What is there to do in Tennessee?

[Vonderbach]

We're taking a short vacation to Tennessee (Between Chattanooga and Knoxville) next month and I was hoping I could get some suggestions of things to do while we're there. No bike, just the car, so no bike stuff unfortunately.

I'm looking for more relaxing things to do, like parks, great scenery, interesting off the beaten path things. I love quirky stores or restaurants, anything that is unusual or beautiful in terms of scenery. I want to stay away from tourist traps, amusement parks, etc.

Come on Tennesseans, spill the beans!

 

[skydivr]

TAIL OF THE DRAGON!

Drive over to the CROT and have something to eat. Drive down to Robbinsville and visit the Bash site.

Gatlinburg and the Great Smokey Mountains

 

[TIMMYDUCK]

I second The Tail of The Dragon

 

[Busa1166]

When I went I liked the ride through Sykyway more than the dragon and riding through the Smokey Mountains was a blast. Lots to do white water rafting horse back riding. But when I got their all I wanted to do all day and into the evening was ride, only stopping for food water and rest rooms I skipped out on all other activities.

 

[xchief1320]

Helen, Ga is nice, Great shops and food. Not sure how far from Chattanooga it is though.

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are cool. Tons of stuff to do there.
We went to all these when we were staying in Pigeon forge last year. All of them were within an hour and a half of us. So some of them might be 2 hours or so from Chattanooga.

Ruby Falls/look out mountain in Chattanooga,Tn
Ripleys Aquarium in Gatlinburg,Tn
Ober Gatlinburg ski resort in Gatlinburg,Tn
Harrahs Casino in Cherokee Nc.
Forbidden Caverns in Sevierville,Tn
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge,Tn

Tons of nice things to do in those areas though. Love it up there...

 

[skydivr]

Catch a meal with some .org members in the area!

 

[Fastfrog007]

I think there is a Historical train ride in or around Robbinsville. Zuk told me about it and I think Grumpy's rode it

 

[Twobrothersbusa]

Stop by anytime! PM me if you want a tour. I have been here many years, it doesn't get much better than East TN on two or four wheels.

You'll be famous on Killboy, US129, and Zee Photo going through the Dragon. You can go up to Dollywood for a Southern edition of amusement parks or even go SKYDIVING! at an indoor skydiving session up in the tourist area. (Some on this board are prone to the real thing...I don't jump out of flying airplanes!) Really, lots to keep a person busy around East TN. We have guns, cars, bikes, trains, hiking, rafting, and a whole bunch more....I love this place.

Catch a meal with some .org members in the area!

 

[Blanca BusaLess]

Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee river is a blast !
Ocoee River whitewater rafting in Tennessee with Ocoee Rafting... Ocoee River rafting at it's best.

 

[Busa1166]

When I went I liked the ride through Sykyway more than the dragon and riding through the Smokey Mountains was a blast. Lots to do white water rafting horse back riding. But when I got there all I wanted to do all day and into the evening was ride, only stopping for food water and rest rooms I skipped out on all other activities.

They have been a little sensitive around here about gramar i does thinks i fixeder right an proper now

 

[BusaBret]

Lost Sea Caverns is pretty cool. Located in Sweetwater Tn.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Vonderbach]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, much appreciated! So the tail of the dragon is fun even on 4 wheels?

I've been to Gatlinburg many times, probably go back since we have time to burn up there. That's a great suggestion.

Lots of things to consider, thanks again!

Lost Sea Caverns is pretty cool. Located in Sweetwater Tn.
Posted via Mobile Device

I heard they closed it wodn recently due to low water table. Apperently they couldn't keep it profitable. Luckily I got to see it before they closed.

 

[skydivr]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, much appreciated! So the tail of the dragon is fun even on 4 wheels?

I've been to Gatlinburg many times, probably go back since we have time to burn up there. That's a great suggestion.

Lots of things to consider, thanks again!



I heard they closed it wodn recently due to low water table. Apperently they couldn't keep it profitable. Luckily I got to see it before they closed.

The Dragon/Cherahola is fun no matter what (unless you have someone that gets carsick!). You could also take the tram at the top of Ober Gatlinburg up to the top of the mountain; it will be beautiful for the next month or so...

TwoBro - What's wrong with jumping out of a real airplane

There is a indoor wind tunnel in Pigeon Forge it's a lot of fun I've trained there a few times...

 

[Vonderbach]

I actually did that tunnel at Pidgeon Forge when I was younger. I want to do the real thing....still trying to work off some lbs though.

 

[skydivr]

There's plenty of good dropzones in FL!

somewhere around 240 is most tandem master's limit...anything bigger is hard to control.

 

[Vonderbach]

I'm not going tandem, I'm going accelerated freefal training! I got it all figured out. I don't know if they have that class in your center, but it's a day long course that allows you to make your first jump with an instructor attached until chute deployment, then you actually ride down on your own.

And I'm still a bit above the 240 mark...unfortunately.

 

[skydivr]

Of course I know what AFF is ; it's one of the 3 popular training methods (AFF, IAF, Static Line). I'm a static line "I" (Instructor)

Then the weight limit comes to what the max weight the parachute can handle, the bigger the parachute, the larger the max weight limit. I still woudn't try it above 250 as you will fall out of the sky like a lead brick and few instructors will be able to keep up with any control ability.

 

[Vonderbach]

Ahaha, well, I might hit the speed of sound on the way down!

What's static line? Is that like military where the chute is pulled by a cable?

 

[skydivr]

Ahaha, well, I might hit the speed of sound on the way down!

What's static line? Is that like military where the chute is pulled by a cable?

Exactly. To make is simple: The pin that holds your main in is connected to the airplane. When you fall away, the pin is pulled out and out comes your parachute. So no matter what, if you freeze/freak out/pass out etc. the parachute is GONNA COME OUT. In AFF, if YOU don't pull, the the Jumpmasters holding onto you ARE.

 

[skydivr]

Ahaha, well, I might hit the speed of sound on the way down!

What's static line? Is that like military where the chute is pulled by a cable?

Exactly. To make is simple: The pin that holds your main in is connected to the airplane. When you fall away, the pin is pulled out and out comes your parachute. So no matter what, if you freeze/freak out/pass out etc. the parachute is GONNA COME OUT. In AFF, if YOU don't pull, the the Jumpmasters holding onto you ARE.

Sometimes its not just the pin, it's the entire bag (freebag) that the parachute is held in that is connected to the static line...