It is located in downtown Louisville and not too far from. Chock-full of souvenir shops, craft stores, restaurants, and kitschy attractions (think Ripleys Believe it or Not! Day 1 - The Drive and the Cottage. Rome2rio makes travelling from Chicago to Smoky Mountains easy. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. Think Pink If you are I would go north from Lexington on 75 and hit 74 in Cincinnati and not go over to Louisville. Chicago - the starting point of Route 66. Indianapolis: Some museums in the downtown area might be of interest. It isn't necessary that you wait for a search to be completed before you select or deselect different search features. 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 sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. The ride was smooth and once at the top, plenty of panoramic views were on offer. This is 3 miles farther but you avoid Louisville traffic and the toll bridge. The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport is to subway which takes 43 min and costs $1-$5. See our recommendations for the best route, things to see, places to stay, and when to make this fantastic trip. Sunrise at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Continuing on I-65, 300 miles into the trip, you will arrive at Louisville, home to the Kentucky Derby, one of the world's oldest and most famous horse races and an ideal place for an overnight stay. Then on Day 2, you could easily include side trips to and stops at both Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area before finishing up in the Great Smoky Mountain are for a couple of days. Youll spot Cloud Gate, a kidney-bean-shaped sculpture thats 66 feet long and 33 feet high, from a distance as its metal gleams in the sunlight. Alternatively, you may use. Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. . 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. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47930643', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Cars Rust Lollapalooza. A showcase of whos who in architecture, this interactive park is an adult playground. Would highly recommend carrying picnic chairs and some water floats for kids to enjoy the stream. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN), Fly from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN), Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Boise (BOI), Take the bus from Boise, ID - Airport to Sun Valley Lodge, Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Salt Lake City, Take the bus from Salt Lake City to Twin Falls, Take the bus from Twin Falls to Ketchum, ID, Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station. 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. 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. Again, mostly a wilderness type area, which you could find in Great Smoky Mountains 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. From Indianapolis, continue on I-65 and consider a detour to Bloomington city, where you can visit Indiana's oldest park, McCormick's Creek State Park, and marvel at the impressive limestone canyon. They are known for their handmade crafts and artwork. There are a few log cabins and churches too which were constructed in the 1800s. With 4 different families, and nomads from the age of one and half years to 35 years, it was truly a friends and family road trip. Wheres the best place to start exploring this city that sits on the turquoise shores of Lake Michigan? Thursday evening before the long weekend is always very heavy on traffic and we experienced thatpain. Then use your smartphone to view the Nashville artists sharing tree stories. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? Be sure to take refreshment breaks and schedule more stops accordingly. Chicago To The Ozarks Road Trip. Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. By checking the box next to your selected rentals, you can compare up to three properties. The quickest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which costs $180-$650 and takes 6h 26m. Head east to Hilton Head. questions regarding any content should be directed to the appropriate organization and not necessarily to Cabins Next day morning we started after the breakfast and enjoyed driving on the beautiful highway that connects kentucky with Smokey Mountains, and passes through valleys and hills full of life. Thanks to SMO rafting team who did us a solid by pushing our reservation otherwise we would have kissed our rafting money good-bye. 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. We then strolled in Gatlinburg downtown and visited Ripleys Believe It or Not museum before the hunger pangs kicked in. Thrill-seekers can take a ride on the rocky top alpine mountain coaster. Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. You could allot two weeks for the trip. 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. You can also catch Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg, a festival of Bavarian food, drink, and music accompanied by the fabulous Smoky Mountains Oompah band. Please share your thoughts on this post or your own Smoky Mountain Trip ideas in the comments section. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Nonetheless, It offers a panoramic view of the park and is less visited than other roads in the area. 