Our family of four will be in Crossville, TN for a week in March. I didn't realize there isn't much to do in the area so we will be using Crossville as "home base" to make day trips to Gatlinburg, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.

Is there anything anyone can suggest as far as places to explore, things to do, restaurants in Crossville, TN?

We'll, you can go to Oak Ridge or play at one of the many golf courses, but you are an hour from Knoxville and two hours from Nashville, so it is t really a good place to base yourself to tour either. Gatlinburg would be worse.

Unless you have to be there, I would rethink this.

I think Ack has it--I think (but can't remember exactly) that those times to Knox and Nash are even a bit longer.
Crossville does have a couple of antique malls.

Ackislander, Are you saying you would rethink the trip to Crossville altogether or Gatlinburg? The kids want to go to Dollywood, so that is why we planned on going to the Gatlinburg area. I found a great deal on a timeshare for a week in Crossville-otherwise, I think I would have gone elsewhere.

Thanks for the Oak Ridge suggestion. It looks like they have a pretty park and we can go kayaking on the river.

Gretchen, antique malls sound great. We do like antiquing. I'll have to look for those. Thanks again.

The trip to Crossville--why did you choose it? Oh, I see --a "good deal". Day trips from there are just too far, and particularly to the GSMNP and Gatlinburg. Stay somewhere other than Gatlinburg.

Apologies to Ack--he is right on the money for time and distance. My "rememory" was not that!!

Is the timeshare golf-related? Fairfield Glade is the biggest golf area in Tennessee, I think.

Nashville and Chattanooga would be doable as long day trips. So would Knoxville, although there's not a huge amount to do with kids there (the downtown area is revitalized and great to walk around).

Fall Creek Falls is a great state park in the Crossville area and absolutely worth your time. There are other good state parks around if you're into hiking and that sort of thing.

If you're committed to Dollywood, I'd bite the bullet and pay for a night in a hotel. You'll spend two hours each way driving there, and that's if you don't hit crazy traffic in Pigeon Forge; a full day at Dollywood gives you no time to spend in Gatlinburg or do any outlet shopping or anything else you might want to do in the area.

I couldn't remember the name of Fall Creek Falls, Jen, though I had the concept clearly in my mind!

It is a must see.

Staci, I lived in Nashville, Tennessee for five years, and I don't remember it ever being warm enough to kayak that early in the year unless you have wet suits and all that kind of gear. And Crossville, which the weathermen used to say, "up on the Plateau" is colder than Nashville.

If you are not committed to this condo (non-refundable deposit committed) and aren't golf fanatics, I would keep looking for somewhere further east nearer where you really want to be.

Ackislander, I didn't know (or remember) that you used to live in Nashville! I've been here for ten years and it is crazy how much it's changed in that decade. Absolutely nuts.

I'm 100% with you on the weather. staci, you might get some nice days in March, but it will not be water-activity weather. Highs will probably be in the 50s or 60s (though really, in March, who knows what it'll be) and the water will be cold.

We have a friend who lives in Crossville. They were hit hard by recent ice storm and many trees are down. He has no power and says it's likely they won't have power back for days. Maybe check on whether your timeshare has power?

We stayed at Fairfield Glade several years ago and had a good time. We went to Cumberland Mountain State Park, Oak Ridge and attended a play at the Cumberland County Playhouse.

Thanks for all of your feedback. I didn't realize it would be that cold during March, although from South Florida, it will be a nice change. I guess we won't be doing any kayaking. The ice storm doesn't sound very pleasant, though. Hopefully things will be cleaned up by the time we get there.

Our timeshare deal was prepaid and non-refundable, so we will go ahead with our plan. Next time, I will do more research to the area before I let the "great deal" sway my thinking. We will do the Cumberland Mountain State Park, Fall Creek Falls State Park, visit teh Minister's Tree House, go to the Stonehaus Winery, and see the play, "Southern Fried Funeral" at the playhouse. We will probably check out early and stay at a hotel in Pigeon Forge when we go to Dollywood. Thanks for all your info.

It's an hour and a half to Chattanooga and there's lots to do in Chattanooga. I'd head that way for a day trip.

Sounds like you will have a great time.

Enjoy!

I'd forgotten about the Playhouse - that's a great idea.

Just as an FYI, you might check on the Minister's Treehouse before you get your hearts set on it. I'd heard that they were forced to close it to the public for legal/codes reasons, which is a shame because it's amazing. But it might be one of those things where you can show up and explore at your own risk - it's hard to tell from the Yelp reviews.

March weather is a crapshoot. Last week it didn't get above freezing in Nashville for five days; next week we're supposed to be in the 60s with the potential for thunderstorms. Hopefully you'll have a great weather week! The Crossville area has gotten hit hard, between last week's ice storm and snow again last night, but for your purposes it should be fine.

starrs, we will plan on a day trip to Chattanooga. I am looking forward to it. jent103, I did see that they have a fence and no trespassing signs posted around the treehouse, BUT, everyone says "jump the fence!" March weather in Tennessee seems to be all over the place...I was thinking it would be cool and I'd see lots of spring wild flowers--we'll see. Thanks again