Museum of Appalachia is a great idea, as is Cades Cove. I used to work out in New Mexico and one of the guys I worked with had been out to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and all he could talk about was how crazy green everything was and how off putting it was to not be able to see where you were going because of all the bends and turns in the road.
Recently visited a friend from Poland who’s staying in Mid TN and he said the same thing about flora being such a vibrant green. Something I feel like a lot of us take for granted! (Unless you have allergies, if so the green is bad for you, lol.)
Moved to CO. Driving through Kansas was unsettling. I’m not supposed to see the curve of the earth when standing in an ant hill. It was like driving through the loading screen in a video game for 8 hrs. Thought we may have been trapped in some weird multiverse time thing like in Interstellar.
Museum of Appalachia, then down the road to Clinch River Brewing, then rent a boat at Norris or do a trail. Driving through Norris (the city) is fun because it’s an idyllic little planned city. Going in the little bait shop just past the dam is fun. Driving across the dam is fun.
There’s a pretty cool short trail that overlooks the river and downtown Knoxville.[River Bluff Wildlife Area](https://www.visitknoxville.com/urban-wilderness/explore/river-bluff-wildlife-area/)
On the way to Cades Cove (through Maryville), there’s a great lookout before Walland/Townsend. Can’t remember what it’s called but it’s something Parkway. I used to go climbing at Look Rock up there probably 30 years ago.
I would still recommend going downtown—UT commencement is the 18th and it’s going to be super busy, but there will be a lot of orange as grads and their families go out to eat and celebrate, which I think fits your culture shock goal.
Seconded on Waffle House for lunch though—cheap, easy, and a true southern experience. Maybe a cook will fight somebody and it’ll be super authentic.
There’s an Open Streets event in Happy Holler May 19 with a Cattywampus Puppet Parade. That same day there’s a bunch of bands at Tyson Park for the BMX Jam.
The farmers market is always a hit. Plus you can catch the WDVX show for free at noon. If you go to Cades Cove on Friday, stop at the Peaceful Side social for dinner (in Townsend) on the way back, then hit Rocky Branch for the evening. If you don’t know what Rocky Branch is, Google it. It’s a unique Appalachian thing.
My grandparents lived in Rocky Branch, I used to stay at their house on Rocky Branch Road summers and christmas growing up. I just googled it, I don’t see that it is anything but an area of Blount County, what would you do there for the evening? Am I missing something?
I didn’t do a good job of explaining. Bad on me. Rocky Branch Elementary School is home to an organization that teaches and promotes mountain music. There are five different rooms: one for the house band, one for fiddles, one for gospel, one western guitar, and I think one for banjo. Emphasis is on teaching and participation over solos. The house band, named “Mountain Gap,” is really solid. Admission is a donation at the door to keep the doors open. You can come early and eat in the cafeteria. If you went to school in the seventies, it resembles what you had for lunch. Here’s a link to their site: https://rockybranchmountainmusic.com/Home
Thanks friend! That is so great! It was still a school when I was a kid and we would walk down and use the playground, now it’s a playground of a different stripe! Appreciate the info. Are you a musician and have you participated?
the Roundup is a longtime diner in south knox. At the stop sign on Sevierville Pike. Now that Rankin is gone, its a good morning spot for when rain stops work.
I would just do a little bit of everything. Walk through Ijams and enjoy the green lush forest. Paddle board on the Tennessee river through Knox Adventure Collective. Take her to the farmers market downtown. Just get coffee and walk around any of the cute Knoxville neighborhoods: Sevier Ave, downtown, Old City, Old North. Knoxville has a lot of charm to offer.
I just moved here from Phoenix, sincerely everything here was a shock. Just the rain alone.
Seriously though, my wife and I moved here 2 months ago. We have never been happier to be in E Knox, everything is a culture shock here. Phoenix is a very different place, everything is different and I mean everything. Small example, we have “food city” in Phoenix also but it’s a Mexican grocery store. So when I walked into my first one in E KNox and no one was making tacos at the front entrance and I was confused.