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. While this may seem like quite a long distance, the scenic landscape and attractions along the way will make . We did ours at the Walmart store at Knoxville which was around 30 mins away from our cottage. ), 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. Great Smoky Mountains National Parkstraddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The Lewis and Clark Bridge (toll) is on I-265. Required fields are marked *, Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains National Park |Road trip |Ghoomnaphirna, on Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains National Park |Road trip |Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Yellowstone National Park | Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Key West, Florida |Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna. The social distance requirement in Smoky Mountains is 2 metres. Clingmans Dom - highest point at Smoky with stunning views. 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. On the final day of this US road trip, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park where the highlights include Laurel Falls, Cades Cove, . Simply provide a contact name and email so that we can reach you. Additionally, the best way to get around the Smoky Mountains is by car since public transportation is lacking in this part of the country. Naperville to Eminence, MO. Tip: Would highly recommend carrying picnic chairs and some water floats for kids to enjoy the stream. Walking the numerous trails, however, even for a short distance, provides a much richer experience. LeConte in the Smokies, then start planning your trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN today! Second, you might be able to find a direct flight from Chicago to Tyson McGee Airport near Knoxville. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. If you plan to check out the city, the Hyatt Centric Downtown is a fabulous place to stay. 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. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules . Nonstop chatter, loud music, late night dance and songs, and variety of food, at the rental home that we bookedin Smoky Mountains National Park. We are travelling from Canada to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? this is the wonderful thing about Tripadvisor one can learn so much from others! Distance: 2,448 miles Recommended time: 7+ days Best time of year: September-Early November. Berea KY us at exit 76 on I'75 and has several nice craft shops. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. We went back to our cottage to recharge the batteries and then went for Skylift again, to take advantage of the night views. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps . Additionally, you clear your favorites list by clicking "remove all" on the favorites bar. web site are responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness, currency and/or suitability of all information. Fly Chicago O'Hare to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum, Fly Chicago Midway to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum, Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), Ketchum Sun Valley Historical Society Heritage & Ski Museum, There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres. 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. The cavern is actually man-made and offers experiences for the whole family. Experience the vibrant local arts scene, visit the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, or plan your trip to coincide with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. A total of 2,448 miles (3,940km) weave, wind, rise and dip through . We have stayed in downtown Lexington and found it a safe city with some charm. Bald Mountain (9150 feet, 2789 m) is a mountain in south central Idaho, adjacent to the city of Ketchum in Blaine County. The direct route is about 20 hours without stops. Connecting Midwesterners to a world full of road-trips, hikes, nature and adventure. Our first adventure of the day was the hike at Laurel Waterfalls, one of the highly trafficked trails in the Smoky Mountains. However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. Forest. During my years living in Illinois, I took numerous road trips from Chicago. After a filling continental breakfast, we left for Gatlinburg to visit the Skylift, one of the most coveted places in Smoky. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. You can tour these facilities and learn about how world-famous Kentucky Bourbon is made! May be Tripadvisorcan be a good and reliable source for planning what all attractions you want to cover in Smoky Mountains National Park. Cades Cove is a 11 mile loop road famous for its wild life sightings and also boasts of several hiking opportunities inside the area. After making the journey to reach the Smokies, which in itself is an excellent road trip, make the most of this magical mountain wonderland by taking an excursion through the park to fully explore this magnificent landscape. The elevation of Sun Valley (at the Lodge) is 5920ft above sea level. For travel flexibility, you can board or get off a Greyhound bus at official Greyhound stations, partner stations and curbside stops. 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. The hotel is located close to many of the unique local attractions, and a visit to the Titanic Museum will not disappoint. It is about 20-30 minutes from Lexington. With only 48 hours in Gatlinburg, you'll need to optimize your time to keep the fun going. Chicago may be the best city in America to take road trips from, so there are endless possibilities for car vacations. Google Maps gives current drive conditions as you enter destinations. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Why Smoky? Its not every day that you see horses frolicking from your front-yard. 