Author: Chad Thompson

Today I had the chance to speak with Alicia Phelps, Executive Director of the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association. Alicia has been doing some great work with Northeast Tennessee Tourism for a while now and we wanted to chat with her about some amazing things to see and do in their neck of the woods. Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association has been around since the 1970s and over the past 40 years have done a lot to promote...

If you're traveling into Southwest Virginia, chances are you'll be coming into the region via Interstate 81. I-81 runs from Dandridge, Tennessee in the South, all the way to Wellesley Island in New York. The total length of I-81 is 854.89 miles and the majority of the Interstate travels through the Appalachian Mountains. Along I-81, you'll encounter many stops in Southwest Virginia, today we'll be mentioning Glade Spring, Abingdon, and Damascus. Glade Spring, Virginia Glade Spring is...

In today's episode, I had the chance to speak with Assistant Director of Tourism, Amanda Livingston about some great things going on in Abingdon, Virginia. Like many areas in Southwest Virginia and all across the nation Abingdon has suffered from the COVID19 pandemic. As a thriving tourist town, this small community hasn't let current day struggles interrupt their stride. Creative and innovative are just two terms to describe how this community has come together to keep...

If you're looking for the perfect couple's ideas, we're here to help! We've comprised the list with things to do, places to go, all of which will ensure good times ahead! No matter what type of fun you enjoy, we've got you covered. Perhaps you're just looking for a little retreat or maybe you want to pop the big question! We did all of the searchings, now it's time for you to go and have...

Southwest Virginia is full of natural beauty, no matter where you choose to look. We offer everything from camping, hiking, music, and so much more. Another great feature of our region is our scenic drives. Each year, motorcycle enthusiasts, bicycle riders, and more come to drive our scenic roads and soak in the Southwest Virginia landscape. One of these notable drives is on the infamous Blue Ridge Parkway. [caption id="attachment_353258" align="alignnone" width="300"] Image provided by Blue...

The Pakalachian Food truck has become a staple of the Southwest Virginia food scene. The truck in conjunction with its name makes food options that combine traditional Appalachian dishes with that of Pakistani meals. The Pakalachian is a beautiful story of love, food, and culture, between truck owners Katlin and Moshin. At first, they were not sure what big adventure they wanted to embark on. One day while driving through Rural Retreat, Virginia, the idea...

There's a lot of great things to see and do in Southwest Virginia. One of these things is a natural wonder known as The Great Channels. Located just 15 miles north of Abingdon Virginia in Washington and Russell counties, The Great Channels is a sight you want to see. Hikers rejoice as this area includes both the 5.5 mile Channels Trail as well as the Eastern portion of the Brumley Gap Trail (14 miles). The preferred...

Today's episode we take a delicious dive into the story behind Greeko's Grill and Cafe in Abingdon, Virginia. I had the pleasure of speaking with the owner and chef Mustafa about how Greeko's got its start in Abingdon. Mustafa was a pleasure to speak with and you can tell he truly has a love and passion for what he does. Greeko's features a full Greek menu complete with items such as salads, soups, pasta, pitas, and...

No matter if you have never been to Southwest Virginia or you plan to come by, Outdoor Recreation is our middle name. Our backyard includes mountains, lakes, rivers, trails, and so much more. Today, we wanted to share with you some very fun Outdoor Recreation ideas you can try! Rather you enjoy hiking, biking, boating, or camping, we're sure to have what you are looking for. Keep in mind that many locations are often evolving and...

Today's virtual visit, we are exploring downtown Abingdon Virginia and its historic main street. We start off at the Virginia Creeper Trail Head and Welcome Center and then proceed to explore the history, shopping and dining, and outdoor recreation. Abingdon is well known for iconic locations such as The Martha Washington Inn and Spa, The Barter Theatre, and The Tavern. The town is full of rich history, ghost stories, and small-town charm. There is a plethora...