knoxville 2008

[ahpd1992]

I know this is early but, after extolling how great the roads are in the east tennessee/nc area my riding buddies have challenged me to throw ndown and plan a trip for them. Ive been to the area twice but never found the ideal place to stay for the night. Let me explain what Im looking for and maybe the members here can help. My friends and I will ride all day 100-200 miles and will be looking to park the bikes for the night. We need a central place that has amenities within walking/cab distance. By amenities I mean decent restraunts, and a bar district preferrably with live music.

So Im thinking since the University of Tennessee's main campus is in Knoxville this might be the perfect spot. I cant seem to find where the "strip" is located. I need some help, anybody out there familiar with the area?

Tom

[pkpr1998]

You're best bet would be to stay in West Knoxville around Cedar Bluff Avenue.

You would be right there at 140 which will take you to the mountains (129/321).

There are several restaurants that have bars (on the road they used to call Trucker's Alley) if that is what you are in to

[dshealey]

You're best bet would be to stay in West Knoxville around Cedar Bluff Avenue.

You would be right there at 140 which will take you to the mountains (129/321).

There are several restaurants that have bars (on the road they used to call Trucker's Alley) if that is what you are in to

Yes, Cedar Bluff on the South side of the freeway is pretty populated with good places to eat. I don't know about the bars though. If you like BBQ, I recommend "Famous Daves". The best here that I know of. The Mexican restaurant across the street is also very good. Surprised me, moving here from San Diego I thought good Mexican was out of the question. My daughter now lives off Cedar Bluff on the north side of the freeway.

Of course you could go about 40 miles east and stay around the Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge/ Sevierville area, That is as about close to the mountains as you can get.

[pkpr1998]

Dave, I agree, they can stay in Gatlinburg where you can walk everywhere and be right there at the mountain.

Only thing about Gatlinburg is that are so many people and I feel as if Gatlinburg is turning into a carnival-type atmosphere!

Not too far from you there in Dandridge is Newport (Tennessee) but there is no night-life there, not much life period!

If they can forgo the bars they can always stay in the mountains and forget the cities!

[dadler]

Of course, with Brett there, it's always a circus atmosphere!!!!!!

When he brings his wife, it's only a carnival!!!!

David Adler
Aurora, IL

[dshealey]

Dave, I agree, they can stay in Gatlinburg where you can walk everywhere and be right there at the mountain.

Only thing about Gatlinburg is that are so many people and I feel as if Gatlinburg is turning into a carnival-type atmosphere!

Not too far from you there in Dandridge is Newport (Tennessee) but there is no night-life there, not much life period!

If they can forgo the bars they can always stay in the mountains and forget the cities!

I agree, the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is CROWDED during tourist season, but just about everything one would want is there.

The only thing Newport has going for it is that it is a "Wet" county, where Jefferson County, where I live, is pretty Dry, no bars. Other than that, Newport is little more than a freeway exit. ;) The only reason I go to Newport is that is the closest Lowe's and Wal-Mart.:) or is that :(

[mpillis]

I really like staying in Townsend because it has some restaurants and is close to Foothills parkway and not too far from Dragon. But no nightlife I know of

[ahpd1992]

Im not from Knoxville, so I dont know any better. Is there a strip or street where the college kids hang out. Yes Im looking for nightlife/live music and such. I will check out Cedar Bluff, but I still cant find anything about the college area. Maybe thats not the place to go, thats why Im asking. As far as the Gatlinberg\Pigeon forge area, been there, not my thing really, but I will run it by the group.

I heard of an area called Old Town or something has anyone heard of this area?

Im not finding a lot of information on the web about Knoxville

Tom

[pkpr1998]

Tom, there is THE strip called Cumberland Avenue; that is where all of the rowdies hang out especially during the TENNESSEE VOLS football games. There are a LOT of people that hang out there on the strip.

I don't know of any places that I would stay that is right there at the strip; you could stay at the Hilton which is downtown and not far at all from the strip. It is only about a mile or so from the strip.

You could also stay off of Merchants Drive on I-75 and this exit is about 3 miles from the strip. There are plenty of restaurants at this exits but not too sure of the libation stations!

I would NOT want to park my bike on the strip.

[ahpd1992]

PkPr1998 you addressed exactly what I was looking for. I agree Im not gonna park bikes on the strip, I will search for a hotel nearby, the Hilton sounds good if its not too $$$. The boys will be grateful to this forum. I will keep everyone posted its a long ways off, but Im planning for about 8 riders so I figure Il get the preliminary stuff out of the way.

Tom

[dshealey]

Im not from Knoxville, so I dont know any better. Is there a strip or street where the college kids hang out. Yes Im looking for nightlife/live music and such. I will check out Cedar Bluff, but I still cant find anything about the college area. Maybe thats not the place to go, thats why Im asking. As far as the Gatlinberg\Pigeon forge area, been there, not my thing really, but I will run it by the group.

I heard of an area called Old Town or something has anyone heard of this area?

Im not finding a lot of information on the web about Knoxville

Tom

I moved to Dandridge about 4 months ago, have been to the Knoxville area several times, but don't know much about it yet. The university is right downtown, and there is at least one street with a lot of restaurants etc. on it in the near vicinity. My daughter had a baby in the hospital close by, and my wife and I walked down the street to get something to eat. It would probably be a VERY active area during school times.