Head east to Hilton Head. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. When browsing results, you can add them to your "favorites" by clicking the red plus mark on the bottom left of your desired property. A good way to break up this drive is to stop for the night at a hotel along I-75 past Lexington, KY. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. During the summer months, it can be hot, averaging around 90 degrees in the Deep South and Florida, so air-conditioning is a must. Do bear in mind some attractions may be closed as they transition from winter. May consider driving around. Show only these on map Horseshoe Hammond 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. Lexington is a great town. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Don't know if using I 40 or I 24 but thought I would mention that. While this may seem like quite a long distance, the scenic landscape and attractions along the way will make . If you're going on a road trip from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Chicago, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Pigeon Forge . Music fans must check out the famous Grand Ole Opry House. Its Luhville to you. Road Trip From Chicago To Mackinac Island, Road Trip From Chicago To Yellowstone National Park, none beats the elegance and beauty of Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection. South of Lexington is Berea, KY. Making the trip in May will also appeal to sports fans, with both the Kentucky Derby and the Indy 500 usually taking place at this time. After a quick pit-stop at Louisville, KY to feed our V8 engine hauling us; we had lunch at Taco Bell in Lexington city. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps . Initial stop was Mammoth Cave, did the short 1-2 hour tour and got on the road to Chattanooga. Continue onwards, passing Mingo Falls to Cherokee, with its famous Indian Museum. The cavern is actually man-made and offers experiences for the whole family. 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. But you can also get away from it all at a unique lodging option with Under Canvas. All along I-75 in KY is the Daniel Boone Nat'l. We did not see many vegetarian options there. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. Visit the Indianapolis Speedway Museum and take a tour of the Brickyard, host to the most exhilarating event in the motorsport calendar, the Indy 500. One thing you can count on is construction on almost all interstates. To aid you in your planning, we have compiled our own list of some of the main places to go and the best things to see along the journey. Naperville to Eminence, MO. See if you can catch a show at the legendary Grand Ole Opry where pop artists and country singers perform or head to a smaller venue like The Bluebird Cafe to see incredible live music in a really intimate space. The quickest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which costs $180-$650 and takes 6h 26m. The 33-mile Newfound Gap Road is one of the park's most popular routes, used to connect Cherokee, NC, and Gatlinburg, TN. It is about 20-30 minutes from Lexington. www.outdoorsy.com. Amit is a financial engineer by profession, road trip addict, wannabe tennis player and has a gregarious personality. At 160 miles, this extension to the trip should take a little under 4 hours and 30 minutes, but there will be countless opportunities to stop and admire the stunning mountain vistas and the many fantastic places you will pass along the way. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to destinations to visit on a road trip from Chicago to Miami. Each state has a DOT that gives a list of current construction projects. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Its also on the southeast side of Lexington. Why Smoky? Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. While in the Richmond KY area, check out the new Buc-ees that just opened. The resort is adjacent to the city of Ketchum and within the greater Wood River valley. The views from our cottage did not disappoint. Then, stretch your legs, head to the Music City Walk of Fame on Nashvilles Music Mile to see the names of accomplished artists with a Nashville connection of all musical genres. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. It comes in very handy. 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. Ketchum Sun Valley Historical Society Heritage & Ski Museum is the official museum of Ketchum Sun Valley located in Ketchum, Idaho. Our first adventure of the day was the hike at Laurel Waterfalls, one of the highly trafficked trails in the Smoky Mountains. If you're ready to explore beautiful destinations like Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and Mt. It is perfectly placed to take in the nightlife and indulge in the delicious southern cuisine. First, 10 hours of driving takes a lot of energy and time you might rather want to use for enjoying your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains From Nashville.head toward Chattanooga then Atlanta. Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request. 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. If you are in that area, do visit this museum. I will post pictures when I come home for you to see! If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. If youve ever seen a Tiffanys bean necklace, this sculpture bears a striking resemblance. 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. Be sure to take refreshment breaks and schedule more stops accordingly. Prices start at $100USD per night. I've got some great ideas from all of the replies. Head east to Hilton Head. Indiana area. Another Tip: The Little River Scenic Drive is full of tiny little splash pods. You will notice that the "+" has now changed to a "-". You'll soon arrive at Bryson City, a peaceful mountain town, where you can ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad or simply enjoy the local crafts and cuisine on offer in downtown Bryson. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Stay With only 48 hours in Gatlinburg, you'll need to optimize your time to keep the fun going. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). You'll find loads of iconic spotsand a fair few hidden gemsas you head southeast! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Famous for the Kentucky Derby, and the birthplace of Muhammad Ali. https://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/gatlinburg. From Nashville, take the I-40 east to Knoxville passing through picturesque mountain scenery before reaching Kodak where you will take the TN-66 south for around 30 mins before arriving at Pigeon Forge. Is it compulsory to practice social distancing in Smoky Mountains? Bald Mountain (9150 feet, 2789 m) is a mountain in south central Idaho, adjacent to the city of Ketchum in Blaine County. . Then head to the citys celebrated Millennium Park downtown. They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. You can also remove a property from your favorites list by clicking the minus sign to the right of the property name under the favorites tab. Many of its rooms offer spectacular views over the Ohio River, and of the Big Four Bridge which is a spectacular sight at night. However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Berea KY us at exit 76 on I'75 and has several nice craft shops. (Photo: Alamy) Your next stop on your Smoky Mountains family vacation is Sevierville, which lays claim to Dolly Parton and her eponymous family amusement park. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Hmm, re maui#1 - going to a minor league ballpark without watching a game, an abandoned brewery with no tours or tastings, and watching potatoes get unloaded. We reserved this cottage at Sevierville, Tennessee via VRBO. The I-40 corridor between Asheville to TN is steep and in Knoxville, you get on I-75 which will also have a steep incline until you get to KY . In fact, the nearby park entrance at Townsend is closer to Cades Cove, a preserved pioneer community, than the Gatlinburg entrance (7.3 vs. 27 miles). We had planned to stop in Kentucky so we continuously drove till mid night to get to the hotel. chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops. Here youll find plenty of hotels, grocery stores, and gear shops. Heres what we saw on the way but never stopped due to lack of time: The Sinks popular waterfall. Alert: This site requires a JavaScript enabled browser. Then on Day 2, you could easily include side trips to and stops at both Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area before finishing up in the Great Smoky Mountain are for a couple of days. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This one-way route takes you through three Midwestern states: Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. The shortest route from Chicago to Gatlinburg is to take I-65 Louisville. Enter the park at the Townsend entrance and follow Laurel Creek Road to Cades Cove. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Smoky Mountains is 800-232-4636. Google Maps gives current drive conditions as you enter destinations. Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Ghoomaphirna is all about passion for travel and road trips. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Sunrise at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The shortest route from Chicago to Gatlinburg is to take I-65 Louisville. Do I have to wear a face mask on public transport in Smoky Mountains? Visit the Island, a 23-acre entertainment destination with fun for all the family, and a trip to Pigeon Forge would not be complete without a visit to Dollywood, recognized as one of the world's best theme parks, with something for everyone. Further east is Batesville, IN, and within miles a smaller city/town called Oldenburg. The most popular road trip route from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park goes through Louisville. We wrapped up the day with a sumptuous dinner hereat Curry N More. By checking the box next to your selected rentals, you can compare up to three properties. I've never really stopped anywhere along the way, though I've done some research on the areas and might visit them in the future. Think Pink From here, take the I-95 S for the final stretch of the journey which will take you to Miami. Catch a tour from Pigeon Forge. . The Lincoln Bridge handles northbound traffic. Just two and a half hours southwest of Louisville lies Nashville, the country western capital of the country. As you wander around, be sure to see these three architectural attractions. A road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will take you to one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit, through some of the most majestic mountain scenery, taking in many interesting attractions along the way. The ride was smooth and once at the top, plenty of panoramic views were on offer. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. Lexington is a nice town. The hotel puts you right in the heart of the action. Follow signs along the parkway for a picnic area, campground and Look Rock. The inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by Cabins USA Gatlinburg. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains. There are many excellent restaurants, bars, and cafes nearby. Gretto Falls - 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. Chooseyouractivities and places to visit. The distance between Chicago and Smoky Mountains is 2206 km. It turns out you dont have to head to Athens, Greece, to see the Parthenon, which was completed in 432 B.C. Enjoy these scenic drives and road trips to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other spots in Tennessee and North Carolina. The direct route is about 20 hours without stops. A ride on the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster will appeal to thrill-seekers, dropping through lush forest landscape, and taking in the awesome mountain views as you hurtle down the track. Required fields are marked *, Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains National Park |Road trip |Ghoomnaphirna, on Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains National Park |Road trip |Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Yellowstone National Park | Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Key West, Florida |Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Stop 1: Sevierville Distance from Knoxville: 29 miles Pay homage to the great Dolly Parton at her Dollywood theme park. From here, head south and join Interstate 75 where you will arrive at Lexington, where our main route continues. Thanks Ravekid, for all your recommendations. Turn right off hwy 441 in park on to Fighting Gap Creek Road/Little River Road. Thrill-seekers can take a ride on the rocky top alpine mountain coaster. We started on Thursday evening before the long weekend, and we had threecars carrying the group of 12. Get ready for an incredible journey into the Souths top attractions and best-kept secrets in this road trip that begins in Chicago and leads you to the nations most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are a few log cabins and churches too which were constructed in the 1800s. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities. Road Trip Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway Smoky Mountain National Park. If you saw the 1975 movie Nashville, youll recognize this iconic structure. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Most of the folks in our raft had little to no experience as well and this trip was a great way to expose them to the world of white-water rafting. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. 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. You will cover a distance of 657 miles should you choose to drive without making a stop. As far as bridges go, you will have to cross several on your route to and from Hilton Head.