This website or its third-party tools process personal data.In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by using the link. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Here you can see Meigs Falls, one of the very few waterfalls you can spot from the road. Then the Boatmen had to walk or ride back home. (youll know to turn when you see the Taco Bell). 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. I find the I-40 section to Nashville (or to Knoxville) less "mountain" than the I-24 section to Chattanooga. 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. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. The road to Camp Nakanawa is right off of I-40, near Crossville. From Google Maps 7. 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. However, before getting to Chattanooga, we're going to take a quick stop off into Murfreesboro. Lighted signs on lower Broadway in Nashville. From there, head north and let the adventure begin. Theres also plenty of shops and cool restaurants to check out in Townsend. Hit the open road in your new Toyota and get some fresh air with one of these four scenic drives in the Knoxville area. 7. The parkway roughly follows the historic Natchez Trace, a trail whose roots goes back to the 1600s evolving from hunting trails used by the Natchez, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Indians. But the "adventure line" is a 218-mile wavy route through the Eastern Tennessee mountains that will take you through big cities, small towns, gorgeous national scenic byways, and lots of adventure. This includes an average layover time of around 1h 43m. Love Tennessee? Then either follow Laurel Creek Road to Cades Cove or drive the scenic Newfound Gap Road with a stop at Clingmans Dome. Be sure to take your time to enjoy the river running alongside the road and the prepossessingmountain views. Main Routes: HWY 150, HWY 55, HWY 15. Get exclusive stories delivered right to your inbox. This local specialty fried chicken which is first dunked in hot-sauce spiked buttermilk is widely found around Nashville, but we suggest heading to Hattie Bs for your first experience there are three locations in the city. Over twelve miles of views await you here, chock full of rolling hills and beautiful mountain vistas. A National Scenic Byway since 1996, this 42-mile-long road is well-traversed by locals and tourists alike. There are other options including I-40 to 441. Just one hour east of Nashville, Edgar Evins is a hot spot for wildflowers amidst lake views. Take this exit and youll go through another amazingly scenic drive, complete with mountain overlooks with a birds eye view of Gatlinburg. Looking for more ideas for scenic drives in Tennessee? The Natchez Trace Parkway runs from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, about 440 miles. Own a cabin, A-frame, yurt, or other outdoor stay? Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Theres always this unique excitement that wells up inside us whenever we are heading out to a destination weve never experienced before. Youll cross over the breathtaking Cherokee Reservoir before driving through Morristown, and will then cross over Douglas Lake. Be careful, though, as you transverse this path, as the road has several sharp curves that could take the unsuspecting driver by surprise. eat at Bluebird Cafe. Carnton. Learn more about Construction (lettings, bidding, contracts)? The bypass will take you around Gatlinburg traffic and drop you off in the wooded area connecting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, know to locals as The Spur, which will take you directly to Pigeon Forge, TN. 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). Experience where country music stars and fans align. It was the site of the 1796 Constitutional Convention, which resulted in Tennessee gaining statehood, and a boiling point for both Union and Confederate armies on the eve of the Civil War. The road trip between Dallas and Nashville is epic and totally worth the drive. "for a summertime experience with wonderful music, outstanding food, and scenic views." more. Located in the heart of downtown Chattanooga on the beautiful riverfront, the Tennessee Aquarium is the top-rated aquarium for guest satisfaction. The Top Secret Trail starts right in town and then heads east through the Upper Cumberland Plateau and through the Appalachian foothills. Smack in the middle of Tenn. lies Nashville, the country western capital of the country. Gay Street was also home to famous entertainment like Knoxvilles finest theaters, vaudeville acts and opera. CMP, This Art Modern classic was built in 1934 as a supply route for TVA's first hydroelectric dam. We asked a few locals what the one spot was that we had to see before leaving town and everyone agreed it was Signal Point. The very best scenic backroads in Tennessee may be largely a matter of personal opinion, but many consider the Cherohala Skyway to be the most scenic drive, hands down. Here you can see the Reelfoot Lake Cypress Boardwalk, but it's the trek out here that will really give you a beautiful view. Recreation Area in Hardin County