The good life stems from the abundant recreational and leisure opportunities afforded by the geographic setting. We are in the midst of one of the most scenic areas of the Eastern United States. With the seven TVA lakes plus the Great Smoky Mountains surrounding Knoxville and nearby communities, one can easily spend a day on the lake, or in the mountains, and be home relaxing in the evening. The University of Tennessee main campus and Medical Center are benefits to all families in the area.


East Tennessee enjoys four distinct seasons – bright colorful spring with the bird chirping, bright relaxing summer of outdoor adventures, the colors of fall in the mountains, and the mainly mild winter season closing out the year. Always change in the air for the family and friends. We hope you will visit then undoubtedly will want to stay.

  • SPRING TIME … There is not a season in East Tennessee that does not simply take your breath away but, spring has the special effect of an explosion of color and sweet fragrant flowers. The feeling of waking up from the cold of winter makes your senses sing. Daffodils, hyacinth, crocus, tulips, redbud, dogwood, magnolia, apple and cherry blossom, azalea and wisteria are just a few of the flowers that are on display on the Dogwood Trails around Knoxville. Spectacular personal gardens are open to the public every spring and the Knoxville Botanical Garden and University of Tennessee Gardens are open to the public year round. Farmers Markets start popping up around town like mushrooms in April. There is nothing like the flavor of those locally grown strawberries and tomatoes. These markets have a wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as incredible baked goods and unique locally made craftsman and artist’s merchandise. SOUNDS OF SPRING … The tradition of music in East Tennessee tells all the stories of our deep and varied cultural influences. The Rhythm N’ Blooms and Big Ears Festivals are two of the largest gatherings of extraordinary musicians of any city in the United States. Rhythm N’ Blooms gathers so many popular national and local talents that it takes three days to showcase the numerous acts that converge on Knoxville in April. Big Ears is a phenomenal collection of International talent. It takes four days of continuous music to fit all the acts into this festival. Knoxville will sometimes have more Grammy Award and Pulitzer Prize winners over those four days than any place in the nation. East Tennessee has traditionally been a cradle of country music by producing great singers and musicians that have developed out of these hills but, it has now become a gathering place of international music masters in rock, jazz, classical, folk, electronica, americana and ameripolitan music. [...]
  • SUMMER COMES TO THE VALLEY … Bring the boat, chill out and cool down on the seven TVA lakes that spill out of our mountains. And, if that is not enough for your summer waterbug then we can talk real adventure on the numerous rivers that offer every opportunity to fish, paddle and swim. The heat of the Tennessee summer air brings everyone to water for simple cooling relief. Whether you prefer a calm ride on the lake or a more exciting float down a whitewater river, water is never far from the minds of most of us in East Tennessee. Fishermen will be seen everywhere on both the lakes and rivers. These anglers love to get a tug on the line from trout, bass, bluegill, catfish and crappie. AND THE MOUNTAINS ... The refreshing abundant oxygen of the Great Smoky Mountains draws 10 million visitors a year from across the nation. Everyone loves an opportunity to breathe in a little nature with a pleasant stroll or an intense hike on the many trails that wind through these ancient mountains. Massive amounts of vegetation provide the humid climate and make the Smoky Mountains a national treasure. Over 1,600 species of flowering plants cover the landscape and several of these species are unique to only these green hills. Wildflowers are in abundance in every season but spring and summer exceed all expectations. SUMMERTIME EVENTS ... brings the abundance of locally grown fresh produce into the city. Farmers markets are overflowing with sweet corn and tomatoes at Market Square. Music and theatre really come to life on Market Square in the balmy evenings of summer. Live jazz brings a relaxing chill on Tuesday nights and various music styles fill the air on Thursday evenings. Tennessee Stage Company enlightens the Market Square visitors with performances of two magnificent plays of William Shakespeare. Whether you are in the mood for a comedy or a tragedy, Shakespeare on the Square will entertain the youngest to the oldest theatre lover. [...]
