scenic drive from nashville to knoxville

This 17-mile N.C. Scenic Byway just north of Asheville starts at I-26, Exit 19. Take the exit onto I-985 North and follow the bypass north past Lake Lanier. 6:01 pm Grand Ole Opry. Phone +1 800-525-7077. A pandemic-friendly activity is to do a car tour of the park's 384 miles of road, . 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. Additionally, travelers will pass through Morristown, an awesome pit-stop with plenty of options for shopping, sight-seeing, and dining. For bonus points, did you know that this was actually the first designated national forest scenic byway in the United States? The Chattanooga Choo Choo Historic Hotel has Victorian Train Car hotel rooms right in Downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. We believe in cultivating meaningful experiences. Photo Courtesy: Cari Griffith Photography, Michael McClanahan Inside the Park. Around Knoxville | Knoxville, Tenn. We dont blame you one bit! 733 mi. Folks that prefer to travel by I-75 North to Tennessee can just take Exit 27 at Lenoir City to directly enter Highway 321. CMP, There is no better way to explore one of our nation's most ecologically diverse biospheres- the Great Smoky Mountains. Roadways in this collection are often the road less travelled, have unmatched intrinsic qualities, and have a regional or national significance. Copyright - PigeonForgeChamber.com & Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce. Theres something beautifully comforting about taking a back road, dont you think? While Gay Street was the first paved road in Knoxville, its history goes even farther back. Youll find lots of craft shops and one-of-a-kind stores in this town. Did you pick a favorite? A Taste of Knoxville Brew Hop 1706 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. Then when you leave Chattanooga, take I-75 to Knoxville. One . You can check out the Musuem of the Cherokee Indian to learn more about the native people that still call Cherokee home, or visit one of the many shops offering authentic and interesting wares. Featured Trip Guides. 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. As River Divide Rd. Just us 2 in our 50's. I love driving and would like to take the most scenic route. A drive that's love to see AND historic. Get exclusive benefits and discounted fees for a limited time. CMP, Cross the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on this 31 mile byway that includes numerous pull-offs, stopping point, and scenic opportunities. Did we miss any alternative routes? A little over half of the state is covered in dense forest (52%, if you're wondering). Explore its historic downtown, boutique shopping, chef-driven restaurants and a wide range of lodging options. Stop in Chattanooga and go to the Aquarium or Rock City or stop at the Chattanooga Choo Choo for a few minutes. While Gay Street was the first paved road in Knoxville, its history goes even farther back. from Highway 321 roughly 4.5 miles outside of Maryville. And when it comes to planning a road trip, theres no shortage of options for choosing a route. There are, and they're our favorites! Whether you want to take a quick break from the city or youd rather plan a long weekend getaway, theres no shortage of natural beauty in the Knoxville area. 2. How far is it from Nashville to Knoxville? Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. 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. The road to Camp Nakanawa is right off of I-40, near Crossville. 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. The upper Pigeon offers an exhilarating Class III rapid trip, while the lower river is calmer, offering those who would rather take in the peaceful scenery than get their blood pumping, a chance to float gentle rapids and swim in calm swimming holes. Once you enter Sevierville, take a left onto Veterans Blvd. The best time of year to drive from Nashville to Knoxville is in the spring. An hour's drive southeast from Knoxville on U.S. Route 441 takes you to Gatlinburg, a small town at the threshold of the immensely popular -- and admission free -- Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Road Trips. When we arrived in Chattanooga we headed straight to our hotel, The Chattanooga Choo Choo, an incredibly unique hotel that operates out of a former railroad station and offers guests the option to stay in converted rail cars literally sitting on the train track (obviously not in use anymore haha). 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. Also, visit the Wears Valley Chamber of Commerces website for some tips on things to do in Wears Valley. Benefits: Bypass traffic in Knoxville and Exit 407 on I-40, beautiful rural views, historical towns, travel alongside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Google Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/apPVyH6EMQK2. Unlimited stops Plan trips worldwide Divide your trip into days Export to GPS or Print and more handy features! Meads Quarry at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee from an overlook along Tharp Trace. Townsend is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as Cades Cove. Everything from the appetizers to the dessert was absolutely spot on; definitely dont miss having a meal there when you visit. Ijams Nature Center is the perfect spot in Knoxville where you can connect with nature. When visiting Asheville, plan at least a full day at the Biltmore. The space is has a great vibe and best of all, served some truly authentic southern cuisine sourced from local farms in the area. About the Natchez Trace Drive (this page), Travelogue: Natchez Trace Parkway, Part 1, Nearby Places of InterestHistoric Natchez, MississippiShiloh Military Park. Eventually, youll come to a junction after passing Maryville High School where youll turn right onto Highway 321, W. Lamar Alexander Parkway. Most of us probably know the way by heart, taking Exit 407 from I-40 and following the Parkway to thedestination. Comments Off on 4 Scenic Drives Near Knoxville, Toyota Named One of the Most Dependable Brands By, 2023 Toyota GR Corolla: Everything You Need to Know, The Difference Between Used & Certified Pre-Owned Toyotas, The Best Time of Year to Buy a New Toyota. We found that this city really appreciated nature as much as we do, and has some of the most accessible trails of any city weve ever visited. After a beautiful 28 mile stretch through the National Forest youll continue on Highway 23 until you come to an intersection. Follow this early route from Knoxville to Nashville across the northern plateau. 