Road Trip Both known for German heritage. area events, and blog pages are provided as a public service. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Pass through the Woods Ferry conservation area before heading east onto the I-10 towards Jacksonville. Be sure to take refreshment breaks and schedule more stops accordingly. Lots of lodging and restaurants. But to truly experience Louisville, you need to go underground. Neon signs on Lower Broadway Area of Nashville. You could allot two weeks for the trip. Indiana area. This one is technically outside smoky but quite adventurous. Driving through both just a few months ago made me think I was in Europe given some of the older buildings. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Smoky Mountains is recommended. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. The first stop was at a coffee joint at Lafayette, Indiana. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Places to Visit on a Smoky Mountains Road Trip | Marriott TRAVELER Chicago To The Ozarks Road Trip. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Smoky Mountains is 800-232-4636. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps . 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. You'll find loads of iconic spotsand a fair few hidden gemsas you head southeast! You can view your selected properties by click the "favorites" tab at the top of the search bar. 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. My family will be leaving soon on a two week road trip to the east coast. 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. 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. 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. 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. Take the Scenic Route on America's Prettiest Road Trips - MSN The 33-mile Newfound Gap Road is one of the park's most popular routes, used to connect Cherokee, NC, and Gatlinburg, TN. 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. From Bryson City, take the NC-28 N and US-129 N, stopping off at the Tail of the Dragon, a lookout area offering spectacular lake and mountain views, before continuing along Foothills Parkway. (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. 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. Chicago to Smoky Mountains - 5 ways to travel via train - Rome2rio Take as many days as you can allow to cover this impressive journey and look forward to a truly memorable road trip of a lifetime. Chicago to GSMNP - Great Smoky Mountains National Park Forum 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. Its Luhville to you. March 5, 2020 Tori Peglar Here youll find plenty of hotels, grocery stores, and gear shops. I made this trip about six years ago. Leaving Atlanta, take the I-85s for 161 miles to the delightful city of Montgomery. Geez, some people are easily amused. 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. 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. Walk along sloped decks, see the grand staircase, touch an iceberg and witness hundreds of original artifacts. Expect to see lush greenery as you drive down the route and hit the mountains. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We drove initial 50 miles very slowly as we tried to cross our way through Chicago downtown and skyway. The road here takes some dramatic twists and turns and there are plenty of viewpoints to stop and savor the views. Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. Passing many fantastic towns and cities, discover the home of country music, gorgeous national parks, and the homes of some famous US icons. 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. Stops and things to do on Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National We have stayed in downtown Lexington and found it a safe city with some charm. A third of the way into the journey, 472 miles from Chicago, Nashville is a fabulous place to visit. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. After doing this, you will have to perform a new availability search.The number next to the favorites tab is the number of properties you have selected. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. So, it took us couple of hours to have lunch. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. If just stopping for the night with no plans to sightsee, the same advice would apply: stay near an interchange. Smoky Mountain Brewery Trails Gatlinburg Trail.very close to Riverhouse at the Park and Bearskin Lodge Laurel Falls.very popular.try to be at trailhead by 7 AM. Knoxville This is the last large city you'll pass through on your way to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. It isn't necessary that you wait for a search to be completed before you select or deselect different search features. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $220-$330 and takes 46h 9m. The population was 1,406 at the 2010 census, down from 1,427 in 2000. For help planning your getaway to Gatlinburg, feel free to contact our helpful reservations office at (865) 436-5031 today! Clingmans Dom - highest point at Smoky with stunning views. Wheres the best place to start exploring this city that sits on the turquoise shores of Lake Michigan? Stop at a visitor center in Cades Cove or at the Mountain Farm Museum to find . The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport is to subway which takes 43 min and costs $1-$5. May be Tripadvisorcan be a good and reliable source for planning what all attractions you want to cover in Smoky Mountains National Park. In the bourbon capital of the world, enjoy a VIP experience and take the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Since it looks like you're a baseball fan, you might enjoy the Louisville Slugger museum and factory. Route 66 - cross-country USA road trip. With the help of car insurance comparison and broker app with help from Jerry 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. How Far is Chicago From the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? May consider driving around. 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. Bad part Every one of them was brimming with people. Show only these on map Horseshoe Hammond Prepare yourself for the best Smokies vacation possible with your favorite people by knowing what to pack when going to the mountains! Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Nonstop chatter, loud music, late night dance and songs, and variety of food, at the rental home that we bookedin Smoky Mountains National Park. Trip Length: It's a 20-hour drive, but this is without making stops along the way. Your email address will not be published. Add/Remove Favorites What are the travel restrictions in Smoky Mountains? Given the distance between Chicago and Miami, the route is filled with amazing tourist destinations, and you'll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to stay on your overnight stops. -, Copyright 2013-2023, Cabins USA Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg, TN, Gatlinburg cabin rentals close to the Smokies, What to Pack When Going to the Smoky Mountains, 48 Hours: Short Vacation Ideas for Gatlinburg. There are a few war museums, a western/American Indian museum, and a general state museum. It was labor day weekend of 2010, when we planned this trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For travel flexibility, you can board or get off a Greyhound bus at official Greyhound stations, partner stations and curbside stops. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago to Smoky Mountains via St Louis, Denver, Twin Falls, and Ketchum, ID in around 46h 9m. Start in Chicago and head down along the historic Route 66 to reach St. Louis, the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways, and the Ozarks Mountains. Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, the towers feature water flowing out of an outlet, which gives the illusion that water is pouring out of the mouths of the faces appearing on each tower. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities. Situated right in the heart of downtown, you'll be within walking distance to the Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and much more. 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. Famous for the Kentucky Derby, and the birthplace of Muhammad Ali. Then head to the citys celebrated Millennium Park downtown. Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. The best way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains without a car is to train and bus which takes 42h 55m and costs $200-$290. The quickest route from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is 580 miles and takes 8 hours and 50 minutes without accounting for any pit stops or detours you might want to make on your way. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. But kids had the most fun as they were allowed to go on zipline. Further east is Batesville, IN, and within miles a smaller city/town called Oldenburg. Stretch your legs on the .5-mile observation trail that is 9.6 miles from the start of the parkway. The most visited National Park in the country needs no commentary from my side to extoll its virtues. 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. If you did this, you could do a quick stop at Mammoth Cave, and they also have the Corvette Museum near Bowling Green, KY. 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. And history buffs will feel right at home with these historic treasures. 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. Best campsites near chicago and how to reserve them? Also it helped us to party hard every night when we came back tired from the sight seeing and outdoor activities. Head east to Hilton Head. Enjoy a unique dining experience in the stunning Sun Dial Restaurant, on the upper floors, offering unparalleled 360-degree views over the city. Chicago To The Ozarks Road Trip - Horizon Guides You could detour to visit Mammoth Cave National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park if weather permitting. Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains National Park |Road trip 600 miles, took around 11hours with multiple breaks and a huge traffic jam at I-75. Road trip loop from Chicago to the Carolinas. Another Tip: The Little River Scenic Drive is full of tiny little splash pods. . The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and Coca-Cola, Atlanta also boasts a fabulous mix of natural beauty and cutting-edge architecture. I can't add much to above but I assume when you leave Lexington you are headed home to Chicago? The Best Road Trip from Chicago to Myrtle Beach | GetJerry.com Columbus, IN is known for their architecture. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to destinations to visit on a road trip from Chicago to Miami. What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Smoky Mountains? With only 48 hours in Gatlinburg, you'll need to optimize your time to keep the fun going. 10 hours and several stops later, we were back where we started. Fun Fact: Interstate 65, which takes you down to Nashville on this road trip, connects the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Great Smoky Mountains National Parkstraddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. If youve ever seen a Tiffanys bean necklace, this sculpture bears a striking resemblance. 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. 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. Am I allowed to travel from Chicago to Smoky Mountains? Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. Nonetheless, It offers a panoramic view of the park and is less visited than other roads in the area. Cabins USA Gatlinburg respects our guest's privacy and never shares this information with third-party sites. Prices start at $100USD per night. Rising 73 floors above downtown Atlanta, the hotel offers world-class service and impressive amenities. You can also catch Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg, a festival of Bavarian food, drink, and music accompanied by the fabulous Smoky Mountains Oompah band. One of many Smokey overlooks with panoramic views. The cavern is actually man-made and offers experiences for the whole family. Google Maps gives current drive conditions as you enter destinations. Last updated: 1 Mar 2023 At some point, you will be driving through mountains on the interstate. Find Authentic Charm Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevierville, Nature and American History Collide in Greeneville, Tennessee. 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. . Its rated easy and offers visitors great scenery without having to exert themselves too much. The top stops along the way from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with short detours) are Horseshoe Hammond, Louisville Mega Cavern, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Chicago to Naples Fl drive - Road Trips Forum - Tripadvisor Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. Forest. Atlanta is a world-class city with a rich cultural history. From here you are just 18 miles from Maryville in Blount County, one of the gateway counties to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. . Users of this 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. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains right here. 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. 