This Mouthwatering Ice Cream Trail In Tennessee. But, were here to help you skip the waitand get to having fun faster with these 7 alternative routes. The "straight line" from Knoxville to Chattanooga is a two-hour drive along I-75. 7. The road trip between Dallas and Nashville is epic and totally worth the drive. Theres always this unique excitement that wells up inside us whenever we are heading out to a destination weve never experienced before. Theres just something about the old school and brilliant, exciting, and almost forgotten treks that call to our wanderlust. Having an America the Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites. It was also dog friendly, which we really appreciated. Theres something beautifully comforting about taking a back road, dont you think? Our trek to Tennessee started at 5:30a.m. From there we walked north and enjoyed amazing coffee at Remedy Coffee. Sometimes, though, taking the beaten path may mean sitting in traffic with rush hour or in line with the thousands of other visitors coming to Pigeon Forge. Take in some history at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, and then relax by the water at Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort. You'll find it along Little River Road, a beautiful, quiet backroad that boasts its pretty waterfall about 13 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The drive from Nashville to Chattanooga is nearly a straight shot to the southeast via I-24.. CMP, This scenic valley on the west side of the Cumberland Plateau contains four state parks, three state forests, and two state natural areas. . Are there a lot of country roads in Tennessee? Tennessee is a state with multiple motorcycle rides that work well for beginners as well as experienced riders and offers motorcycle touring opportunities ranging from day trips to long distance multi-day motorcycle trips. CMP, Connecting the Cumberland Gap National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Cherokee National Forest with Appalachian history and culture. Take exit 290 (Cookeville). Michael.McClanahan@tn.gov Share. We have several particularly stunning state parks (56, to be exact), including some gems like Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park, in Unicoi County, and Fall Creek Falls, which features an incredible, 256-foot-tall waterfall (one of the tallest in the entire country!). The top stops along the way from Knoxville to Asheville (with short detours) are Sugarlands Distilling Company, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, and Smoky Mountain Outdoors (SMO) Rafting. Flight distance = 161 miles one-way Driving distance = 180 miles one-way flying is faster Getting to BNA airport = 18 minutes Nashville International Airport Check-in/wait at the airport = 60 minutes Flight time = 49 minutes McGhee Tyson Airport Leaving TYS airport = 33 minutes Total travel time = 2 hours, 11 minutes We suggest exploring a few of the scenic byways, for very little added time to your journey. and leave at 7:01 pm. CMP, Follow in the footsteps of Daniel Boone, Native Americans, and Tennessee Wildlife across the Cumberland Plateau from the Cumberland Gap to Dale Hollow Lake. By 1800 Nashville had become the most significant community in the Kentucky-Tennessee territory. Driving along I-75 south, youll follow the interstate to US-441 / Henley St. once you pass through Knoxville, rather than entering I-40. The byway runs through the middle of the Cumberland Plateau and Waldens Ridge, and you'll drive through tiny, historic towns like South Pittsburg and Dunlap. Legends Corner mural in Nashville, Tennessee Photo: Depositphotos. Continue your driving fun around the state with This Mouthwatering Ice Cream Trail In Tennessee. We guess it depends on just what you're looking for out of your Tennessee forest adventure! . Cherokee is also home to Harrahs Cherokee Casino, one of the only casinos of the area. This inland sea is situated underground and boasts the title of largest underground lake in America, covering more than 4 acres. There sure are! We took an easy 5-minute walk to Market Square and were met by hundreds of people enjoying a beautiful sunny Saturday morning. We immediately headed to the Bristol Motor Speedway to check out this world-renowned racetrack. Cosby Which is your favorite? From there we grabbed a quick breakfast and headed to the Tennessee Aquarium for a look at some really amazing exhibits. This route cut about one third of the distance between Natchez and Nashville off the original Trace. 733 mi. You will discover 883 acres of unblemished natural landscape that encompasses Center Hill Lake at the juncture of three powerful waterways. 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. Your best bet is to take Fiery Gizzard Road from Tracey City. West Virginia Scenic Drive #1 - The Highland Scenic Highway. Rock Island State Park, with its amazing waterways and gorges, is a cant-miss destination on your road trip from Nashville to Knoxville. The navigation said it would take us 17 hours to make the trek to Eastern TN from Austin, Texas and let me tell you, every hour of that drive was worth what we were about to experience. Official website of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development 2022. Taking this route means youll be able to bypass Knoxville traffic while experiencing historical towns like Townsend and Wears Valley. Keep reading to see what tours are offered in and around Knoxville below! Eventually the bypass turns into Highway 23 North. From there, youll enter Highway 321, which will take you through Maryville. We want to hear! There are all sorts of country roads crisscrossing The Volunteer State. Youll travel along Highway 19 for several miles, eventually coming to Cherokee, NC. Much like its cousin, the Great Smoky Mountains, Cherokee National Forest offers way too many backroads with a perfect opportunity to burn some gas and kill an entire afternoon. The best time of year to drive from Nashville to Knoxville is in the spring. Take U.S. 25/70 toward Marshall and turn left at the first stoplight onto Monticello Road. We had the privilege of exploring Eastern Tennessee, starting in Chattanooga and making our way up north through Knoxville and eventually arrive in Bristol. We believe in cultivating meaningful experiences. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 7 scenic alternative routes to Pigeon Forge that help you skip traffic and see beautiful sights! 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. Once youve driven through Maryville, youll have a decision between two routes of roughly equal distance. Were in the car so often nowadays that the beauty of nature and the twang of the radio is simply forgotten. A totally unique and totally fun! (615) 741-0803 Tennessee's collection of scenic roadways are a network of Scenic Highways, Tennessee Parkways and Scenic Byways. Make memories exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our public lands. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in East Tennessee, and there are literally hundreds of little, barely-appreciated roads that spin off into a beautiful nature netherworld. Climb the spiral staircase to the top of the lookout tower at the park visitor center. Hit the open road in your new Toyota and get some fresh air with one of these four scenic drives in the Knoxville area. A trip to Nashville is not complete without immersing yourself in its vibrant music scene. Everything from the appetizers to the dessert was absolutely spot on; definitely dont miss having a meal there when you visit. stay for about 1 hour. The Natchez Trace Parkway runs from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, about 440 miles. After about 5 miles on Chapman Highway, youll take a right onto River Divide Rd., the latter half of which runs alongside the West Prong Little Pigeon River. We think that for many people, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel on such a unique train. Gay Street was also home to famous entertainment like Knoxvilles finest theaters, vaudeville acts and opera. Known as Americas Favorite Drive, this is one of the best scenic drives youll find anywhere in the nation. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Additionally, travelers will pass through Morristown, an awesome pit-stop with plenty of options for shopping, sight-seeing, and dining. UTC's Dr. Mina Sartipi on new vistas for smart cities. stay at Gaylord Opryland Resort. I find the I-40 section to Nashville (or to Knoxville) less "mountain" than the I-24 section to Chattanooga. driving 4 hours. Youll cross over the breathtaking Cherokee Reservoir before driving through Morristown, and will then cross over Douglas Lake. Located out by Cade's Cove, Hyatt's Lane is a little piece of heaven that may take a bit of work from your GPS to find - we promise it's worth it! From the mysterious Lost Sea Caverns to the amazing Great Smoky Mountains National Park, youre sure to have a wonderful time as you explore what these cities have to offer. Hop on the Ober Gatlinburg aerial tramway at Parkway and LeConte Streets and soar high above the treetops to see the beautiful vistas. Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in Tennessee? 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211, USA. We are the only tertiary cardiology program for a 14-county area known as the Upper Cumberland region. Roadways in this collection are often the road less travelled, have unmatched intrinsic qualities, and have a regional or national significance. After a beautiful 28 mile stretch through the National Forest youll continue on Highway 23 until you come to an intersection. From Google Maps 7. Some of the best things to do in Tennessee include hiking to waterfalls, scuba diving, and exploring caves and caverns. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Get exclusive stories delivered right to your inbox. Featured Trip Guides. It seems like no matter where you live in the Volunteer State, you'll find a back road to enjoy over and over again. Highway 25 E is a beautiful drive with a long history as Thunder Road, the moonshine highway. Well, youll be treated to remarkable views of the finest roadside attractions in Tennessee. (615) 741-0803. Sunset on the Tennessee River at Bruton Branch After purchasing a new bottling line in 2006, the winery now bottles up to 3,000 bottles of wine per hour. Seriously, whats better than zip lining through the forest at night? The Natchez Trace Parkway is a lonely road that runs from the heart of Tennessee straight on through to Mississippi. With no practical way to navigate their craft back up the Mississippi River, the float boats that