Life in East Tennessee
Treasured by locals and guests alike, East Tennessee has it all – fun, adventure, culture, and heritage. Take any path and you’ll end up someplace memorable. The Cherokee National Forest, Appalachian Trail, and the Great Smoky Mountains are just a few of the amazing natural wonders the region boasts. Life here is full of natural beauty, rich history and heritage, and exciting sports and recreation.
Attractions
East Tennessee’s best-known attractions are the natural wonders that await you on every river, road, or mountain trail. Bears, deer, elk, and even eagles make nature come alive. At Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, you can walk through a tunnel of sharks, reach into a stingray pool, or watch pandas play. Once you’ve explored waterfalls, caverns, and wildlife refuges, you can make new friends at Dollywood, Wonderworks, the Titanic Museum, and other world-famous attractions.
Dollywood & Gatlinburg
Dollywood is more than a world-class theme park. It’s a total getaway for families looking to reconnect with each other in the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
The Great Outdoors
Visitors from around the world thrill to awe-inspiring natural beauty. There are canyons to visit, vivid wildflower gardens, and cold, clear plunge pools to enjoy. Award-winning state parks and natural areas, the Appalachian Trail, and the rich heritage of the beloved Smoky Mountains make for a worthwhile visit.
The Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains rise in places as much as a mile above sea level along the Tennessee–North Carolina border in the southeastern U.S. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is by far the most visited of all U.S. national parks.
History and Heritage
A fertile and rugged land produced bold men and women unafraid to change the world. Wilderness roads became interstates, pioneers became statesmen and Tennessee’s past gave richness to its present. Ancient cultures and larger-than-life heroes, architectural gems and scientific advancements, and bloody battles are all part of the complex story of Tennessee.
A Rich History
East Tennessee is a great place to immerse yourself in historical drama as you travel the Civil War Trails through small towns and at Shiloh, Chattanooga, and other historic battlefields.
Sports and Recreation
Biking, hiking or climbing up hillsides and down mountains, and paddling through rivers and lakes make East Tennessee a great place for outdoor recreation.
Volunteers Football
The University of Tennessee boasts one of the nation’s top athletic programs – striving to develop student-athletes who graduate, compete for championships, and conduct themselves in a way that honors the Volunteer spirit.