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. 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. We will be traveling with our dog near the end of March from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Once you find your perfect rental for the right date, simply click "book now" to begin the booking process. If you want to enjoy a Smoky Mountains road trip on your drive from Chicago, be sure to check out some of the top sights along the way! The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. Founded in 1995, it has collections in skiing, mining Sun Valley, sheep, and Hemingway. Road Trip Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway Smoky Mountain National Park. Consider Nashville Chattanooga Cloudland Canyon State Park Report inappropriate content Nancy B 10 posts 3. See the Gary Railcats stadium. The road climbs some 3,000 feet along the edge of the mountain, and passes through a stunning number of . This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Do any of you have any suggestions for places to see along the way? Head east to Hilton Head. 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. Falls of the Ohio State Park is in Indiana, just across from Louisville, offers great photos of the downtown Louisville skyline across the river. 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 inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by Cabins USA Gatlinburg. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains costs only $212, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. The country music capital of the world, with an incredible food and drink scene, a thriving art movement, and wonderful architecture. Theres few better ways to enjoy a hot summer day than to be on the water. Do bear in mind some attractions may be closed as they transition from winter. 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. There are many excellent restaurants, bars, and cafes nearby. My main concerns are construction/traffic as well as we have a major concern of wanting to avoid windy, bridges/single roads in the Smoky Mountains as we both are anxious of heights/bridges. 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. Both with directions , distance calculation and estimated travel time, all described in the route planner. Dollar Mountain (6638ft., 2023 m) is a ski hill in south central Idaho, part of the Sun Valley ski resort. The Mega Cavern underneath Louisville, Ky. We treat any information that you share as confidential. What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Smoky Mountains? Atlanta is a world-class city with a rich cultural history. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. Only a couple are toll free. Leaving Louisville, take the Interstate 64 E into the heart of Bluegrass Country, and after 80 miles, you will arrive at Lexington. I imagine traffic in Cincinnati will be about the same as Louisvilleit all depends on when you travel. If you're lucky you will see a truck unloading potatoes. Leaving Atlanta, take the I-85s for 161 miles to the delightful city of Montgomery. Neon signs on Lower Broadway Area of Nashville. . Music lovers can experience the Motown sound at the Sounds of Soul in the Smokies Festival at the end of July. Heres what we saw on the way but never stopped due to lack of time: The Sinks popular waterfall. 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. Foraccommodation, I would highly recommend going for one of the innumerous cottages and cabins on offer at Airbnb/VRBO. Fans of all ages can take a nostalgic journey through musical history with the hits of Stevie Wonder to the Temptations, and many more. Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request. 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. Good part Gatlinburg has a ton of restaurants. It's nothing but the quintessential American road trip. Then head to the citys celebrated Millennium Park downtown. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Smoky Mountains is recommended. Rome2rio has everything you need to know about travelling with Amtrak, Rome2rios guide on the bus operator has all the information you need. 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. Our neighing neighbors, as seen from our countryside cottage. There is construction in area and is sometimes down to a crawl. He knows his home well -, Planning adventures in the great outdoors? (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. We drove initial 50 miles very slowly as we tried to cross our way through Chicago downtown and skyway. Meet our new guest blogger! May consider driving around. If you are in that area, do visit this museum. Three hours east of Nashville, clocking in at 180 miles, make a pit stop in Knoxville. You'll soon arrive at Bryson City, a peaceful mountain town, where you can ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad or simply enjoy the local crafts and cuisine on offer in downtown Bryson. The 33-mile Newfound Gap Road is one of the park's most popular routes, used to connect Cherokee, NC, and Gatlinburg, TN. 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. They included short trips to nearby cities like Milwaukee and Indianapolis, and longer drives to places like South Dakota and the Smoky Mountains. The bridge over the Ohio is not as high and slightly shorter by Cincinnati. As far as bridges go, you will have to cross several on your route to and from Hilton Head. Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. Leaving Pigeon Forge, take the US-321 south and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains as you make the short 8-mile journey to Gatlinburg.