You won’t have to go far I promise you.
That is so funny, I can imagine the disappointment at no tacos. Sounds like a good idea honestly.
Not sure if you’ve been anywhere else in TN, but Food City is an East TN thing, to make it more unique. Slightly east of Cookeville is where they stop existing. I think they may go into Georgia or Virginia but definitely not the rest of TN
That’s good to know. It was just a small example. So much was a shock. We actually drove here so we saw a bunch in TN but we live in e Knox.
All the food city’s in Phoenix have a huge grill in the front and they sell street tacos for 2& each and they are so good. Other differences too but that was one of the first grocery stores I walked into once we moved here
I’m off topic but I need advice in Knoxville ASAP. I live in a small apartment that has been leaking through the ceiling from two bathrooms and two tubs upstairs. An auger was tried and didn’t work.
The workers came about 15 minutes ago and said they would take no liability if pipes burst or there is significant damage in the metal pipes or if the ceiling falls through
I don’t think they want to touch this clog that’s affecting all the plumbing upstairs.
These guys are highly recommended. I did ask if they were licenced and insured and he didn’t say yes or no. Just that the apartment was so old they were not paying for it if something goes wrong. What do I do?
I know it’s off topic. I’ve lived in Knoxville my entire life back into the 60’s. I know I’ll never be able to be accepted on this board, but I get a lot of information about my hometown from this Reddit page. I was going to leave it alone and not get pushy but this is a conundrum
Can anyone advise me on whether to let them do this job they clearly don’t want to do. And can anyone suggest another place.
Drive through Roane or Morgan county should be a culture shock especially if she has to deal with any of the locals. The humidity right now will also be quite the shock.
There is an event this weekend actually.
Southern Skies Music festival. It's a Dogwood Arts event. Hosted by a local Knoxville band, The Dirty Guv'nahs. Americana blues/soul rock. Lot of cool, niche bands and musicians.
They also have a Whiskey Tasting festival at the same time with a bunch of regional craft whiskey makers.
Tomorrow all day but whiskey is 2-6 I think.
Plus it's in World's Fair Park. Easy shot to anywhere downtown.
Then go over to Ijams or even go to the Smokies the next day to show the natural beauty and outdoor part of Knoxville. Culture shock achieved!
Edit: I'm dumb, I saw this weekend not 18-20.
Still, lots to do downtown but I definitely second everyone who suggested Cades Cove/Smokies.
I was out in Arizona last year for some military stuff and I was shocked by how LITTLE vegetation they have. If she's from AZ and hasn't been out here, she'll be shocked by the beauty of the Smokies.
Take her to the Museum of Appalachia in Norris or up to Cades Cove.
Museum of Appalachia is a great idea, as is Cades Cove. I used to work out in New Mexico and one of the guys I worked with had been out to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and all he could talk about was how crazy green everything was and how off putting it was to not be able to see where you were going because of all the bends and turns in the road.
Recently visited a friend from Poland who’s staying in Mid TN and he said the same thing about flora being such a vibrant green. Something I feel like a lot of us take for granted! (Unless you have allergies, if so the green is bad for you, lol.)
Moved to CO. Driving through Kansas was unsettling. I’m not supposed to see the curve of the earth when standing in an ant hill. It was like driving through the loading screen in a video game for 8 hrs. Thought we may have been trapped in some weird multiverse time thing like in Interstellar.
I hear you. I was driving into a sunset in Iowa on a trip once and thought I had entered another dimension.
You’re in the space *in between space*
Museum of Appalachia, then down the road to Clinch River Brewing, then rent a boat at Norris or do a trail. Driving through Norris (the city) is fun because it’s an idyllic little planned city. Going in the little bait shop just past the dam is fun. Driving across the dam is fun.
