What to see near Norris Dam?

[gregintenn]

I know some of you live up that way, so I’m asking as I’ve never been there, and thinking of a trip. Tell me what I should check out while I’m there. If you ever find yourself in northern middle Tennessee, I’ll try and return the favor. Thanks in advance.

[Sleep profit]

Great fishing there nice lake the water is cleaner than most lakes it is used by scuba divers because it is clarity.   Also visit museum of Appalachia near Norris      It’s a very laid back area   They will roll up sidewalks by 8 pm.   Enjoy your vacation  

[gregintenn]

Sounds like my kind of place. Thanks!

[TripleGGG]

Some nice trails around the lake. We've been on most of them. I had a camper setup on the lake for a few years. Great place to run and get away. As stated, very quiet and laid back area. 

We liked the Museum of Appalachia also. 

[MacGyver]

If you can get out on the lake, you should.  It’s a gorgeous lake with scenery unlike much of the rest of the state.

The Clinch River right below there is a world class trout stream.  Even if you’re not a fly fisherman, a light spinning rig with some rooster tails is a lot of fun.

The old downtown strip in Clinton is worth an hour or two.  They’ve managed to take what by all accounts should be a depressed small town and revitalized it with a critical mass of antique stores and shops.  It’s not generally my thing - but I almost always leave with something when I get pulled down there after family gatherings. 

[Garufa]

There is a 200 yard rifle range with several pistol lanes about 30 yards deep just a few miles from the dam.

[gregintenn]

3 hours ago, MacGyver said:

If you can get out on the lake, you should.  It’s a gorgeous lake with scenery unlike much of the rest of the state.

The Clinch River right below there is a world class trout stream.  Even if you’re not a fly fisherman, a light spinning rig with some rooster tails is a lot of fun.

The old downtown strip in Clinton is worth an hour or two.  They’ve managed to take what by all accounts should be a depressed small town and revitalized it with a critical mass of antique stores and shops.  It’s not generally my thing - but I almost always leave with something when I get pulled down there after family gatherings. 

We’ll take the boat fer sure. I was just curious about other things to see and do in that area. I don’t think I’ve been in that area before.

[Garufa]

The Museum of Appalachia is very interesting and definitely worth a visit.

[gregintenn]

Paging @Erik88. This should be in your line of expertise.

Well! I forgot how to tag someone.

Edited September 12, 2022 by gregintenn

[peejman]

Not super close by, but the Brushy Mtn state pen is around there. The tour is fascinating. 

[gregintenn]

5 minutes ago, peejman said:

Not super close by, but the Brushy Mtn state pen is around there. The tour is fascinating. 

It is on my list. Thanks.

[gregintenn]

15 hours ago, Garufa said:

The Museum of Appalachia is very interesting and definitely worth a visit.

Definitely on the list!

[MacGyver]

A tour of The Manhattan Project National Historic Park is worth it if you’ve never done it:

https://amse.org/bus-tours/

 

[gregintenn]

4 hours ago, MacGyver said:

A tour of The Manhattan Project National Historic Park is worth it if you’ve never done it:

https://amse.org/bus-tours/

 

Never have.

LOL! My wife booked is “historic CCC cabin” in the park. Her grandmother had a nicer smokehouse. Impossible to park the truck/boat here too. This shall be an adventure!

Weather’s great and the lake looks pretty. I may run back home and swap my truck and boat out for the motorcycle.

 

[Erik88]

17 hours ago, gregintenn said:

Paging @Erik88. This should be in your line of expertise.

Well! I forgot how to tag someone.

I think they covered everything I would suggest. It's a beautiful area and the lake is huge. You'd need a few days to see the whole thing. I have a scar on my head I got at Norris Dam as a baby.  

If you end up on your boat, there should be a few restaurants on the water to eat at unless it's in the off season. 

[gregintenn]

On 9/12/2022 at 4:52 PM, Erik88 said:

I think they covered everything I would suggest. It's a beautiful area and the lake is huge. You'd need a few days to see the whole thing. I have a scar on my head I got at Norris Dam as a baby.  

If you end up on your boat, there should be a few restaurants on the water to eat at unless it's in the off season. 

Many thanks! I knew you’d be the guy if there was anything interesting to sniff out. I bet most of the marina restaurants are closed now, at least through the week.

Actually, this little cabin is starting to grow on me. The parking situation still sucks, but we’ll make it work.

Edited September 13, 2022 by gregintenn

[Spots]

Do a tour at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. Its about 15 minutes from my place and is worth doing a tour. Then drive across 116 ala the devils triangle. You can go in to the highway at the prison and follow it all the way through, across Petros and Pilot mountains into lake city then go up 441 to the dam. If your interested in that drive let me know and I can PM you good driving instructions since navigation doesnt work to great down in the valley

[et45]

On 9/11/2022 at 2:25 PM, MacGyver said:

If you can get out on the lake, you should.  It’s a gorgeous lake with scenery unlike much of the rest of the state.

The Clinch River right below there is a world class trout stream.  Even if you’re not a fly fisherman, a light spinning rig with some rooster tails is a lot of fun.

The old downtown strip in Clinton is worth an hour or two.  They’ve managed to take what by all accounts should be a depressed small town and revitalized it with a critical mass of antique stores and shops.  It’s not generally my thing - but I almost always leave with something when I get pulled down there after family gatherings. 

Antique stores in old small towns seems to be a trend now. I worked in Clinton back in 89 on a construction job.We fished the Clinch River a few times.

[gregintenn]

Thank goodness for gps! That’s a big lake by my standards.

[gregintenn]

You guys were right. The Museum of Appalachia is amazing! Everybody should make a trip to see it.

I’m just thankful I never had to make my living with this.

Edited September 14, 2022 by gregintenn

[MacGyver]

The guy who could run that saw could tear your arms off 

[gregintenn]

11 hours ago, MacGyver said:

The guy who could run that saw could tear your arms off 

You are correct, sir!

Real men settled this part of the state.

Edited September 15, 2022 by gregintenn

[gregintenn]

On 9/12/2022 at 9:02 AM, peejman said:

Not super close by, but the Brushy Mtn state pen is around there. The tour is fascinating. 

Just to talk with the ex resident who works there was more than worth the price of admission. That’s an eerily beautiful place for sure.

George Wyatt Jr.

Edited September 15, 2022 by gregintenn

[Garufa]

2 hours ago, gregintenn said:

Just to talk with the ex resident who works there was more than worth the price of admission. That’s an eerily beautiful place for sure.

George Wyatt Jr.

He used 16 sticks of dynamite and two gallons of gas to try to blow a safe!  

Kinda reminds me of Jimmy Ferris from Texas and his story but I don’t think anyone went to jail for that.  

[gregintenn]

Blew the whole damn building up!