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. Grab some snacks and turn on your favorite playlist, it's time to hit the road. These grand waterfalls that resemble stairs are easily two of the most beautiful and photogenic falls in Tennessee. These cookies do not store any personal information. The best way to prepare for this trip is to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. 25 E Through Morristown to Pigeon Forge Time: 5 hours, 21 minutes within a 45 minute drive from Nashville, Nashville, 7 replies So scared to drive through Nashville., Nashville, 37 replies The drive from Hendersonville to downtown Nashville, Nashville, 5 replies Address. 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. 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. Main Routes: HWY 150, HWY 55, HWY 15. From there, youll enter Highway 321, which will take you through Maryville. Veterans has much less traffic than the Parkway while running parallel to it. Nashville to Gatlinburg drive is long but scenic. You can make stops in between to explore the natural wonders along the way. My name is Hunter Lawrence and my wife Sarah and I own a photography and marketing businesses out of Austin, Texas. Continue on Highway 321, which will take you through the beautiful towns of Townsend and Wears Valley. Make memories exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our public lands. There are several rafting companies based in Gatlinburg that offer trips on the Pigeon. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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 direct drive from Pigeon Forge to Nashville takes approximately 213 mi (342 km), and the drive should take approximately 3 hours and 17 minutes in normal traffic. Driving along I-75 south, you'll follow the interstate to US-441 / Henley St. once you pass through Knoxville, rather than entering I-40. Tennessee is nicknamed The Volunteer State because, according to legend, volunteer soldiers from Tennessee contributed heavily to historic victories. Turn right and drive along the French Broad River to Marshall. 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. Spend the day at beautiful Cedars of Lebanon State Forest, or kill a whole weekend camping at Lone Mountain State Forest. Read more on USA Road Trips. "For a nice stroll with lovely scenic views of the Cumberland river & downtown Nashville, this can't." more. Having an America the Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites. Thank you! Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Won't be in a hurry as it seems to only be about 2.5 hours anyway. The driving tour starts on Chapman Highway at Fort Dickerson, a site of conflict between the Union and Confederate armies. 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. Read about it in our. Created by Brian - October 15th 2013. Recommended option Bus, shuttle, drive 11h 22m Take the bus from Nashville to Johnson City 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. It is about a 2 hour. 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). Just a quick jaunt off I-40 will offer sights you never knew existed. Rather than following I-75 to Knoxville, visitors seeking a more scenic drive south can take Highway 25 E south. This 200 mile route provides access to the mountains across seven counties. At this point, youll take a right to continue onto Highway 23 and continue north until Highway 23 ends. CMP. Rock Island State Park, with its amazing waterways and gorges, is a cant-miss destination on your road trip from Nashville to Knoxville. Take your pick from about a dozen walking and driving trails along this route. No thanks, Im not into adventure - When I Google map directions from Knoxville (TYS) to Gatlinburg, it suggests the route 129 south to TN-71, east to 441 south. I-40W from Knoxville to Nashville Headed to Nashville from Knoxville? 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. Traveling the Trace is an excellent way to step back in time to an era of the scenic road trip where you take the time to enjoy the trip itself. Drive time without stops: 2 hours, 20 minutes. Tricks to find the perfect rig. If youre looking for things to do in Maryville, Townsend, or anywhere in Blount County, be sure to visit the Blount County Chamber of Commerces website for cool ideas and tips. The Tail of the Dragon begins in Deal's Gap, Tennessee and takes you on a twisting, turning 318 curves in 11 miles. These two routes will help you bypass Knoxville and offers and easy-going drive. Located in the heart of downtown Chattanooga on the beautiful riverfront, the Tennessee Aquarium is the top-rated aquarium for guest satisfaction. The trip can be made in several hours if you have a car with enough power and a good set of tires. 5 years ago Following US-441 will take you the back way to Sevierville. 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. This drive along Highway 143 is full of majesty, including wildflowers, rolling mountains, and water features. Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. 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.