We're flying into Knoxville Sept 17th & spending two weeks in Tennessee (first time in TN). We have use of a condo in Sevierville for the last week of September but are considering other areas to explore for the first 4 or 5 days from Alcoa Airport. We don't enjoy driving in large unfamiliar cities or on extremely busy highways, and would prefer smaller towns with easier routes to travel, even if it takes longer.
We were considering Stones River Battlefield near Murfreesboro or perhaps driving into NC, then making our way back to Sevierville areas. (We'll go to Dollywood,Titanic Museum, etc. then). Do you have any suggestions on what to see and where to stay? Any help would be most appreciated.

HotWheels, I can only help with and suggest Nashville:
​​Chasing Sargent in Nashville
My late hub and I did a quick visit to Memphis' Beale St. and enjoyed its vibe.

Hope others can give you more suggestions, and that you share what you end up doing!

The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile National Scenic Byway that traverses ridgetops of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Tellico Plains, Tenn. to Robbinsville, NC. It features scenic overlooks, excellent hiking trails, and watervalls. Some call it one of America’s best kept secrets. It is located just south of the Great Smoky Mts. National Park. Fall Creek Falls State Park is located 2.5 hours east of Sevierville and features Fall Creek Falls which at 256 feet is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern US. The park has over 56 miles of hiking trails, some which traverse virgin forests.