Go Classic Holiday – Find your Merry and Bright

 The 9 Lakes of East Tennessee provides an abundance of classic holiday activities for outdoor enthusiasts and family fun experiences.  With temperatures that can fluctuate between frosty mornings and warming days, the outdoors will beckon you to enjoy all that region offers.    This is the perfect time of year to find your inner child and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

Here are some ideas to celebrate the season.

December 14– Holiday Homecoming at Norris Dam State Park brings 1930’s traditions to today’s modern visitor.  Caroling is a way to wish your neighbors and friends good cheer.

December 15– See the lights at “The Cove.”  Stroll along the greenway.

December 16– Visit the downtown Cumberland Gap.  Explore antiques, artisan crafts, and “one of a kind” treasures that are found in small shops and galleries.  Be sure to have a coffee at the Gap Creek Coffeehouse.

December 17– Slow down and share lunch with friends.  Downtown Morristown boasts several “home cooking” restaurants including the ever popular Jersey Girl Diner.

December 18– Follow the Peppermint Trail in Knoxville to experience a breathtaking display of decorations and lights.

December 20-The Tennessee Theater will be hosting a full screen showing of the movie classic, White Christmas.  The beauty of the theater is the old fashioned timelessness of this grand movie house built in 1928.

December 21– Relax with coffee and books At Our Place, the “most unique store in the Smokies.”  Discover the unhurried charms of downtown Cosby.

December 22–  Visit the annual Festival of Trees at the historic courthouse in downtown Maryville to see the lights and trees.  Local businesses decorate the trees with different themes.   Free parking is available.

December 23– Indulge in outdoor family activities at the lake.   Hike miles of trails along East Lakeshore Trail at Tellico Lake. This is the perfect time of year to see migrating birds that flock to the region in the winter.  Bring binoculars as eagles can be observed fishing the waters or watch for wildlife- deer, fox, turkey- along the wooded shorelines.

December 24–   Listen to the sounds of the holidays and see the holiday light displays in Gatlinburg and the Smokies.   There is nothing more magical and festive for making memories with families.

December 25– Gather with family and friends to share the day.  Reflect on the beauty of the Season by hiking in one of the seven state parks or one of the four National Parks that are located in the 9 Lakes Region.