Indianapolis: Some museums in the downtown area might be of interest. I can't add much to above but I assume when you leave Lexington you are headed home to Chicago? 321 just west of Townsend 18 miles up Chilhowee Mountain. Chock-full of souvenir shops, craft stores, restaurants, and kitschy attractions (think Ripleys Believe it or Not! Our trip to zip line was also special, as many of us did that for the first time in life. Alternatively, you may use, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Forum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Rentals, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Packages, Flights to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Restaurants near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide. Another Tip: The Little River Scenic Drive is full of tiny little splash pods. The state capital of Georgia also boasts awesome food, culture, and nightlife scene. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. It is currently 23:08 in Chicago and 22:08 in Smoky Mountains. There are several bridges in the Louisville area. It is about 20-30 minutes from Lexington. To cover all the attractions in Smoky mountains 2 days are not enough, and needs lot of planning if we you want to cover all the natural sceneries and attractions. 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. Think Pink 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. Theres few better ways to enjoy a hot summer day than to be on the water. After coming up for air, hit the road and point your wheels toward Nashville. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago to Smoky Mountains via St Louis, Denver, Twin Falls, and Ketchum, ID in around 46h 9m. The treeless Dollar caters primarily to beginner and lower intermediate skiers; the primary mountain for advanced skiers is Bald Mountain, or "Baldy", next to the city of Ketchum. It is highly trafficked with narrow lanes and sometimes you could be stuck behind hoards of cars so please plan at least couple of hours for the visit. 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. Being 2 blocks south of Broadway, the Hyatt Centric is just steps away from fabulous honky-tonk bars and a vibrant local music scene. 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. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47930643', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Cars Rust Lollapalooza. In the bourbon capital of the world, enjoy a VIP experience and take the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops. Mileage: It's 1,379 miles between the two cities. It was supposed to be 3 and half hours of drive, but as we were nearing mountains, we noticed huge traffic again and it took us almost 5 hours to cover the 190 miles drive from our hotel to Smokey Mountains park. For each of the fields, please provide the following information: After your first search, it isn't necessary to click the "search" button again as this feature will automatically filter your results for any new search features you provide, unless you change the date, the number of nights, or go to a new webpage. Leaving Atlanta, take the I-85s for 161 miles to the delightful city of Montgomery. 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 hotel is located close to many of the unique local attractions, and a visit to the Titanic Museum will not disappoint. There are many excellent restaurants, bars, and cafes nearby. May consider driving around. There were less people in the bottom fall, which was a relief. 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. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? Pictures here itself tells the mood and magic of this trip in that large group. 6 Best Road Trips Chicago to Nashville and Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip Stop at a shiny bean, an underground corridor, a racetrack and a music mecca on your way to the national park. View ListTo see all of your favorite rentals on one page, simply click "view list". Fun Fact: Interstate 65, which takes you down to Nashville on this road trip, connects the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. It was almost 10:30 PM by the time we got off the Skylift and finding food was a huge pain at that time in Gatlinburg. The shortest route from Chicago to Gatlinburg is to take I-65 Louisville. Connecting Midwesterners to a world full of road-trips, hikes, nature and adventure. 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. View all posts by Amit Sharma, Your email address will not be published. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Road Trip From Chicago To Mackinac Island, Road Trip From Chicago To Yellowstone National Park, If you plan to check out the city, the Hyatt Centric Downtown is a fabulous place to stay, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza. READ MORE - Road Trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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) But you can also get away from it all at a unique lodging option with Under Canvas. Only a couple are toll free. . Sign up for our newsletter! Am I allowed to travel from Chicago to Smoky Mountains? Its Luhville to you. From Gatlinburg, take the US-441 south to Cherokee and then join the US-23 passing through Franklin and Tallulah Falls, continuing for 197 miles as you make your way into the Deep South and the city of Atlanta. 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! This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. It is perfectly placed to take in the nightlife and indulge in the delicious southern cuisine. We had planned to stop in Kentucky so we continuously drove till mid night to get to the hotel. If you're planning a fly-and-drive vacation, arrive in Knoxville . Driving through both just a few months ago made me think I was in Europe given some of the older buildings. Situated right in the heart of downtown, you'll be within walking distance to the Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and much more. You can view your selected properties by click the "favorites" tab at the top of the search bar. Bring a blanket to sit on and enjoy the tunes (and the excellent people watching). Wheres the best place to start exploring this city that sits on the turquoise shores of Lake Michigan? 