scenic drive from nashville to knoxville

733 mi. We guess it depends on just what you're looking for out of your Tennessee forest adventure! We grew up doing summer camp and on occasion did ropes courses and such, but really didnt know what this experience would be like. The parkway roughly follows the historic Natchez Trace, a trail whose roots goes back to the 1600s evolving from hunting trails used by the Natchez, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Indians. 7:14 pm arrive in Nashville. Once you pass the Sugarlands Riding Stables you should come to the Gatlinburg bypass on your left. The next morning we felt like we had only skimmed the surface on all the great food we had been hearing about in Knoxville, so we headed to a quaint breakfast spot called OliBea in the old part of the city. Where is some beautiful scenery in Tennessee? These 7 Beautiful Byways In Tennessee Are Perfect For A Scenic Drive, Drive To 7 Incredible Summer Spots Throughout Tennessee On This Scenic Weekend Road Trip, One Of The Most Scenic Drives In America Is Right Here In Tennessee, Take This Gorgeous Fall Foliage Road Trip To See Tennessee Like Never Before, These 7 Covered Bridges Around Tennessee Are Just Begging To Be Visited On Your Next Road Trip, The 11 Best Backroads In Tennessee For A Long Scenic Drive, Take A 2-Hour Drive Through Tennessee To See This Years Beautiful Fall Colors, This Dreamy Road Trip Will Take You To The Best Fall Foliage In All Of Tennessee. There are, and they're our favorites! Once you enter Sevierville, take a left onto Veterans Blvd. Conflicts with the native Natchez people ensued and by 1735 the Natchez Indian community in the area was essentially wiped out and the village of Natchez began to form. Experience where country music stars and fans align. Explore its historic downtown, boutique shopping, chef-driven restaurants and a wide range of lodging options. Discover must-sees in these cities, the very best things to do to make the most of your trip. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. stay for about 1 hour. Take Nolensville Pike from Nashville to go through Nolensville, Henry Horton State Park, and then arrive in Shelbyville. A National Scenic Byway since 1996, this 42-mile-long road is well-traversed by locals and tourists alike. Pick one and drive on! Just a quick jaunt off I-40 will offer sights you never knew existed. Gatlinburg is an easy 222-mile drive from Nashville along I-40, and with some nice adventures along the way. You can make stops in between to explore the natural wonders along the way. Michael.McClanahan@tn.gov This route is relatively straightforward, and will take you down a winding path that features breathtaking mountain views. It's shared with Tennessee and North Carolina, so you can get to cracking along some state lines again! . But if youre looking for a trip that has it allscenic views, historical landmarks, and plenty of opportunities for adventurethen the 180-mile drive from Nashville to Knoxville might be the one you want to try next! 6 years ago Save For the most scenic drive you should take 441 thru The Smokies then take the Blue Ridge Parkway in Cherokee up to Asheville. Make sure that your car is must in satisfactory condition for the journey. The peak is often shrouded in ice or snow in the winter months. Sign up for our newsletter and deals from our partners. Find a scenic drive or plan a road trip with myscenicdrives.com Find a Scenic Drive Road Trip Planner Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. Trucks and commercial vehicles arent allowed on the parkway. Theres also plenty of shops and cool restaurants to check out in Townsend. The Last Great Colosseum. Address. Carnton. Once you enter Highway 19 youll see beautiful Lake Junaluska to your right. Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. Your best bet is to take Fiery Gizzard Road from Tracey City. Then its easy to share, send or save your perfect Tennessee vacation. Many back roads in The Volunteer State rank among the very best scenic drives in Tennessee, as they treat drivers to views that are downright remarkable. The Lost Sea is located in Sweetwater, approximately one hour south of Knoxville, TN. Tennessee, you were amazing we cant wait to return! CMP, One of Tennessee's 3 All American Roads, The Trace offers a beautiful drive through more than 10,000 years of interpreted history. They're beautiful, with hundreds of miles of trails for walking, hiking, and biking, and tons of waterfalls, ponds, and springs for your enjoyment. Looking for more ideas for scenic drives in Tennessee? It was also dog friendly, which we really appreciated. Nashville to Knoxville Road Trip Itinerary. We really enjoyed seeing the progression of how guitars varied from different decades, and loved getting access to the private vault, where we got to see some of the rarest and most prized guitars in the world. One of these inns, Mount Locust Inn & Plantation, has been restored and is open for daily tours from February through November. How far is it from Nashville to Knoxville? . Photo by Wes Ramey of the Dollywood Company, The Ober Gatlinburg tram in summer next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. It was the site of the 1796 Constitutional Convention, which resulted in Tennessee gaining statehood, and a boiling point for both Union and Confederate armies on the eve of the Civil War. Check this article out! Choose your own Tennessee vacation and discover new food, classic whiskey, rockin' music, and so much more. Over twelve miles of views await you here, chock full of rolling hills and beautiful mountain vistas. After a beautiful 28 mile stretch through the National Forest youll continue on Highway 23 until you come to an intersection. In fact, this park has more visitors than if you were to combine the total number of people who visit Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. For bonus points, did you know that this was actually the first designated national forest scenic byway in the United States? Get more stories delivered right to your email. THE TENNESSEAN Hotel, Knoxville's only AAA Four Diamond award hotel, is an 82-room personal luxury hotel just steps from the city's iconic Market Square featuring beautiful mountain views. Another great stop along this route is Wears Valley, a small town with a big personality and lots of history. Recreation Area in Hardin County After all, the city boasts free music all the time.. These two routes will help you bypass Knoxville and offers and easy-going drive. Climb the spiral staircase to the top of the lookout tower at the park visitor center. On summer nights, you can catch a free performance of Shakespeare in the Square with classic performances like A Midsummer Nights Dream and The Comedy of Errors performed by the Tennessee Stage Company. Learn about the mysterious city of Oak Ridge, the Appalachian crafts around every corner, and the areas long history of coal mining. Theres always this unique excitement that wells up inside us whenever we are heading out to a destination weve never experienced before. Share your thoughts in the comments! As any seasoned traveler knows, the journey is just as important as the destination. Once you pass through Cherokee, youll find yourself in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park by way of US-441. While Gay Street was the first paved road in Knoxville, its history goes even farther back. Known for its rhododendron fields, take a drive along this lovely east Tennessee road and enjoy views of the hollows and ridges that dot the mountain. Which is your favorite? Nashville to Gatlinburg Road Trip Itinerary Trip Length: It takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to drive from Nashville to Gatlinburg. It was truly a special place to visit. This is the ultimate place to learn about the history of Blues, Soul and Rock 'n' Roll. Before leaving Nashville, you should visit the Grand Ole Opry if you enjoy country music. We honestly have never been too interested in Nascar, but we walked away with a deeper appreciation for the sport. Your Middle Tennessee Adventure Starts Here. The "Mile High Legend" passes through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests. The best time to fish for trout is between February and March. Watch for a large, colorful sign . From there youll be travelling along beautiful Highway 411 north for 25.1 miles, experiencing peaceful ruralviews along the way. Go out, cruise, and get lost. What is it? Re: nashville to asheville, scenic drive from knoxville to ashe? Cant get enough of Tennessee road trips? Some of the best stops on your drive from Nashville to Knoxville include Rock Island State Park, Frozen Head State Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and having some food at Market Square in Knoxville. Yall, were from Austin so we know what good food is, and OliBeas breakfast is darn good. tree-based adventure park. Tricks to find the perfect rig. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing. It's particularly beautiful this time of year as the leaves fade from green to gold. From the amazing food of Knoxville to the natural beauty of Chattanooga, we feel like we experienced an area that is a true gem in the states. Go three miles to N.C. Highway 251. Tennessee's section offers beautiful views of the Lower Mississippi River from the Chickasaw Bluffs to Memphis. View Website Open in Google Maps. It seems like no matter where you live in the Volunteer State, you'll find a back road to enjoy over and over again. This is a great place to check out if youre looking for a pit stop, with historic Maryville College, a beautiful downtown shopping area, as well as the Foothills Mall. $115. It's where you can take a view from the Double Arch Bridge in Birdsong Hollow (pictured) and meander through the deep beauty of Middle Tennessee's rural countryside. Once youve driven through Maryville, youll have a decision between two routes of roughly equal distance. A totally unique and totally fun! But, were here to help you skip the waitand get to having fun faster with these 7 alternative routes. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Best stops along Knoxville to Asheville drive. From there, head north and let the adventure begin. Ten minutes from the central entrance to Skyline, Luray Caverns, discovered in 1878, is one of the largest and most popular caves in the U.S, where your family will explore . travelling the entirety of the length of Veterans Blvd. For fishing lovers, you wouldnt want to miss spending a few hours at the Flat Fork Creek in this park in the spring, as its stocked with rainbow trout. What is the best time of year to drive from Nashville to Knoxville? CMP. drive to Memphis Tennessee. 2. Take US 64 for 26 miles and you'll pass through Cherokee National Forest as you drive next to the Ocoee River. Keep and eye out for Chickasaw Bluffs! Now you know some of the best weekend trips from Nashville Tn or fantastic road trips from Nashville within a 3 to 4 hours scenic drive. Seriously, whats better than zip lining through the forest at night? Surrounded by rolling hills and scenic landscapes, our . So gas up your car or RV and hit the open road. Rocky Top Trail The Great Smoky Mountains are the ultimate Knoxville area getaway, and the Rocky Top Trail offers one of the most scenic ways to see them. The coffee was brewed, car packed, and together with our pup Aspen, we were ready to roll. All other marks belong to their respective owners. This is by far the most popular route to Pigeon https://tramadolhealth.com Forge, with more than 50,000 people driving through the Parkway every single day. CMP, With 440 miles of scenic roadway through countryside shaped by the Tennessee River travelers have access to significant wildlife areas. In the heart of downtown Knoxville, the Legacy Parks Foundation created the Knoxville Urban Wilderness 1,000 forested acres of open space along the towns southern waterfront. From Atlanta take I-85 North towards Greenville, SC until you come to Exit 113. Scratch-Made Dishes, Ice-Cold Drinks, Hot Country Music. Is either better or is there another better way. We immediately headed to the Bristol Motor Speedway to check out this world-renowned racetrack. This network of trails and byways covers over 60 miles of private gardens, and each is maintained and made available to the public by its owner. Ive never stepped foot in such a massive space in my life. CMP, Travel the original overland route used by Native Americans and pioneers. If you take a drive up 6,285 feet, you'll hit the peak of Roan Mountain. Youll find spectacular landscapes, gorgeous flowers, and fragrant trees, right in your own backyard. From there youll follow US-441 / Chapman Highway through Seymour along the same path described in number 5 on the list. Best stops along Nashville to Knoxville drive The top stops along the way from Nashville to Knoxville (with short detours) are Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, The Lost Sea Adventure, and Stones River National Battlefield. The thing we really appreciated about Chattanooga was its easy access to nature. Bleak House, a luxurious mansion that briefly served as a Confederate headquarters, is another highlight of the tour, as is Campbells Station, where the Battle of Knoxville raged. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Though it is definitely beautiful all year round, the road is super-lush during the warmer months. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! How a weekend exploring Chattanooga and Knoxville turned a couple Austinites into lifelong fans of Tennessee. West Virginia Scenic Drive #1 - The Highland Scenic Highway. When you research the Pigeon River, youd think it was designed with all levels of white-water rafter in mind. Army troops began clearing brush and building bridges along the trail and in a few years a good section of the trail had been improved from a winding, narrow path to a wider more comfortable road for wagons and horses and began attracting numerous travelers in addition to the Boatmen. Have lunch at the Seasons of Ober Restaurant for more great views. CMP, This scenic valley on the west side of the Cumberland Plateau contains four state parks, three state forests, and two state natural areas. You can spend as much time as you want in and around Centennial Park but if you are focused solely on exploring the Parthenon, you can experience both inside and out in less than 2 hours. We were welcomed with the warmest of greetings at The Tennessean Hotel. The best way to prepare for this trip is to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Be careful, though, as you transverse this path, as the road has several sharp curves that could take the unsuspecting driver by surprise. Phone +1 800-525-7077. (youll know to turn when you see the Taco Bell). Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip, Via Natchez Parkway, music roadtrip, blues highway, highway 61 blues tour, Map, Itinerary, Tips, Places to stop of . There are all sorts of country roads crisscrossing The Volunteer State. Hours Of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sundays 1-5 PM. Thank you! Will be driving from Asheville to Knoxville in July for our journey to Nashville. Often called a National Park Pass, it offers 1-year unlimited entrance to so much more, and includes National Parks, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, Bureau of Land Management sites, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites!Share time outdoors with family and friends. The driving tour starts on Chapman Highway at Fort Dickerson, a site of conflict between the Union and Confederate armies. View our suggested park itinerariesfor more park activity ideas. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Cherokee is also home to Harrahs Cherokee Casino, one of the only casinos of the area. This Mouthwatering Ice Cream Trail In Tennessee. Read our Privacy Policy. Eventually the bypass turns into Highway 23 North. Have you taken any of these pretty routes? Cosby Overton County, Tennessee, is an absolutely STUNNING bit of the state, and we found a million and a half little roads here with great views. Explore its historic downtown, boutique shopping, chef-driven restaurants and a wide range of lodging options. We think that for many people, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel on such a unique train. Cherokee is an amazing town to stop and explore. Grab some snacks and turn on your favorite playlist, it's time to hit the road. Clingman's Dome Road is a 7-mile scenic route that starts near Newfound Gap Overlook and ends at a large parking area just below the summit of the mountain. Hop on the Ober Gatlinburg aerial tramway at Parkway and LeConte Streets and soar high above the treetops to see the beautiful vistas. Routes in Tennessee fall into four quadrants, given the state's logistical layout. Were in the car so often nowadays that the beauty of nature and the twang of the radio is simply forgotten. Continuing on US-441 for around five miles, youll find yourself in Cherokee, NC. There are several rafting companies based in Gatlinburg that offer