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. Filled with family attractions, music, events, food, drinks, and more, you can choose your own Tennessee vacation. It's shared in the same way Lake Tahoe lives in both Nevada and California, you know? Looking for more ideas for scenic drives in Tennessee? Recommended option Bus, shuttle, drive 11h 22m Take the bus from Nashville to Johnson City Escalators move you from level to level allowing you to see everything from local river otters to the new Lemur Forest. (youll know to turn when you see the Taco Bell). Sometimes when the week gets rough, all you want to do is just in the car with a fabulous playlist of tunes and a long open road in front of you. Fun Fact: Captain William Driver, who flew the U.S. flag in front of his Nashville mansion, is credited with nicknaming the flag "Old Glory" in 1837. Veterans has much less traffic than the Parkway while running parallel to it. On the first route, you can continue on Highway 321 through Townsend and Wears Valley, arriving in the heart of Pigeon Forge. The scenery surrounding the two-lane route includes mountain peaks and rock bluffs, as well as access to sites that explore Civil War history and Cherokee Indian culture. Choose your own Tennessee vacation and discover new food, classic whiskey, rockin' music, and so much more. . The drive alone was worth the trip; its a quick 10-15 trek out of the city but the entire time youre winding around little mountain roads up to this small parking lot that sits on the edge of the Tennessee River Gorge. View our suggested park itinerariesfor more park activity ideas. The drive from Nashville to Chattanooga is nearly a straight shot to the southeast via I-24.. Other popular stops include Market Square, The North Carolina Arboretum, and Ole Smoky Moonshine. 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. How far is it from Nashville to Knoxville? Another great stop along this route is Wears Valley, a small town with a big personality and lots of history. Learn More Is either better or is there another better way. 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. Turn right and drive along the French Broad River to Marshall. While the entire property is worth investigating, three main buildings house more than 250,000 artifacts including . We dont blame you one bit! Address. Copyright - PigeonForgeChamber.com & Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce. Theres something beautifully comforting about taking a back road, dont you think? The thing we really appreciated about Chattanooga was its easy access to nature. Creativity in Tennessee shows in the music, food, spirits and art created here. 12:51. A Taste of Knoxville Brew Hop 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. Drive west about six miles from Morristown, Tennessee, and you will reach Panther Creek State Park. The is the oldest scenic byway in North America. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. $115. Your best bet is to take Fiery Gizzard Road from Tracey City. We found eleven places around the state of Tennessee yes, even on the west side that are great for driving during the twilight hour, in the afternoon, or even during those light, bright early mornings. What are the best roadside attractions in Tennessee? Many people travelling to Pigeon Forge from the north take I-75 south to I-40 east to Exit 407, but travelers can easily take advantage of this alternate route to get to Pigeon Forge quicker and easier. Running all the way up from Mississippi to Tennessee, Natchez Trace is absolutely gorgeous during summer and even more incredible in the fall. There are, and they're our favorites! The 10 Best Tours in Knoxville, Tennessee 1. Following 441 will take you through a beautiful rural setting. Youre covered with our custom protection packages. Regardless of its origin, youll want to follow our peoples example and volunteer to drive on your next road trip. 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. 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. Here you can see Meigs Falls, one of the very few waterfalls you can spot from the road. Drive three hours east to get to Knoxville, Tenn. 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. We want to hear! Take the exit onto I-985 North and follow the bypass north past Lake Lanier. The night continued with dinner at one of Knoxvilles newest restaurants, J.C. Holdway, a beautiful farm to table restaurant serving up some amazing local fare and thoughtfully crafted mixed drinks. Day 1: It all beginsExploring Chattanooga and the Tennessee River Gorge. By 1820 the invention of the Steamboat allowed two way travel up and down the Mississippi and Ohio rivers meant the Trace began to lose its main customers. One of the most popular scenic drives in the United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway travels along the southern Appalachian Mountains, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. "Ridges to Rivers" flows into action at Tennessee Aquarium. The total driving time is 2 hours, 42 minutes. One great drive is a scenic loop that begins by heading east from Tampa on I4 until you reach Highway 27. 