I agree. I recently went to Paducah for the event. I would rather visit during non-show months. I enjoy the smaller AQS venues as there is more focus on quilting (rather than having additional non-quilting booths). Chattanooga has interesting places to visit for you and your DH.
www.chattanoogafun.com and
www.tnvacation.com/ If you have time, Asheville, NC is a really nice place to visit for traditional crafts and the Biltmore and Biltmore Gardens.
http://www.southernhighlandguild.org...craft-shop.php has shops along the Blue Ridge Parkway