Walking the numerous trails, however, even for a short distance, provides a much richer experience. While this may seem like quite a long distance, the scenic landscape and attractions along the way will make . Here youll find plenty of hotels, grocery stores, and gear shops. An important thing to know is the citys name is actually pronounced Luhlville by the locals and everyone else in Kentucky. 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. Kat_Cubs_fan - We will probably go through Indianapolis, Louisville & Lexington. You could detour to visit Mammoth Cave National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park if weather permitting. Think Pink 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. Situated right in the heart of downtown, you'll be within walking distance to the Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and much more. An alternative to our main route, on leaving Indianapolis, take Interstate 74 passing Shelbyville and Greensburg and you'll arrive at Cincinnati, situated on the banks of the Ohio River. Traffic on I 24 near Chattanooga has been awful for past 3 or 4 months. At some point, you will be driving through mountains on the interstate. Then head to the citys celebrated Millennium Park downtown. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Best campsites near chicago and how to reserve them? The 2 bridges on I -65 are toll bridges. 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. 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. We are travelling from Canada to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? A third of the way into the journey, 472 miles from Chicago, Nashville is a fabulous place to visit. Other attractions include The Johnny Cash Museum, National Corvette Museum and the Nashville Flea Market (held the fourth weekend of every month). A ride on the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster will appeal to thrill-seekers, dropping through lush forest landscape, and taking in the awesome mountain views as you hurtle down the track. One could go south to Blowing Green, then take I-66E and catch I-75 south down to Pigeon Forge. Pictures here itself tells the mood and magic of this trip in that large group. 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. There are lots of things to do in Gary IN if you take 90. You can also remove a property from your favorites list by clicking the minus sign to the right of the property name under the favorites tab. Alaska Airlines, Inc., Delta and United Airlines offer flights from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum Airport. Be sure to check out the upscale restaurants in Market Square or enjoy a stroll along Gay Street. 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. The social distance requirement in Smoky Mountains is 2 metres. Clingmans Dom highest point at Smoky with stunning views. We wrapped up the day with a sumptuous dinner hereat Curry N More. One thing you can count on is construction on almost all interstates. Our hiking blog has tips and tricks for vacationers in Gatlinburg who want -, Any time of year is a great time to visit Gatlinburg and the Smokies! The inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by Cabins USA Gatlinburg. Its Luhville to you. Check out our best short vacation ideas for Gatlinburg to get started! In this car lover's heaven, be sure to visit the renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Getting there can be as fun as the park itself. During my years living in Illinois, I took numerous road trips from Chicago. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. 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 national COVID-19 helpline number in Smoky Mountains is 800-232-4636. We started on Thursday evening before the long weekend, and we had threecars carrying the group of 12. 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. We did not see many vegetarian options there. There is ongoing construction on I-65 N in several areas. This part of the route is a hidden gem, as Foothills Parkway is a section of the national park that has become almost forgotten, and it's easy to see why the locals want to keep it a secret. 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!!! Gatlinburg sky lift, Gatlinburg scenic overlook, Gatlinburg space needle were some of teh other attractions that we covered in the Gatlinburg town. The ride was smooth and once at the top, plenty of panoramic views were on offer. The 33-mile Newfound Gap Road is one of the park's most popular routes, used to connect Cherokee, NC, and Gatlinburg, TN. This blogging bear loves sharing the Smoky Mountains with everyone. Its not every day that you see horses frolicking from your front-yard. ), the bustling towns can be a sensory overload or a rollicking good time, depending on your perspective. In the bourbon capital of the world, enjoy a VIP experience and take the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. this is the wonderful thing about Tripadvisor one can learn so much from others! Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. Horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Nashville hotels are expensive, so if you don't need to stay in Nashville, pick an interchange on the outskirts where there are a cluster of hotels + restaurants nearby. Longer trips (Over 8 hours each way) While a drive of this length probably won't suit spring breakers with young families, this is a great time to take an adventure with older children or to hit the road with a group of friends. Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. We parked at Gatlinburg Skylift Park itself to save time (20$ a day parking) and hobbled over to the ticket counter. A total of 2,448 miles (3,940km) weave, wind, rise and dip through . Luckily, we found this hidden pearl called Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteaks. Connecting Midwesterners to a world full of road-trips, hikes, nature and adventure. The direct route is about 20 hours without stops. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? Thanks to SMO rafting team who did us a solid by pushing our reservation otherwise we would have kissed our rafting money good-bye. For help planning your getaway to Gatlinburg, feel free to contact our helpful reservations office at (865) 436-5031 today! The beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are world-famous for their beautiful views, impressive forests, lovely waterfalls, amazing wildlife, and historic sights. Hiking is popular in this park. He knows his home well -, Planning adventures in the great outdoors? Forest. Really. Excellent to drive on with many options to refuel and refresh as you head on to the next item on your bucket list of things to see. the products, vendors, consultants, or businesses referenced in these web pages. Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Taking you from Lake Michigan to Biscayne Bay, a trip of such proportions will be one you will never forget. From here, take the I-95 S for the final stretch of the journey which will take you to Miami. The hotel puts you right in the heart of the action. It is about 20-30 minutes from Lexington. 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. The shortest route from Chicago to Gatlinburg is to take I-65 Louisville. Second, you might be able to find a direct flight from Chicago to Tyson McGee Airport near Knoxville. There are many excellent restaurants, bars, and cafes nearby. Our trip to zip line was also special, as many of us did that for the first time in life. Thank you so much for your time and efforts!! For travel flexibility, you can board or get off a Greyhound bus at official Greyhound stations, partner stations and curbside stops. Here are our recommendations. Am I allowed to travel from Chicago to Smoky Mountains? However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. Music lovers can experience the Motown sound at the Sounds of Soul in the Smokies Festival at the end of July. long term rentals in vilcabamba, ecuador; celebrity fight night; chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops Jays Potato Chip factory. However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. The period between June and August is an excellent time to go on a road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains. The series is called If Trees Could Sing, and its the result of a Metro Parks and The Nature Conservancy partnership. You will notice that the "+" has now changed to a "-". 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. If you're planning a fly-and-drive vacation, arrive in Knoxville . After a filling continental breakfast, we left for Gatlinburg to visit the Skylift, one of the most coveted places in Smoky. From Chicago, you will drive along the shores of Lake Michigan on Interstate 90 E until you reach Exit 17 and merge onto Interstate 65 S to Indianapolis. We drove initial 50 miles very slowly as we tried to cross our way through Chicago downtown and skyway. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Chock-full of souvenir shops, craft stores, restaurants, and kitschy attractions (think Ripleys Believe it or Not! After cruising through the few miles of the road which meanders along the Little River, we parked here and spent couple of hours on the river, enjoying the stream of cool flowing water. If you are into historical hotels, the Boone Tavern Inn and Restaurant would be worth a stop. It is perfectly placed to take in the nightlife and indulge in the delicious southern cuisine. Luckily, United Airline's largest hub is based in O'Hare and this airline also services Knoxville's airport. Please be patient, this may take a minute. After a quick pit-stop at Louisville, KY to feed our V8 engine hauling us; we had lunch at Taco Bell in Lexington city. Forgot to mention leaving Chicago around 4am on Saturday morning so baby can hopefully sleep for most part to Nashville Ill of course plan to stop a few times alone the way. The most visited National Park in the country needs no commentary from my side to extoll its virtues. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Pass through the Woods Ferry conservation area before heading east onto the I-10 towards Jacksonville. 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 . Another Tip: The Little River Scenic Drive is full of tiny little splash pods. Get ready for an incredible journey into the Souths top attractions and best-kept secrets in this road trip that begins in Chicago and leads you to the nations most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. https://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/gatlinburg. Please Note: Cabins USA Gatlinburg's area information, Visitors to Sun Valley are relatively close to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, accessed over Galena Summit on Highway 75, the Sawtooth Scenic Byway. Lots of lodging and restaurants. Mileage: It's 1,379 miles between the two cities. Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? 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. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. We have family in northern TN so travel that way about every month or so. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. Driving through both just a few months ago made me think I was in Europe given some of the older buildings. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. It is moments away from the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Centennial Olympic Park. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains. And the glass bridge was totally worth the hype! We have included a detour that goes through Cincinnati, converging with the main route in Lexington. But to truly experience Louisville, you need to go underground. To avoid being snickered at by locals, resist the natural impulse to pronounce the name as it appears [Loueyville]. Walk along sloped decks, see the grand staircase, touch an iceberg and witness hundreds of original artifacts. This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. Don't forget the annual Watch Grass Growing Festival and the ever popular See (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Road trips don't come more iconic than Route 66, which makes its way from Santa Monica in California to Chicago, Illinois. 1. Head east to Hilton Head. Show only these on map Horseshoe Hammond chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops. With only 48 hours in Gatlinburg, you'll need to optimize your time to keep the fun going. When using our "search" feature, you can make a list of favorites. Distillery Tours On this drive, you'll pass through the heart of Kentucky Bourbon Country where several major distilleries are based. Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. 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. Do any of you have any suggestions for places to see along the way? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. Since you have some time on your way down, you might consider taking I-65 through KY. We dont mind passing by mountains in the view on interstate but correct we want to avoid smaller roads through mountains. Foraccommodation, I would highly recommend going for one of the innumerous cottages and cabins on offer at Airbnb/VRBO. Chicago to Miami Road Trip Itinerary. What are the travel restrictions in Smoky Mountains? 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. 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. There are several bridges in the Louisville area. 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. We have stayed in Antioch, a little south of Nashville for this purpose. -, 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. One of many Smokey overlooks with panoramic views. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Again, mostly a wilderness type area, which you could find in Great Smoky Mountains area. The state capital of Georgia also boasts awesome food, culture, and nightlife scene. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. 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. You can also catch up on equestrian history at the the Kentucky Derby Museum. Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. Or check out Destination Delivery: Have an RV delivered directly to a campground or parking site to camp in style without having to get behind the wheel. 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. 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. 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. After an excursion in the Smoky Mountains, you can return to the heated indoor pool or hot tub, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment, and sample the delights on offer in the resort's sophisticated restaurant. Each state has a DOT that gives a list of current construction projects. We have stayed in downtown Lexington and found it a safe city with some charm. The first stop was at a coffee joint at Lafayette, Indiana. Rome2rio makes travelling from Chicago to Smoky Mountains easy. 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. There is tourist info but also a huge shop with local arts and crafts. 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. It's nothing but the quintessential American road trip. . Add/Remove Favorites If you are I would go north from Lexington on 75 and hit 74 in Cincinnati and not go over to Louisville. Users of this It will allow you to relax, unwind, and be fully refreshed before continuing your drive. Rome2rio has everything you need to know about travelling with Amtrak, Rome2rios guide on the bus operator has all the information you need. May consider driving around. 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. It was outlandish, insane and incredible trip all together. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. Chicago - the starting point of Route 66. If you plan to check out the city, the Hyatt Centric Downtown is a fabulous place to stay. 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. Gretto Falls - 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. . . It isn't necessary that you wait for a search to be completed before you select or deselect different search features. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains costs only $133, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. 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. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, this outdoor concert venue has 4,000 fixed seats and room for an additional 7,000 people on the Great Lawn. 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. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. It is important to allow time to enjoy the many amazing attractions and places along the way. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. 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. The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and Coca-Cola, Atlanta also boasts a fabulous mix of natural beauty and cutting-edge architecture. 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. We saw kids as young as 4 years in the rafts. Currently, there is no shuttle service that connects to Gatlinburg. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Thrill-seekers can take a ride on the rocky top alpine mountain coaster. Here are five reasons why you should. You could allot two weeks for the trip. As far as bridges go, you will have to cross several on your route to and from Hilton Head. Take a tour of the Mysterious Mansion, a haunted house that delights in frightening visitors all year round. This luxury resort offers incredible views of the Smoky Mountains making it the ideal place to stay during your time exploring this beautiful destination. The shortest route from Chicago to Gatlinburg is to take I-65 Louisville. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains From Nashville.head toward Chattanooga then Atlanta. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to destinations to visit on a road trip from Chicago to Miami. There are a few war museums, a western/American Indian museum, and a general state museum. The hotel is conveniently located in Whiskey Row close to the city's main attractions. We went to AMSE, and spent few hours there. Re: Chicago to Naples Fl drive Road Trip Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway Smoky Mountain National Park. What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Smoky Mountains? Keep on reading to discover many amazing places to visit, the best route, where to stay, and when to go. Pass Gary then take the I-65 and head south, through endless fields of windmills, before arriving at Indianapolis. It is currently 23:08 in Chicago and 22:08 in Smoky Mountains. Stayed in Chattanooga for two nights and saw the sights there, then ended up in Gatlinburg for two or three nights. The one time i took 65, i left VERY early (5.30 AM) and beat the morning rush if you get out early on a saturday morn, you SHOULD be OK, but you'll still encounter a lot of trucks. IMO, the few advantages of 65 over 57 is it's about 30 or 40 miles shorter (big whip if you get stuck in traffic), it's more scenic (57 doesn't start getting interesting till southern ILL), and it allows you to circumvent downtown nashville more easily as traffic there can be just as bad as chicago at times. but since you're stopping there one of the ways, it's a moot point. second the chattanooga traffic comment we just passed thru there over t-giving and it was HORRIBLE, and there's no viable way to get around the city because it's surrounded by mountains. also, about a half hour north of chattanooga along I-24 is the monteagle pass.. it's one of the steepest stretches of interstate i've ever experienced and best done during the day.. people fly up and down that stretch, so be aware of that since there are some pretty decent turns on it as well. if it's been raining, there are some pretty cool waterfalls (albeit man-made as they tumble down the road cut) along the way, but watch your speed! Indiana area. Louisville - Louisville, KY is a beautiful city on the Ohio River with several notable sights including the Mohamed Ali Museum, The Louisville Sluggers Museum, and the Churchill Downs Race Tracks. Fun Fact: Interstate 65, which takes you down to Nashville on this road trip, connects the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Experience the vibrant local arts scene, visit the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, or plan your trip to coincide with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. When browsing results, you can add them to your "favorites" by clicking the red plus mark on the bottom left of your desired property. Theres few better ways to enjoy a hot summer day than to be on the water. Situated almost halfway into this fabulous road trip, 719 miles from Chicago, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza.