National Travel and Tourism week has traditionally marked a time for travel and tourism professionals to celebrate the impact of their work on local economies and communities. While COVID 19 has affected every tourism partner in the 9 Lakes Region, the spirit and passion of these individuals need to be recognized. No other industry in…
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…
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…
The 9 Lakes tourism partners are recognized champions for rolling up their sleeves to protect the beauty of public lands and waterways found in East Tennessee. Working with local communities, businesses, Keep America Beautiful affiliates, and non-profits, partners take to the trails, lakes, and rivers to improve wildlife habitats and remove debris from shorelines and…
The African American history of East Tennessee is a mosaic of moments and people who lived and struggled in this area of Appalachia. Pre-Civil War, the region was home to people of color, both slaves and freedmen. After Jim Crow, segregation, Civil Rights movement, and the era of urban renewal greatly impacted the lives of…
Get out and play on New Year’s Day at one of these healthy and fun planned activities that will get you off the couch and start your year off with good health. New traditions and new resolutions are waiting: Bike: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is hosting their annual Mail Run mountain…
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…
King of the Dobro, Josh Graves will be celebrated at the annual Cherohala Skyway Festival to be held October 26 in Tellico Plains. Each year, the festival features art, food, bluegrass music, and a breathtaking backdrop of the Cherokee National Forest awash in autumn colors. The Skyway is one of the National Scenic Byways, and…
October’s brilliant autumn hues serve as the back drop for events all across the region. In Appalachian tradition, this is the time to get out and celebrate the bounty of the harvest and the beauty of the season. It is also a time of pumpkins and goblins. Plan your adventure by haunting artisan craft shows;…
The highly anticipated Ken Burns documentary, Country Music premiers Sunday, September 15 on PBS. It is often said that the musical talent came from the “hills and hollers” of Appalachia, and that those skills were honed in church choirs and on front porches. Talk to any old timer in East Tennessee, and they can tell…
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