Virginia and Tennessee travle
October 25, 2008 1:43 PM
We are traveling to the Crossville, TN area and are asking for suggestion of things to do and great places for a good meal. We will have four days to travel around the area and are willing to drive about 100 miles in any direction. Any suggestions? Also any suggestions for good stops along I-81 between Charlottesville, VA and the Tennessee border are welcomed. Thank-you.
Rugby, TN is about 50 miles from Crossville. It's a cute little gem of a town.
On your way down, you can swing by my hometown of Bristol TN/VA. Birthplace of country music, and home to one of the largest NASCAR tracks in the world. And we have a nice sign.
posted by kimdog at 2:39 PM on October 25, 2008
On your way down, you can swing by my hometown of Bristol TN/VA. Birthplace of country music, and home to one of the largest NASCAR tracks in the world. And we have a nice sign.
posted by kimdog at 2:39 PM on October 25, 2008
Lexington VA is a cool little town. Two small colleges and a handful of interesting civil war related museums.
posted by COD at 3:29 PM on October 25, 2008
posted by COD at 3:29 PM on October 25, 2008
Assuming you're taking the 81, get off in Abingdon and take the 11 through town for some history... The Martha Washington Inn, Barter Theater, tons of shops and old buildings. You can continue on the 11 to Bristol if you like. If you have the time, Ridgewood BBQ in Bluff City, TN is OM NOM NOM.
(another Bristol native...)
posted by zengargoyle at 3:39 PM on October 25, 2008
(another Bristol native...)
posted by zengargoyle at 3:39 PM on October 25, 2008
I made the run from Chattanooga, TN, up to Harrisburg, PA dozens of times in the early 00's, so I've got a few things to recommend.
First, if you've got the time, consider doing part of your trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Absolutely gorgeous views of the mountains and surrounding valleys. Some of the best views are actually in North Carolina, which is a bit out of your your way, but it's definitely worth it. The Blue Ridge Parkway actually intersects I-64 on the way from Charlottesville to I-81, so doing the first part of your trip that way wouldn't be going much out of your way. Give yourself plenty of time if you decide to go this way: it will approximately double your travel time from point A to B compared to going down I-81.
Second, tank up your vehicle in Roanoke, VA, exit 143. Cheapest gas between Tennessee and West Virginia, as a rule. There are several stations on both sides of the highway, but in my experience the ones to the west tend to be slightly cheaper. Also, price aside, this is one of the few well-populated exits for quite a distance. Western Virginia isn't exactly a thriving metropolis most of the time. I'd recommend keeping your tank at least 1/4 full, as there are a few 20-30 mile stretches between Roanoke and Bristol, and then again between Bristol and Knoxville, without much in the way of gas.
Third, hit The Tavern in Abingdon, VA, just off exit 17. Oldest building in town (1779), and if I remember correctly, they place has a tradition of successive guests leaving notes at the tables, so there's an opportunity for some really interesting social. . . exploration? while you're waiting for your food. The food is great, btw.
Enjoy your trip.
posted by valkyryn at 4:21 PM on October 25, 2008
First, if you've got the time, consider doing part of your trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Absolutely gorgeous views of the mountains and surrounding valleys. Some of the best views are actually in North Carolina, which is a bit out of your your way, but it's definitely worth it. The Blue Ridge Parkway actually intersects I-64 on the way from Charlottesville to I-81, so doing the first part of your trip that way wouldn't be going much out of your way. Give yourself plenty of time if you decide to go this way: it will approximately double your travel time from point A to B compared to going down I-81.
Second, tank up your vehicle in Roanoke, VA, exit 143. Cheapest gas between Tennessee and West Virginia, as a rule. There are several stations on both sides of the highway, but in my experience the ones to the west tend to be slightly cheaper. Also, price aside, this is one of the few well-populated exits for quite a distance. Western Virginia isn't exactly a thriving metropolis most of the time. I'd recommend keeping your tank at least 1/4 full, as there are a few 20-30 mile stretches between Roanoke and Bristol, and then again between Bristol and Knoxville, without much in the way of gas.
Third, hit The Tavern in Abingdon, VA, just off exit 17. Oldest building in town (1779), and if I remember correctly, they place has a tradition of successive guests leaving notes at the tables, so there's an opportunity for some really interesting social. . . exploration? while you're waiting for your food. The food is great, btw.
Enjoy your trip.
posted by valkyryn at 4:21 PM on October 25, 2008
Copper Cellar in Knoxville is an excellent restaurant, and if you drink beers they have fantastic microbrews that are made on-site. Their upstairs under the Copper Cellar name is more casual, and their downstairs, under the Cumberland Grill name, is a more formal setting. Another good casual eatery in Knoxville is Downtown Grill & Brewery. Both places have a nice open atmosphere.
posted by deezil at 5:05 PM on October 25, 2008
posted by deezil at 5:05 PM on October 25, 2008
Please don't miss the Bean Pot restaurant right at Crossville exit 322. You probably don't want to eat all your meals there but breakfast of aigs, cow juice, coffee, biskits, and grits won't set you back more than $5 (and if you ask nice they'll even give you a menu with these lovely country-isms to take home with you). Also, there is a 'museum' in the back room with a gigantic blanket/sign/? woven out of cigarette packs that lovingly spells out...well...I'll let you discover that gem for yourself. The place is open 24 hours a day everyday and has been witness to all sorts of shenanigans over the years.
