Travel

Flight

Knoxville, Chattanooga & Nashville Airports

Knoxville's airport and Chattanooga's airport are about equally distant from Athens, TN (about one hour), but are limited in terms of airlines and flight times. Nashville is the area's larger international airport, but is about 2hrs and 45min from Athens.

Travel Note

Places to Stay

For our out of town guests who do want to extend their stay to beyond the day of the wedding, we recommend staying Chattanooga or Knoxville. While Athens, TN is beautiful, it is quite rural with not as many accommodations and things to do. Athens is equally distant from both Knoxville and Chattanooga. Our recommendation is to stay in Knoxville, where Hayden was born and raised! Please keep in mind for the day of the wedding Knoxville is about a one hour drive from Athens! Please see below for recommendations within Knoxville to stay - please note, there have been no special accommodations or room blocks set up for the places suggested below.

Hotel

Hyatt Place Knoxville / Downtown

This hotel is right in downtown Knoxville on Gay Street next to The Tennessee Theater! This hotel is located in a historic downtown building with an on-site Starbucks and fitness center. There is a rooftop bar called Five Thirty Lounge.

Hotel

The Oliver Hotel Knoxville, by Oliver

This hotel is also located in downtown Knoxville in a historic building, just steps away from Market Square. This hotel features Knoxville's Legendary hidden bar!

House Or Rental

Athens Area

The Athens, Sweetwater and Loudon areas have great options for individual home rentals from small cabins to larger waterfront homes. Let us know if you find one and need to know if the location is good!

Travel Note

Local Suggestions on Things to do!

Sweetwater, TN is home to The Lost Sea which is America's largest underground lake. They host guided tours into the cave and lake that takes approximately an hour and a half. If you visit, the entry building to the cave is a project that Abigail helped design! Check their website for tour options: https://thelostsea.com/ Sweetwater Valley Farm is a family dairy producing farm in Philadelphia, TN! They have the cutest cafe serving lunch as well as a cheese and gift shop. They offer tours of the farm and milking facilities as well. Check their website for details: https://sweetwatervalley.com/ A great place to eat is The Lazy Beagle Pub & Grille in Sweetwater, TN! This restaurant just opened a year ago and is in the building next to Abigail's office. They do not take reservations, but if there is a wait you can walk around the charming small town and stop in all the antique shops! https://lazybeagletn.com/ Tennessee Valley Winery is a family run winery located in Loudon (where Abigail and Hayden live). This venue is very charming and sits on top of a hill. They offer free tastings and often have live music events. https://tnvalleywinery.com/ Tsali Notch Vineyard is a bit more off the beaten path in Madisonville and is a muscadine vineyard. https://tsalinotch.com/ Other suggestions: Chattanooga Aquarium, Knoxville World's Fair Park, The Tennessee Theater is showing "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" during the weekend of the wedding, and Knoxville Riverboat Cruise