9. I find the I-40 section to Nashville (or to Knoxville) less "mountain" than the I-24 section to Chattanooga. Experience where country music stars and fans align. A drive that's love to see AND historic. We were welcomed with the warmest of greetings at The Tennessean Hotel. We grew up doing summer camp and on occasion did ropes courses and such, but really didnt know what this experience would be like. Youll cross the Little Tennessee River before you enter into Maryville. It was also dog friendly, which we really appreciated. It includes the Ijams Nature Center, miles of trails, rock climbing routes, several civil war sites and a quarry with panoramic views. 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. About the Natchez Trace Drive (this page), Travelogue: Natchez Trace Parkway, Part 1, Nearby Places of InterestHistoric Natchez, MississippiShiloh Military Park. At first we considered just watching the sunset from there, but then we noticed a hiking trail that led you even closer to the river and would give us a completely unobstructed view of the River Valley! Knoxville, Tenn. Benefits: Shorter drive than via I-40 east, travel through Seymour, scenicfinal stretch, Google Map link:https://goo.gl/maps/QLKErrGeCMm. From there youll take to enter Highway 74, which is where youll continue until you take Exit 74 to US-441. Nashville to Knoxville Road Trip Itinerary. Sign up for our newsletter and deals from our partners. It's shared with Tennessee and North Carolina, so you can get to cracking along some state lines again! The cliff-hugging road offers sweeping views, fascinating and diverse flora and fauna, geologic wonders and a myriad of recreation opportunities. "For a nice stroll with lovely scenic views of the Cumberland river & downtown Nashville, this can't." more. So, pick a back road and get lost. NASCAR and NHRA Fans #1 Facility. While Gay Street was the first paved road in Knoxville, its history goes even farther back. Rent from a pro and travel like one, too. Though it is definitely beautiful all year round, the road is super-lush during the warmer months. Your Middle Tennessee Adventure Starts Here. 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. 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211, USA. Did we miss any alternative routes? Yall, were from Austin so we know what good food is, and OliBeas breakfast is darn good. There are all sorts of country roads crisscrossing The Volunteer State. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Once you pass through Cherokee, youll find yourself in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park by way of US-441. Here you can see the Reelfoot Lake Cypress Boardwalk, but it's the trek out here that will really give you a beautiful view. Make sure to ride the Lightning Rod, the worlds fastest roller coaster and dont forget to check out other amazing roller coasters like the Wild Eagle and FireChaser Express. 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. 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. Nashville to Gatlinburg Road Trip Itinerary Trip Length: It takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to drive from Nashville to Gatlinburg. Scenic Roadway Program Summary Memorandum, Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation. Gay Street was also home to famous entertainment like Knoxvilles finest theaters, vaudeville acts and opera. "for a summertime experience with wonderful music, outstanding food, and scenic views." more. Take This Trip. Distance from Nashville: 74 miles, 1 hour and 19 minutes Warren County's positioning between the Barren Fork and Collins River make it a must-visit for outdoor lovers, as do its nearby state parks, Rock Island and Fall Creek Falls. Rather than following I-75 to Knoxville, visitors seeking a more scenic drive south can take Highway 25 E south. Learn more about these routes, and their designations, by viewing Tenneessees Scenic Handbookor the Scenic Roadway Program Summary Memorandum. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Watch for a large, colorful sign . Belle Meade not only offers tours of Tennessees history and architecture but also provides visitors with a taste of the states hospitality through wine and food pairings, chef-inspired meals, and bourbon tastings. One . CMP, Visit the Land Between the Lakes on this National Scenic Byway. Drive along the Newfound Gap Road to see picturesque rolling mountains or hike the Grotto Trail to see stunning cascading waterfalls. 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. Keep reading to see what tours are offered in and around Knoxville below! This 200 mile route provides access to the mountains across seven counties. Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. My Camera: https://amzn.to/3tbC8hOA quick drive from I-40 to the World's Fair Park (including the Sunsphere) and Knoxville Convention Center area of Knoxvill. Sarah and I love the outdoors, and really value getting out with our dog Aspen and hiking for miles. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 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). When you dont want to venture far, but you still want to soak in some of Knoxvilles natural beauty, turn your attention to the Dogwood Arts Trails and Gardens. 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. See this and other recommended guides for scenic travel, camping, and RVing. When visiting Asheville, plan at least a full day at the Biltmore. If you follow Highway 321through Townsend and Wears Valley, youll eventually find yourself on the Parkway, right in the heart of Pigeon Forge.