Embark on an Appalachian odyssey: explore the high peaks and the amazing construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway . . . discover George Vanderbilt's legacy and Asheville's architectural heritage . . . or dig up the stories of mountain railroads, and the big business of timber, paper, and minerals . . .
Track down the stories of industrial pioneers in the Southeast, like William Gregg, James B. Duke, Leroy Springs, Charles Cannon, and R.J. Reynolds . . .
Track down other pioneers, like Daniel Boone and David Crockett . . .
Follow a Revolutionary War trail . . . or a Presidential trail . . .
Or go with something like "splendid civic architecture," or "best restaurants in the Carolina Piedmont."
Track down the stories of industrial pioneers in the Southeast, like William Gregg, James B. Duke, Leroy Springs, Charles Cannon, and R.J. Reynolds . . .
Track down other pioneers, like Daniel Boone and David Crockett . . .
Follow a Revolutionary War trail . . . or a Presidential trail . . .
Or go with something like "splendid civic architecture," or "best restaurants in the Carolina Piedmont."
Let Explore Up Close introduce your guests to a themed itinerary:
The possibilities are endless.
Day 1:
• travel up and over the Appalachian Plateau into the Nolichucky River valley of Northeast Tennessee
• stop for lunch at a local favorite, like the Main Street Deli in Mars Hill
• explore the contours of the Clinchfield Railroad headquarters town of Erwin – planned by New South “designer,” Earl Sumner Draper
• continue along scenic route 172 past tomato farms and Tennessee quilt barns to the early frontier town of Greeneville (originally “Big Spring”)
• check into the General Morgan Inn on Main Street (member, Historic Hotels of America)
• enjoy a visit to the Andrew Johnson presidential home, hear the saga of the death of Confederate Cavalry General John Hunt Morgan (while gazing at the spot where it happened), and view the town’s namesake spring
• fine regional dining at Brumley’s in Greeneville; overnight at the General Morgan
Day 2:
• enjoy a morning stroll past the historic churches, homes, public buildings, and historic cemeteries in Greeneville
• make the pretty drive north to the Davy Crockett birthplace site (or alternately, to a local fiber-producing llama farm)
• continue to Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough: enjoy either a guided walk or carriage ride through town, a visit to the local museum, or (if time permits) a performance at the International Storytelling Center; make the return journey in the afternoon
• travel up and over the Appalachian Plateau into the Nolichucky River valley of Northeast Tennessee
• stop for lunch at a local favorite, like the Main Street Deli in Mars Hill
• explore the contours of the Clinchfield Railroad headquarters town of Erwin – planned by New South “designer,” Earl Sumner Draper
• continue along scenic route 172 past tomato farms and Tennessee quilt barns to the early frontier town of Greeneville (originally “Big Spring”)
• check into the General Morgan Inn on Main Street (member, Historic Hotels of America)
• enjoy a visit to the Andrew Johnson presidential home, hear the saga of the death of Confederate Cavalry General John Hunt Morgan (while gazing at the spot where it happened), and view the town’s namesake spring
• fine regional dining at Brumley’s in Greeneville; overnight at the General Morgan
Day 2:
• enjoy a morning stroll past the historic churches, homes, public buildings, and historic cemeteries in Greeneville
• make the pretty drive north to the Davy Crockett birthplace site (or alternately, to a local fiber-producing llama farm)
• continue to Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough: enjoy either a guided walk or carriage ride through town, a visit to the local museum, or (if time permits) a performance at the International Storytelling Center; make the return journey in the afternoon
