There are five trails that lead to Mt. Event Details. The overlooks view of the darkening mountains meeting the oranges, pinks, reds and yellows of the sky is like something out of a poem or an impressionist painting. Check. Located on the Alum Cave Trail, Inspiration Point offers beautiful views of the North Carolina side of the Smokies. Back on the main route, stick to the interstate until you reach Chattanooga, there you could detour northward to Cloudland Canyon State Park. Just a quick jaunt off I-40 will offer sights you never knew existed. What is your favorite overlook and view in Gatlinburg? If you take a few detours along the way, youll find some incredible scenery and make memories to last a lifetime. Mileage: The length of the trip is 221 miles. 1Ober Gatlinburg. Located along the Alum Cave Trail on the hike up to Mt. The 295-mile road trip from Nashville to Gatlinburg takes 5 hours to drive. On your way out of Manchester, you could immediately make a long detour to Huntsville by taking Exit 127 for US-64, which will merge onto TN-121 before taking you to Huntsville in Alabama. To reach Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Nashville, drive east on Interstate Highway 40, continue east on Interstate 140 and turn north on U.S. Route 321, which brings you to the park's Townsend, Tennessee, entrance, a quieter and less-trafficked alternative to the one farther east in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.The Townsend route rolls through Nashville's outer suburbs and eventually into . Across the road is a short 0.9-mile roundtrip hike along the Look Rock Tower Trail, leading to a concrete observation tower on the mountain summit. Savannah to Jacksonville - Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best Driving I believe that, at the right time of year, it is one of the best scenic views in the United States. The peak tourist season is summer, when temperatures are usually soaring in the 80s, sometimes even above that. There are other options including I-40 to 441. Then, the second leg of our trip goes from Chattanooga to Gatlinburg, but with stops along the way in Knoxville and Pigeon Forge, both in Tennessee. In addition to the great views from the parking lot, Ober offers a skylift to the top of Mt. What to See & Do on a Nashville to Gatlinburg Road Trip Flash Sale The Great Smoky Mountains with Atlanta. Instead of going straight through Knoxville to the famous exit 407, you'll go through the town of Seymour, en route to Sevierville, TN. You could also visit the Museum of East Tennessee History and learn about the regions culture, art and textiles. View our suggested park itineraries for more park activity ideas. If you were to drive direct from Gatlinburg to the start of the Cades Cove Loop Road, it will take 1-1.5 hours if you were to include likely traffic. Take I-40 E and take the Lenoir City exit. To illustrate, there are several great views located just a short walk from downtown Gatlinburg. If we start a discussion of the best scenic overlooks near Gatlinburg TN, we should begin with a caveat. There are plenty of possibilities for exciting detours, some of which can extend your trip up to a couple of days, such as those to Atlanta and Huntsville. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Sometimes you need a change of scenery, and these weekend road trips from Chicago make it easy to get away from the bustle of the Windy City. We will also visit all the main attractions the city has to offer. You must visit this city whenever you plan your trip to Gatlinburg. Weekend: I-40 east into Knoxville, exit 441 south from Downtown. 8 Best Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains | Ultimate Guide The abundant kayak routes, hiking and climbing trails will make for a great vacation and so will a night at The Read House. However, if youre staying in Gatlinburg for the rest of your Tennessee road trip, youll find plenty to do here without leaving for even a second. If you plan on taking any of these scenic routes, don't forget your camera! There's far less traffic, and it's much more scenic. Here Are 11 Of The Best Scenic Roads In North Carolina - OnlyInYourState White water rafting on the Ocoee River in Tennessee. If you aren't short of time, driving to Ruby Falls and taking a hike around Point Park around Lookout Mountain is a great opportunity to reconnect with nature. The city's Market Square is a fantastic place to spend some time as the restaurants and shops lining the area are great. Start: Nashville, Tennessee. The breathtaking hills and peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains are only a 5-minute drive from the resort and the outdoor recreational opportunities in this national park are endless, spanning from hiking and bicycling to waterfall and wildlife viewing. Read Also: Where are the Smoky Mountains? The parking lot on the left has a nice scenic overlook of the valley between the foothills and the Great Smoky Mountains. Related Read:8 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Knoxville, Tennessee. Imbued with southern charm, the city on the Tennessee River offers lots to do, no matter what youre into when you travel. The Gatlinburg Skylift Park and its SkyBridge also offer an observation deck and is also a great spot to get panoramic views of the Smokies. Some of Huntsvilles top attractions include the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville Botanical Gardenand Monte Sano State Park. The Roaring Fork Overlook comes with the added bonus of traveling the one-way Overlook which is filled with old, historic sites, buildings and some of the best trails around. If you choose to brave the weather and visit in winter, make sure to check out the festive New Year's Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show, which is the highlight of the holiday season in Gatlinburg. To help you decide, we compiled a list of our top suggestions as to what to see and do. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN - Amtrak Vacations For instance, you can go to country music concerts such as the Smoky Mountain Opry, dinner theatres such as Dolly Partons Dixie Stampede and go outlet mall shopping. Diesel. Shenandoah protects 300 square-miles of hardwood forest throughout the northern region of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and offers over 500 miles of trails, 100 of which belong to the Appalachian Trail. Knoxville, Tennessee The alluring city of Knoxville provides a comforting blend of bigger town amenities and the peace and quiet of the mountainous area of the Great Smoky Mountains. Three hours east of Nashville, clocking in at 180 miles, make a pit stop in Knoxville. Aug 24, 2023 - Aug 26, 2023. Atlanta, GA Pigeon Forge, TN Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN. Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best Driving Route; Rent a Car in Siesta Key: $35+ Per Day To Enjoy Your Vacation; Rent Car for A Month: How to Rent a Car for a Month . Best Ways to Get to Gatlinburg - Smoky Mountain Travel Guide 1-800-987-9852 Chat Now. In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask that you confirm your identity as a human. Chicago to Nashville and Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip When shes not writing, you can find her exploring the mountains near her home in the Adirondacks. After you have decided whether or not you would like to rest up at one of the resorts in Chattanooga, you should consider driving to Atlanta for an exciting adventure in this dazzling city. The Big A is packed with many terrific and exciting attractions, offers a vibrant nightlife and is overall a great tourist destination for friends and family vacations alike. Full of wonders, excitement and inspiration, the road trip from Nashville to Gatlinburg deserves serious consideration. Follow Interstate 40 (I-40) out of the city and take Exit 407 towards TN-66. If you really want to make a thorough trip of it, you can make a little side visit to Huntsville, Alabama, after you leave Murfreesboro, but before you reach Chattanooga. While driving, keep your eyes open for white deer, coyote, elk, fox and black bears. Get off of Interstate 24 at Highway 453 and take that road between the Barkley Dam and Kentucky Dam out onto the peninsula. Seen in: Alabama, North Carolina, Road Trips, Tennessee. Outdoor enthusiasts would find September to be the best time to visit, especially during weekdays when rates drop to offseason lows and attractions are less crowded. 1151 Wiley Oakley Dr, Gatlinburg, OK 73953 | MLS# 251346 | Redfin If you take a few detours along the way, you'll find some incredible scenery and make memories to last a lifetime. It also hosts many music festivals such as Bonnaroo Music Festival, CMA Fest, etc. Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park, Manchester Home to an abundance of dramatic scenery, graceful waterfalls and museum exhibits, the Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park is a great site for tourists and history enthusiasts alike. Tennessees Museum of Aviation has a variety of vintage aircraft, including its two rare Thunderbolt fighter jets. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. That being said, it won't hurt to extend the trip by a day or two for some additional relaxation at one of these great resorts along the way: Named the Scenic City, Chattanooga, located 2 hours from Nashville, is known for its beautiful scenic surroundings, perfect for outdoor activities. Roaring Fork is an exceptional value in terms of time invested to get the best of the good stuff. Event Details . 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. You can see a pink elephant to a dinosaur made from spare parts or quirky boutiques to state parks. Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro Learn about one of the bloodiest human conflicts of the Civil War, the historical layers behind it and the important Union achievements during The Battle of Stones River. We suggest exploring a few of the scenic byways, for very little added time to your journey. Road Trip Along the Scenic Route from Gatlinburg to Asheville Trip Details. This narrow, winding trail offers a spectacular view of mountain streams, forests, log cabins, and a historic mill! Here are the drive time locations in Tennessee: I hope you enjoy our article, do check more of ouramazing articles. 6 Abandoned Places in the Smokies You Didnt Know Existed, The Ogles vs the Gatlins: The Family Feud That Built Gatlinburg, Cades Cove Lake: The effort to turn the Cove into a body of water, Is the Laurel Falls Hike Easy? Road Trip From Saint Louis To Nashville: The Best Stops - TravelAwaits Over the past several years, F-100 enthusiasts have looked for a hotel-based show in Pigeon Forge, and that's what the Grand National F-100 Ford Show is all about. Camping at Disney: Tips and Tricks for Travelers 9 Best Resorts in Arizona | A Definitive Guide, Six Tips to Capture Your Travel Memories in Beautiful Photos, Six Important Steps to Take if Youre Hit by a Car While Out Walking in Atlanta, Best Tips for College Students to Travel While Studying, Things to do at Liberty Lagoon Water Park, Things to do at Liberty Lagoon Water Park: Baton Rouge, LA. This resort offers many amenities, including an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, a fitness centre, boat rentals, and more. Easter Week 2023 and alternative locations? Gatlinburg to Nashville drive - plan a road trip A great foodie scene? Scenic route to gatlinburg, tennessee from my location Originally we were hearing about Feb 11th. PinterestTodayWatchExploreWhen autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The population was 244 (2000) and 448 (2010). We hope we've inspired you today! While it is possible to fly between the two cities, its not really worth your time, as the flights can take nearly 3 hours just in the air, and youll need at least one layover. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Whether you go straight from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga, or you make that side trip over into Alabama, once youre ready to head on to Gatlinburg, youll find that only 150 miles or so separate you from the mountain town. View more recently sold homes. The attraction also offers some special fun during the winter months. End: Asheville, North Carolina. Mortar with multiple entrances A huge St Patricks Day parade returns to Dublin for the first time in three years.Almost half a million people are set to descend on the capital bringing a 70 million windfall, while other towns, For a while there have been rumors that Ford was going to close orders for the Mach-E. The more scenic route is by driving the Little River Road, so be sure to take that route if you're looking for the more scenic route! Discover the Asheville to Gatlinburg - Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best Driving Route with everything you must know about it. Oaklands Mansion is another popular stop, with its National Register of Historic Places status and its similar role in the Civil War. Hotel Margaritaville is an eccentric paradise for those who enjoy bright colors, coastal themes and the welcoming feel of a quirky dcor. Why are they so popular? Wilmington-Nashville Route - Road Trips Message Board - Tripadvisor Known as the 'city between two lakes' you'll soon see why. The 18,000-square-foot Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is the largest and closest outfitter to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the south end of the Gatlinburg Strip. Road Trip Itinerary: Asheville to Nashville. The trip can be made in several hours if you have a car with enough power and a good set of tires. 40 means you have to go through Knoxville and then the traffic disaster that is Sevierville and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? In truth, Alum Cave is really just a giant space where the trail cuts under a humongous bluff. Bus, shuttle, drive 11h 22m. At which value will the graph of have a zero. Read Also: 16 top webcams to see live views of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. After your visit, continue northeast towards Manchester where you can find the Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park. The best and most scenic road trip route from Nashville to Gatlinburg will take around 5 hours of driving and will cover 295 miles. In order to make the most out of this exciting trip, it is advisable to make as many stops along the way as possible. Views from the Gatlinburg Space Needle. These roads include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cherohala Skyway, Newfound Gap Road, Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, and the Nantahala Scenic Byway. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. If you have some extra time, you can easily enjoy so much more that this beautiful state has to offer, and all without spending a ton of time in the car. You could get from Asheville to Cherokee by going through Maggie Valley but if you want a scenic drive take the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to Cherokee. The public library has an exhibit for all ages, with different interactive exhibits to keep the children entertained while you learn. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is conveniently located minutes from downtown Gatlinburg. You can explore and enjoy Natchez Hills Winery with its breathtaking views of the Hermitage grounds or stop by for a wine slush when walking around the property. We hope weve inspired you today! Fly up the mountainsides and slide down the slopes. From Orlando, MapQuest times this at 10 hours, 24 minutes (655 miles).. I asked this same question a little while ago and followed the advice to enter via Townsend. Here are 6 Gatlinburg scenic drives you won't want to miss when visiting the area. Also known as US-441, The Newfound Gap Road is arguably the most iconic scenic drive in the Smoky Mountains. And if youre still itching to see more of the South after your road trip concludes in Gatlinburg, consider extending your trip a bit more, to hop over the state line and see whats up in Asheville, North Carolina. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Home to the largest college in Tennessee (Middle Tennessee State University), Murfreesboro is also known for its abundant history. Back on the main route, stick to the interstate until you reach Chattanooga, there you could detour northward to Cloudland Canyon State Park.