history, things to do, travel planning
November is National Native American Heritage Month
As the crisp air of November settles in, we find ourselves at the crossroads of autumn and winter, eagerly anticipating the warmth of the holiday season. November is a month of gathering and gratitude—a time when many of us start to plan for festivities, reconnecting with loved ones, and taking part in traditions that bring
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downtowns, Getaways, history
Explore the Richness of East Tennessee’s Historic Towns
Knoxville is the heart of the 9 Lakes Region and the perfect hub for historical adventures. Whether you prefer to tough it out at campgrounds or find quaint inns to lay your head at night, there is something for everyone in this Appalachian Mountain region. Not sure where to start? Every lake is surrounded by
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9 Lakes, dining, downtowns, history, moonshine, National Parks
Newport, TN – A Smoky Mountain Culinary Legacy and Adventure
Adventure abounds in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Wild rivers, majestic mountains and dense forests lure millions of people to the region each year. One often overlooked gateway community to the Smoky Mountains is Newport, a town steeped in an culinary history that transcends time and the imagination. Moonshine, the moon pie, canned
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9 Lakes, downtowns, history, Trails
Wartburg’s Tanner Historic Building and Café to Re-Open on April 22
In the spring of 2015, a small group of citizens took on a project to secure and renovate a historic building on the main square of downtown Wartburg. The challenges would have deterred many, but not this group! Countless small rural county downtowns are blighted with dilapidated vacant buildings, and county budgets that don’t extend
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9 Lakes, driving trails, Getaways, history, motorcycles, National Parks, Trails
Three New National Scenic Byways to Discover
On January 19, 2021, the US Department of Transportation announced that three roads in the 9 Lakes Region have been designated as National Scenic Byways. Many travelers are already familiar with Newfound Gap Road through the Smokies and the Norris Freeway in Anderson County. The third and much lesser known route to discover is the
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9 Lakes, history
February is Black History Month
The history of East Tennessee is a mosaic of moments and people who lived and struggled in this area of Appalachia. The ever changing industries in the 9 Lakes Region has been dependent on the laborers who came either by free- will or by the will of their owner. Pre-Civil War, the region was home
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9 Lakes, Area Events, history, moonshine
Taste of Local Lore: Whiskey and East Tennessee
There is no doubt that Tennessee has a love/ hate relationship with its heritage and lore of whiskey making. Moonshining is a revered craft in the Appalachian hills of 9 Lakes counties that have been historically “dry” until this last decade. The long struggle between revenuers and illegal distilleries has created legendary tales that define
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9 Lakes, Cultural Influences, history
Cornbread- A Southern Food Legacy of Native Americans
November is Native American Heritage Month. In the Tennessee River Valley, the influences of Native People are everywhere, from the names of the rivers and towns to the complex political and social history of the region. When white adventurers began their explorations as early as 1540, the Native Americans shared food with these early explorers,
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9 Lakes, history, Lakes
An Ode to Dreamers and Planners
The COVID 19 pandemic has altered the normal busy spring schedule in the 9 Lakes region. State governments have implored us to stay apart to stay safe. Campgrounds have closed and spring events have been cancelled or rescheduled. What is not closed is the opportunity to dream and plan. The 9 Lakes region shares a
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9 Lakes, Cultural Influences, history, Lakes, National Parks, Outdoors, Trails
Did You Know? Fun Facts from the 9 Lakes
We love getting out and talking to people about the history of the 9 Lakes. The region was shaped by its mountains and rivers, and by the people who settled this slice of Appalachia. Daniel Boone explored this part of Tennessee to scout land for settlements. As early as the 1840’s, speculators were buying large
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