chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops
Louisville has a tourist website you can check out for other ideas. :). How Far is Chicago From the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Catch a tour from Pigeon Forge. Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. 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. Day 1 - The Drive and the Cottage. An alternative to our main route, on leaving Indianapolis, take Interstate 74 passing Shelbyville and Greensburg and you'll arrive at Cincinnati, situated on the banks of the Ohio River. Road Trip Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway One thing you can count on is construction on almost all interstates. Simply provide a contact name and email so that we can reach you. Thursday evening before the long weekend is always very heavy on traffic and we experienced thatpain. 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. You can also catch Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg, a festival of Bavarian food, drink, and music accompanied by the fabulous Smoky Mountains Oompah band. Smoky Mountain Vacation: A Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip If you plan to see the annual Kentucky Derby, the hotel is close to Churchill Downs, home to the racecourse and also the Kentucky Derby Museum where you can learn all about the history of the world's most famous race. Cabins USA Gatlinburg does not endorse any of Do I have to wear a face mask on public transport in Smoky Mountains? The 31 Most Awesome Road Trips From Chicago: Day Trips, Weekend Pass through the Woods Ferry conservation area before heading east onto the I-10 towards Jacksonville. To find out about fuel costs, use the form for calculating the cost of the Chicago IL-Smoky Mountain Ranch TX trip. 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. Other popular stops include Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Ark Encounter, and Market Square. Road Trip Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway Smoky Mountain National Park. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. While in the park, see videos of different Nashville music artists talking about trees, how to take care of them and why they are important. It is currently 23:08 in Chicago and 22:08 in Smoky Mountains. When using our "search" feature, you can make a list of favorites. We have two 13 year olds that will be traveling . Best campsites near chicago and how to reserve them? . If just stopping for the night with no plans to sightsee, the same advice would apply: stay near an interchange. Newfound Gap. A road trip from Chicago to Myrtle Beach covers four distinct types of landscape: bustling cities, peaceful countryside, dramatic mountains, and sandy beaches. Once you get to Indy you really have two options: I-65S through Louisville or I-74E through/around Cinci and then south. We went back to our cottage to recharge the batteries and then went for Skylift again, to take advantage of the night views. We drove initial 50 miles very slowly as we tried to cross our way through Chicago downtown and skyway. The top stops along the way from Chicago to Gatlinburg (with short detours) are Louisville Mega Cavern, Market Square, and Keeneland Association Inc. Other popular stops include Kentucky Horse Park, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, and Big Four Bridge. We are travelling from Canada to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Here is the other water drop, this needed a short climb downwards from the main fall. 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! . You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains From Nashville.head toward Chattanooga then Atlanta. They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. Geez, some people are easily amused. Head east to Hilton Head. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. The road here takes some dramatic twists and turns and there are plenty of viewpoints to stop and savor the views. The joy of a road trip is having the freedom to take your time and explore, so plan accordingly to take in as many of the wonderful attractions en route as your schedule will allow for. 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. 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. Leaving Louisville, take the Interstate 64 E into the heart of Bluegrass Country, and after 80 miles, you will arrive at Lexington. Very safe. We dont mind passing by mountains in the view on interstate but correct we want to avoid smaller roads through mountains. But kids had the most fun as they were allowed to go on zipline. Donna Sapolin January 30, 2021 Take the scenic route from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Asheville, North Carolina and soak up the majestic beauty of mountains dressed in winter white. The route takes you through rolling valleys and stunning mountain landscapes and there will be many options to detour into the stunning national parks and forests along the way. Users of this 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. 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. I simply put in directions to Waze but I would love a better understanding of current traveling conditions and tips from people that have taken this journey or familiar with the area. Hello my husband and I will be traveling with our 11month old from Chicago to Hilton Head Island on Saturday, May 14th and trekking back on Saturday, May 21st. Look for the tree signs around the park with QR codes and web addresses. A Smoky Mountain road trip is the perfect summer family vacation getaway in America's Appalachian Mountains. Chicago to Gatlinburg drive - plan a road trip Stops and things to do on Chicago to Gatlinburg drive or road trip In this car lover's heaven, be sure to visit the renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. We plan to then head out on mornings around 8am, Nashville to Hilton head, Hilton head to Lexington, and Lexington to Chicago. www.outdoorsy.com. If you choose to visit during spring, the crowds will be significantly smaller and hotel prices relatively low. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Road trips don't come more iconic than Route 66, which makes its way from Santa Monica in California to Chicago, Illinois. Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains National Park |Road trip This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Its bustling energy is countered by the friendliness of the people, which can catch you off-guard if you are not from the Midwest. Alternatively, you may use. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). The direct drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Chicago is 600 mi (966 km), and should have a drive time of 10 hrs 27 mins in normal traffic. Thrill-seekers can take a ride on the rocky top alpine mountain coaster. Directions and distance from Chicago IL to Smoky Mountain Ranch TX Continuing on I-65, 300 miles into the trip, you will arrive at Louisville, home to the Kentucky Derby, one of the world's oldest and most famous horse races and an ideal place for an overnight stay. This luxury resort offers incredible views of the Smoky Mountains making it the ideal place to stay during your time exploring this beautiful destination. 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. Glamping, short for glamorous camping, is a luxury experience in tents equipped with the creature comforts of home. Leaving Chicago, take the I-90 along the shores of Lake Michigan for just over 30 Miles. The road climbs some 3,000 feet along the edge of the mountain, and passes through a stunning number of . There were less people in the bottom fall, which was a relief. Prepare yourself for the best Smokies vacation possible with your favorite people by knowing what to pack when going to the mountains! 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. Its rated easy and offers visitors great scenery without having to exert themselves too much. The 33-mile Newfound Gap Road is one of the park's most popular routes, used to connect Cherokee, NC, and Gatlinburg, TN. It was outlandish, insane and incredible trip all together. Clingmans Dom - highest point at Smoky with stunning views. 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! Many of its rooms offer spectacular views over the Ohio River, and of the Big Four Bridge which is a spectacular sight at night. Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains - 9 ways to travel via - Rome2rio Also it helped us to party hard every night when we came back tired from the sight seeing and outdoor activities. Road Trip from Chicago to The Great Smoky Mountains, Snow Tubing at Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, Best Spring Break Road Trips from Chicago, Road Trip from Chicago during historic Winter Storm, Road Trip from Chicago to Pensacola and Florida panhandle, Disney World Lightning Lanes + Tips and Park Planning Strategy, https://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/gatlinburg, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/laurel-falls2. Once we reached the falls, there were couple of spots to soothe the sore legs in cold water, heres the main water drop . Baldy has one of the higher summits of the Smoky Mountains of Idaho, that are located in the Sawtooth National Forest. We have family in northern TN so travel that way about every month or so. Its not every day that you see horses frolicking from your front-yard. Explore these articles to learn more about fun e -, Make the most of your vacation in the Smoky Mountains with our tips and tricks! 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. There are many hotels and resorts in Louisville, but none beats the elegance and beauty of Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection. Compare Favorites The distance between Chicago and Smoky Mountains is 2206 km. 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. This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. After spending few hours in Oakridge, we continued our driving and entered into Smoky Mountain park from the Gatlinburg side and drove around Gatlinburg city for some time before going to our rental home that we had booked up in the mountains. The first stop was at a coffee joint at Lafayette, Indiana. How to plan your road trip across the US 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 . Help with route Chicago to Smoky Mountains - Road Trips Forum The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport is to subway which takes 43 min and costs $1-$5. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? 321 just west of Townsend 18 miles up Chilhowee Mountain. 180 miles into your journey, this vibrant city is a car enthusiast's dream. We reserved this cottage at Sevierville, Tennessee via VRBO. It is important to allow time to enjoy the many amazing attractions and places along the way. Last updated: 1 Mar 2023 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. All along I-75 in KY is the Daniel Boone Nat'l. The most visited National Park in the country needs no commentary from my side to extoll its virtues. United Airlines, Delta and Alaska Airlines, Inc. fly from Chicago to Smoky Mountains every 2 hours. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' Continue reading to get all you need to make an exciting itinerary, exploring everything this route has to offer. Pictures here itself tells the mood and magic of this trip in that large group. Walk along sloped decks, see the grand staircase, touch an iceberg and witness hundreds of original artifacts. If you live in Chicago, IL and you want to explore some of the most gorgeous mountains in all of Appalachia, check out our guide on how to get to the Smoky Mountains from Chicago! If you're planning a fly-and-drive vacation, arrive in Knoxville . There is currently construction on I-65 N after you exit I-265. What makes Chicago one of the best cities to visit is that it has a cosmopolitan feel with none of the attitude of similar-sized cities on the coasts. Take a tour of the Mysterious Mansion, a haunted house that delights in frightening visitors all year round. Luckily, we found this hidden pearl called Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteaks. 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. Rising 73 floors above downtown Atlanta, the hotel offers world-class service and impressive amenities. to honor the goddess of Athena. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. If you want to enjoy a Smoky Mountains road trip on your drive from Chicago, be sure to check out some of the top sights along the way! We parked at Gatlinburg Skylift Park itself to save time (20$ a day parking) and hobbled over to the ticket counter. Further east is Batesville, IN, and within miles a smaller city/town called Oldenburg. We had two full days of fun filled activities and spent the long weekend with many other tourists walking around the streets in night and gazing atthe skies. As a reference, you should be looking at places near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, since most of the touristy attractions are spread across the aforementioned cities. To make it easier for your plan, we have compiled this list of our favorite attractions along the way: The beauty of a road trip from Chicago to Miami is that you can do it at any time of the year. Again, mostly a wilderness type area, which you could find in Great Smoky Mountains area. ), the bustling towns can be a sensory overload or a rollicking good time, depending on your perspective. After an excursion in the Smoky Mountains, you can return to the heated indoor pool or hot tub, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment, and sample the delights on offer in the resort's sophisticated restaurant. If you are a music lover, head to a show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops 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. We have stayed in Antioch, a little south of Nashville for this purpose. We went to AMSE, and spent few hours there. There are a few log cabins and churches too which were constructed in the 1800s. The chicken cheesesteak was really amazing. Really. Typically 84 flights run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. Re: Chicago to Naples Fl drive However, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? View all posts by Amit Sharma, Your email address will not be published. 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. long term rentals in vilcabamba, ecuador; celebrity fight night; chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. 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. Fans of all ages can take a nostalgic journey through musical history with the hits of Stevie Wonder to the Temptations, and many more. 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. Heres the Google Timeline chronicling our ride back home. However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. 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. Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. 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. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. Luckily, United Airline's largest hub is based in O'Hare and this airline also services Knoxville's airport. Next day morning we started after the breakfast and enjoyed driving on the beautiful highway that connects kentucky with Smokey Mountains, and passes through valleys and hills full of life. You'll find loads of iconic spotsand a fair few hidden gemsas you head southeast! Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Enjoy classic scenic drives along Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee or along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Just when we were returning back from the Cades Cove, all disappointed, we saw a ton of cars stopped on the side and people flocking near the woods. Initial stop was Mammoth Cave, did the short 1-2 hour tour and got on the road to Chattanooga. Nonetheless, It offers a panoramic view of the park and is less visited than other roads in the area. 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'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. May consider driving around. You can click this minus sign to "unselect" this property from your favorites list. Gretto Falls 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. Please Note: Cabins USA Gatlinburg's area information, Making the trip in the winter months will make for stunning viewing with the mountain peaks covered in snow. customize this trip Day 1 11:00 am start in Chicago drive for about 2.5 hours 1:41 pm Crawfordsville stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:41 pm drive for about 2.5 hours 5:00 pm Sellersburg (Indiana) Do any of you have any suggestions for places to see along the way? 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. A trip to Nashville is not complete without immersing yourself in its vibrant music scene. Falls of the Ohio State Park is in Indiana, just across from Louisville, offers great photos of the downtown Louisville skyline across the river. Finally, before heading to Miami, take a trip to Tampa and witness the wonderful museums, historic Ybor City neighborhood, and the fabulous Busch Gardens. The country music capital of the world, with an incredible food and drink scene, a thriving art movement, and wonderful architecture. Shells08, what route are you taking to get to P.F.? Your email address will not be published. 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). chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops. However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. Traffic on I 24 near Chattanooga has been awful for past 3 or 4 months. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47902110', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Gatlinburg and the suggestions you have given for Berea and the Daniel Boone National Forest are really interesting for us. When you board one of Pink Adventure Tours signature pink Jeep Wranglers, youll soak up more information than you thought possible on your Smoky Mountains tour. The options are endless, so here are our recommendations. Be sure to take refreshment breaks and schedule more stops accordingly. Follow signs along the parkway for a picnic area, campground and Look Rock. Services are operated by United Airlines, Delta and Alaska Airlines, Inc.. During the summer months, it can be hot, averaging around 90 degrees in the Deep South and Florida, so air-conditioning is a must. Turn right off hwy 441 in park on to Fighting Gap Creek Road/Little River Road. 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. It comes in very handy. The docents are super entertaining and informative. 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. Being 2 blocks south of Broadway, the Hyatt Centric is just steps away from fabulous honky-tonk bars and a vibrant local music scene. Nashville hotels are expensive, so if you don't need to stay in Nashville, pick an interchange on the outskirts where there are a cluster of hotels + restaurants nearby. Show only these on map. Alert: This site requires a JavaScript enabled browser. Trip Length: It's a 20-hour drive, but this is without making stops along the way. You can choose to stay in one or more of the many fascinating cities along the route or take a more secluded getaway in one of the national parks. Cades Cove is the most popular destination in the national park due to its plentiful wildlife and many historic buildings you can explore. Rise and shine - We left sharp at 6 AM in our Durango R/T to kick-start our first summer road trip of 2021.