Fall in the 9 Lakes is football time. Home to the SEC’s Tennessee Volunteers, a football weekend getaway is a great time to cheer on your favorite team and to schedule a weekend filled with your favorite activities. It is all here for you.

Where to stay? Indulge and stay at Whitestone Inn, a 600 acre estate property on the shores of Watts Bar Lake. Located 40 minutes west of Knoxville, the resort offers a range of activities including dining, spa services, kayaking, fishing, and walking trails.  Want to be closer to the stadium? Stay downtown at the Oliver Hotel, a boutique hotel located on Market Square. Wake up on Saturday to a great cup of coffee from one of the many baristas and enjoy the sights and sounds of the weekly farmer’s market. After the game, sample the variety of restaurants, theatres, and music venues that make this area a major attraction for locals and visitors alike.

Where to go? Bring your bike, kayak, and hiking shoes. The 9 Lakes is home to four National Parks and many other state and local parks. Mountain bike trails and paddling trails are located throughout the region. Norris Lake and Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness provide some amazing rides for all level of riders. Prefer to enjoy more leisurely activities. Knoxville is home to many museums including the East Tennessee History Center, which hosts exhibits throughout the year. Or consider a short drive to one of the historic communities in the region. Dandridge, located on the shores of Douglas Lake offers a self-guided walking tour of this community that was settled as early as 1783. Up for a drive? 9 Lakes is home to Nine Lakes Wine Country. Explore the vineyards and tasting rooms that dot the countryside surrounding Knoxville.

What to do? The 9 Lakes region hosts many fall events, each offering visitors a unique taste of the area’s culture, history, and heritage. The region is home to some of the most inventive and revered legends of music, ranging from Jazz to Americana and everything in between. From the swing music of the Pleasure Concert Trail to country at the Luttrell Music Festival to blues at the Louie Bluie Festival, these events are tributes to the musicians that once called the region’s communities home.

Great Adventures Begin in Great Places- use this link as a guide for planning your next getaway to the region’s 9 Lakes and 4 National Parks.