Where to spend a weekend in driving distance from Knoxville?
 

Hi all. DH and I are flying from the west coast to visit our son in Knoxville. We would like to spend a weekend away (all 3 of us) not far from Knoxville, and I'd love some suggestions. We have been to Asheville, and were going to try Nashville, but the CMA Festival is taking place on our weekend and I'm finding the city pretty well booked.

We are open to anything. What are your recommendations?

Many thanks.

Chattanooga is about 2 hours away; Civil War sites, longest pedestrian bridge over the Tennessee River, great freshwater (rivers) aquarium and really cool riverside area with a fantastic (and long) RiverWalk--parks and trails and such for miles; lake sports, mountain hikes. I grew up there but have lived in Texas for over 30 years, but I still am proud of my native city and think it's got lots to see. Rock City and Ruby Falls are "old" tourist draws--I haven't been to either in a long time.

Blackberry Farm.

Chattanooga is a good suggestion too.

Cloudland Canyon state park in a cabin if you like to hike.

Chattanooga good. How about Cashiers area if you want beautiful scenery? Brasstown? Boone/Blowing Rock, NC.

I think Chattanooga is great advice. There is plenty to do and many good restaurants. Top notch aquarium! That is what I would recommend.
Boone/Blowing Rock is another suggestion if you don't want to return to Asheville. There is not quite as much to do unless you all love hiking and exploring nature.
Abingdon, Virginia is close and has The Virginia Creeper Trail, Barter Theater and The Martha Washington Inn (which has a pretty good spa) along with some good restaurants and antique shopping.

We spent 3+ days in Memphis and 4 days in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

having lived 6 years in Chattanooga, I would enthusiastically recommend. Aquarium is top notch, local Double A baseball team (great stadium), Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Lookout Mtn all are great attractions. Lots of great restaurants in town.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll let you know where we choose.

Go to Lynchburg (about 90 min south of Nashville) and do Jack Daniels brewery tour. Lots to see and do for a day on your way to Chattanooga.

Go to Kentucky and do a bourbon tasting tour (boy, I sound like an alcoholic (hiccup!). Check out Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace and others.

If you go to Chattanooga, consider staying here -
http://stayatchanticleer.com/

JD doesn't have a brewery, it has a distillery.

I'd go to Kentucky for the Bourbon Trail or Chattanooga to see the Lookouts. That's one of the best minor league caps too.

Should I be looking to stay in downtown Chattanooga or some other area? Any specific recommendations? (starrs, the Chanticleer's 2 queen rooms are already booked. Looks lovely, though.)

There are several new(er) hotels in downtown Chatt that are nice. I like being up on the mountain with a view. The Bluff Art district is very nice and here's one option -
http://www.bluffviewartdistrict.com/...php?pageId=142

Otherwise, pick a hotel near the aquarium, etc.

Wait. You need a room with 2 double beds? If so, you'll probably need a hotel in the valley.

Yes, we are looking for 1 room for the 3 of us. I'm totally unfamiliar with this area. What do you mean by "the valley?"

Chatt is in the valley. The two places I recommended are on the mountain overlooking the city.

Another option not far away is Cloudland Canyon State Park if the have a cabin available. It has good hiking. It's in GA but still on Lookout Mountain.

Thanks for all the info.

Do you have any advice regarding whether we should stay downtown close to the river (Hampton Inn) or on the South side of the city (The Chattanoogan)? Is one location better than another? I have looked at both hotels on Tripadvisor.

Thanks.