Ideal Living - Winter 2010

Route #4—The Tennessee Mountains from Knoxville to Nashville
Knoxville

Knoxville, 30 miles north of the Great Smoky Mountain park, is often called the gateway to the Smokies. It is a city filled with great restaurants and shopping. After wandering around town, take a leisurely cruise down the Tennessee River on the Star of Knoxville riverboat. Since Knoxville is a hub of old-time bluegrass and country music, spend an evening enjoying this regional entertainment.

Five of the “Great Lakes of the South” are also within 30 miles of the city. The massiveness of these seven lakes and the many connecting rivers provide unlimited water sports and recreation. Just 20 miles west of Knoxville is the village of Oak Ridge, which was chosen as the site of modern history’s most closely guarded secret—the Manhattan Project. It is the place where the first atom bombs were conceived and built during World War II.

After enjoying what Knoxville has to offer, leave the city on Interstate 40, but veer off to the south just below Lebanon onto Highway 70 to Crossville.

of the best golf courses in the South, with an amazing twelve courses in the area.

After visiting Crossville, drive onto Highway 392 in a southerly direction through the lake country to Highway 68 toward Madisonville, where you pick up Highway 411 into Nashville.

Prior to coming to Nashville, a little detour can take you into the Great Smoky Mountain Park.

Crossville

Crossville is a city filled with southern charm that has a small-town atmosphere and is surrounded by beautiful country scenery. For such a small city, Crossville has some

Nashville

Nashville is famous for being the world capital of country-and-western music. One sight to see there is the historic Ryman Auditorium, called the “Mother Church of Country Music.” Next, walk among some of America’s musical legends at the Country Music Hall of Fame. If you do nothing else, don’t miss a visit to the Grand Ole Opry for a world-class country music extravaganza. If country music isn’t your thing, Nashville is a paradise for history buffs offering one of the nation’s oldest state capitols, many antebellum homes and walking trails through historical battlefields. Thrill seekers also go by the thousands to the Nashville Superspeedway races. For aficionados of another kind, don’t miss a visit to the Jack Daniel facility, the nation’s oldest distillery with personally guided tours.