What makes Chicago one of the best cities to visit is that it has a cosmopolitan feel with none of the attitude of similar-sized cities on the coasts. . Best campsites near chicago and how to reserve them? We recommend scheduling at least two overnight stops or more depending on your desire to explore further. Many of its rooms offer spectacular views over the Ohio River, and of the Big Four Bridge which is a spectacular sight at night. Alaska Airlines, Inc., Delta and United Airlines offer flights from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum Airport. Good part Gatlinburg has a ton of restaurants. Distance: 2,448 miles Recommended time: 7+ days Best time of year: September-Early November. Lexington is a great town. They serve a unique Greek-style chili on spaghetti noodles and heaping portions of cheddar cheese you don't want to miss! (Photo: Alamy) Your next stop on your Smoky Mountains family vacation is Sevierville, which lays claim to Dolly Parton and her eponymous family amusement park. There were less people in the bottom fall, which was a relief. During my years living in Illinois, I took numerous road trips from Chicago. 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 wrapped up the day with a sumptuous dinner hereat Curry N More. Both with directions , distance calculation and estimated travel time, all described in the route planner. Leaving Chicago, take the I-90 along the shores of Lake Michigan for just over 30 Miles. Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. Newfound Gap. It's nothing but the quintessential American road trip. If you did this, you could do a quick stop at Mammoth Cave, and they also have the Corvette Museum near Bowling Green, KY. Fun Fact: Interstate 65, which takes you down to Nashville on this road trip, connects the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Jays Potato Chip factory. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. You could allot two weeks for the trip. Thanks to SMO rafting team who did us a solid by pushing our reservation otherwise we would have kissed our rafting money good-bye. They included short trips to nearby cities like Milwaukee and Indianapolis, and longer drives to places like South Dakota and the Smoky Mountains. It's also about as good as anywhere to spend the night. The country music capital of the world, with an incredible food and drink scene, a thriving art movement, and wonderful architecture. Taking you from Lake Michigan to Biscayne Bay, a trip of such proportions will be one you will never forget. The beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are world-famous for their beautiful views, impressive forests, lovely waterfalls, amazing wildlife, and historic sights. If you are into historical hotels, the Boone Tavern Inn and Restaurant would be worth a stop. We parked at Gatlinburg Skylift Park itself to save time (20$ a day parking) and hobbled over to the ticket counter. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. Then, stretch your legs, head to the Music City Walk of Fame on Nashvilles Music Mile to see the names of accomplished artists with a Nashville connection of all musical genres. Just when we were returning back from the Cades Cove, all disappointed, we saw a ton of cars stopped on the side and people flocking near the woods. . May consider driving around. 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. The 33-mile Newfound Gap Road is one of the park's most popular routes, used to connect Cherokee, NC, and Gatlinburg, TN. The fastest route between Chicago and Miami covers a distance of around 1,385 miles, but we recommend extending the journey to include trips to Pigeon Forge and Montgomery which will add a further 450 miles to the trip. 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. Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Second, you might be able to find a direct flight from Chicago to Tyson McGee Airport near Knoxville. I imagine traffic in Cincinnati will be about the same as Louisvilleit all depends on when you travel. Then head to the citys celebrated Millennium Park downtown. March 5, 2020 Tori Peglar Situated almost halfway into this fabulous road trip, 719 miles from Chicago, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza. We are travelling from Canada to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. And history buffs will feel right at home with these historic treasures. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The direct route is about 20 hours without stops. It is currently at MM 6not sure where it might be in May. Compare Favorites Naperville to Eminence, MO. After all, the city boasts free music all the time.. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. It is important to allow time to enjoy the many amazing attractions and places along the way. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. It isn't necessary that you wait for a search to be completed before you select or deselect different search features. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Rise and shine We left sharp at 6 AM in our Durango R/T to kick-start our first summer road trip of 2021. With the help of car insurance comparison and broker app with help from Jerry If you take the fastest route, and all factors remain constant, the road trip from Chicago to Asheville will take you about 10 hours and 05 minutes. Next, stop by the mesmerizing Crown Fountain, which features the faces of 1,000 Chicago residents on two 250-foot glass towers, each one at the opposite end of a shallow reflecting pool. Day 1 - The Drive and the Cottage. Heres the Google Timeline chronicling our ride back home. Continue onwards, passing Mingo Falls to Cherokee, with its famous Indian Museum. 