Things to See and Do Near a Stuckey’s: Kodak, Tennessee

Though it’s certainly not the smallest town in Tennessee – its population is somewhere around 11,320 – Kodak, as its name suggests, is one of the most picturesque little communities in the Volunteer State.

Now if some of you are facepalming at that bad pun right now, let us explain.

You see, Kodak, Tennessee is, indeed, named after that legendary American manufacturer of film and photographic supplies.

In 1892, a local postmaster by the name of Harvey N. Underwood was looking for a name for the fledgling little town he postmastered. Somehow he learned of a new brand of camera called the “Kodak” camera and thought the name was not only easy to remember, but also easy to spell. So, being in the letter sending and receiving business, Mr. Underwood sat down and wrote a letter to George Eastman, founder of the Eastman Kodak company, asking for permission to use the name. Eastman gave the postmaster his blessing and that’s how Kodak, Tennessee, got its name.

Today, Kodak is mostly known as a quick stop along Interstate 40 and right off of Exit 407, you’ll find many restaurants and stores including a store-within-a-store Stuckey’s located in the Fastop Market at 129 E Dumplin Valley Road.

After you’ve loaded up on Stuckey’s Pecan Log Rolls, Pecan Pralines, and other pecany good road trip snacks, here are some places you should check out while you’re in the area:

Bush’s Beans Visitor Center / Dandridge, TN

Ever wonder where the beautiful beans of Bush’s Beans were born? Well, they actually spill the beans about the history of Bush Brothers & Company and how they make them beautiful beans at the Bush’s Beans Visitors Center. The visitor center is a free attraction that includes a cafe, a general store and a museum that has recently been remodeled and expected to open spring of 2022.

Anyway, eating all those beans sure will make for an interesting ride no matter where you’re headed afterwards. They don’t call it the musical fruit for nothing, you know!  (22 mi.)

Forbidden Caverns / Sevierville, TN

Did you know that Tennessee is a spelunkers dream with over 8,350 caves throughout the state?  That’s more caves than any other state in the USA. Still, out of all of those caves one of the Volunteer State’s most spectacular is Forbidden Caverns.  Located in Sevierville, Tennessee it bills itself as “The Greatest Attraction Under the Smokies” and you’ll see why as you walk past all the sparkling stalactites and stalagmites lit up with special lighting effects that make you feel you’re in an underground wonderland.  The tour is 55-minutes long and always a cool 58°F no matter the weather above ground.  There’s also free parking for cars and small RV’s and a souvenir shop and a picnic pavilion located on the grounds as well. Check out their website for hours and pricing. (24 mi.)

Coldest Beer in the USA / Trentville, TN

Okie Joe’s is the latest incarnation of this little roadside bar that sits off of Andrew Johnson Highway just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee.  There is no sign to show its name, current or former, but there is a yellow backlit vacuum-form sign that looks like it’s been there since at least the 1960s. In black letters, it reads “COLDEST BEER IN THE USA”. But is it really the coldest beer in all of America?

Hatfields and McCoys Dinner Feud / Pigeon Forge, TN

The actual Hatfield and McCoy family feud took place over 200 miles north of Pigeon Forge at Tug Fork along the borders of southwestern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and eastern Kentucky. However, here in Pigeon Forge, people line up outside of the Hatfields and McCoys Dinner Feud to watch the story of a feud between “different branches of the family trees” that hold hillbilly dance-offs and do a little fiddle fighting and the like to see who comes out on top. There’s also a diving competition at the local “swimming hole” that even the families’ dogs take part in. Since the theater is divided into two sections – the Hatfields on one side and the McCoys on the other, you get to root for your family throughout the show.

Oh and did we mention that it all goes on while you’re eating all-you-can-eat mounds of endless helpings of your favorite Southern dishes including fried chicken, pulled pork, creamy soup, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, homemade bread, coleslaw and even dessert. Now, THAT’s our idea of good family entertainment! For information on prices, hours and reservations, visit the official Hatfields and McCoys Dinner Feud website. (12.5 mi.)

Safety Follows Wisdom / Knoxville, TN

The Sunsphere / Knoxville, TN

In 1982, the “scruffy little city” of Knoxville, Tennessee held the 1982 World’s Fair with the theme “Energy Turns the World”. The centerpiece of the fair was the Sunsphere, a 266-ft tall observation tower that feature a globe-shaped “sun” that got its golden color from the 24-karat gold inside each one of the tower’s 360 panes of glass. It was designed by Hubert Bebb of the architecture firm Community Tectonics and built by Stanley D. Lindsey and Associates, Ltd. using Bethlehem Steel.

During the fair, $2.00 got you an elevator ride to up to the tower’s 4th floor observation deck. There was also a restaurant where you could get a “Sunburger” and a “Sunburst” – a rum and fruit juice cocktail – to wash your burger down with.

2022 marks the 40^th anniversary of the fair and today you can take the elevator up to the 4th Floor Observation Deck for a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city of Knoxville, the Great Smoky Mountains and beyond. You’ll also find a 1982 World’s Fair timeline, gallery, memorabilia and gift shop. (However, you WON’T find a wig shop. Sorry Simpsons fans). For hours and prices, visit their website here. (20.5 mi.)

So there you have it, a handful of picture taking opportunities that are just a short road trip away from Kodak. Of course with Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Knoxville, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the area, there’s plenty more for roadtrippers and family vacationers alike to see and do near Stuckey’s in Kodak, Tennessee.

—-

Whether you’re taking pictures or taking your time just enjoying the ride, don’t forget to take some time out for a Stuckey’s stop on your next road trip. Grab some of our world famous Stuckey’s Pecan Log Rolls, Stuckey’s Pecan Pralines, Hunkey Dorey or any of our other pecan treats to take with you on the journey ahead. (After all, is it really a road trip without America’s favorite road trip snacks?)

No Stuckey’s near you? No problem! Now you can order your favorite Stuckey’s treats and snacks online and have them delivered before you even leave your driveway on your next big highway adventure.

Or why not make your own road trip treats to take with you the next time you hit the road with our “Bakers” Pecan Kitchen Box? Each box includes:

1- 9 oz. Stuckey’s Pecan Halves

1- 16 oz. Stuckey’s Pecan Meal

1- Stuckey’s 9 oz. Pecan Pieces

1- Stuckey’s Red Kitchen Towel

1- Stuckey’s Yellow Kitchen Apron

1- Pecan Lovers Cook Book

Get your “Bakers” Pecan Kitchen Box and all kinds of other pecany goodness today, only from www.stuckeys.com.

Stuckey’s – We’re Making Road Trips Fun Again!