As workerant alluded to, Crossville is home to the Cumberland County Playhouse, a pretty excellent regional/community theater as far as that goes. It also has some nice parks and an over-abundance of golf courses.
Crossville is a lovely small town but if you are looking for entertainment or a bookstore, you'll have a better go of it in Knoxville or Maryville.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!
posted by ilikecookies at 6:00 PM on October 25, 2008
As workerant alluded to, Crossville is home to the Cumberland County Playhouse, a pretty excellent regional/community theater as far as that goes. It also has some nice parks and an over-abundance of golf courses.
Crossville is a lovely small town but if you are looking for entertainment or a bookstore, you'll have a better go of it in Knoxville or Maryville.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!
posted by ilikecookies at 6:00 PM on October 25, 2008
Second the Bean Pot for that True Southern Food Experience. The Book Cellar is an odd used book store with occasional unusual items, but isn't really great. The Cumberland County Playhouse really is a national-class theater.
The Great Smokey Mountain National Park is right at the edge of your hundred-mile range, but if you're coming in soon you can still catch some great Fall Foliage, and if not you'll be in the area in time to catch the start of Christmas festivities at Gatlinburg. Tourist-trappy, but still fun if you like kitsch.
Cookeville isn't that far down the interstate, and they have a much better selection of food (and more places to drink liquor). Spankie's is generally a good eat, but it draws the "College Students on Date who want to drink" crowd as it is immediately off the Tennessee Technological University Campus--during the day/early evening you'll have the professor crowd, though. Live music most weekend nights/sometimes during the week. Crawdaddies is a decent-enough seafood/Cajun place that turns into a decent music venue around 9:30 most nights--mostly Southern-tinged rock, alt-country rock ala Wilco, or even bluegrass. If you like Benehana's style Japanese, Little Kobe Japanese Steakhouse has excellent most times, and has very fresh seafood for a place in TN. Excellent shrimp, and while I know nothing about sushi, I like what I've had there. Goten's is another Japanese place, but is a. dark and b. has bad service.
Mama Rosa's Italian and D'Angelo's Brick Oven Pizza are near each other and offer pretty good Italian--MR's may still be "family owned", and D'Angelo's isn't that nice, but both have good food.
El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant is godly.
This very next week is the start of Octubafest at Tennessee Tech, which is... unusual.
If you need any help when you get to the area, shoot me a MefiMail if you're near a computer.
posted by Benjy at 8:31 PM on October 25, 2008
The Great Smokey Mountain National Park is right at the edge of your hundred-mile range, but if you're coming in soon you can still catch some great Fall Foliage, and if not you'll be in the area in time to catch the start of Christmas festivities at Gatlinburg. Tourist-trappy, but still fun if you like kitsch.
Cookeville isn't that far down the interstate, and they have a much better selection of food (and more places to drink liquor). Spankie's is generally a good eat, but it draws the "College Students on Date who want to drink" crowd as it is immediately off the Tennessee Technological University Campus--during the day/early evening you'll have the professor crowd, though. Live music most weekend nights/sometimes during the week. Crawdaddies is a decent-enough seafood/Cajun place that turns into a decent music venue around 9:30 most nights--mostly Southern-tinged rock, alt-country rock ala Wilco, or even bluegrass. If you like Benehana's style Japanese, Little Kobe Japanese Steakhouse has excellent most times, and has very fresh seafood for a place in TN. Excellent shrimp, and while I know nothing about sushi, I like what I've had there. Goten's is another Japanese place, but is a. dark and b. has bad service.
Mama Rosa's Italian and D'Angelo's Brick Oven Pizza are near each other and offer pretty good Italian--MR's may still be "family owned", and D'Angelo's isn't that nice, but both have good food.
El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant is godly.
This very next week is the start of Octubafest at Tennessee Tech, which is... unusual.
If you need any help when you get to the area, shoot me a MefiMail if you're near a computer.
posted by Benjy at 8:31 PM on October 25, 2008
The Gray Fossil Museum is right near where I-81 and I-26 meet. It has really nice exhibits and for a small fee you can get a guided tour of the site (see people digging!) as well as the collections room and prep lab (the tours are every hour on the hour). The museum just opened a little over a year ago so it is shiny and new and not overwhelming the way huge museums can be. Just a nice stop on your trip : )
posted by Mouse Army at 5:27 AM on October 26, 2008
posted by Mouse Army at 5:27 AM on October 26, 2008
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As for food... sorry but I don't know Crossville all that well. There's an art space/school/gallery/supply shop just down the street from the courthouse that has interesting (in a good way) sandwiches and salads. I can't remember the name at the moment, but it's pretty hard to miss. If you're out and about, Knoxville and Maryville have Aubrey's locations, which are consistently excellent. Maryville also has a Tomato Head, your spot for super-tasty sandwiches, salads and pizzas.
If you're a politically progressive type, don't miss The Highlander Center about 100 miles from Crossville in New Market, TN. Aww, just mefi mail me if you want more suggestions.
posted by workerant at 2:32 PM on October 25, 2008