This will be a driving trip in the middle of June. Don't have time to spend the night in between the 2 cities, but I'd love to get out of the car here and there.
I notice that I'll be passing by the Great Smoky Mountains. Is there a way I can take advantage and get on a scenic route or de-tour into the mountains for some good view? Short hikes are nice too.
TIA
Seek a scenic route: Charlotte, NC to Chattanooga, TN
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If you take the route through Asheville and Waynesville you'll see very pretty country. If you don't mind adding about an hour (maybe less) go through Highlands and Franklin NC. Absolutely gorgeous. Highlands is a great place to stop and eat lunch. The road from Highlands to Franklin is absolutely spectacular and you can get out to take pictures of waterfalls. Highlands would be about halfway, but Brevard would be another good stop. That route is just gorgeous. Curvy, but gorgeous - and you won't have the traffic issues you'll have if you go through the GSMNP.
Starrs - Thanks so much!! I'll plot these out.
Strongly agree with Starrs.
I you want the opposite of beautiful, something surreal, drive through Copper Hill, Tennessee, where copper mining and smelting killed all the vegetation, leaving a lunar landscape. Or maybe it has all been restored by now.
Starrs' route gets my vote also. That is a pretty part of the country.
Starrs, so I'm taking this road trip in 2 days. Where would I find the waterfalls that you mentioned? Is there a road that I need to turn off when driving on the main road?
Thanks in advance!
The road going west out of Highlands passes right under/beside them. Ask locally for details.
Thanks, Ackislander!
Yes, just head west on the road towards Franklin and you'll be on a beautiful route. When you see a pull-out/parking lot you may want to get out and look because oftentimes you'll miss the waterfall if you drive past. It's a twisty, windy road but beautiful.
Where are you headed after you get to Franklin (from Highlands). If you want to head south for a few miles (well, about 30) there's a lot to see and do in NE GA. If you are heading north, let me know and I'll share ideas for that route too.
I again Starrs, thanks for your tips again.
After reaching Franklin, I will keep going west on 74. Final destination is just outside Chattanooga TN. By the time I get there, it'd be a total of 6 hrs + of driving, so probably won't be detouring too much.
Okay. Don't have much to share on that route. Before you leave Highlands, stop at Kilwin's if you want some great ice cream, fudge or candy - https://www.kilwins.com/highlands
If you want to stretch your legs for a few minutes and do a bit of shopping, I love the outfitters store in Franklin - http://www.threeeaglesoutfitters.net/
I don't shop much, but I seem to buy a lot of stuff there. Merrill shoes, etc. Columbia sportswear. Life is Good tshirts. Just a cool place to wander in for about 10 minutes or so. It's small but they have a great buyer.
Can't think of anything else...unless you wanted to stroll the downtown of Franklin (or Highlands = much fancier). Enjoy your drive.
How was the drive today?
You should have went Charlotte to Asheville to Maggie Valley to Cherokee then on 441 over the mountain into Gatlinburg. There is alot of places to hhike on the NC and TN side. Taken 441 will take you from Cherokee to Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap and some of the prettiest views ever and plenty of places to pull over to scretch legs and do a hike or two. Have fun
Why Gatlinburglover? Are you familiar with the route she took?
Starrs, It was indeed beautiful! I thought it would be 5-5.5 hrs, and it turned out to be 6.5 hours (not including stops). Not a minute of falling asleep at the wheel though, which is what would've done on long highway drives.
I've never took a long drive like this before, but it was not too bad. The windy and narrow roads took a bit of concentration to get through, but once I got to Highlands at around 3 pm, it was really rewarding. I stopped in Madison's for a lite lunch. The outdoor spot with a waterfall garden (man-made) was very pretty. I also stopped by Kilwin's and was really tempted by the ice cream, but I passed since I had a big scoop back in Strawberry Hill already earlier. This town was definitely a nice relaxing spot for an afternoon/evening.
After Highlands, I continued on 64 and saw the Bridal Veil Waterfall right on the side no more than 15 min later. It was awesome to be able to go right up to the water. The water volume was not heavy but it was a great photo op nonetheless.
I drove right pass Franklin and didn't stop since it was getting late. When 64 became 74, the drive was pretty as well with mountain views all around. I finally got to TN at around 7:30 pm (started the drive at 11 am).
Thanks for the recommendations. I really enjoyed this summer road trip.
Oh good! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I love that drive Haven't done the TN part of it. Glad that part was nice too
To be honest, Gatlinburglover's route is really really boring--at least getting TO the Park. I have had to travel it often, and basically use it to get from point A to point B because I must. And it isn't a great way to get to Chattanooga, to me.
Just another opinion.
I will be making this same trip in 3 days. I am about an hour west of Charlotte and planned to take 64-74 to Chattanooga for the scenic possibilities as well as unique shopping. Is anyone familiar with antique/"juntique" places along this route??
I hope this is not too late to be helpful. Here are some ideas, heading out of Highlands. It's not the route to Franklin but is a nice route (with a bit of a detour) but has some antique shopping -
Head out of Franklin NC towards Sky Valley and Dillard GA. It's a pretty drive (just no waterfull walks). While you are still in NC, look for the Summer House on the right (as you travel south). It's a gorgeous design and art shop and is pricey...but they have great sales. I've bought quite a few things from them.
Continue south on 106 and after you are in Georgia, you'll see an old barn style building on the left. STOP at Middlecreek Barn Antiques - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Middlecreek-Barn-Antiques/159526797412081
This is a "juntique" shop but they almost always have something interesting. I used to collect old tools and always found something unique there. I've bought some really interesting old things there.
As you continue on, the road will deadend to 441. If you turn south, you'll find antique/juntique shops on both sides of the road in Dillard GA - along with coffee shops, restaurants and gift shops. You could spend an hour or several wandering in them.
If you want kitschy unique yard art, stop at a shop on the right as you head south. Don't know the name but you'll see it. Lots of fun, brightly colored creations for the yard.
If you are hungry, there are two really good options in Dillard. If you are REALLY hungry the world famous Dillard House offers all you can eat country cooking. It is pricey, but good. If you are not really hungry (just normal hungry) stop at the Cupboard Cafe. They have everything from salads, sandwiches, country veggies and/or steaks. Good cooking and a menu with a very wide range. If you want great fresh veggies and produce to take with you, head a bit further south to Rabun Gap and the Osage produce barn just down the road from the big school on the hill. Look to the left and turn it. It will be crowded. Great fresh veggies and fruit, organic beef, homemade jams, jellies and bread. If you like BBQ the pulled pork sandwich from Tomlin's little red building is great. If you want BBQ chicken, you'll get a huge chicken breast that has been smoked on the grill.
To get back to Franklin, head north on 441 and you'll be there in about 20 minutes. If you want great ice cream (or milk or cheese) stop at the Creamery in Otto NC. GREAT homemade ice cream and dairy products. You can continue on to Franklin and pick back up on the earlier routing. If you are there on a Saturday and want some info on a good auction, let me know.
Hope that helps. It is a bit of a detour south, but a good one to make if you want unique shopping.