40 Can't Miss Fall Activities At and Around Tennessee National
Lake Living

40 Can't Miss Fall Activities At and Around Tennessee National

September 30, 2022
From fall hikes to sunset cruises all the way to the best pumpkin patches, this is the list of fall activities for the entire family.
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We don’t care if the highs are in the 90s, fall is almost here and we’re ready for cooler temps that bring those seasonal favorites.  East Tennessee is one of the most gorgeous places in the United States to visit and fall is brimming with stunning scenery and bursts of color. 

To get us in the mood for a festive autumn, we sat down with our Clubhouse Manager Ian, our Lifestyle & Membership Director, Kara, and our Marina Manager Carly-Grace, and asked for their best advice on what you shouldn’t miss in and around Tennessee National this fall.  

Read on for more than 40 fall activities you don’t want to miss in Tennessee this season. 

No. 1: Rent a boat for the best view of fall leaves. 

Rentable Pontoon boat at Tennessee National Marina

With the summer finally behind us, we’re heading into one of the best lake seasons in East Tennessee. Take this opportunity to rent a pontoon boat from the Tennessee National Marina and view the fall leaves in a brand new way. With hundreds of miles of shoreline, our section of the Tennessee River and Watts Bar Lake offers you a seemingly endless supply of gorgeous fall scenery. 

“The fall is a perfect time for a one-of-a-kind experience that we offer: A Sunset Cruise from 6:30-8:30pm. These are self-guided tours during the golden hour of a Tennessee evening. We recommend grabbing your significant other and a bottle of wine while you sneak away for a much-deserved date night!” says Carly-Grace, our Marina Manager.

Half-day, full-day, and self-led sunset cruise options are available, and the Tennessee National Marina team provides everything you need for a perfect fall outing, including a Bluetooth speaker, Silos delivery menus, and access to the brand-new Ship Store for easy access for fuel, ice, drinks, snacks, and other lake essentials.  Book now for 20% off your fall rental.

No. 2: Catch a UT Football game.

Would it even be fall in Tennessee without UT football? Make your way (by car or boat) to the Vols Stadium in Knoxville and experience a UT Football Game. 

If you don’t feel like braving the crowd, UT Football and NFL games, as well as other sporting events, are always on at the Sunset Saloon. Tennessee National Members can bring a friend and enjoy the game while practicing their golf swing at the most unique driving range experience in town, powered by Toptracer Technology.

No. 3: Join us for Oktober Fest at the Sunset Saloon.* 

Beginning October 1st, Tennessee National Members are invited to join us for fall fun at the Sunset Saloon all month long to celebrate Oktoberfest. Enjoy the season with seasonal German food, beer and drink specials, and more.

On October 16th, you won’t want to miss our annual Tennessee National Family Fall Fest from 2-5pm! This event is free and open to members, property owners, and their families and guests. The event will feature a chili, pie, and soup cook-off, a chipping contest, a Toptracer fishing tournament, a photo booth, face painting and balloon animals, among many other activities. 

Additional food and drinks will be available for purchase, and remember to check out our local food truck partner, Tic Toc Ice Cream to get your favorite scoop before they close for the season at the end of October. Please RSVP to Kara Pratt to RSVP by October 12th at kpratt@tennesseenational.com. If you’re interested in overseeing a booth or participating in the cook-off, be sure to let her know!

Following the Fall Family Fest at Sunset Saloon, join us for Trunk or Treat from 6:00-7:30pm. We’ll be decorating and hosting this Trunk or Treat session, Tennessee National Style, with golf carts! You don’t need to have your own golf cart to participate and kids of all ages are welcome!

We’ll host a costume and best décor contest, and more food and drink specials. To reserve your spot or get more information on Trunk or Treat, visit our Tennessee National Golf Facebook page.  

No. 4: Take a (fall) hike. 

