On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. Nashville has its own replica of the Parthenon at the 132-acre Centennial Park and Gardens, which is located within walking distance from Vanderbilt University. All along I-75 in KY is the Daniel Boone Nat'l. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. This luxury 5-star hotel has a fabulous outdoor swimming pool, an excellent restaurant, and an onsite fitness center, so there is plenty to help you relax and unwind after your drive before hitting the town. If you did this, you could do a quick stop at Mammoth Cave, and they also have the Corvette Museum near Bowling Green, KY. If you're ready to explore beautiful destinations like Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and Mt. Another Tip: The Little River Scenic Drive is full of tiny little splash pods. From Chicago, you will drive along the shores of Lake Michigan on Interstate 90 E until you reach Exit 17 and merge onto Interstate 65 S to Indianapolis. Situated almost halfway into this fabulous road trip, 719 miles from Chicago, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza. The road climbs some 3,000 feet along the edge of the mountain, and passes through a stunning number of . Leaving Louisville, take the Interstate 64 E into the heart of Bluegrass Country, and after 80 miles, you will arrive at Lexington. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. From Nashvillehead toward Chattanooga then Atlanta. The rooms are spacious and beautifully designed, and their signature heavenly bed will ensure the perfect restorative sleep, so you are fully refreshed and ready for the day of adventure ahead. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Alert: This site requires a JavaScript enabled browser. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Louisville - Louisville, KY is a beautiful city on the Ohio River with several notable sights including the Mohamed Ali Museum, The Louisville Sluggers Museum, and the Churchill Downs Race Tracks. Getting there can be as fun as the park itself. Lexington is a great town. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I've got some great ideas from all of the replies. Prepare yourself for the best Smokies vacation possible with your favorite people by knowing what to pack when going to the mountains! As far as bridges go, you will have to cross several on your route to and from Hilton Head. There are many excellent restaurants, bars, and cafes nearby. Expect to see lush greenery as you drive down the route and hit the mountains. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The social distance requirement in Smoky Mountains is 2 metres. The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and Coca-Cola, (be sure to check out the museums dedicated to both), this lively city also features the fantastic Georgia Aquarium, some fabulous restaurants, and terrific nightlife. Leaving Pigeon Forge, take the US-321 south and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains as you make the short 8-mile journey to Gatlinburg. web site are responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness, currency and/or suitability of all information. There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app. Our trip to zip line was also special, as many of us did that for the first time in life. Your email address will not be published. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Also it helped us to party hard every night when we came back tired from the sight seeing and outdoor activities. Additionally, the best way to get around the Smoky Mountains is by car since public transportation is lacking in this part of the country. The Lincoln Bridge handles northbound traffic. They are known for their handmade crafts and artwork. Amit is a financial engineer by profession, road trip addict, wannabe tennis player and has a gregarious personality. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Here are five reasons why you should. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Being 2 blocks south of Broadway, the Hyatt Centric is just steps away from fabulous honky-tonk bars and a vibrant local music scene. Tip: Rather than towing a ton of groceries from home, do it near the destination. Users of this Your email will not be provided to third parties. Places to Visit on a Smoky Mountains Road Trip | Marriott TRAVELER We have included a detour that goes through Cincinnati, converging with the main route in Lexington. May consider driving around. The rafting trip itself was impeccable gentle 1.5 hour ride with Class 1/2 rapids. A trip to Nashville is not complete without immersing yourself in its vibrant music scene. If you appreciate the beauty of foliage in the fall season, making the trip in autumn is for you. Our neighing neighbors, as seen from our countryside cottage. Doing this will add the rental to your favorites list. Take an architectural boat tour to get a strong sense of the citys past and present. Walking the numerous trails, however, even for a short distance, provides a much richer experience. Rise and shine - We left sharp at 6 AM in our Durango R/T to kick-start our first summer road trip of 2021. Gatlinburg sky lift, Gatlinburg scenic overlook, Gatlinburg space needle were some of teh other attractions that we covered in the Gatlinburg town. You could detour to visit Mammoth Cave National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park if weather permitting. Pass through the Woods Ferry conservation area before heading east onto the I-10 towards Jacksonville. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Shells08, what route are you taking to get to P.F.? Along the way, you'll visit four national parks, see some of the Midwest . We have family in northern TN so travel that way about every month or so. Leaving Lexington, take the I-75 S heading through the rugged landscape of the Daniel Boone National Forest, one of the biggest rock-climbing destinations in the world, before continuing on to Knoxville. The quickest route from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is 580 miles and takes 8 hours and 50 minutes without accounting for any pit stops or detours you might want to make on your way. Bring a blanket to sit on and enjoy the tunes (and the excellent people watching). It's nothing but the quintessential American road trip. Chicago to Nashville and Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip Nashville to Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip Washington DC and Outer Banks to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Road Trip Get Our Newsletter Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. My main concerns are construction/traffic as well as we have a major concern of wanting to avoid windy, bridges/single roads in the Smoky Mountains as we both are anxious of heights/bridges. Three hours east of Nashville, clocking in at 180 miles, make a pit stop in Knoxville. Elk on Route 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park A Stop For Elk On a Smoky Mountains road trip you can see many things right from your car. Heading onwards, take the I-85 east to Albany then join the US-82 heading south towards Florida. After making the journey to reach the Smokies, which in itself is an excellent road trip, make the most of this magical mountain wonderland by taking an excursion through the park to fully explore this magnificent landscape. While this may seem like quite a long distance, the scenic landscape and attractions along the way will make . The one time i took 65, i left VERY early (5.30 AM) and beat the morning rush if you get out early on a saturday morn, you SHOULD be OK, but you'll still encounter a lot of trucks. IMO, the few advantages of 65 over 57 is it's about 30 or 40 miles shorter (big whip if you get stuck in traffic), it's more scenic (57 doesn't start getting interesting till southern ILL), and it allows you to circumvent downtown nashville more easily as traffic there can be just as bad as chicago at times. but since you're stopping there one of the ways, it's a moot point. second the chattanooga traffic comment we just passed thru there over t-giving and it was HORRIBLE, and there's no viable way to get around the city because it's surrounded by mountains. also, about a half hour north of chattanooga along I-24 is the monteagle pass.. it's one of the steepest stretches of interstate i've ever experienced and best done during the day.. people fly up and down that stretch, so be aware of that since there are some pretty decent turns on it as well. if it's been raining, there are some pretty cool waterfalls (albeit man-made as they tumble down the road cut) along the way, but watch your speed! Conversely, over the winter months, you might find that snow makes some of the areas around the national parks very difficult, and possibly cause road closures in the mountainous areas. Road trip loop from Chicago to the Carolinas - Fodor's It takes approximately 6h 26m to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains, including transfers. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. Given the distance between Chicago and Miami, the route is filled with amazing tourist destinations, and you'll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to stay on your overnight stops. From here, head south and join Interstate 75 where you will arrive at Lexington, where our main route continues. Chicago to Miami RV Road Trip Guide (+ RV Rental) | RVshare The Mega Cavern underneath Louisville, Ky. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). We wrapped up the day with a sumptuous dinner hereat Curry N More. Help with route Chicago to Smoky Mountains - Road Trips Forum Kat_Cubs_fan - We will probably go through Indianapolis, Louisville & Lexington. So, there we went. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Once we reached the falls, there were couple of spots to soothe the sore legs in cold water, heres the main water drop . The last stop of the day was the Cades Cove. Day 1 - The Drive and the Cottage. Indianapolis: Some museums in the downtown area might be of interest. Next, stop by the mesmerizing Crown Fountain, which features the faces of 1,000 Chicago residents on two 250-foot glass towers, each one at the opposite end of a shallow reflecting pool. At some point, you will be driving through mountains on the interstate. Is it compulsory to practice social distancing in Smoky Mountains? This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. Geez, some people are easily amused. The area is served by Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, approximately 15mi south. www.outdoorsy.com. Click here to skip back to the top. Trip Length: It's a 20-hour drive, but this is without making stops along the way. Don't forget the annual Watch Grass Growing Festival and the ever popular See (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? A popular area in the northern part of the forest is Red River George and Natural Bridge SP, in the southern end, Cumberland Falls SP. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Heres the Google Timeline chronicling our ride back home. The 1,385-mile journey from Chicago to Miami takes 21 hours and 10 minutes of pure driving, passing Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Montgomery, Orlando, Tampa, and the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Thanks Ravekid, for all your recommendations. It is about a 20 minute drive from Gatlinburg entrance to national park. Here is the other water drop, this needed a short climb downwards from the main fall. The options are endless, so here are our recommendations. Very safe. Leaving Chicago, take the I-90 along the shores of Lake Michigan for just over 30 Miles. Louisville is an ideal place to stay, located around the halfway point between Chicago and the Great Smoky Mountains on the Direct Route. Its Luhville to you. Show only these on map. In Cincinnati, there is a riverfront with a mall on the other side of an pedestrian walk bridge (formerly used for vehicles) on the KY side of the river. Other popular stops include Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Ark Encounter, and Market Square. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Smoky Mountains is recommended. The Sherman Minton on I-64 is toll free but the bridge is currently under construction. After a filling continental breakfast, we left for Gatlinburg to visit the Skylift, one of the most coveted places in Smoky. This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. Typically 84 flights run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. Longer trips (Over 8 hours each way) While a drive of this length probably won't suit spring breakers with young families, this is a great time to take an adventure with older children or to hit the road with a group of friends. I will post pictures when I come home for you to see! View our suggested park itineraries. Mileage: It's 1,379 miles between the two cities. After coming up for air, hit the road and point your wheels toward Nashville. Continue your journey past the Gold Mine Trail, before reaching Melrose, where you will take the US-321, passing Townsend and Wears Valley before arriving back at Pigeon Forge. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/laurel-falls2. The top stops along the way from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with short detours) are Horseshoe Hammond, Louisville Mega Cavern, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. May consider driving around. 10 hours and several stops later, we were back where we started. As a result, flying can be a cheaper, time-efficient way to get from Chicago to the Smokies. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains From Nashville.head toward Chattanooga then Atlanta. Head south 4 hours and 45 minutes to Louisville, Ky. Long known for its legendary Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby and the longest continually running sporting event in the country. Road trips don't come more iconic than Route 66, which makes its way from Santa Monica in California to Chicago, Illinois. We are stopping in Nashville, TN on the way there and sleeping overnight and then stopping in Lexington Kentucky to stay overnight on the way back. Road Trip To get the most out of your vacation in the Smoky Mountains, be sure to check out our excellent selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals close to the Smokies that come with hot tubs, game rooms, and decks with stunning mountain views! The fastest route between Chicago and Miami covers a distance of around 1,385 miles, but we recommend extending the journey to include trips to Pigeon Forge and Montgomery which will add a further 450 miles to the trip. Michael Jackson's childhood home and after that there is not much to see except ground hogs on the side of the road when you hit the Tennessee border. Required fields are marked *. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. The trip starts in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica. Indiana area. ', 'How much should I expect to pay? Meet our new guest blogger! Catch a tour from Pigeon Forge. You can click this minus sign to "unselect" this property from your favorites list. There are several bridges in the Louisville area. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. If you choose to visit during spring, the crowds will be significantly smaller and hotel prices relatively low. Continue south on the I-65 for a further 115 miles, through rolling hills of horse country, crossing the famous Ohio River to arrive at Louisville. Through rolling hills and glorious mountain landscapes, this road trip has something for everyone. Once you find your perfect rental for the right date, simply click "book now" to begin the booking process. Great Smoky Mountains National Parkstraddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Or check out Destination Delivery: Have an RV delivered directly to a campground or parking site to camp in style without having to get behind the wheel. The resort is adjacent to the city of Ketchum and within the greater Wood River valley. On third day of our trip, we started driving back towards Chicago, and this time we stayed in Indiana for the night and drove back straight to the house next morning. Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions, If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636. On the final day of this US road trip, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park where the highlights include Laurel Falls, Cades Cove, . Designed by architect Frank Gehry, this outdoor concert venue has 4,000 fixed seats and room for an additional 7,000 people on the Great Lawn. Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With 4 different families, and nomads from the age of one and half years to 35 years, it was truly a friends and family road trip. You'll find loads of iconic spotsand a fair few hidden gemsas you head southeast! Traffic on I 24 near Chattanooga has been awful for past 3 or 4 months. I-65S from Indy: Columbus, IN is known for their architecture. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. We parked at Gatlinburg Skylift Park itself to save time (20$ a day parking) and hobbled over to the ticket counter. Cummins Waterfall - This one is technically outside smoky but quite adventurous Tip: Smoky has a plethora of hiking options and finding the right one could be a stretch. This part of the route is a hidden gem, as Foothills Parkway is a section of the national park that has become almost forgotten, and it's easy to see why the locals want to keep it a secret. After cruising through the few miles of the road which meanders along the Little River, we parked here and spent couple of hours on the river, enjoying the stream of cool flowing water. Its bustling energy is countered by the friendliness of the people, which can catch you off-guard if you are not from the Midwest. If you're looking for some unique food to try along the way, Skyline Chili is a fast casual restaurant chain that's only based in the Ohio River valley. Turn right off hwy 441 in park on to Fighting Gap Creek Road/Little River Road. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? If you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy unwind after a truly memorable road trip, the RiverStone Resort & Spa will definitely deliver, located in Pigeon Forge at the base of the Smoky Mountains.