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. It's a popular time for winter sports lovers and skiing enthusiasts and the local Christmas markets make it extra special at this magical time of year. If you're ready to explore beautiful destinations like Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and Mt. Simply select the 2 3 properties you wish to compare, then click "compare" to see these rentals side-by-side. Here are our recommendations. The forested Smoky Mountains were named for their propensity to summer forest fires. The quickest flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum Airport is the direct flight which takes 4h 3m. View ListTo see all of your favorite rentals on one page, simply click "view list". For an incredible scenic drive, take the two-lane Foothills Parkway located off Hwy. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? But you can also get away from it all at a unique lodging option with Under Canvas. Heres the Google Timeline chronicling our ride back home. Many of its rooms offer spectacular views over the Ohio River, and of the Big Four Bridge which is a spectacular sight at night. It is close to all the restaurants and attractions that Pigeon Forge is known for. Leaving Lexington, take the I-75 S heading through the rugged landscape of the Daniel Boone National Forest, one of the biggest rock-climbing destinations in the world, before continuing on to Knoxville. Take an architectural boat tour to get a strong sense of the citys past and present. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. The rooms are spacious and beautifully designed, and their signature heavenly bed will ensure the perfect restorative sleep, so you are fully refreshed and ready for the day of adventure ahead. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. . Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. Music fans must check out the famous Grand Ole Opry House. There are several bridges in the Louisville area. Don't forget the annual Watch Grass Growing Festival and the ever popular See (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Chooseyouractivities and places to visit. This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. South of Lexington is Berea, KY. I imagine traffic in Cincinnati will be about the same as Louisvilleit all depends on when you travel. Chicago to Miami Road Trip Itinerary. Fans of all ages can take a nostalgic journey through musical history with the hits of Stevie Wonder to the Temptations, and many more. Please Note: Cabins USA Gatlinburg's area information, The Townsend Wye popular swimming spot. 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. Road Trip Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway Smoky Mountain National Park. Being 2 blocks south of Broadway, the Hyatt Centric is just steps away from fabulous honky-tonk bars and a vibrant local music scene. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Once you find your perfect rental for the right date, simply click "book now" to begin the booking process. This blogging bear loves sharing the Smoky Mountains with everyone. 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. Sign up for our newsletter! The mountain town of Pigeon Forge in eastern Tennessee is a must for fans of Dolly Parton, as it's where her Appalachian-themed Park Dollywood is located. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Doing this will add the rental to your favorites list. Walking the numerous trails, however, even for a short distance, provides a much richer experience. You will notice that the "+" has now changed to a "-". Our trip to zip line was also special, as many of us did that for the first time in life. Why Smoky? 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. From here, head south and join Interstate 75 where you will arrive at Lexington, where our main route continues. There are 138+ hotels available in Smoky Mountains. Follow signs along the parkway for a picnic area, campground and Look Rock. There were less people in the bottom fall, which was a relief. 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. web site are responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness, currency and/or suitability of all information. There is tourist info but also a huge shop with local arts and crafts. Do any of you have any suggestions for places to see along the way? The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. 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. We parked at Gatlinburg Skylift Park itself to save time (20$ a day parking) and hobbled over to the ticket counter. As far as bridges go, you will have to cross several on your route to and from Hilton Head. Do bear in mind some attractions may be closed as they transition from winter. There is also an abandoned Fallstaff Brewery on the east side of the City. Take a tour of the Mysterious Mansion, a haunted house that delights in frightening visitors all year round. If you are in that area, do visit this museum. chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops. 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. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). Started in the 1960s, this parkway is still a work in progress with only sections of the 72 miles stretch completed. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. May consider driving around. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. After doing an availability search for your desired vacation date, our site will produce a list of available cabins. Mileage: It's 1,379 miles between the two cities. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. It is moments away from the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Centennial Olympic Park. This is 3 miles farther but you avoid Louisville traffic and the toll bridge. Directions and distance from Chicago IL to Smoky Mountain Ranch TX This includes an average layover time of around 1h 44m. Click here to skip back to the top. 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! Since you have some time on your way down, you might consider taking I-65 through KY. Continue reading to get all you need to make an exciting itinerary, exploring everything this route has to offer. Cabins USA Gatlinburg does not endorse any of When browsing results, you can add them to your "favorites" by clicking the red plus mark on the bottom left of your desired property. Consider Nashville Chattanooga Cloudland Canyon State Park Report inappropriate content Nancy B 10 posts 3. We did ours at the Walmart store at Knoxville which was around 30 mins away from our cottage. ), the bustling towns can be a sensory overload or a rollicking good time, depending on your perspective. Gretto Falls 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls.