TribeLeader

We're planning a last-minute family get-together and wondered if there might be some helpful ideas here.

We're looking for somewhere in the vicinity (triangle) of Lexington, KY, Richmond, VA, and Knoxville, TN area (our last get-away in this area was in the Townsend/Gatlinburg area, so we're looking for somewhere else this time).

We're looking at the last weekend in July (Saturday through Tuesday), and we're not really looking for a touristy, or urban, area, but more of a great outdoors kind of spot. We could stay in a hotel, but a cabin rental would be even better (5 adults, 1 child).

Feel free to ask questions, as I'm sure I've missed something.

Any ideas? Thanks!

tledford

How about Asheville, N.C.? It is similar to your Gatlinburg trip in that it is in the Smoky mountains but Asheville has a different feel.

You can take a trip to see the Biltmore house or go whitewater rafting.

ChristieP

Lexington, KY will NOT be a good place to be on that weekend. There are 2 large family conventions that will be in town that weekend (Bluegrass Games and Breyerfest) and the restaurants and hotels will be packed.

JoyinVirginia

A few ideas: Charlottesville - Monticello; Staunton - Museum of Frontier Culture; Roanoke area off Blue Ridge parkway - Peaks of Otter Lodge. www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/ is website for Virginia State Parks - Douthat State Park has cabins, two lodges that can be rented. Lovely areas.

kybourbon

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is about 20 miles from Lexington. They have hotel rooms or you can rent one of the houses. Rooms are in the village but some of the houses are secluded and on creeks. They have boat rides on the river, hiking, demonstrations (such as waterfowl banding,sheep shearing), scavenger hunts, etc.
www.shakervillageky.org

carolyn

You might like Cumberland Falls State Park near Corbin, Kentucky. It's not too far north of Knoxville off I-75. They have cabins as well as a lodge. I'm not sure about camping but assume it is available. (My idea of roughing it is a Holiday Inn without sugar.)

TribeLeader

Thanks for the replies!

I used those locations primarily as a guide. We'll be in the Lexington area for a seminar and we're hooking up with family from southeast TN for a few days before heading home to central PA (so we don't want to go too far out of the way).

Some of the places named here are of interest: Shaker Village, Cumberland Falls, and we'll have to check out the suggestions from JoyinVirginia. Thanks!