carried the cargo were disassembled and the lumber sold. Be careful, though, as you transverse this path, as the road has several sharp curves that could take the unsuspecting driver by surprise. So gas up your car or RV and hit the open road. There are, and they're our favorites! Once you pass through Cherokee, youll find yourself in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park by way of US-441. Carnton. One great drive is a scenic loop that begins by heading east from Tampa on I4 until you reach Highway 27. Length of Time Required: 1-2 hours! The Last Great Colosseum. We grew up doing summer camp and on occasion did ropes courses and such, but really didnt know what this experience would be like. Enter the park at the Gatlinburg entrance and stop at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. fishing, waterfalls, horseback riding, scenic overlooks, Park Service Ranger-led programs and historic areas to explore. Read our privacy policy. We LOVED the energy of the square. The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile scenic drive through three states, approximating the 'old Natchez Trace' travel corridor used by Native Americans, European settlers, slave traders, and soldiers. By using wood-fire techniques, we provide a nod to cooking in an old-world way. Road Trip Guide: Tennessee to North Carolina. The 35-mile drive from Crossville (elevation 1,854 feet) to Cookeville (elevation 1,140 feet) is one of the highest stretches of I-40 between Knoxville and Memphis. The next morning we grabbed a quick breakfast and coffee at Revelator Coffee Co, and then made the 2-hour trek northeast to Knoxville. Sign up for our newsletter and deals from our partners. CMP, This Art Modern classic was built in 1934 as a supply route for TVA's first hydroelectric dam. The tour also takes visitors to Fort Sanders, a Union outpost, as well as the Old Gray Cemetery, where countless veterans from both sides of the war still rest. With 75 overlooks and a speed limit of 35 mph, Skyline Drive is a true opportunity to take in the beauty of Shenandoah and a trip to the Luray Caverns is well worth a visit. Stop in Chattanooga and go to the Aquarium or Rock City or stop at the Chattanooga Choo Choo for a few minutes. Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip, Via Natchez Parkway, music roadtrip, blues highway, highway 61 blues tour, Map, Itinerary, Tips, Places to stop of . 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. Hours Of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sundays 1-5 PM. Take the exit onto I-985 North and follow the bypass north past Lake Lanier. 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. The thing we really appreciated about Chattanooga was its easy access to nature. Perfect East Coast Road Trip Planner USA; Stunning California Road Trip Itinerary 21 - 25 days Ultimate Florida Itinerary 10 days - Best Of Florida Road trip (with Map + Key West)) Benefits: A beautiful drive down historic Highway 25 E, cool towns along the way such as Morristown, lake and reservoir views, Google Maps link:https://goo.gl/maps/kPV5rbtvnrx. Info on total road trip time, mileage, places to visit, explore & much more! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We had a blast getting lost in the various environments and found it to be a great way to start our trip. If youre looking to explore the great outdoors by foot and want to park your car or RV first, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is your place. Youll find authentic charm in Sevierville. By 1900, due to improvements in river travel and the competition from more recent roadways, the Trace had reverted to a wilderness state along much of its original course. We asked a few locals what the one spot was that we had to see before leaving town and everyone agreed it was Signal Point. This route is relatively straightforward, and will take you down a winding path that features breathtaking mountain views. tree-based adventure park. Experience where country music stars and fans align. Ijams Nature Center is the perfect spot in Knoxville where you can connect with nature. 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. Published March 1, 2023 at 4:07 PM EST. Scenic Highway 30A Destin to Rosemary Beach, Gulf Coast Drive Rosemary Beach to Apalachicola, Campgrounds & RV Park Reviews Scenic Drives, Highlights Traveling the Natchez Trace Scenic Parkway, Best Compact RV Motorhomes from Winnebago, Winnebago Revel & Adventure Van Alternatives, Shell Mound Campground Cedar Key, Florida, Walking, Nature & Hiking Trails | Cedar Keys, Cedar Keys Florida Top Things to See and Do, Scenic Road Trip: Wisconsin Great River Road. Learn more about these routes, and their designations, by viewing Tenneessees Scenic Handbookor the Scenic Roadway Program Summary Memorandum. 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. Can I Rent a Car with A Temporary License; Can You Rent A Car For Someone Else; Can You Rent a Car If You Have A DUI? Get exclusive benefits and discounted fees for a limited time. Take I-75 North from Atlanta to Exit 293; follow the fork to the right to enter onto 411. Like most of the roads on this list, it's astonishingly beautiful all year, but there's just something about the summer and autumn months that are particularly special. 50 grams of tobacco how many cigarettes,