Gatlinburg, Tennesse

Value Times are January, February, April, May, November and December. Excludes Holidays and Special Events

It's fitting that the home of country music has so much country left to enjoy. Tranquil rural landscapes unfold across the state, from the rich black fields along the Mississippi to the lush horse farms of central river valleys to the Appalachian Mountains with their forests and plowed furrows of red dirt.

There are cities, to be sure, but even the largest have a connection with the land that's rare in places of their size. Memphis sprouted from the cotton lands and still shows the signs. Nashville became famous by marketing the music of the southern countryside, no matter how much it wanted to be a high brow center of learning.

Where the state seems least rural is in tourist centers like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, where miles of miniature golf courses, amusement centers and motels seem to be intent on overrunning the stoic Smoky Mountains. Not to worry, though. The mountains will endure, as will the state's rural charm. Travelers who can appreciate both, or who are interested in the styles of music that have grown so well in the Tennessee dirt, are likely to have a great time in the state.

Dining

Tennessee offers some of the best southern cooking anywhere. Be sure to have biscuits and gravy for breakfast at least once, real southern-style barbecue and some of the many varieties of chicken, from fried to stewed to fricasseed. Take the time to sample the fare at some small-town eateries. The "meat-and-three" diners are also a Tennessee tradition, serving up daily specials that include three varieties of cooked vegetables.

Shopping

Eastern and central Tennessee abound with opportunities to buy crafts and antiques. Country-cooked foods are also available at reasonable prices and make good gifts. The Cumberland General Store in Crossville (just off I-40 between Knoxville and Nashville) is worth a stop if you're looking for hand-crafted furniture, cast-iron kitchen utensils, jars of old-fashioned candies and other down-home treasures. Pigeon Forge is home to a number of factory outlets, with bargains on a variety of products.

Weather

Tennessee tends to be hot and humid in the summer, though the higher you go into the mountains, the cooler it gets. Temperatures range 66-90 F/19-32 C June-August, but the humidity climbs with them. Expect thunderstorms in summer, especially in July in the Smoky Mountains. The Smokies are comfortably warm on summer days with cool nights. Transportation: Tennessee's two major airports are Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Memphis International Airport (MEM). Rental cars are available at both. We recommend flying into either Nashville or Memphis and renting a car to tour the state.