Off Topic: Location for a family reunion in Eastern Kentucky or Tennessee?

[brianreynolds]

I am soliciting suggestions for a location/venue for a large family reunion.

Criteria 1:  State park or similar setting with several cabins clustered together.

Criteria 2:  Nearby thing to do/attractions/diversions for all ages.

The Gatlinburg area has been suggested.  I have only been to Gatlinburg once, almost 30 years ago.  The lasting mental image is a town saturated with crappy commercialism.  Is my memory being unfair?

Any other ideas?

[hbelkins]

I have not been to the tourist towns in the Tennessee Smokies (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville) in 15 years, but the commercialism of that area is said to have increased exponentially since I was last there, and it had increased exponentially since you were there.

I would recommend Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg. The state park has a lodge and cabins, and there are a few things to do nearby. Butcher Hollow (Loretta Lynn's birthplace), the Mountain Arts Center, Jenny Wiley itself has a theater, a country music museum in Paintsville, several lakes in the area for boating/fishing, at least two golf courses, a local black-box theater in Elkhorn City, a rail trail in Johnson and Magoffin counties, Hatfield-McCoy stuff around Pikeville, plus all the road construction with the US 460 projects if there are any roadgeeks besides yourself in attendance.

I really wanted to recommend Natural Bridge State Resort Park but there aren't as many attractions in the area.

[brianreynolds]

Thanks, H. B.  I knew you would be the best resource.

[adventurernumber1]

I've been to Gatlinburg for a ski trip in 2009. Honestly it's a beautiful place IMO. And the roads in the area are a blast.

[adventurernumber1]

Also, I like the idea of having the reunion in a cabin or several. Last October I went to Cadiz, Kentucky to see family who resides in St. Louis. The cabin idea is a great one. We shared one cabin, which was right on a lake, and it was beautiful.

[hbelkins]

I forgot that there is something called the East Kentucky Science Center at Prestonsburg. I have no idea what it is, as I have never been there, but signs are posted as far as 40 miles out on the Mountain Parkway.

Also the Middle Creek National Battlefield outside Prestonsburg. It's under development as a national historic site. I don't know what's there, as I only pass by it when I'm on my way to Prestonsburg or Pikeville, but it is just west of town on KY 114.