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. It will allow you to relax, unwind, and be fully refreshed before continuing your drive. The Lincoln Bridge handles northbound traffic. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. See the Gary Railcats stadium. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the countys towns of Townsend, Maryville, Alcoa, Friendsville, Louisville and Rockford offer travelers a ton of things to do from regional dance and theater performances at the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville to in-depth history of the Smoky Mountains at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend. It is close to all the restaurants and attractions that Pigeon Forge is known for. A total of 2,448 miles (3,940km) weave, wind, rise and dip through . Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). Find Authentic Charm Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevierville, Nature and American History Collide in Greeneville, Tennessee. The trip starts in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. . Other popular stops include Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Ark Encounter, and Market Square. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains costs only $133, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. The Sherman Minton on I-64 is toll free but the bridge is currently under construction. The elevation of Sun Valley (at the Lodge) is 5920ft above sea level. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Getting there can be as fun as the park itself. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47804918', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Gatlinburg has a similar area so not sure if you want to check that out or not. This one-way route takes you through three Midwestern states: Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. Chicago to Miami Road Trip Itinerary. Clingmans Dom - highest point at Smoky with stunning views. The views from our cottage did not disappoint. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. Started in the 1960s, this parkway is still a work in progress with only sections of the 72 miles stretch completed. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is also a must-see, along with the venerated Ryman Auditorium, particularly if there is a show on. Enter the park at the Townsend entrance and follow Laurel Creek Road to Cades Cove. You can also catch Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg, a festival of Bavarian food, drink, and music accompanied by the fabulous Smoky Mountains Oompah band. Atlanta to Great Smoky Mountains Loop Road Trip, Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip From Shenandoah to Great Smoky, Charlotte to Asheville to Great Smoky Mountains Loop 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. Traffic on I 24 near Chattanooga has been awful for past 3 or 4 months. Catch a tour from Pigeon Forge. Three hours east of Nashville, clocking in at 180 miles, make a pit stop in Knoxville. Hotels are already set in said places as we had points. Your email address will not be published. Bald Mountain (9150 feet, 2789 m) is a mountain in south central Idaho, adjacent to the city of Ketchum in Blaine County. Head east to Hilton Head. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. And you can now go glamping near Gatlinburg, Tenn. For an incredible scenic drive, take the two-lane Foothills Parkway located off Hwy. 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! River Tubing at The River Rat Main Outpost. March 5, 2020 Tori Peglar To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. long term rentals in vilcabamba, ecuador; celebrity fight night; chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops 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. Further east is Batesville, IN, and within miles a smaller city/town called Oldenburg. One could go south to Blowing Green, then take I-66E and catch I-75 south down to Pigeon Forge. Ketchum Sun Valley Historical Society Heritage & Ski Museum is the official museum of Ketchum Sun Valley located in Ketchum, Idaho. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains costs only $212, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. We have stayed in downtown Lexington and found it a safe city with some charm. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps . It is located in downtown Louisville and not too far from. Both known for German heritage. Kat_Cubs_fan - We will probably go through Indianapolis, Louisville & Lexington. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. We did not see many vegetarian options there. Oak Ridge was established in 1942 as a production site for the Manhattan Projectthe massive American, British, and Canadian operation that developed the atomic bomb. The population was 1,406 at the 2010 census, down from 1,427 in 2000. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. We went to AMSE, and spent few hours there. But we had plenty of time and so we decided to take a detour and check the Oakridge city and famous American Museum of Science and EnergyAMSE. To find out about fuel costs, use the form for calculating the cost of the Chicago IL-Smoky Mountain Ranch TX trip. And history buffs will feel right at home with these historic treasures. 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. If you're lucky you will see a truck unloading potatoes. 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. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. Shells08, what route are you taking to get to P.F.? From Knoxville, head onto the US-441 S, admiring the breathtaking mountain scenery, and you'll arrive at Pigeon Forge, an excellent base from which to explore the Great Smoky Mountains. There are a few war museums, a western/American Indian museum, and a general state museum. Distillery Tours On this drive, you'll pass through the heart of Kentucky Bourbon Country where several major distilleries are based. A Smoky Mountain road trip is the perfect summer family vacation getaway in America's Appalachian Mountains. Additionally, the best way to get around the Smoky Mountains is by car since public transportation is lacking in this part of the country. 10 hours and several stops later, we were back where we started. Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. The docents are super entertaining and informative. We plan to then head out on mornings around 8am, Nashville to Hilton head, Hilton head to Lexington, and Lexington to Chicago. Turn right off hwy 441 in park on to Fighting Gap Creek Road/Little River Road. There are a few war museums, a western/American Indian museum, and a general state museum. We then strolled in Gatlinburg downtown and visited Ripleys Believe It or Not museum before the hunger pangs kicked in. Would highly recommend carrying picnic chairs and some water floats for kids to enjoy the stream. The most visited National Park in the country needs no commentary from my side to extoll its virtues. 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 . I will be sure to stop at that abandoned brewery and also try our luck at watching the Jay's potato chip factory unload potatoes. Also it helped us to party hard every night when we came back tired from the sight seeing and outdoor activities. 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. A third of the way into the journey, 472 miles from Chicago, Nashville is a fabulous place to visit. Our first adventure of the day was the hike at Laurel Waterfalls, one of the highly trafficked trails in the Smoky Mountains. 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. Nonstop chatter, loud music, late night dance and songs, and variety of food, at the rental home that we bookedin Smoky Mountains National Park. They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. Churchill Downs officially opened in 1875, but the sport of horse racing can be traced back to 1789 in Kentucky. Road Trip By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. 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. web site are responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness, currency and/or suitability of all information. 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. We wrapped up the day with a sumptuous dinner hereat Curry N More. Services are operated by United Airlines, Delta and Alaska Airlines, Inc.. Our neighing neighbors, as seen from our countryside cottage. Keep on reading to discover many amazing places to visit, the best route, where to stay, and when to go. The trip passes through nine states . Its also on the southeast side of Lexington. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. 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. It isn't necessary that you wait for a search to be completed before you select or deselect different search features. Situated almost halfway into this fabulous road trip, 719 miles from Chicago, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. 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. 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. I've got some great ideas from all of the replies. Through rolling hills and glorious mountain landscapes, this road trip has something for everyone. The best way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which takes 6h 26m and costs $180-$650. Here is the other water drop, this needed a short climb downwards from the main fall. Advance booking of Smoky Mountain cabin rentalswas the best decision in this trip, as we got a beautiful rental property on the hill overlooking mountains and the valleys. 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 The Ozarks Road Trip. I would check the lodging at Exit 108 on I-75, thats Man-O-War exit. 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. 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. There are many places to stop between Chicago and the Great Smoky Mountains and you'll pass many cities and be spoilt for choice with accommodation options. 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. 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. Add/Remove Favorites Furthermore, specific Follow signs along the parkway for a picnic area, campground and Look Rock. Your email will not be provided to third parties. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. If you plan to check out the city, the Hyatt Centric Downtown is a fabulous place to stay. The Skylift ride, the glass bridge glimmering with the kaleidoscopic views of the city, everything seemed magical in the nocturnal obscurity. Good part Gatlinburg has a ton of restaurants. 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. To avoid being snickered at by locals, resist the natural impulse to pronounce the name as it appears [Loueyville]. Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. Between downtown Indy and Shelbyville, IN is a casino just off I-74. Here youll find plenty of hotels, grocery stores, and gear shops. Continue onwards, passing Mingo Falls to Cherokee, with its famous Indian Museum. The series is called If Trees Could Sing, and its the result of a Metro Parks and The Nature Conservancy partnership. Thanks Ravekid, for all your recommendations. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules . There are certain things you must do like experience the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, if you happen to be in town April 29-May 5, 2017. The main route is red, while the alternative route is in blue. Passing many fantastic towns and cities, discover the home of country music, gorgeous national parks, and the homes of some famous US icons.