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. A popular area in the northern part of the forest is Red River George and Natural Bridge SP, in the southern end, Cumberland Falls SP. The state capital of Georgia also boasts awesome food, culture, and nightlife scene. Here is the other water drop, this needed a short climb downwards from the main fall. One of many Smokey overlooks with panoramic views. We choose this because of the easy length (2 miles) and prospects of seeing bear (which did not happen ). The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains costs only $212, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. I've never really stopped anywhere along the way, though I've done some research on the areas and might visit them in the future. I-65S from Indy: Columbus, IN is known for their architecture. The period between June and August is an excellent time to go on a road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains. 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. Bad part Every one of them was brimming with people. Forest. Is it compulsory to practice social distancing in Smoky Mountains? Take as many days as you can allow to cover this impressive journey and look forward to a truly memorable road trip of a lifetime. After a filling continental breakfast, we left for Gatlinburg to visit the Skylift, one of the most coveted places in Smoky. But you can also get away from it all at a unique lodging option with Under Canvas. Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request. Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. If you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy unwind after a truly memorable road trip, the RiverStone Resort & Spa will definitely deliver, located in Pigeon Forge at the base of the Smoky Mountains. Both known for German heritage. Tip: If you are a vegetarian, best to carry your own food or plan ahead with the restaurants where you want to eat. Falls of the Ohio State Park is in Indiana, just across from Louisville, offers great photos of the downtown Louisville skyline across the river. If you're going on a road trip from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Chicago, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Pigeon Forge . Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. The top stops along the way from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with short detours) are Horseshoe Hammond, Louisville Mega Cavern, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Each state has a DOT that gives a list of current construction projects. Cades Cove is the most popular destination in the national park due to its plentiful wildlife and many historic buildings you can explore. 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!!! The Lewis and Clark Bridge (toll) is on I-265. Its not every day that you see horses frolicking from your front-yard. From Bryson City, take the NC-28 N and US-129 N, stopping off at the Tail of the Dragon, a lookout area offering spectacular lake and mountain views, before continuing along Foothills Parkway. 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 . Ketchum Sun Valley Historical Society Heritage & Ski Museum is the official museum of Ketchum Sun Valley located in Ketchum, Idaho. When you board one of Pink Adventure Tours signature pink Jeep Wranglers, youll soak up more information than you thought possible on your Smoky Mountains tour. The quickest flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum Airport is the direct flight which takes 4h 3m. Chock-full of souvenir shops, craft stores, restaurants, and kitschy attractions (think Ripleys Believe it or Not! Prepare yourself for the best Smokies vacation possible with your favorite people by knowing what to pack when going to the mountains! There are lots of things to do in Gary IN if you take 90. Your email will not be provided to third parties. You can click this minus sign to "unselect" this property from your favorites list. Route 66 - cross-country USA road trip. The series is called If Trees Could Sing, and its the result of a Metro Parks and The Nature Conservancy partnership. What are the travel restrictions in Smoky Mountains? It was supposed to be 3 and half hours of drive, but as we were nearing mountains, we noticed huge traffic again and it took us almost 5 hours to cover the 190 miles drive from our hotel to Smokey Mountains park. A total of 2,448 miles (3,940km) weave, wind, rise and dip through . The hotel is conveniently located in Whiskey Row close to the city's main attractions. Entertaining guides bring you deep into the cave for an up to 2.5-hour tour, explaining the geology and history of the cavern. Indiana area. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Smoky Mountains is 800-232-4636. 600 miles, took around 11hours with multiple breaks and a huge traffic jam at I-75. If you plan to check out the city, the Hyatt Centric Downtown is a fabulous place to stay. We had one wish still left unfulfilled, which was to see a live bear in action and based on reviews, Cades Cove had the highest probability to see it happen. Kat_Cubs_fan - We will probably go through Indianapolis, Louisville & Lexington. Enjoy a unique dining experience in the stunning Sun Dial Restaurant, on the upper floors, offering unparalleled 360-degree views over the city. Started in the 1960s, this parkway is still a work in progress with only sections of the 72 miles stretch completed. You can view your selected properties by click the "favorites" tab at the top of the search bar. Your email will not be provided to third parties. The Skylift ride, the glass bridge glimmering with the kaleidoscopic views of the city, everything seemed magical in the nocturnal obscurity. Would highly recommend carrying picnic chairs and some water floats for kids to enjoy the stream. As you wander around, be sure to see these three architectural attractions. The Little River Scenic Drive was at a few minutes drive from Laurel Falls and it is best to visit them together. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. May be Tripadvisorcan be a good and reliable source for planning what all attractions you want to cover in Smoky Mountains National Park. Mileage: It's 1,379 miles between the two cities. Indiana area. From Knoxville, head onto the US-441 S, admiring the breathtaking mountain scenery, and you'll arrive at Pigeon Forge, an excellent base from which to explore the Great Smoky Mountains. Currently, there is no shuttle service that connects to Gatlinburg. 