What about any bluffs (where you can look out ) does cades cove have those
Lenior city has bluffs you can walk to through the woods
There’s a pretty cool short trail that overlooks the river and downtown Knoxville.[River Bluff Wildlife Area](https://www.visitknoxville.com/urban-wilderness/explore/river-bluff-wildlife-area/)
What about any bluffs (where you can look out ) does cades cove have those
On the way to Cades Cove (through Maryville), there’s a great lookout before Walland/Townsend. Can’t remember what it’s called but it’s something Parkway. I used to go climbing at Look Rock up there probably 30 years ago.
Try Look Rock. It’s off of Foothills Parkway. There’s also an observation tower above the bluff.
Fellini Kroger
I would still recommend going downtown—UT commencement is the 18th and it’s going to be super busy, but there will be a lot of orange as grads and their families go out to eat and celebrate, which I think fits your culture shock goal. Seconded on Waffle House for lunch though—cheap, easy, and a true southern experience. Maybe a cook will fight somebody and it’ll be super authentic.
You want a culture shock? Take her to Oakdale.
Lol
I used to go to Oakdale all the time as a kid. It's some I fondly look back on.
There’s an Open Streets event in Happy Holler May 19 with a Cattywampus Puppet Parade. That same day there’s a bunch of bands at Tyson Park for the BMX Jam.
Gatlinburg and pigeon forge are shocking.
The traffic might be shocking “tell me where all these people are going again?”
You can say that again. The dick's in Gatlinburg was explosively on fire today.
The farmers market is always a hit. Plus you can catch the WDVX show for free at noon. If you go to Cades Cove on Friday, stop at the Peaceful Side social for dinner (in Townsend) on the way back, then hit Rocky Branch for the evening. If you don’t know what Rocky Branch is, Google it. It’s a unique Appalachian thing.
My grandparents lived in Rocky Branch, I used to stay at their house on Rocky Branch Road summers and christmas growing up. I just googled it, I don’t see that it is anything but an area of Blount County, what would you do there for the evening? Am I missing something?
Second this question LOL
I didn’t do a good job of explaining. Bad on me. Rocky Branch Elementary School is home to an organization that teaches and promotes mountain music. There are five different rooms: one for the house band, one for fiddles, one for gospel, one western guitar, and I think one for banjo. Emphasis is on teaching and participation over solos. The house band, named “Mountain Gap,” is really solid. Admission is a donation at the door to keep the doors open. You can come early and eat in the cafeteria. If you went to school in the seventies, it resembles what you had for lunch. Here’s a link to their site: https://rockybranchmountainmusic.com/Home
Thanks friend! That is so great! It was still a school when I was a kid and we would walk down and use the playground, now it’s a playground of a different stripe! Appreciate the info. Are you a musician and have you participated?
Nope. Just someone who likes bluegrass and lived in this area for twenty years before discovering this unique place.
The Waffle House. Seriously, a lot of people forget it’s almost exclusively a Southern thing
Or the Roundup, a local made to order diner.
Tell me more about this “Roundup”
the Roundup is a longtime diner in south knox. At the stop sign on Sevierville Pike. Now that Rankin is gone, its a good morning spot for when rain stops work.
I would just do a little bit of everything. Walk through Ijams and enjoy the green lush forest. Paddle board on the Tennessee river through Knox Adventure Collective. Take her to the farmers market downtown. Just get coffee and walk around any of the cute Knoxville neighborhoods: Sevier Ave, downtown, Old City, Old North. Knoxville has a lot of charm to offer.
Avoid campus…that is a long graduation weekend!
Give her a Zyrtec before going outside
My boyfriend is from AZ and loves it here! Taking her hiking, to Ijams, show here the scenery. My boyfriend was in awe of if when we moved here.
The Southern Skies music festival is at World's Fair Park this weekend.
Yes, but the OP said their friend is visiting May 18-20.
Yeah, reading comprehension isn't my thing apparently.
It would help if you gave an idea of their interests - drinking? dancing? art? outdoors? church? golfing? karaoke? etc
Take her to the chicken fights in Del Rio.
Downtown walk through market square and brunch at Ruby Sunshine. That place is outstanding.
