If you live in Chicago, IL and you want to explore some of the most gorgeous mountains in all of Appalachia, check out our guide on how to get to the Smoky Mountains from Chicago! But to truly experience Louisville, you need to go underground. The 2 bridges on I -65 are toll bridges. If you're lucky you will see a truck unloading potatoes. The incline was mostly easy but there were some tight spots as we neared the waterfall and the sign board reminded us of the lurking danger. The state capital of Georgia also boasts awesome food, culture, and nightlife scene. In Cincinnati, there is a riverfront with a mall on the other side of an pedestrian walk bridge (formerly used for vehicles) on the KY side of the river. The Little River Scenic Drive was at a few minutes drive from Laurel Falls and it is best to visit them together. If you are I would go north from Lexington on 75 and hit 74 in Cincinnati and not go over to Louisville. View all posts by Amit Sharma, Your email address will not be published. They serve a unique Greek-style chili on spaghetti noodles and heaping portions of cheddar cheese you don't want to miss! This luxury resort offers incredible views of the Smoky Mountains making it the ideal place to stay during your time exploring this beautiful destination. Leaving Chicago, take the I-90 along the shores of Lake Michigan for just over 30 Miles. Best campsites near chicago and how to reserve them? 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. Nonstop chatter, loud music, late night dance and songs, and variety of food, at the rental home that we bookedin Smoky Mountains National Park. May consider driving around. 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. This post has already been read 2799 times! Bring a blanket to sit on and enjoy the tunes (and the excellent people watching). Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. But kids had the most fun as they were allowed to go on zipline. Prices start at $100USD per night. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. At 160 miles, this extension to the trip should take a little under 4 hours and 30 minutes, but there will be countless opportunities to stop and admire the stunning mountain vistas and the many fantastic places you will pass along the way. Typically 84 flights run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. One could go south to Blowing Green, then take I-66E and catch I-75 south down to Pigeon Forge. Visit the Island, a 23-acre entertainment destination with fun for all the family, and a trip to Pigeon Forge would not be complete without a visit to Dollywood, recognized as one of the world's best theme parks, with something for everyone. Tip: Would highly recommend carrying picnic chairs and some water floats for kids to enjoy the stream. Jays Potato Chip factory. A trip to Nashville is not complete without immersing yourself in its vibrant music scene. Great Smoky Mountain Road Trip : Where Are the Smoky Mountains : Travel 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 . Experience a Gatlinburg vacation packed with fun by scheduling things around these extraordinary Gatlinburg events in 2023! It takes approximately 6h 26m to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains, including transfers. You will cover a distance of 657 miles should you choose to drive without making a stop. The hotel puts you right in the heart of the action. There is ongoing construction on I-65 N in several areas. Thanks Ravekid, for all your recommendations. 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. Please Note: Cabins USA Gatlinburg's area information, Chicago To The Ozarks Road Trip. Follow signs along the parkway for a picnic area, campground and Look Rock. There is currently construction on I-65 N after you exit I-265. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. If you are in that area, do visit this museum. The best way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which takes 6h 26m and costs $180-$650. . And history buffs will feel right at home with these historic treasures. Start in Chicago and head down along the historic Route 66 to reach St. Louis, the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways, and the Ozarks Mountains. Don't forget the annual Watch Grass Growing Festival and the ever popular See (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Michael Jackson's childhood home and after that there is not much to see except ground hogs on the side of the road when you hit the Tennessee border. The inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by Cabins USA Gatlinburg. 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. If you are a music lover, head to a show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Through rolling hills and glorious mountain landscapes, this road trip has something for everyone. Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. Alternatively, you may use, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Forum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Rentals, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Packages, Flights to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Restaurants near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide. Alert: This site requires a JavaScript enabled browser. The direct route is about 20 hours without stops. 