You could detour to visit Mammoth Cave National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park if weather permitting. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/laurel-falls2. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains. Founded in 1995, it has collections in skiing, mining Sun Valley, sheep, and Hemingway. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47723701', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago to Pigeon Forge. Take an architectural boat tour to get a strong sense of the citys past and present. In the bourbon capital of the world, enjoy a VIP experience and take the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 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. 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. Both known for German heritage. The quickest flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum Airport is the direct flight which takes 4h 3m. Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. Stop at a visitor center in Cades Cove or at the Mountain Farm Museum to find . 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. We then strolled in Gatlinburg downtown and visited Ripleys Believe It or Not museum before the hunger pangs kicked in. The social distance requirement in Smoky Mountains is 2 metres. 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. Indiana area. web site are responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness, currency and/or suitability of all information. Heres the Google Timeline chronicling our ride back home. Stayed in Chattanooga for two nights and saw the sights there, then ended up in Gatlinburg for two or three nights. The options are endless, so here are our recommendations. Take a walk and explore the historical Whiskey Row area with its fabulous selection of restaurants, urban distilleries, and shops. 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 . Here youll find plenty of hotels, grocery stores, and gear shops. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to destinations to visit on a road trip from Chicago to Miami. It's a popular time for winter sports lovers and skiing enthusiasts and the local Christmas markets make it extra special at this magical time of year. As a result, flying can be a cheaper, time-efficient way to get from Chicago to the Smokies. 6 Best Road Trips Chicago to Nashville and Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip Stop at a shiny bean, an underground corridor, a racetrack and a music mecca on your way to the national park. Then head to the citys celebrated Millennium Park downtown. 180 miles into your journey, this vibrant city is a car enthusiast's dream. See the Gary Railcats stadium. Take in the great outdoors and stretch your legs with a trail walk, or visit the Wild Bear Falls Water Park. Enjoy classic scenic drives along Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee or along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Louisville is an ideal place to stay, located around the halfway point between Chicago and the Great Smoky Mountains on the Direct Route. Cabins USA Gatlinburg respects our guest's privacy and never shares this information with third-party sites. My family will be leaving soon on a two week road trip to the east coast. Each state has a DOT that gives a list of current construction projects. 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. Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. https://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/gatlinburg. Your email will not be provided to third parties. For help planning your getaway to Gatlinburg, feel free to contact our helpful reservations office at (865) 436-5031 today! Your email address will not be published. Head east to Hilton Head. He knows his home well -, Planning adventures in the great outdoors? The road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has so much to offer and we advise taking at least three days to make the trip, but even then, it will still be impossible to explore everything on this route. 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. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. Be sure to enjoy the magnificent 23 miles of Daytona Beach and experience the thrill of the many theme parks of Orlando. Theres also six underground zip lines that make up the worlds only fully underground zip line course. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities. This one is technically outside smoky but quite adventurous. The country music capital of the world, with an incredible food and drink scene, a thriving art movement, and wonderful architecture. Wheres the best place to start exploring this city that sits on the turquoise shores of Lake Michigan? Taking you from Lake Michigan to Biscayne Bay, a trip of such proportions will be one you will never forget. Do any of you have any suggestions for places to see along the way? 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. 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. Look for the tree signs around the park with QR codes and web addresses. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. 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. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. . There is tourist info but also a huge shop with local arts and crafts. Churchill Downs officially opened in 1875, but the sport of horse racing can be traced back to 1789 in Kentucky. As you wander around, be sure to see these three architectural attractions. Many of its rooms offer spectacular views over the Ohio River, and of the Big Four Bridge which is a spectacular sight at night. I imagine traffic in Cincinnati will be about the same as Louisvilleit all depends on when you travel. So, there we went. 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! Again, mostly a wilderness type area, which you could find in Great Smoky Mountains area. 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. There are a few war museums, a western/American Indian museum, and a general state museum. After a quick pit-stop at Louisville, KY to feed our V8 engine hauling us; we had lunch at Taco Bell in Lexington city. Continue south on the I-65 for a further 115 miles, through rolling hills of horse country, crossing the famous Ohio River to arrive at Louisville. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Stretch your legs on the .5-mile observation trail that is 9.6 miles from the start of the parkway. to honor the goddess of Athena. 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. Stay On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. You will cover a distance of 657 miles should you choose to drive without making a stop. The first stop was at a coffee joint at Lafayette, Indiana. Please share your thoughts on this post or your own Smoky Mountain Trip ideas in the comments section. Very safe. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago to Smoky Mountains via St Louis, Denver, Twin Falls, and Ketchum, ID in around 46h 9m. The Mega Cavern underneath Louisville, Ky. Just two and a half hours southwest of Louisville lies Nashville, the country western capital of the country. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). While in the Richmond KY area, check out the new Buc-ees that just opened. Fans of all ages can take a nostalgic journey through musical history with the hits of Stevie Wonder to the Temptations, and many more. The hotel is conveniently located in Whiskey Row close to the city's main attractions. Leaving Chicago, take the I-90 along the shores of Lake Michigan for just over 30 Miles. Enjoy these scenic drives and road trips to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other spots in Tennessee and North Carolina. 