Amy loves Bud Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 We are planning our trip to Gatlinburg. Is it worthwhile to leave the interstate at Memphis and take the scenic route? Also, is there a town that would be good to stop at overnight about two hours past Memphis? Thanks for the help! Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tibbyl Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 Amy, it is not worth it all to leave the expressway in Memphis for scenic route. Do not get off expressway until you get to the Gatlingburg/Sevierville exit on I40. Memphis is 6 hours or so from that exit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tibbyl Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 Jackson is about 1 - 1 1/2 hours from Memphis. Nashville is 3 hours from Memphis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 Nashville would be a great place to stretch your legs. You could go to the Parthenon. It's pretty cool. I did a write up about it on my blog. We all enjoyed it. It's not a whole day event either, so it would make for a nice break. The park it is in is very nice too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted July 12, 2008 Author Share Posted July 12, 2008 So what about the following sites: Shiloh National Park (civil war sites) Pickwick Landing State Park Lynchburg Chattanooga Totally not worth it? If we left the interstate, we'd probably sleep in Savannah, if we stay on the interstate, we'd stay in Jackson. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffinmom Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 I was going to say Jackson as a place to stay, or Nashville if you want to drive a couple more hours. I probably wouldn't get off I-40 until Sevierville, unless the traffic is awful, in which case you can get to the mountains by getting off the interstate in Knoxville (if you're interested in this option, let me know and I can give you directions.) A friendly warning: to get to Gatlinburg, most people go through Pigeon Forge (this route is from the Sevierville exit). A friend of mine from a foreign country was "astonished" (her word) at what she saw--and not in a good way! It's just a bit overdone and hick-ish and lots of traffic (though lots of outlet shopping). Gatlinburg is much better, but the real treasure of that area, to me, is Townsend (these 3 cities are sort of in a triangle). You can also reach Gatlinburg by going through Townsend--a much more pleasant route, and it takes you through the State Park, which is between Gatlinburg and Townsend. To do this, I think you get off at Alcoa Highway, which is before you get much into Knoxville area. You drive through some smaller towns. Townsend is peacful and quiet and there are many lovely cabins to rent there. (FYI: I'm not a roughing-it kind of girl!). Let me know if you want more info. Happy traveling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa at Home Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 It's one of the best, largest, and most well preserved. It really is *huge.* I can't comment much on the others. Chattanooga is nice, but it has enough stuff to do that I would want to stay for a few days if I stopped there at all. It would be hard for me to stop for just a short while. ~Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanda7 Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 You also might want to double-check the calendar of events for both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. You can easily get bogged down in major traffic if there is a car show or another major event. Also, check the UT football schedule or you could get backed up in Knoxville for hours. If you want to visit the park, then Townsend is definitely the way to go to avoid traveling through Pigeon Forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigitte Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 Lynchburg Isn't that where they make Jack Daniels? Could be worth the stop. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted July 12, 2008 Author Share Posted July 12, 2008 Isn't that where they make Jack Daniels? Could be worth the stop. :D Funny. That's exactly what Bud said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted July 12, 2008 Author Share Posted July 12, 2008 Well, we've got a cabin there for almost a month. I'm sure there will be a lot of traffic at some point. The beauty of it is that we aren't in any hurry. If the traffic is bad we can stop somewhere. Our cabin is about a mile outside of the National Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigitte Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 Funny. That's exactly what Bud said! I like Bud. His head is in the right place. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 Chattanooga is a lot of fun! You could spend several days doing things there. If you like science museums, the American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE) is fun. And I just happen to live about 10 minutes or less from there:001_smile:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 Isn't that where they make Jack Daniels? Could be worth the stop. :D The tour is great and FREE, but you don't get to taste any. It is a "dry" county. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 So what about the following sites: Shiloh National Park (civil war sites) Pickwick Landing State Park Lynchburg Chattanooga Totally not worth it? If we left the interstate, we'd probably sleep in Savannah, if we stay on the interstate, we'd stay in Jackson. Thanks! Amy, please come this way. Please come this way. Please come this way. You are on my list of people I most want to meet. I am sending you a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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