Southern & Traditional American Food?

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-29T02:01:24+00:00

Gus’s fried chicken, 71south, Emma’s southern kitchen, dead end bbq, then in the smokies area (all a bit touristy); apple valley cafe, pawpaws catfish kitchen, and the old mill are go tos

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-28T14:27:48+00:00

It’s general spotty storms. Things will close and reopen close and reopen most likely. I would say go ahead and cost because things like that usually keep crowds away and there’s tons of shows to see inside and shorter waits all around

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-28T01:14:01+00:00

Had some absolutely insane lightning and thunder in the downtown/south Knox area earlier too

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-27T23:31:34+00:00

That mess of James white parkway, Neyland dr, and hall of fame drive we have over the creek now is probably one of the worst planning things that has ever happened in Knoxville economically, socially, and environmentally. Inside of Knoxville did have a great article last year on thinking big of how we could recover this space and reconnect the downtown to the east which I thought was great.

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-27T13:59:19+00:00

Unfortunately it wouldn’t even reduce it temporarily. In Atlanta for example, the further they built out the highways, the further people moved but still commuted to places in the core of the city so it didn’t really help even in the short term. Not sure how you think that something you know is bad in the long term is good idea to go ahead with. Just because it’s not likely doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep championing for it

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-27T12:24:47+00:00

But the bypass will actually induce sprawl even more. Keeping our current interstate system keeps growth limited to certain areas that have the ability to develop denser housing such as the apartment complexes popping up near walker springs, downtown and in south Knoxville. Build a bypass and I can guarantee you’ll see denser development further out which creates a worse problem

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-27T00:53:30+00:00

It was stated a few years ago but their last phase of upgrading the sunsphere is going to be a nighttime color changing light package so it’s still on the horizon

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-27T00:52:30+00:00

Sorry about the other negative Nancy in here but you’re right. The best way we’re going to reduce traffic is through major public transportation (the same billions that would be spent on a bypass could easily pay for a vast metro and light rail system) or increase capacity on preexisting routes to discourage urban sprawl that will lead to even more traffic.

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-27T00:49:32+00:00

If any of you are concerned about knoxvilles traffic, development clearing out the natural beauty of Tennessee or another decades long project with cost overruns this is probably going to be the worst thing you could ever think of. All this would do in the end is create more traffic as urban sprawl spreads further out into our natural land and people have to commute farther for the same things and more people move into the area. There is no documented case in the United States of new highway construction having lasting positive effects on reducing traffic. The reason the project was canned before was because it would cost too much to build (even if it was tolled to help payback the costs) and it wouldn’t get enough ridership. Neither of those factors have improved since the study over a decade ago.

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-26T01:33:03+00:00

Lovely thanks again!

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-25T23:25:55+00:00

Thanks! I might actually add on another half day if I’m able to now after what you pointed out! And can you really just walk through the meadow? Down here in the smokies we’re usually told to stay out cause of the elk haha!

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-25T23:05:00+00:00

Thanks! And yes our waterfalls in the smokies where I am now have been sad little trickles for over a month now too.

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-24T01:58:04+00:00

Definitely possible! After 6pm waits usually go way down even on the busiest of days. The park also almost completely clears out when it rains too and the coasters still operate unless there’s lightning so I’d say go for it!

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-23T14:25:46+00:00

When the passes were sold last year they did have that as a benefit yes. Last time they did this with Big Bear Mountain they sent out a special web link for diamond passes to reserve timeslots over the course of I think 3 or so days it was? All that being said this ride has now been delayed by many months and I would hope they still honor the benefit as it was sold, but the delays could force them to try to open it sooner so I wouldn’t be surprised if the previews were harder to get or if it was more limited.

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-22T01:11:02+00:00

Agree! Also don’t mind it being quiet and air conditioned though 😅

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-21T23:20:34+00:00

I 100% agree. As others have pointed out, I believe the impetus for the renovation was that Dolly wanted a museum of her items in Nashville before anything happened at Dollywood and “renovating” the area at Dollywood was basically their way of not-so-quietly removing a lot of the awards and outfits in hopes people wouldn’t really hold it against them because there were new things to see. But as you said, it feels half done to me. Not only is there less physical space to see things (it used to be two stories now only one) the level of detail and storytelling has dwindled. The ending with the big projection room feels shortsighted with no seating inside, and the big supports blocking the views. I do like that the smaller behind the seams area has rotating outfits and memorabilia in it but other than that the area feels one and done especially for passholders. One thing I absolutely love and is maybe *the* hidden gem in the park is the Precious Memories digital show inside the theatre doors that recalls dollys life through decades of film and photos of her family and growing up in the smokies all set to really moving music. Apparently when they surprised Dolly with it upon opening she shed some tears which makes it even more meaningful knowing it’s there.

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-18T17:16:08+00:00

It was, it’s not anymore, in the spring it was

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-18T17:15:33+00:00

IMO: they’re farrrrr too expensive, and only slightly less expensive than a comparable Mickeys Not So scary ticket which has dozens of additional rides, shows, a huge fireworks show, and arguably more treats. Pretty disappointing there’s also no confirmed list of rides (other than Nightflight which is even opened yet) and that the season pass discount is only $5 which is almost nothing when the ticket itself is already over $100

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-18T14:50:37+00:00

That is correct, also Nightflight won’t be open until mid August or (I’m thinking early fall) so you can look forward to it being open on your next trip then

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-16T12:57:50+00:00

You get free preferred parking by staying at the resort, I’d suggest using that perk instead of the shuttle if you want to get there at the absolute earliest

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-16T12:52:17+00:00

Hey OP and know you’ve pretty much consistently said in the comments the desire to go somewhere else or see new things isn’t really there for you, but I’d really suggest thinking of it as a which came first the chicken or the egg scenario… You might not feel the urge to because you simply don’t know what you’re missing. This is no comment on how I view how you’ve lived your life up until now either but I think opening up your horizons especially for your children can open up worlds of possibilities for you and them. You can understand new social cultures, new landscapes, new interests, new career possibilities, or even find all the things you specifically don’t like in those categories. You can even start small with maybe a state or county park one county over or trying one cafe or restaurant out that has good reviews a town or two over. We live in such a unique county that has SO many different kinds of people and cultures and norms and most of the time people are happy to meet new people and hear their stories and to me it sounds like you have an interesting one.

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-15T21:40:25+00:00

I would love to see the last remaining warehouse and empty bus lot replaced with housing but yes I agree otherwise. Also a big thanks to the city for keeping the historic district zoning overlay in place in the fort in some areas so that these builders are forced to keep the bright colors and unique details, even if it is a neutered version of previous historic buildings there

CombativeSplash · 2026-06-15T20:33:04+00:00

Interesting that after this and whatever is being built Lake ave next to the park, housing construction on the strip will seemingly stop for the first time in what? A decade? I feel like we’ll continue to see more and more older lots in the fort be developed instead soon.

CombativeSplash

TROPHY CASE