Hiking is great any time of year but few would argue about the beauty of a fall hike in East Tennessee. In addition to the gorgeous lakeside and wooded hiking trails all around Tennessee National, take some time to check out some of our Clubhouse Manager, Ian’s, favorite spots for nature and scenery.

  • Ruby Falls
  • See Rock Mountain
  • Forbidden Caverns
  • Tuckaleechee Caverns
  • Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (obviously)
  • Cross Eyed Cricket Campground (Lenoir City)
  • Abrams Falls
  • Rich Mountain Loop
  • Spence Field
  • Gregory Bald Mountain
  • Bald River Falls waterfall and hiking trails 
  • Lynn Camp Prong Cascades

No. 5: Visit local attractions.

Kara Pratt, Lifestyle and Membership Director at Tennessee National loves getting into the season with local attractions. “One event that’s definitely worth seeing is Dollywood Amusement Park in Pigeon Forge. It is named the #1 theme park in the US on Tripadvisor and they have the Great Pumpkin Luminites every fall.”

Besides Dollywood, visit these local attractions and check out their websites and social media accounts for additional fall festivities. 

  • Dead Man's Haunted Farm (here in Loudon)
  • The Pumpkin Patch at Deep Well Farm in Lenoir City
  • The Haunted Corn Maze in Maple Lane Farms in Greenback
  • Knoxville Brewery Tours
  • Muse Knoxville (kids museum)
  • Lost Sea (in Monroe County) 
  • Sweetwater Valley Farms 
  • Tennessee Valley Winery (here in Loudon) 
  • LoCo Drive Inn (here in Loudon)

No. 6: Take a drive to see more of Tennessee.

Before the holidays get too busy, it’s a good idea to take some time to explore more of the beautiful Volunteer State. Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pigeon Forge, Knoxville, Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and even Nashville are all easily within driving distance, 20 minutes to 2.5 hours away from Tennessee National. 

 If you’ve never been to a Smokies game in Sevierville, Tennessee, Ian says you’re missing out. “It’s a minor league team… It’s good ole family fun! Ballgame, Chili Dog, Dad throws his arm out on the MPH machine, and a bunch of kids race mascots in the 7th.” Sounds pretty epic if you ask us. 

No. 7: Join us for food, fun, and live music. 

Lakefront concert at Tennessee National Amphitheater

Our Tennessee National team works hard to bring a variety of events and activities for our members, property owners, and guests. And that includes lots of live music! Our live music series continues into fall at the Sunset Saloon, and we are hosting our last lakefront amphitheater concert of the season on Saturday, October 8 at 7:00pm. 

Join us for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by singer Randy Jackson’s fabulous vocals, as they perform The Music of Pink of Pink Floyd: A Rock Symphony. This event is open to the public, so get your tickets and join us for a night of food trucks, drinks, family fun, and music!

Our live music series continues with these weekly events. 

The Solo Series: Friday Nights at the Sunset Saloon from 7:00-10:00pm

September 30: Pale Root

October 7: Roy Saunders

October 14: Cale Charney

October 21: Rock & Roll Karaoke

October 28: Nolen Nevels

The Concert Series: Saturdays at the Sunset Saloon from 7:00-10:00pm

October 8: Uptown Moonlighting (this event is at 11:00am at the Sunset Saloon)

October 8: KSO Presents: The Music of Pink Floyd at Tennessee National Amphitheater at 7:00pm (open to the public. Get your tickets now)

October 15: Hugh Allen

October 22: T.N.T

October 29: Trick Shot 

No matter what you and your family like to do, be it hiking or visiting state parks and attractions, aquariums, zoos, theater, shopping, sporting events, or nightlife, you’ll find lots going on during fall in Tennessee.

Want to be part of the fun at Tennessee National?

If you want to love where you live (or play), consider moving to Tennessee National. Our custom homes division can build your perfect dream home at the best kept secret lake and golf community in East Tennessee? Schedule a personalized tour and see why people from all over the US are moving to Tennessee National.

Live locally but want to join the Tennessee National Golf Club? Contact us for membership information.