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. 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. the products, vendors, consultants, or businesses referenced in these web pages. 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. During the summer months, it can be hot, averaging around 90 degrees in the Deep South and Florida, so air-conditioning is a must. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to train and bus which costs $200-$290 and takes 42h 55m. Nonetheless, It offers a panoramic view of the park and is less visited than other roads in the area. Bring a blanket to sit on and enjoy the tunes (and the excellent people watching). 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. Rome2rio has everything you need to know about travelling with Amtrak, Rome2rios guide on the bus operator has all the information you need. Shells08, what route are you taking to get to P.F.? Catch a tour from Pigeon Forge. Under the favorites tab on the search bar, you can view your selected favorites. It will allow you to relax, unwind, and be fully refreshed before continuing your drive. The chicken cheesesteak was really amazing. Check out our best short vacation ideas for Gatlinburg to get started! Alert: This site requires a JavaScript enabled browser. Horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Continue reading to get all you need to make an exciting itinerary, exploring everything this route has to offer. And history buffs will feel right at home with these historic treasures. Here is the other water drop, this needed a short climb downwards from the main fall. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. They included short trips to nearby cities like Milwaukee and Indianapolis, and longer drives to places like South Dakota and the Smoky Mountains. Indianapolis: Some museums in the downtown area might be of interest. Road trips don't come more iconic than Route 66, which makes its way from Santa Monica in California to Chicago, Illinois. Its the first public outdoor work of British artist Anish Kapoor to appear in the United States. . March 5, 2020 Tori Peglar The roughly 420-mile route follows I-40 from the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to the mighty Mississippi River in the west. The route rewards drivers with mountain views that can be photographed from a number of scenic pullouts. The most visited National Park in the country needs no commentary from my side to extoll its virtues. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains costs only $133, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. After doing this, you will have to perform a new availability search.The number next to the favorites tab is the number of properties you have selected. Also it helped us to party hard every night when we came back tired from the sight seeing and outdoor activities. We parked at Gatlinburg Skylift Park itself to save time (20$ a day parking) and hobbled over to the ticket counter. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. Additionally, you clear your favorites list by clicking "remove all" on the favorites bar. Click here to skip back to the top. Do I have to wear a face mask on public transport in Smoky Mountains? Baldy has one of the higher summits of the Smoky Mountains of Idaho, that are located in the Sawtooth National Forest. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. You can view your selected properties by click the "favorites" tab at the top of the search bar. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. Indiana area. Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. The resort is adjacent to the city of Ketchum and within the greater Wood River valley. It is important to allow time to enjoy the many amazing attractions and places along the way. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. The River Rat Water Tubing Outpost river tubing, swimming and cliff jumping, highly recommended. It is moments away from the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Centennial Olympic Park. However, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Geez, some people are easily amused. See if you can catch a show at the legendary Grand Ole Opry where pop artists and country singers perform or head to a smaller venue like The Bluebird Cafe to see incredible live music in a really intimate space. 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! 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. On the final day of this US road trip, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park where the highlights include Laurel Falls, Cades Cove, . Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps . This one-way route takes you through three Midwestern states: Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. -, 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. If you're looking for some unique food to try along the way, Skyline Chili is a fast casual restaurant chain that's only based in the Ohio River valley. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. area events, and blog pages are provided as a public service. Mileage: It's 1,379 miles between the two cities. Prices start at $100USD per night. Thanks Ravekid, for all your recommendations. Clingmans Dom highest point at Smoky with stunning views. 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. You can also catch up on equestrian history at the the Kentucky Derby Museum. You can choose to stay in one or more of the many fascinating cities along the route or take a more secluded getaway in one of the national parks. businesses, or services on the Cabins USA Gatlinburg web site is for informational purposes only. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains right here. Pass through the Woods Ferry conservation area before heading east onto the I-10 towards Jacksonville. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. If just stopping for the night with no plans to sightsee, the same advice would apply: stay near an interchange. I can't add much to above but I assume when you leave Lexington you are headed home to Chicago? The best way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which takes 6h 26m and costs $180-$650. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? The hotel is located close to many of the unique local attractions, and a visit to the Titanic Museum will not disappoint. Heading onwards, take the I-85 east to Albany then join the US-82 heading south towards Florida. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Tip: Would highly recommend carrying picnic chairs and some water floats for kids to enjoy the stream. What are the travel restrictions in Smoky Mountains? 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. We drove initial 50 miles very slowly as we tried to cross our way through Chicago downtown and skyway. I will post pictures when I come home for you to see! Rich in cultural and natural history, it is well worth stopping off to explore. By checking the box next to your selected rentals, you can compare up to three properties. 