“You have to get out there and find the adventure.”
Gabe Logan, director of student engagement
Spring break is right around the corner for Milligan students. Faculty and students alike are working diligently to get classes buttoned up so they can enjoy their much deserved time off.
The Stampede took some time to ask students and faculty “What are your plans for spring break?” Most students interviewed said they were planning on returning home, others replied “I don’t know.” Resorting to faculty members, The Stampede asked “What is an activity that you would recommend for spring break, within 100 miles and under 100 dollars in cost?” These were their responses.
- Hiking Roan Mountain – Mrs. Mary Jackson
- Exploring Asheville, NC – Mrs. Linda Ray & Dr. Heather Hoover
- Bicycling the Virginia Creeper Trail – Dr. John Jackson
- Exploring Knoxville, grabbing chicken and waffles – Dr. Nate Wentzel
- Visiting Dollywood – Dr. Lindsay Worley
- Enjoy the Tweetsie Trail – Dr. Ian Lundholm
Exploring Knoxville 
Hiking
There are many different trails to visit on Roan Mountain. The popular hiking app and website AllTrails has a comprehensive guide to some of the best trails Roan Mountain has to offer. Even if you have visited Roan Mountain in the past this list may provide a new trail to explore.
Ashville, NC is an exciting town to visit and can offer a wide array of unique and fun experiences. Dr. Hoover specifically recommended the architectural trail. The trail showcases the brilliant architecture that was erected during the Roaring twenties. The city’s website provides a map and location guides to make exploring a breeze. They even have a scavenger hunt for those courageous enough to attempt it.
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a scenic 34-mile stretch spanning two counties and can be enjoyed year-round. Don’t let the size scare you, many people choose to rent bicycles and be shuttled up Highway 58 to Whitetop Station where they can ride downhill most of the way. The ride along the river is beautiful even without the canopy of fall.
Knoxville makes our list, and it isn’t a surprise, it is a major hub of east Tennessee and full of activities for people of all ages. Visiting the zoo, enjoying the art museum, seeing the women’s basketball hall of fame and perhaps even enjoying some chicken and waffles. This list features Knoxville’s top attractions.
For anyone who grew up in east Tennessee, visiting Dollywood may have been a staple of your childhood. Today, Dollywood has expanded to be an attraction that offers many different experiences. From roller coaster rides and waterslides to singer-songwriter festivals, art and culture, Dollywood has it all. And although the waterpark isn’t open quite yet, the opening day of the theme park is March 8.
Coming a bit closer to campus is Johnson city’s gem, the Tweetsie Trail. The nearly ten-mile trail spans Johnson City from Alabama/Legion street intersection to Elizabethton with many attractions along the way like Elizabethton’s famous covered bridge.
This list just begins to scratch the surface of what East Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina has to offer people who are willing to get out and explore.
To quote another staff member here at Milligan, Gabe Logan, director of student engagement, “You have to get out there and find the adventure.”