The Welcome Reception will be held at the Gateway Regional Visitors Center, just a short walk from the Knoxville Marriott. The Visitors Center serves as a gateway to the Southern Highlands and showcases the uniqueness of the region as a place “Where Nature and Technology Meet.” Information is shared through exhibits that feature the natural, cultural, historical, and technological assets of a 100-mile radius from Knoxville, Tennessee. The Gateway Regional Visitors Center offers a great introduction to the greater Knoxville area.
THE MUSEUM OF APPALACHIA
Thursday, September 18
Congress attendees and their guests will travel by motor coach to The Museum of Appalachia on Thursday evening, September 18, and enjoy an evening of social activity and a dinner featuring local cuisine.
The museum is approximately 16 miles north of Knoxville. This East Tennessee attraction was once described in the official Tennessee Blue Book as “the most authentic and complete replica of pioneer Appalachian life in the world.” Founded and curated by Tennessean John Rice Irwin, the open-air museum contains over 250,000 pioneer relics including 30 log structures – a chapel, a schoolhouse, cabins and barns – each with its own story often retold on handwritten notes attached to the artifact. You might even hear the sounds of a fiddler from a nearby porch or see a woodcarver on a nearby stump. There is plenty of room for children to roam while adults reflect on the life and times of East Tennessee’s early mountain folk (circa 1700 and later).
All tours must be paid for in advance. A list will be kept of those who purchased tickets. Tour participants will be checked against the list. For security purposes, tour name badges will be issued and you will be required to wear your name badge at all times. Buses will leave promptly at the designated times. Space is limited on all tours; please register early. All buses depart from and return to the Knoxville Marriott Hotel.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Shopping in Pigeon Forge
Enjoy a fun-filled day of shopping at the abundant outlets in Pigeon Forge! From Belz Factory Outlet Mall to Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Mall, you will be able to find all the shops and bargains you could dream of. Coupons and a full listing of the hundreds of stores in the outlets to be visited will be provided. Please wear comfortable shoes. The bus will depart at 9:30 am and return at approximately 4:30 pm. Cost: $25 per person
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
The Lost Sea
The Lost Sea is America’s largest underground lake located in Craighead Caverns, Sweetwater, TN. While taking a guided tour of the caverns, you will learn of their exciting and colorful history and of the fascinating geological developments of the immense cavern rooms and rare formations. Don’t forget to bring a light jacket (the cave is a constant 58 degrees), sturdy shoes (this is an underground hike), and a good appetite (snacks on the bus and a late lunch at the Cavern Kitchen). The bus will depart at 10:30 a.m. and return at approximately 4:30 pm
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
The Knoxville Zoo
The Knoxville Zoo has it all, from Black Bear Falls, to the Central American Aviary, Chimp Ridge, the Pridelands and the African Plains. You can even get up close and personal to animals in the Kid’s Zoo, where you can pet, feed, and even brush some very interesting and friendly animals. Enjoy lunch in a special reserved area of the zoo while Zoo staff members present an animal demonstration. The bus will depart at 8:00 am and return at approximately 3:00 p.m. Cost: $21 per person
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Option #1: Gatlinburg & Ripley’s Aquarium
Discover Gatlinburg, Ripley’s Aquarium, and other sites of your own choosing. Gatlinburg, a community nestled in the heart of the Smokies, is a tourist’s delight! Like to shop? Interesting specialty stores, galleries, and arts and crafts shops provide a unique shopping experience. Tired? Sit down and enjoy people watching from the many park benches along the Parkway and river. Hungry? There are many restaurants offering hundreds of food choices and atmosphere from fast food to sedate and cozy beckon. Tourist attractions abound, and included in your tour is Ripley’s Aquarium, a spectacular 1.4 million gallon state-of-the-art aquarium, which not only features 10-foot sharks, but over 8,000 other sea creatures from around the world. You can experience piranhas in the Tropical Rain Forest, discover beautiful fish in the Coral Reef, cruise through the world’s longest aquarium tunnel beneath the Shark Lagoon, pick up a horseshoe crab in the Discovery Center, come face-to-face with a giant octopus in the Gallery of the Seas, or touch a sea ray in Touch-A-Ray Bay. Meals are on your own. This is a long day with lots to do, wear comfortable shoes. The bus departs at 10:00 a.m. and returns at approximately 9:00 pm. Cost: $30 per person.
Option #2: Appalachian Hike
Abram’s Falls Hike
Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest wilderness area remaining in the eastern United States. The hike to Abram’s Falls is rated as easy to moderate, ideal for families or beginners. During the 5-mile round trip hike through the woods, you will climb to approximately 1,800 feet at one point, but when you arrive at the falls you are actually 300 feet lower than when you started. The mist created by the plunge of the falls creates a natural air conditioner, and the pool is a wonderful spot to pause, cool off and enjoy some of the very best the Park has to offer. A box lunch and bottled water along the hike are included, as is a relaxing dinner “on the quiet side of the Smokies” near Townsend, Tennessee. Minimum age: 8 years, and laced shoes or boots required. The bus will depart at 10:00 am and return at approximately 7:00 pm. Cost: $25 per person
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Option #1: Dollywood Theme Park
Dolly Parton’s theme park brings to life the fun and folklore of the Smoky Mountains! With over 30 exciting rides and attractions, over 40 performances daily, dozens of master craft showcases, plus over 250,000 flowers and the natural beauty of the Smokies, you are guaranteed a unique and satisfying experience. There is definitely something special for everybody and always something new to discover! Meals are on your own. The bus departs at 10:00 a.m. and returns at approximately 9:00 pm. Cost: $50 per person.
Option #2: Shopping in Pigeon Forge (repeated)
Enjoy a fun-filled day of shopping at the abundant outlets in Pigeon Forge! From Belz Factory Outlet Mall to Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Mall, you will be able to find all the shops and bargains you could dream of. Coupons and a full listing of the hundreds of stores in the outlets to be visited will be provided. Please wear comfortable shoes. The bus will depart at 9:30 am and return at approximately 4:30 pm. Cost: $25 per person
