Four Northeast Tennessee waterways were recently named among the best in “Where to go for H2O” by readers of Blue Ridge Country magazine. The poll had more than 6,500 votes, and nominees covered Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Georgia.
The magazine featured winners in the July/August issue, which was built around reader-poll results saluting favorites in the realms of people, places, and the outdoors. The following Northeast Tennessee locations were named in the Blue Ridge Country 30th Anniversary edition.
Best Lake in Tennessee: Watauga Lake
2nd Best Swimming Hole in Tennessee: Blue Hole
3rd Best River & Fishing Outfitter in Tennessee: Eastern Fly Outfitters
3rd Best Water-Related State Park in Tennessee: Panther Creek State Park
The July/August issue of Blue Ridge Country can be found on newsstands across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast or visiting BlueRidgeCountry.com.
Tourism in Northeast Tennessee:
Tourism is the second largest economic driver in Tennessee, with Northeast Tennessee generating more than $877 million in direct tourist spending, more than $189 million in payroll while employing nearly 6,900 people and generating more than $26 million in local sales tax receipts annually. Northeast Tennessee ranks #5 in the state for economic impact of tourist spending.
The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, chartered in 1977, is a non-profit tourism agency that serves and supports Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties, as well as portions of Southwest Virginia. The organization was named Tennessee’s Destination Marketing Organization of the year in 2019, and also serves as one of nine statewide regional tourism organizations recognized by Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
About Blue Ridge Country Magazine:
Blue Ridge Country is an international bimonthly magazine with a readership of 210,000. The award winning publication covers travel, history, food, festivals, recreation and the mountains of seven southern states.
Written by Paige Hill for Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association.