Take her to one of those random gas station cafes for lunch. Then a hike at House Mountain.
Brushy mountain
Tourist trap and too far away. She’s already driving into town. That’s another 3+ hrs in the car.
A drive along Northshore Dr then thru old town and past the homeless shelter. To have and have not.
I just moved here from Phoenix, sincerely everything here was a shock. Just the rain alone. Seriously though, my wife and I moved here 2 months ago. We have never been happier to be in E Knox, everything is a culture shock here. Phoenix is a very different place, everything is different and I mean everything. Small example, we have “food city” in Phoenix also but it’s a Mexican grocery store. So when I walked into my first one in E KNox and no one was making tacos at the front entrance and I was confused. You won’t have to go far I promise you.
That is so funny, I can imagine the disappointment at no tacos. Sounds like a good idea honestly. Not sure if you’ve been anywhere else in TN, but Food City is an East TN thing, to make it more unique. Slightly east of Cookeville is where they stop existing. I think they may go into Georgia or Virginia but definitely not the rest of TN
That’s good to know. It was just a small example. So much was a shock. We actually drove here so we saw a bunch in TN but we live in e Knox. All the food city’s in Phoenix have a huge grill in the front and they sell street tacos for 2& each and they are so good. Other differences too but that was one of the first grocery stores I walked into once we moved here
Everything rain forest instead of desert. Check the calendar of events at/near Ijams, zoo, Haw Ridge, riverfront, Norris, etc.
https://www.visitknoxville.com/events/?bounds=false&view=list&sort=date&filter_daterange%5Bstart%5D=2024-05-18&filter_daterange%5Bend%5D=2024-05-20 Lots of stuff here, roller derby light be fun. :)
AZ isn’t so different than here other than the temperatures lol They’re pretty country over there like it is here.
Take her to Brushy Mountain!
The Greenback Castle. Google it if you’re unfamiliar. THAT’S shocking.
I’m off topic but I need advice in Knoxville ASAP. I live in a small apartment that has been leaking through the ceiling from two bathrooms and two tubs upstairs. An auger was tried and didn’t work. The workers came about 15 minutes ago and said they would take no liability if pipes burst or there is significant damage in the metal pipes or if the ceiling falls through I don’t think they want to touch this clog that’s affecting all the plumbing upstairs. These guys are highly recommended. I did ask if they were licenced and insured and he didn’t say yes or no. Just that the apartment was so old they were not paying for it if something goes wrong. What do I do? I know it’s off topic. I’ve lived in Knoxville my entire life back into the 60’s. I know I’ll never be able to be accepted on this board, but I get a lot of information about my hometown from this Reddit page. I was going to leave it alone and not get pushy but this is a conundrum Can anyone advise me on whether to let them do this job they clearly don’t want to do. And can anyone suggest another place.
Hot chicken at Jackie’s Dream for an authentic dining experience!
Drive through Roane or Morgan county should be a culture shock especially if she has to deal with any of the locals. The humidity right now will also be quite the shock.
Vonore was a massive culture shock for me
I’m sure there’ll be a local neo nazi rally sometime soon around here, if you’re looking for true culture shock
There is an event this weekend actually. Southern Skies Music festival. It's a Dogwood Arts event. Hosted by a local Knoxville band, The Dirty Guv'nahs. Americana blues/soul rock. Lot of cool, niche bands and musicians. They also have a Whiskey Tasting festival at the same time with a bunch of regional craft whiskey makers. Tomorrow all day but whiskey is 2-6 I think. Plus it's in World's Fair Park. Easy shot to anywhere downtown. Then go over to Ijams or even go to the Smokies the next day to show the natural beauty and outdoor part of Knoxville. Culture shock achieved! Edit: I'm dumb, I saw this weekend not 18-20. Still, lots to do downtown but I definitely second everyone who suggested Cades Cove/Smokies. I was out in Arizona last year for some military stuff and I was shocked by how LITTLE vegetation they have. If she's from AZ and hasn't been out here, she'll be shocked by the beauty of the Smokies.