hoosier07]

OK... getting ready to leave work and drive with family to Knoxville...wish me luck ! I'll make comments when I come back.....

[hiknapster]

Be safe, buddy!

[hoosier07]

I'm back...just got home and was checking messages. Thanks for the positive wishes....the trip was a success....wife and son had a great time! As I expected, when we got in Knoxville the mountains are a little intimidating but soon, both started to enjoy it and the people + the food was awesome. I will post more detailed info. later today. A few quick comments:

Puleo's Grill was a great restaurant, we had a great dinner on Saturday night, they have a perfect combination of Italian food and great selection of Southern style food....you have to try the "polenta" and the "wipped sweet potato"....very very good.

Hampton Inn at Strawberry Plains Pike Exit....brand new hotel and a step above the regular chain hotel....excellent....from new flat screen TV in the bedroom to high quality bed and furnitures.