1. Here youll find plenty of hotels, grocery stores, and gear shops. Walking the numerous trails, however, even for a short distance, provides a much richer experience. This includes an average layover time of around 1h 44m. . The ride was smooth and once at the top, plenty of panoramic views were on offer. Having said that, if the humidity is predicted to be really high, plan your boat trip for the morning before the sun gets too high in the sky. Once we reached the falls, there were couple of spots to soothe the sore legs in cold water, heres the main water drop . We dont mind passing by mountains in the view on interstate but correct we want to avoid smaller roads through mountains. Most of the trip will be on the Interstate-65, a perfect road for such a journey. customize this trip Day 1 11:00 am start in Chicago drive for about 2.5 hours 1:41 pm Crawfordsville stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:41 pm drive for about 2.5 hours 5:00 pm Sellersburg (Indiana) This is 3 miles farther but you avoid Louisville traffic and the toll bridge. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. Our first adventure of the day was the hike at Laurel Waterfalls, one of the highly trafficked trails in the Smoky Mountains. Oak Ridge was established in 1942 as a production site for the Manhattan Projectthe massive American, British, and Canadian operation that developed the atomic bomb. The population was 1,406 at the 2010 census, down from 1,427 in 2000. Pictures here itself tells the mood and magic of this trip in that large group. Since it looks like you're a baseball fan, you might enjoy the Louisville Slugger museum and factory. 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. Very safe. Experience the vibrant local arts scene, visit the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, or plan your trip to coincide with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the countys towns of Townsend, Maryville, Alcoa, Friendsville, Louisville and Rockford offer travelers a ton of things to do from regional dance and theater performances at the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville to in-depth history of the Smoky Mountains at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend. Please share your thoughts on this post or your own Smoky Mountain Trip ideas in the comments section. Start in Chicago and head down along the historic Route 66 to reach St. Louis, the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways, and the Ozarks Mountains. Louisville has a tourist website you can check out for other ideas. Cabins USA Gatlinburg respects our guest's privacy and never shares this information with third-party sites. Conversely, over the winter months, you might find that snow makes some of the areas around the national parks very difficult, and possibly cause road closures in the mountainous areas. Road Trip From Chicago To Mackinac Island, Road Trip From Chicago To Yellowstone National Park, none beats the elegance and beauty of Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection. Head east to Hilton Head. Experience a Gatlinburg vacation packed with fun by scheduling things around these extraordinary Gatlinburg events in 2023! 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. . The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and Coca-Cola, Atlanta also boasts a fabulous mix of natural beauty and cutting-edge architecture. We did ours at the Walmart store at Knoxville which was around 30 mins away from our cottage. Users of this Elk on Route 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park A Stop For Elk On a Smoky Mountains road trip you can see many things right from your car. The mountain town of Pigeon Forge in eastern Tennessee is a must for fans of Dolly Parton, as it's where her Appalachian-themed Park Dollywood is located. After doing an availability search for your desired vacation date, our site will produce a list of available cabins. Stayed in Chattanooga for two nights and saw the sights there, then ended up in Gatlinburg for two or three nights. Just two and a half hours southwest of Louisville lies Nashville, the country western capital of the country. We have included a detour that goes through Cincinnati, converging with the main route in Lexington. Really. A trip to Nashville is not complete without immersing yourself in its vibrant music scene. First, 10 hours of driving takes a lot of energy and time you might rather want to use for enjoying your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. . Sign up for our newsletter! Add/Remove Favorites We had planned to stop in Kentucky so we continuously drove till mid night to get to the hotel. This luxury resort offers incredible views of the Smoky Mountains making it the ideal place to stay during your time exploring this beautiful destination. It is close to all the restaurants and attractions that Pigeon Forge is known for. Don't know if using I 40 or I 24 but thought I would mention that. Lots of lodging and restaurants. Chicago to Arches National Park, Utah | Road trip | GhoomnaPhirna, Chicago to Duluth | Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna, Gorakhpur to Lumbini, Nepal | Roadtrip | Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Myrtle Beach | Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna. We did the following in a 4 day trip: rafting at Lower Pigeon River; hiking at Laurel Falls; visiting Cades Cove, Gatlinburg downtown including Skylift and The Little River Scenic Drive. The docents are super entertaining and informative. To aid you in your planning, we have compiled our own list of some of the main places to go and the best things to see along the journey. 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 . The most visited National Park in the country needs no commentary from my side to extoll its virtues. 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. Don't forget the annual Watch Grass Growing Festival and the ever popular See (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. In this car lover's heaven, be sure to visit the renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Its Luhville to you. 