  • FALL RULES for two reasons, football and foliage. So, there is a lot of orange to be seen at this time of the year. When the air gets that crisp feel and even your coffee has the flavor of pumpkin spice, you know the leaves will soon be turning red, orange and gold and it is football time in Tennessee. East Tennessee’s bright blue skies and crisp fall air makes for the perfect setting for the 100,000 Vol fans in Neyland Stadium. Excitement fills the air as the Pride of the Southland Band shows the audience marching precision that is known as only the best in the nation, culminating in the Vols entrance to the field by way of the Power T. Of course, the fans in the stands are only a fraction of the viewers, the rest are watching from a TV at home, in restaurants and on boats covering the lakes and in a boat convoy at the Vol Navy. When you want a little relaxation, you can head toward the Great Smoky Mountains to see the flaming colors of the blanket of trees that cover these old hills. Peak season for fall colors will usually last for a good month from early October to early November. This is the best time to spend as many hours as possible on the highest peaks. Outside is where it is happening! If you don’t want to brave the weather then jump in the car for a drive to Clingmans Dome, Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove, Frozen Head, Big South Fork or Cherohala Skyway. The weather is so pleasant in September and October that outside movies are even shown on Market Square. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets full of goodies are part of the old time family fun. An outdoor event that has grown into a grand old time is the Knoxville Brewers Jam. Microbrewers gather on the beautiful Worlds Fair Park and provide unlimited samples of luscious craft beer. Alongside the refreshing beverages are delicious food and lively tunes. [...]
  • WINTER WONDERLAND - Knoxville’s mild weather allows for an abundance of outdoor activities even in the wintertime. The First Friday Artwalk is a great way to drink in a little culture. Art of every kind is on display at the Visitors Center, Emporium Center, Knoxville’s Museum of Art and all along Gay Street shops. And, as is typical for East Tennessee, we can’t do anything without lots of music. Various tunes and many styles of dancing will be at each of these artistic locales. While you are roaming around downtown, a venture to Market Square will open the door for holiday shopping at the fun boutiques and fantastic food establishments around the perimeter and even ice skating in the center of the square. Downtown Knoxville, of course, is known for having The Historic Tennessee Theatre, the Official State Theatre of Tennessee but, there is more, the Bijou, Clearance Brown and Regal Cinemas. This makes entertainment really easy with music acts, musicals, great theatre and movies within walking distance. If the kids are not already overflowing with excitement for the holidays to arrive then Fantasy of Trees will surely make them squeal with joy. With more than 300 sparkling custom decorated Christmas trees, hundreds of gingerbread villages, kid’s activities and booths with plenty of holiday ideas for decorations and gifts, this event transforms Knoxville’s Convention Center into a winter wonderland and raises funds for important projects at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Plenty more sparkling lights and decorated trees can be viewed and purchased at the Festival of Trees in Gatlinburg, as well. That event benefits the Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains. Hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights create an entertaining evening for a drive with the kids through Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland located at the Tennessee Smokies Baseball Stadium. This amazing light show is known as the world’s largest drive- through, fully synchronized LED Christmas light and music show. If all of this glitz and glitter is just too much for your senses then, of course, a drive through the snow-covered Smokies or a winter hike where you can smell the pine is one of nature’s escapes that can only be found in this area of great natural wonders. [...]
  • IN A NUTSHELL.. Visiting Knoxville is great fun but relocating to East Tennessee is even better. Living here gives you more time to attend all the great sporting events at the University of Tennessee, bask in excellent theatre and art, listen to tremendous music from every genre, indulge in exquisite locally-sourced food and locally brewed beer, boat, ski, fish and swim on our seven TVA lakes. And, don’t forget about the area’s crowning glory, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a playground of 520,000 acres open for endless activities. Unlike a lot of old cities Knoxville’s downtown is not dying, as a matter of a fact, it is growing so fast that the city infrastructure is working hard to keep up with improvements. Many new retail shops, unique restaurants and entertainment venues have popped up in Market Square, The Old City, and along Gay Street. Not only are there fun activities and recreation to the point of spilling over but, this little city also has a thriving economy and has a very healthy work environment. Knoxville has been listed in the top 10 Best Places to Retire and Happiest Cities to Work in Right Now. In 2017, Magnify Money ranked Knoxville as the Number 1 Place to Retire Early. This ranking was due to cost of living, quality of life and access to extra income. [...]

Copyright 2018 - The Ferguson Realty Company, Inc.