trips on the Pigeon. We have a hunch these experiences might be right up your alley. We took an easy 5-minute walk to Market Square and were met by hundreds of people enjoying a beautiful sunny Saturday morning. The maximum speed along the Trace is 50 mph. Dubbed the Scenic City,' and endowed with incredible vistas and popular area attractions, the city has been recognized nationally for its downtown . Along the roadsides, the human footprint is light, only a changing variety of scenery and topography provided by Mother Nature. The Chapman Highway driving route leads you through the Colonial Village and Lake Forest neighborhoods, where youll spot a historic cemetery and nearly 5 miles of walkable trails. Some of the best things to do in Tennessee include hiking to waterfalls, scuba diving, and exploring caves and caverns. Our first morning started off on the right foot, waking up in our tent on the Tennessee Georgia border, just shy of the city. The bypass will take you around Gatlinburg traffic and drop you off in the wooded area connecting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, know to locals as The Spur, which will take you directly to Pigeon Forge, TN. This includes an average layover time of around 1h 43m. Make memories exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our public lands. Make your way through South Cumberland State Park for a view of Grundy State Forest, a facet of Tennessee protected land that hides not one, not two, but FIVE waterfalls in its heart. Thunder Valley. You really can't go wrong with this one - it's easy and fun. We want to hear! Listen 28:54. Take your pick from about a dozen walking and driving trails along this route. Along the route are numerous historical markers, restored historical sites and exhibits, rest stop parks, picnic areas, hiking trails, and public campgrounds. Buckle up for a 200-mile journey through the best of Tennessee. Continue your driving fun around the state with This Mouthwatering Ice Cream Trail In Tennessee. Here are our picks for 10 scenic drives in Tennessee that are 100% beautiful backroads: In case you couldnt tell, were totally obsessed with scenic drives in Tennessee. Grab some snacks and turn on your favorite playlist, its time to hit the road. Motorcyclists and sports car drivers come from all over the world to make their mark on this iconic road that carves its way through the east Tennessee mountains. In this road trip guide, we'll be highlighting four stops starting in Nashville, the country music capital of the world, and heading east through the Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains to Knoxville. Whatcom Falls Park offers a peaceful retreat from city life and is home to stunning waterfalls, scenic trails, and a picturesque lake. The idea is a stress free, scenic, and enjoyable ride in an auto, RV, motorcycle, or road bike (theres a special network of rustic campsites reserved for bike riders). 15 Best Day Trips from Knoxville (TN): Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Blue Ridge, Georgia Roanoke, Virginia Huntsville, Alabama Atlanta, Georgia Chattanooga Alpine Helen, Georgia Maggie Valley Asheville Treetops Adventures Pigeon Forge Great Smoky Mountain National Park Gatlinburg Dollywood Black Mountain Tugaloo State Park "Ridges to Rivers" flows into action at Tennessee Aquarium. Posted July 18, 2016 by Dusty Camp. This inland sea is situated underground and boasts the title of largest underground lake in America, covering more than 4 acres. It's shared in the same way Lake Tahoe lives in both Nevada and California, you know? The routes are split into four categories, depending on which direction youre coming from. . If you follow Highway 321through Townsend and Wears Valley, youll eventually find yourself on the Parkway, right in the heart of Pigeon Forge. Tags: Around Town, Scenic Drives, Travel Posted in These grand waterfalls that resemble stairs are easily two of the most beautiful and photogenic falls in Tennessee. If youre looking for Knoxvilles quirkier side, Old City is the place to head. CMP, There is no better way to explore one of our nation's most ecologically diverse biospheres- the Great Smoky Mountains. If you complete the trail from beginning to end, youll traverse nine state parks, plenty of hiking trails, and even some off-road trails for your ATV. Travelers on this route will take I-40 West Towards Knoxville and follow the interstate to Exit 27in Clyde, NC and enter into Highway 74. . Everything from the appetizers to the dessert was absolutely spot on; definitely dont miss having a meal there when you visit. Get exclusive benefits and discounted fees for a limited time. No thanks, Im not into adventure No matter what kind of peaceful environment you're seeking - you'll find it in Tennessee's stunning state parks (and in lots of other places, of course). The space is has a great vibe and best of all, served some truly authentic southern cuisine sourced from local farms in the area. Building the onramps for "sustainable mobility" at CO.LAB. Located in the heart of downtown Chattanooga on the beautiful riverfront, the Tennessee Aquarium is the top-rated aquarium for guest satisfaction. Bring your fishing poles or a boat, and enjoy some of Tennessees most scenic lakes. Explore this park's 30 miles of trails through the scenic Holston River Valley on foot, mountain bike or horse. 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211, USA. After travelling on Highway 23 North for 29 miles, youll come to the point where Highway 441 feeds into Highway 23; keep left to continue travelling north through Chattahoochee National Forest. When youre ready to relax for the evening, head to Market Square, near the University of Tennessee.