Cultural Hubs:

Austin, TX  |  Ann Arbor, MI  |  Flagstaff, AZ  |  Knoxville, TN 

 Provo-Orem, UT  |  Tuscaloosa, AL 

Knoxville, Tennessee:

Population: 178,141

Median Home Price: $149,900

Your Hangout: Preservation Pub

The Scene: Knoxville offers plenty of jobs within the high-tech Tennessee Valley Corridor, easy access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and a lively and largely undiscovered local music scene.

OPTIONS: Though it sounds more like Six Flags than a mountain bike trail, The Screamer at Hall Ridge dips into a ravine and out again before you can catch your breath. In the Smoky Mountains, hike down the ridge from Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald and see Tennessee lakes on one side and South Carolina peaks on the other.

OUTFITTERS: With 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) of fishable streams in the Smoky Mountains, a Little River Outfitters (+1 865 448 9459) guide will show you the best trout flyfishing, and improve your technique along the way.

GOOD EATS: Calhoun's on the River (+1 865 673 3355) batters fresh caught catfish in cornmeal. Have it with a side of hush puppies. For dessert The Regas (+1 865 637 3427) has red velvet cake with signature creamcheese icing.

30 More Places to Live and Play:

Boise or Bust!

Outdoor Meccas  |  Adventure Cities  |  Small Towns

Cultural Hubs  |  Beach Towns  

Adventure's September 2006 issue features 31 amazing adventure towns; chaos at the top of Mount Everest; an inside look at surfing California's Lost Coast; 11 fall weekend getaways near you; the best high-tech footwear, world class adventure travel; hiking the Alps, and more!