From there youll follow US-441 / Chapman Highway through Seymour along the same path described in number 5 on the list. Enter the park at the Gatlinburg entrance and stop at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Find out bellow the best stops and things to see between Dallas, Memphis and Nashville. Follow this early route from Knoxville to Nashville across the northern plateau. Copyright - PigeonForgeChamber.com & Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce. I-40W from Knoxville to Nashville Headed to Nashville from Knoxville? What is the best time of year to drive from Nashville to Knoxville? Many back roads in The Volunteer State rank among the very best scenic drives in Tennessee, as they treat drivers to views that are downright remarkable. Theres something beautifully comforting about taking a back road, dont you think? 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. Time spent outdoors in this pretty state is endlessly rewarding. A drive that's love to see AND historic. Located in Tracy City off of Highway 56, the drive up into the mountains here is one you'll never forget. Info on total road trip time, mileage, places to visit, explore & much more! After all, the city boasts free music all the time.. Theres so much to love about the great outdoors here in Tennessee! Along the roadsides, the human footprint is light, only a changing variety of scenery and topography provided by Mother Nature. Youll find authentic charm in Sevierville. Popular sites include Jackson, Dunbar Cave and David Crockett State Parks, Tennessee Safari Park, Discovery Park of America, Holly Springs National Forest as well as Graceland. Once youve driven through Maryville, youll have a decision between two routes of roughly equal distance. 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. Learn More Yall, were from Austin so we know what good food is, and OliBeas breakfast is darn good. While the entire property is worth investigating, three main buildings house more than 250,000 artifacts including . Take exit 290 (Cookeville). Benefits: Shorter drive than via I-40 east, travel through Seymour, scenicfinal stretch, Google Map link:https://goo.gl/maps/QLKErrGeCMm. Go three miles to N.C. Highway 251. Read more on USA Road Trips. Covering about 150 miles of road, the Highland Scenic Highway road trip will take you along the entire scenic route while also hooking you . Drive three hours east to get to Knoxville, Tenn. Drive time without stops: 2 hours, 20 minutes. Taking this route means youll be able to bypass Knoxville traffic while experiencing historical towns like Townsend and Wears Valley. 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. How a weekend exploring Chattanooga and Knoxville turned a couple Austinites into lifelong fans of Tennessee. Flight distance = 161 miles one-way Driving distance = 180 miles one-way flying is faster Getting to BNA airport = 18 minutes Nashville International Airport Check-in/wait at the airport = 60 minutes Flight time = 49 minutes McGhee Tyson Airport Leaving TYS airport = 33 minutes Total travel time = 2 hours, 11 minutes For the unofficial start to summer, visit the last week of May for the Barbecue & Bluegrass Festival. Youll find lots of craft shops and one-of-a-kind stores in this town. Once you cross the bridge that transverses the Oconaluftee River, youll take your first right to enter Highway 441 / Tsali Blvd. Navigate 27 miles of the beautiful Tennessee River and 27,000 acres carved through the Cumberland Mountains for an incredibly closeup look at wildlife, nature, history and culture. When visiting Asheville, plan at least a full day at the Biltmore. 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. From there you'll follow US-441 / Chapman Highway through Seymour along the same path described in number 5 on the list. No thanks, Im not into adventure It's 43 miles of gorgeous, wonderful and great. Cosby Web Visit website. Before leaving Nashville, you should visit the Grand Ole Opry if you enjoy country music. At night, Old City turns into a vibrant location for live music and electric dance clubs. So, pick a back road and get lost. Today, stroll the street for shopping, dining and entertainment. Our trek to Tennessee started at 5:30a.m. If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from Nashville, TN to Knoxville, TN. CMP, Connecting the Cumberland Gap National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Cherokee National Forest with Appalachian history and culture. Throughout the 20 minutes', you'll traverse 5 miles (8 km) through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. This entrance leads visitors into a vestige of the Cumberland Plateau, which is unspoiled and densely forested. 