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. View our suggested park itineraries. There are many hotels and resorts in Louisville, but none beats the elegance and beauty of Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. Road trip loop from Chicago to the Carolinas. The beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are world-famous for their beautiful views, impressive forests, lovely waterfalls, amazing wildlife, and historic sights. You can also remove a property from your favorites list by clicking the minus sign to the right of the property name under the favorites tab. Louisville - Louisville, KY is a beautiful city on the Ohio River with several notable sights including the Mohamed Ali Museum, The Louisville Sluggers Museum, and the Churchill Downs Race Tracks. 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 last stop of the day was the Cades Cove. Discover how to get to attractions and hotels near Ketchum. Tip: If you are a vegetarian, best to carry your own food or plan ahead with the restaurants where you want to eat. Please Note: Cabins USA Gatlinburg's area information, The citys Market Square is a fantastic place to spend some time as the restaurants and shops lining the area are great. We dont mind passing by mountains in the view on interstate but correct we want to avoid smaller roads through mountains. However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. Start in Chicago and head down along the historic Route 66 to reach St. Louis, the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways, and the Ozarks Mountains. The most popular road trip route from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park goes through Louisville. 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 distance between Chicago and Smoky Mountains is 2206 km. Along the way, you'll visit four national parks, see some of the Midwest . The shortest route from Chicago to Gatlinburg is to take I-65 Louisville. 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. With so many firsts in this trip, its always going to be special in our memories, and believe me Smoky mountains National Park islike that. Bad part Every one of them was brimming with people. 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. For an incredible scenic drive, take the two-lane Foothills Parkway located off Hwy. Route 66 - cross-country USA road trip. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. questions regarding any content should be directed to the appropriate organization and not necessarily to Cabins The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. The 2 bridges on I -65 are toll bridges. While this may seem like quite a long distance, the scenic landscape and attractions along the way will make . It is perfectly placed to take in the nightlife and indulge in the delicious southern cuisine. 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. Through rolling hills and glorious mountain landscapes, this road trip has something for everyone. Sun Valley is a resort city in Blaine County in central Idaho, in the western United States. From Pigeon Forge, head south on US-321 to Gatlinburg, where you can enjoy one of the many mountain trails before joining US-441 and heading towards the loop. Its also on the southeast side of Lexington. I-65S from Indy: Columbus, IN is known for their architecture. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains costs only $212, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. 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. 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. The joy of a road trip is having the freedom to take your time and explore, so plan accordingly to take in as many of the wonderful attractions en route as your schedule will allow for. Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request. The area is served by Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, approximately 15mi south. Ordinarily, flying is a more expensive way to make it to the Smoky Mountains, but if you're coming from Chicago, you might want to consider it for several reasons. www.outdoorsy.com. This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. 1. Three hours east of Nashville, clocking in at 180 miles, make a pit stop in Knoxville. The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and Coca-Cola, Atlanta also boasts a fabulous mix of natural beauty and cutting-edge architecture. 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. Ghoomaphirna is all about passion for travel and road trips. The cavern is actually man-made and offers experiences for the whole family. Your email address will not be published. Think Pink Alternatively, you may use. Don't know if using I 40 or I 24 but thought I would mention that. It was labor day weekend of 2010, when we planned this trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. Entertaining guides bring you deep into the cave for an up to 2.5-hour tour, explaining the geology and history of the cavern. If you plan to check out the city, the Hyatt Centric Downtown is a fabulous place to stay. We plan to then head out on mornings around 8am, Nashville to Hilton head, Hilton head to Lexington, and Lexington to Chicago. We reserved this cottage at Sevierville, Tennessee via VRBO. 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. If youve ever seen a Tiffanys bean necklace, this sculpture bears a striking resemblance. Pass Gary then take the I-65 and head south, through endless fields of windmills, before arriving at Indianapolis. We had planned to stop in Kentucky so we continuously drove till mid night to get to the hotel. We dont mind passing by mountains in the view on interstate but correct we want to avoid smaller roads through mountains. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. It is currently at MM 6not sure where it might be in May. Last updated: 1 Mar 2023 If you're ready to explore beautiful destinations like Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and Mt. Why Smoky? Your email address will not be published. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? 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. Its not every day that you see horses frolicking from your front-yard. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Smoky Mountains is recommended. Additionally, it contains an archive of documents and Historical photographs. Another Tip: The Little River Scenic Drive is full of tiny little splash pods. Prepare yourself for the best Smokies vacation possible with your favorite people by knowing what to pack when going to the mountains! It's nothing but the quintessential American road trip. Leaving Lexington, take the I-75 S heading through the rugged landscape of the Daniel Boone National Forest, one of the biggest rock-climbing destinations in the world, before continuing on to Knoxville. While in the park, see videos of different Nashville music artists talking about trees, how to take care of them and why they are important. Services are operated by United Airlines, Delta and Alaska Airlines, Inc.. A showcase of whos who in architecture, this interactive park is an adult playground. The flight time between Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN) is around 7h 6m and covers a distance of around 2154 km. I simply put in directions to Waze but I would love a better understanding of current traveling conditions and tips from people that have taken this journey or familiar with the area. In fact, the nearby park entrance at Townsend is closer to Cades Cove, a preserved pioneer community, than the Gatlinburg entrance (7.3 vs. 27 miles).