Coming back again! Yay (Memphis, Knoxville: insurance, neighborhoods, live)

[Sigequinox]

Howdy all,

The Misses and I absolutely loved our experience in Franklin/greater nashville last year. Last year was mostly a town scouting mission--getting a feel for the neighborhoods, culture, food, etc.

This year we will be flying into to Nashville again, but will be making our way to the eastern TN Smoky Mountains and ultimately rendezvous with my in laws in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

The purpose of this trip is to get a feel for the rest of the state's rich history and beautiful country. We plan to stay in the Nashville area for 2-3 days and hit up our favorite spots from last time (Red Pony!). We will check out some more neighborhoods that we didn't have time for last year as well before heading across I-40 to the mountains for some hiking for the next 2 days.

Questions:

1) Any "Must try" hiking trails that are worth the trek from Nashville? The reason i ask in this subforum is because I want the Nashvhille perspective. Just like our last trip, we want to imagine this is where we live for a few days and this is what we are doing for the weekend.

2) How is the drive on I-40? Boring, gorgeous, dangerous, safe etc? Any particular towns to stop and see and especially ones to avoid?

3) does anyone on here own a weekend property in east TN? This is something that interests us a lot and we would love to know what your take is--love it, regrets, etc.


Thanks in advance!

[BirdieBelle]

Originally Posted by Sigequinox

Questions:

1) Any "Must try" hiking trails that are worth the trek from Nashville? The reason i ask in this subforum is because I want the Nashvhille perspective. Just like our last trip, we want to imagine this is where we live for a few days and this is what we are doing for the weekend.

2) How is the drive on I-40? Boring, gorgeous, dangerous, safe etc? Any particular towns to stop and see and especially ones to avoid?

3) does anyone on here own a weekend property in east TN? This is something that interests us a lot and we would love to know what your take is--love it, regrets, etc.


Thanks in advance!

1) The Smokies have a million great trails. I will let you research that. The Fiery Gizzard Trail is closer to Nashville, down I-24 near Monteagle, and well worth the day trip. You also could spend the day hiking around Fall Creek Falls. Tennessee has an absolutely stellar state park system that you could spend a lifetime exploring.

2) The drive east on I-40 is not as boring as the drive to Memphis, but still not that exciting. I am always hauling ass to Knoxville, so I do not recommend stopping anywhere. I GUESS Historic Rugby is worth a trip, but it is well off the interstate.

3) I have known many people who own weekend properties from Center Hill Lake to Townsend, and most of them keep it for about a decade and then sell. Insurance cost is often cited as well as lack of time to visit.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Sigequinox

Howdy all,

The Misses and I absolutely loved our experience in Franklin/greater nashville last year. Last year was mostly a town scouting mission--getting a feel for the neighborhoods, culture, food, etc.

This year we will be flying into to Nashville again, but will be making our way to the eastern TN Smoky Mountains and ultimately rendezvous with my in laws in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

The purpose of this trip is to get a feel for the rest of the state's rich history and beautiful country. We plan to stay in the Nashville area for 2-3 days and hit up our favorite spots from last time (Red Pony!). We will check out some more neighborhoods that we didn't have time for last year as well before heading across I-40 to the mountains for some hiking for the next 2 days.

Questions:

1) Any "Must try" hiking trails that are worth the trek from Nashville? The reason i ask in this subforum is because I want the Nashvhille perspective. Just like our last trip, we want to imagine this is where we live for a few days and this is what we are doing for the weekend.

2) How is the drive on I-40? Boring, gorgeous, dangerous, safe etc? Any particular towns to stop and see and especially ones to avoid?

3) does anyone on here own a weekend property in east TN? This is something that interests us a lot and we would love to know what your take is--love it, regrets, etc.


Thanks in advance!

Since you're looking for a place to hike during your trip, I recommend heading to Burgess Falls State Park which is just 8 miles south of I-40 in Cookeville, not quite half way between Nashville and Knoxville. The hike is only 1.5 miles round trip, but you pass three gorgeous waterfalls.

A picture of the main falls at the end of the 3/4 mile trail:



The web site for the park:

Burgess Falls State Park — Tennessee State Parks