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. Please be patient, this may take a minute. Only a couple are toll free. Here is the other water drop, this needed a short climb downwards from the main fall. Shells08, what route are you taking to get to P.F.? Distillery Tours On this drive, you'll pass through the heart of Kentucky Bourbon Country where several major distilleries are based. Finally, before heading to Miami, take a trip to Tampa and witness the wonderful museums, historic Ybor City neighborhood, and the fabulous Busch Gardens. 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. Rise and shine - We left sharp at 6 AM in our Durango R/T to kick-start our first summer road trip of 2021. Help with route Chicago to Smoky Mountains - Road Trips - Tripadvisor Do any of you have any suggestions for places to see along the way? Glamping, short for glamorous camping, is a luxury experience in tents equipped with the creature comforts of home. Google Maps gives current drive conditions as you enter destinations. 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. 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. Clingmans Dom - highest point at Smoky with stunning views. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. The treeless Dollar caters primarily to beginner and lower intermediate skiers; the primary mountain for advanced skiers is Bald Mountain, or "Baldy", next to the city of Ketchum. Road trips don't come more iconic than Route 66, which makes its way from Santa Monica in California to Chicago, Illinois. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains costs only $212, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. 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. chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops The first stop was at a coffee joint at Lafayette, Indiana. Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. When using our "search" feature, you can make a list of favorites. If youve ever seen a Tiffanys bean necklace, this sculpture bears a striking resemblance. There are a few war museums, a western/American Indian museum, and a general state museum. Tip: If you are a vegetarian, best to carry your own food or plan ahead with the restaurants where you want to eat. We have family in northern TN so travel that way about every month or so. The most visited National Park in the country needs no commentary from my side to extoll its virtues. To avoid being snickered at by locals, resist the natural impulse to pronounce the name as it appears [Loueyville]. Road trip loop from Chicago to the Carolinas - Fodor's Three hours east of Nashville, clocking in at 180 miles, make a pit stop in Knoxville. But you can also get away from it all at a unique lodging option with Under Canvas. Continue your journey past the Gold Mine Trail, before reaching Melrose, where you will take the US-321, passing Townsend and Wears Valley before arriving back at Pigeon Forge. 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. They are known for their handmade crafts and artwork. Think Pink 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. Its the first public outdoor work of British artist Anish Kapoor to appear in the United States. The chicken cheesesteak was really amazing. Taking you from Lake Michigan to Biscayne Bay, a trip of such proportions will be one you will never forget. Road Trip Stops in the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway You can view your selected properties by click the "favorites" tab at the top of the search bar. 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! Rent an RV with Outdoorsy Really. 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. READ MORE - Road Trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. Situated right in the heart of downtown, you'll be within walking distance to the Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and much more. The Skylift ride, the glass bridge glimmering with the kaleidoscopic views of the city, everything seemed magical in the nocturnal obscurity. One thing you can count on is construction on almost all interstates. 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. If you're planning a fly-and-drive vacation, arrive in Knoxville . We have stayed in downtown Lexington and found it a safe city with some charm. 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! Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. Situated almost halfway into this fabulous road trip, 719 miles from Chicago, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Many of its rooms offer spectacular views over the Ohio River, and of the Big Four Bridge which is a spectacular sight at night. It is close to all the restaurants and attractions that Pigeon Forge is known for. Your email address will not be published. Louisville has a tourist website you can check out for other ideas. How to plan your road trip across the US From Nashvillehead toward Chattanooga then Atlanta. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47930643', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Cars Rust Lollapalooza. Dollar Mountain (6638ft., 2023 m) is a ski hill in south central Idaho, part of the Sun Valley ski resort. Best Road Trip Itineraries - Great Smoky National Park Trips Check out our best short vacation ideas for Gatlinburg to get started! If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. In this car lover's heaven, be sure to visit the renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. This is 3 miles farther but you avoid Louisville traffic and the toll bridge. It is located in downtown Louisville and not too far from. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Sunrise at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Geez, some people are easily amused.