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. View our suggested park itinerariesfor more park activity ideas. The tour also takes visitors to Fort Sanders, a Union outpost, as well as the Old Gray Cemetery, where countless veterans from both sides of the war still rest. Known as Americas Favorite Drive, this is one of the best scenic drives youll find anywhere in the nation. Legends Corner mural in Nashville, Tennessee Photo: Depositphotos. The Knoxville Museum of Art is a top attraction in the city. The hotel staff was by far one of the friendliest staff weve ever interacted with. Escalators move you from level to level allowing you to see everything from local river otters to the new Lemur Forest. The drive from Nashville to Knoxville is approximately 180 miles and takes about three hours. You can discover Belle Meades enchanting history and picturesque grounds on a guided Segway tour through the property. Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. Benefits: Drive through a national forest and a national park on your way to Pigeon Forge, visit several small historic towns, experience the cultural center that is Cherokee, NC, Google Maps Link:https://goo.gl/maps/ZJHCFWCSjJ62. Nashville to Gatlinburg drive is long but scenic. The peak is often shrouded in ice or snow in the winter months. . Take Highway 31 from Nashville to go through Franklin (a great town) and get to Lewisburg. Read our Privacy Policy. After purchasing a new bottling line in 2006, the winery now bottles up to 3,000 bottles of wine per hour. If you complete the trail from beginning to end, youll traverse nine state parks, plenty of hiking trails, and even some off-road trails for your ATV. 1 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. The is the oldest scenic byway in North America. Road Trips. Lewisburg is West of Shelbyville, so if you go the former route you can go through both towns in one drive. That was great description of I-40 nashvols. A Nashville to Knoxville road trip will satisfy your craving for an exciting getaway, whether you want to hike through one of Tennessees many state parks or explore the rich history of two of its most iconic cities. These grand waterfalls that resemble stairs are easily two of the most beautiful and photogenic falls in Tennessee. . Knoxville tours cover the gamut of interests, from moonshine and local craft beer to aerial helicopter tours and the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just an hour away. Have you traveled anywhere on our list? One great drive is a scenic loop that begins by heading east from Tampa on I4 until you reach Highway 27. Trucks and commercial vehicles arent allowed on the parkway. A road trip is always better when filled with fun times and good tunes. The navigation said it would take us 17 hours to make the trek to Eastern TN from Austin, Texas and let me tell you, every hour of that drive was worth what we were about to experience. Published March 1, 2023 at 4:07 PM EST. Whatcom Falls Park offers a peaceful retreat from city life and is home to stunning waterfalls, scenic trails, and a picturesque lake. Wears Valley Chamber of Commerces website, Field Trip Destinations in the Pigeon Forge Area. The possibilities are endless, and they've got some intriguing names, as well. 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. Known for its rhododendron fields, take a drive along this lovely east Tennessee road and enjoy views of the hollows and ridges that dot the mountain. Continue your driving fun around the state with This Mouthwatering Ice Cream Trail In Tennessee. Conflicts with the native Natchez people ensued and by 1735 the Natchez Indian community in the area was essentially wiped out and the village of Natchez began to form. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Its no wonder this park receives more visitors than any other in the country. Exploring Family Fun In Pigeon Forge, Tn Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a popular vacation destination for both tourists and residents. During your visit to Market Square, you can browse for unique gifts, pick up handmade jewelry from local artisans, and enjoy the vibrant street performers. How many have you checked off your list? Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Can I Rent a Car with A Temporary License; Can You Rent A Car For Someone Else; Can You Rent a Car If You Have A DUI? Have lunch at the Seasons of Ober Restaurant for more great views. Re: nashville to asheville, scenic drive from knoxville to ashe? Also by this time a defined trail had taken shape between Natchez and Nashville as an overland return route from farmers and traders who floated their crops and products down the Cumberland, Ohio, and then the Mississippi Rivers to markets in Natchez and New Orleans. A pandemic-friendly activity is to do a car tour of the park's 384 miles of road, . This historic drive runs from Nashville to Mount Pleasant, and it is rife with great stops and immersed in national history. 15 Best Day Trips from Knoxville (TN): Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Blue Ridge, Georgia Roanoke, Virginia Huntsville, Alabama Atlanta, Georgia Chattanooga Alpine Helen, Georgia Maggie Valley Asheville Treetops Adventures Pigeon Forge Great Smoky Mountain National Park Gatlinburg Dollywood Black Mountain Tugaloo State Park While Gay Street was the first paved road in Knoxville, its history goes even farther back. 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. 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.