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5 rainy "day"trips
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In East Tennessee it's beginning to feel more like Spring than Fall. Rain, Rain, go away is becoming a battle cry at work, at school and on Facebook. Don't fret if it's raining where you are, there's always a dry daytrip a short distance away. Here are a few ideas for bringing a little "sunshine" into your otherwise damp and dreary day.
Regal Riviera in Downtown Knoxville Photo by C. Hensley
A day in Downtown Knoxville - If you can brave the showers on your walk from the car then you'll be able to really enjoy what Knoxville's historic downtown has to offer. Lots of attention has been paid to the Gay Street area in recent years.
The Mast General Store is an eclectic mix of outdoor gear, nostalgic products and sweet barrels filled with candy. It's easy to spend more than an hour just browsing, but it's difficult to leave without buying.
Just down the street you'll find the Riviera Cinemas (an 8 screen Regal Theater Complex), The Historic Tennessee Theater and the Bijou Theater.
On the other side of Gay Street is the East Tennessee History Center, which houses an outstanding museum showcasing this region's rich history. While in Downtown Knoxville you might also consider going up in the Sunsphere or taking in the exhibits at the Knoxville Museum of Art.
Rainforest Adventures/Wonderworks - Located in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge respectively, these large indoor venues are definitely worth the price of admission. Rainforest Adventures is an indoor zoo with some outdoor exhibits too. Every day there is an hour long interactive show featuring some of the Rainforest's most popular animals. Wonderworks which is just down the road is an adventure for the mind and body. Interactive games galore test your skills in a variety of ways. This attraction almost makes learning too much fun.
A model of the atom inside AMSE - Oak Ridge Photo by C. Hensley
American Museum of Science & Energy - Rain or shine, this museum in Oak Ridge is a great place to spend a few hours or the whole day. The focus of the museum is on energy and the science surrounding it. Some of the exhibits are too complicated for younger minds, but there are plenty of hands-on learning exhibits. The museum also includes a great lesson on the role East Tennessee's Secret City played in bringing an end to World War II.
Children's Museum of Oak Ridge - Housed in an old school, this museum features a working model of a lock and dam system, a dollhouse big enough to walk around in, and a massive model train setup. inside, you'll also find exhibits on early Appalachian life, the area's wildlife and the history of Oak Ridge itself.
Cumberland Gap National Historic Park Museum. Photo by C. Hensley
Lincoln Museum in Harrogate/Cumberland Gap Visitor's Center - Located just a few miles from each other via the Cumberland Gap Tunnel, these two attractions offer up lessons on a tumultuous time in the United States. The Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library is located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University. From the highway it is easy to view the large statue of Lincoln in the Lobby. The museum includes rare items from Lincoln's life including the cane he had at Ford's Theater the night he was shot and killed.
The Visitor's Center for Cumberland Gap National Park is located in Middlesboro, TN. It includes a fantastic film about the history of this natural crossing on the Cumberland Plateau and a museum showcasing the many stages of life in the area from prehistoric times to today.
*This is by no means a complete list or a list of the most popular attractions. Be sure and comment below on what your favorite rainy "day"trips are so other readers can check them out, too.
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