Well , it's getting to be that time of year. The wife and I are going to go on a little summer vacation. She mentioned she would like to go somewhere different than we usually do.
Thought I would check with the T-Man family and hopefully get a bundle of suggestions for us to consider.
Looking like Eastern half of Tennessee . Mostly it will be just relaxing in a different campground every couple days, and checking out whatever local attractions there are.

She mentioned Dollywood, and I would not be opposed to that, so we are thinking, that area ,might be a nice change of pace.

I have relatives in the Nashville area that we will probably visit , at least for a day, She has relatives in The Durham area of North Carolina, not sure that she wants to go that far, but we might.
we would both like to tour the Jack Daniels distillery .

OK, anyone got any " must sees" or any " avoid at all costs"

Thanks in advance

I can't think of the name of the restaurant but it's on the main drag in Pigeon Forge. There's an old truck parked out front. A very good made from scratch restaurant.

I just came back from 2 weeks in Europe. Staying local just doesn't cut it for us anymore. Nashville is nice, but it's not what it used to be. Way too commercialized and touristy in my opinion. Since we are close, it is a popular weekend destination. I used to spend a few weeks in December in the Smokey Mountains when I was younger. Nice place. There is a knife shop and Lodge cast iron shop in Pigeon Forge I believe.

We are like pintail_drake. My wife and I made a pact years ago. We leave the country once a year at least. We have been through lots of Europe and South America. Doing Puerto Rico in January and Machu Picchu in Oct next year. We travel some in the US competing but are saving it for when we are older and its easier to travel here.

Smokey Mtn knifeworks is the knife shop....Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tn & Fall Creek Falls just west of the Smokies up on the Cumberland Plateau are must sees.

Lookout Mtn, and Ruby Falls at Lookout Mtn.

Rock City, and the Cumberland Gap also in TN, and Cumberland Falls in Kentucky are neat places as well.

Beware of huge crowds in smokey mountain National park.

Take the horseback ride in the El Yunque national rain forest & visit the old fort in San Juan.

Puerto Rico is nice, but don't go venturing down any side-streets...And the young women, Wow!...Eve Mendes's & Rosylen Sanchez's everywhere....Nice scenery abounds.

The Buffalo Bill museum in Cody Wy., take a few days to see most of it, the paintings and winchesters alone are worth the trip!

Gatlinburg is a tourist trap, avoid unless you like that sort of thing. I can get my fill of fat southerners at my local Walmart so I don't go to Gatlinburg.

Chattanooga and nearby Chickamauga is a must see for any history buff, particularly for the recent unpleasantness. Just be advised Chattanooga is the Tennessee River and Lookout Mountain nothing in between but steep slopes. This effects any walking tours and the layout of major roads and interstates. So pay attention when walking or driving and be careful.

Gatlinburg was fun for me for a day, but then, I am a fat southerner. Felt right at home. They do talk a whole lot funnier than I do though. I found that entertaining.
They have Knife Word!!! You must go to the Knife world!!! It is the size of the Walmart!!!
My wife fell for the fake moonshine. I did not inform her of the ruse. She's a whole lot easier to get along with when she's drunk.

Isla mujeres

If going to DollyWood, there is a campground in Cade Cove in the Great Smokies. It will be crowded. Or go on into NC on I40 and several campgrounds on the Rez in Cherokee. Casino or bingo as well. I'm going to assume you guys will be in a RV or have a camper? Tons of campgrounds in East Tenn. and WNC.

I could spend a couple of days there in the museum easily. Sooo much to see.
Also in Cody is Trail Town. John (Jeremiah) Johnson's Grave and lots of other worthwhile antiques and artifacts to see.

The Holston Mountains near Bristol, TN is some of the coolest country I've ever seen.

I would go to lake Powell
I know jimmy H is in there somewhere

Lol

If you are traveling from Nashville to the Smokies, then Falls Creek Falls State Park is very nice. You'll get away from the crowds and see some nice country.

52Carl , My father- in- law lives in Arkansas and he was excited when he brought me some " moonshine" that he got down there somewhere. Then he saw that the same stuff was available at the liquor stores here. Haha
My wife's cousin that lives in the Durham area , apparently has some connections to get a little more authentic stuff. we've tried some pretty good stuff, and we've tried some and then just used it as paint thinner, haha.

Scout1, we will be in an F250, pulling a 29 foot travel trailer. I should have mentioned that ,before maybe, so I'll ask now. (also thanks for the tidbit about Cade Cove, that campground looks phenomenal and we do enjoy the occasional casino visit)

Are there any areas that I should definitely NOT go , with a 29 foot travel trailer behind? Tunnels, extraordinarily low bridges, roads so windy or switch-backed that it is impossible ?
I'm fairly experienced at hauling this thing around, but I know that there are some areas that it just isn't feasible.

Once we get somewhere we will just set it up for a few days and take the truck on our side trips. Then we will move a ways , and repeat.

Everyone, thanks for the suggestions and information so far, and keep em comin.