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. 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. Lexington is a nice town. The road here takes some dramatic twists and turns and there are plenty of viewpoints to stop and savor the views. However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. The road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains will be memorable whichever time of year you decide to go, which is all dependent on your preferences for the weather and the season. We went back to our cottage to recharge the batteries and then went for Skylift again, to take advantage of the night views. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Any mention of vendors, products, It is about a 20 minute drive from Gatlinburg entrance to national park. Catch a tour from Pigeon Forge. 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. From here you are just 18 miles from Maryville in Blount County, one of the gateway counties to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's only 1 hour away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A third of the way into the journey, 472 miles from Chicago, Nashville is a fabulous place to visit. Berea KY us at exit 76 on I'75 and has several nice craft shops. chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops. Its the first public outdoor work of British artist Anish Kapoor to appear in the United States. The road climbs some 3,000 feet along the edge of the mountain, and passes through a stunning number of . Simply select the 2 3 properties you wish to compare, then click "compare" to see these rentals side-by-side. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47804918', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Gatlinburg has a similar area so not sure if you want to check that out or not. What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Smoky Mountains? And you can now go glamping near Gatlinburg, Tenn. If you plan to see the annual Kentucky Derby, the hotel is close to Churchill Downs, home to the racecourse and also the Kentucky Derby Museum where you can learn all about the history of the world's most famous race. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Road Trip 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. The area is served by Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, approximately 15mi south. The bridge over the Ohio is not as high and slightly shorter by Cincinnati. Tip: Rather than towing a ton of groceries from home, do it near the destination. Re: Chicago to Naples Fl drive River Tubing at The River Rat Main Outpost. One could go south to Blowing Green, then take I-66E and catch I-75 south down to Pigeon Forge. 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! To make it easier for your plan, we have compiled this list of our favorite attractions along the way: The beauty of a road trip from Chicago to Miami is that you can do it at any time of the year. Amit is a financial engineer by profession, road trip addict, wannabe tennis player and has a gregarious personality. This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. Pass Gary then take the I-65 and head south, through endless fields of windmills, before arriving at Indianapolis. A road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will take you to one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit, through some of the most majestic mountain scenery, taking in many interesting attractions along the way. Chicago To The Ozarks Road Trip. Road Trip Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway Smoky Mountain National Park. As far as bridges go, you will have to cross several on your route to and from Hilton Head. 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. The top stops along the way from Chicago to Gatlinburg (with short detours) are Louisville Mega Cavern, Market Square, and Keeneland Association Inc. Other popular stops include Kentucky Horse Park, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, and Big Four Bridge. You will notice that the "+" has now changed to a "-". We saw kids as young as 4 years in the rafts. After coming up for air, hit the road and point your wheels toward Nashville. Situated right in the heart of downtown, you'll be within walking distance to the Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and much more. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? Click here to skip back to the top. The resort is adjacent to the city of Ketchum and within the greater Wood River valley. 321 just west of Townsend 18 miles up Chilhowee Mountain. Why Smoky? If you're ready to explore beautiful destinations like Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and Mt. Made with polished stainless steel, the sculpture features an arch that enables you to walk under it and see your contorted reflection in the steel walls. However, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? See our recommendations for the best route, things to see, places to stay, and when to make this fantastic trip. For each of the fields, please provide the following information: After your first search, it isn't necessary to click the "search" button again as this feature will automatically filter your results for any new search features you provide, unless you change the date, the number of nights, or go to a new webpage. Services are operated by United Airlines, Delta and Alaska Airlines, Inc.. A good way to break up this drive is to stop for the night at a hotel along I-75 past Lexington, KY. This one is technically outside smoky but quite adventurous. -, 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. In the bourbon capital of the world, enjoy a VIP experience and take the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 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. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. It is highly trafficked with narrow lanes and sometimes you could be stuck behind hoards of cars so please plan at least couple of hours for the visit.