rayoflight104

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (about 45 minutes from Knoxville) is a great place to go. They have shopping, a beautiful aquarium, Ripley's Believe It or Not, and tons more. It's a great day trip up into the Mountains. Dollywood is a nice themepark. I think they have a website (check it out if they do).. They have a waterpark and a themepark.

The Dixie Stamepede is a great show to see in Pigeon Forge too. Great fun and excitement for the kiddies...

Also, you can go into Cades Cove in the Smoky Mtns and drive your car on an about 11 mile road and see wildlife in the mtns...

Knoxville doesnt have much for young kiddies.. (If you need any more info, send me a msg cause I live in Knoxville currently)

traveljune

For a nice quiet place to visit, try the Abe Lincoln Birthplace. Hardly anybody was visiting (poor Abe) but I thought it was a pretty area. If you enjoy history, it's worth checking out.

http://www.nps.gov/abli/

carolyn

Yes, the Corvette Museum is open.

MacNaughton

Our kids really enjoyed Mammoth caves. The tours are well done. One is especially for kids who get on their bellies and wriggle through tight spots. I, too, love Pleasant Hill. If you get to Lexington, do get a map and drive by the horse farms--wonderful scenery. If you are interested, there is a Talbot's outlet in downtown Lexington.
KY is filled with great places to visit. You will love it.
If you are in Asheville on a Fri. or Sat. night (only one night, not sure which) make sure you spend some time downtown listening to all sorts of musical performances, some staged and a lot of jammin'. It is all free and a real delight.

snowrooster

You've received lots of good advice so far. Personally, I would not choose the Cumberland Inn. It may be nice but it is RIGHT on the highway which wouldn't be my choice - just fyi.

Berea is nice - the inn is lovely and there is good hiking in the area. Northern KY is just across the river from Cincinnati so there are lots of museums & things to do in the area: Newport on the Levee w/restaurants, aquarium & entertainment; Union terminal in Cincinnati has multiple museums & omnimax; Cincinnati Reds Baseball. If you are traveling up North through Ohio there is also Kings Island amusement park & The Beach waterpark.

We went on a tour of a great horse farm in Kentucky - Claiborne Farms outside of Lexington - many of the top thoroughbreads were bread here. They gave us a great personalized tour - very interesting.

I live in Ohio but just adore Kentucky. It's probably the most underated state for traveling - so much to do!

Haney20

I live in western Kentucky and have traveled in most areas of our state. My favorite spots are Kentucky and Barkley lakes,get on I 24 and get off at Cadiz then travel to Barkley Lake and rent a pontoon boat. The children would love to go tubing, ask the state marina about sandy beach, have a meal at the lodge. You can also travel further up I24 and go to Kentucky Lake.I also love Fort Harrod's live drama The Legend of Daniel Boone which is not too far from Lexington and very close to Shaker Village. These are my very favorite Kentucky places to visit.

Pat_in_Mich

When we were in Kentucky about 5 years ago with kids of that age, we really enjoyed Kentucky Down Under. It's an Australian-themed animal park. There are also caverns there. The website is http://www.kdu.com/. We also liked the Louisville Slugger Museum and the Louisville Science Center, especially the climbing wall.

offlady

Thanks. I failed to mention that we also want to get some good old BBQ while in the area--between Knoxville & Asheville. Anybody know of a hole-in-the-wall place where the locals hang out?