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. We have family in northern TN so travel that way about every month or so. Stay The shortest route from Chicago to Gatlinburg is to take I-65 Louisville. Indiana area. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. From Pigeon Forge, head south on US-321 to Gatlinburg, where you can enjoy one of the many mountain trails before joining US-441 and heading towards the loop. The last stop of the day was the Cades Cove. Indianapolis: Some museums in the downtown area might be of interest. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. Clingmans Dom highest point at Smoky with stunning views. I use AllTrails.com as my trail guide and have found their trail inventories well-equipped, here is the link to other hiking options at Smoky 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) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. businesses, or services on the Cabins USA Gatlinburg web site is for informational purposes only. 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. We did ours at the Walmart store at Knoxville which was around 30 mins away from our cottage. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47723701', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago to Pigeon Forge. Cades Cove is a 11 mile loop road famous for its wild life sightings and also boasts of several hiking opportunities inside the area. Heres the Google Timeline chronicling our ride back home. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. Dollar Mountain (6638ft., 2023 m) is a ski hill in south central Idaho, part of the Sun Valley ski resort. The hotel is located close to many of the unique local attractions, and a visit to the Titanic Museum will not disappoint. Enjoy a unique dining experience in the stunning Sun Dial Restaurant, on the upper floors, offering unparalleled 360-degree views over the city. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Thrill-seekers can take a ride on the rocky top alpine mountain coaster. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. We have included a detour that goes through Cincinnati, converging with the main route in Lexington. By checking the box next to your selected rentals, you can compare up to three properties. Your email address will not be published. Shells08, what route are you taking to get to P.F.? The country music capital of the world, with an incredible food and drink scene, a thriving art movement, and wonderful architecture. 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 . The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is great! Being 2 blocks south of Broadway, the Hyatt Centric is just steps away from fabulous honky-tonk bars and a vibrant local music scene. The most popular road trip route from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park goes through Louisville. 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. The museum has many exhibits, including robots, science puzzles, timeline of atomic discoveries,a display devoted to nuclear weapons and the Y-12 Plant, and a solar energy demonstration project. Driving through both just a few months ago made me think I was in Europe given some of the older buildings. Be sure to take refreshment breaks and schedule more stops accordingly. LeConte in the Smokies, then start planning your trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN today! 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. If you are I would go north from Lexington on 75 and hit 74 in Cincinnati and not go over to Louisville. 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. 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. Chicago To The Ozarks Road Trip. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains costs only $212, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. It's also about as good as anywhere to spend the night. Experience the vibrant local arts scene, visit the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, or plan your trip to coincide with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Fun Fact: Interstate 65, which takes you down to Nashville on this road trip, connects the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Add/Remove Favorites You are spoilt for choice when it comes to destinations to visit on a road trip from Chicago to Miami. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47930643', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Cars Rust Lollapalooza. Neon signs on Lower Broadway Area of Nashville. An important thing to know is the citys name is actually pronounced Luhlville by the locals and everyone else in Kentucky. The River Rat Water Tubing Outpost river tubing, swimming and cliff jumping, highly recommended. The 2 bridges on I -65 are toll bridges. Stop 1: Sevierville Distance from Knoxville: 29 miles Pay homage to the great Dolly Parton at her Dollywood theme park. 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. 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. 321 just west of Townsend 18 miles up Chilhowee Mountain. Gretto Falls - 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. 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. Thank you so much for your time and efforts!! Amit is a financial engineer by profession, road trip addict, wannabe tennis player and has a gregarious personality. A good way to break up this drive is to stop for the night at a hotel along I-75 past Lexington, KY. Further east is Batesville, IN, and within miles a smaller city/town called Oldenburg. Other than that, you can hit the open road whenever you feel like it. It's nothing but the quintessential American road trip. We choose this because of the easy length (2 miles) and prospects of seeing bear (which did not happen ). But to truly experience Louisville, you need to go underground. At Louisville Mega Cavern, youll have an adventure like none other, exploring some of the 17 miles of corridors beneath the city. ', 'How much should I expect to pay? Situated almost halfway into this fabulous road trip, 719 miles from Chicago, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza. The docents are super entertaining and informative. The trip passes through nine states . Newfound Gap. Don't know if using I 40 or I 24 but thought I would mention that. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. If you are a music lover, head to a show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Cabins USA Gatlinburg respects our guest's privacy and never shares this information with third-party sites. Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. 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. pinsent masons chambers student . The Lincoln Bridge handles northbound traffic. Pass through the Woods Ferry conservation area before heading east onto the I-10 towards Jacksonville. Typically 84 flights run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. The state capital of Georgia also boasts awesome food, culture, and nightlife scene. I made this trip about six years ago. Indiana area. Experience a Gatlinburg vacation packed with fun by scheduling things around these extraordinary Gatlinburg events in 2023! They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. Lexington is a nice town. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. 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. 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. Initial stop was Mammoth Cave, did the short 1-2 hour tour and got on the road to Chattanooga. 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. Alaska Airlines, Inc., Delta and United Airlines offer flights from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum Airport. . 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. Rise and shine - We left sharp at 6 AM in our Durango R/T to kick-start our first summer road trip of 2021. The trip starts in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica. 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 resort offers incredible views of the Smoky Mountains making it the ideal place to stay during your time exploring this beautiful destination. We saw kids as young as 4 years in the rafts. 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. The Lewis and Clark Bridge (toll) is on I-265. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. 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. If you're planning a fly-and-drive vacation, arrive in Knoxville . Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Prepare yourself for the best Smokies vacation possible with your favorite people by knowing what to pack when going to the mountains! this is the wonderful thing about Tripadvisor one can learn so much from others! This one-way route takes you through three Midwestern states: Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. Stretch your legs on the .5-mile observation trail that is 9.6 miles from the start of the parkway. 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. Stayed in Chattanooga for two nights and saw the sights there, then ended up in Gatlinburg for two or three nights. Distance: 2,448 miles Recommended time: 7+ days Best time of year: September-Early November. Luckily, United Airline's largest hub is based in O'Hare and this airline also services Knoxville's airport. 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. The road climbs some 3,000 feet along the edge of the mountain, and passes through a stunning number of . arkansas governor's distinguished scholarship 2020 recipients. 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'll find loads of iconic spotsand a fair few hidden gemsas you head southeast! Fly Chicago O'Hare to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum, Fly Chicago Midway to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum, Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), Ketchum Sun Valley Historical Society Heritage & Ski Museum, There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres. Users of this Sun Valley is a resort city in Blaine County in central Idaho, in the western United States. Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Smoky Mountains is 1h behind Chicago. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. The cavern is actually man-made and offers experiences for the whole family. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities. And the glass bridge was totally worth the hype! Ordinarily, flying is a more expensive way to make it to the Smoky Mountains, but if you're coming from Chicago, you might want to consider it for several reasons. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. Started in the 1960s, this parkway is still a work in progress with only sections of the 72 miles stretch completed. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I would check the lodging at Exit 108 on I-75, thats Man-O-War exit. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? 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. For help planning your getaway to Gatlinburg, feel free to contact our helpful reservations office at (865) 436-5031 today! You can also catch Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg, a festival of Bavarian food, drink, and music accompanied by the fabulous Smoky Mountains Oompah band. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' www.outdoorsy.com. And history buffs will feel right at home with these historic treasures. This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. After coming up for air, hit the road and point your wheels toward Nashville. Continue onwards, passing Mingo Falls to Cherokee, with its famous Indian Museum. 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. The road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has so much to offer and we advise taking at least three days to make the trip, but even then, it will still be impossible to explore everything on this route. Why Smoky? 1. 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. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN), Fly from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN), Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Boise (BOI), Take the bus from Boise, ID - Airport to Sun Valley Lodge, Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Salt Lake City, Take the bus from Salt Lake City to Twin Falls, Take the bus from Twin Falls to Ketchum, ID, Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station. We had one wish still left unfulfilled, which was to see a live bear in action and based on reviews, Cades Cove had the highest probability to see it happen. But you can also get away from it all at a unique lodging option with Under Canvas. There are a few war museums, a western/American Indian museum, and a general state museum. So, there we went. Its the first public outdoor work of British artist Anish Kapoor to appear in the United States. The beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are world-famous for their beautiful views, impressive forests, lovely waterfalls, amazing wildlife, and historic sights. Another Tip: The Little River Scenic Drive is full of tiny little splash pods. The most visited National Park in the country needs no commentary from my side to extoll its virtues. Also has anyone stayed in Lexington, KY is it safe for an overnight visit Can anyone please shed light into which route can be best for us to take to avoid the smoky mountains but not added hours to our travel time.Thank you!!! View all posts by Amit Sharma, Your email address will not be published. There is currently construction on I-65 N after you exit I-265. If you did this, you could do a quick stop at Mammoth Cave, and they also have the Corvette Museum near Bowling Green, KY. There is ongoing construction on I-65 N in several areas. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Chicago to Miami Road Trip Itinerary. One thing you can count on is construction on almost all interstates. Knoxville This is the last large city you'll pass through on your way to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. 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. When browsing results, you can add them to your "favorites" by clicking the red plus mark on the bottom left of your desired property.