Road trip - Nashville to Ashville
 

My husband & I will be arriving in Nashville on 7/6 and will have almost 2 weeks. Our goal is to go from Nashville to Ashville North Carolina by car. What shouldn't we miss?

Ummm, I'd think about the ends==it's only about a 6 hour trip, maybe 8. I think you'll want to branch out from that straight shot.
Knoxville isn't super interesting.
Ashville IS.
Where are you coming from?

I'd spend a day or two in Nashville, rent a house for a week in the Smokies and relax and explore for a while and then move on to Asheville.

What about The Great Smoky Mountains National Park,Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.They are on the East side of Tennessee.

Gatlinburg is a nice little town nestled in the mountains and you can walk up and down the strip.There are some great restaurants,good shopping and a small town feel.I would spend as much time that you can in the park.Go up to Cades Cove its an 11 mile loop that you can drive it has alot of history,old churches and old homestead's and grist mill.You might also see alot of Black Bears,Deer,Wild Turkey's Etc.You can also drive over the mountain and explore Cherokee,NC or go to Asheville to the Biltmore Estate and even drive some of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is over 800 trails in the Smoky Mountains to hike on.There is also alot of shows to choose from and Ripleys Aquarium in Gatlinburg is a very nice attraction to go to.You can take the Tram up to Ober Gatlinburg and ride the chair lift or go down the Alpine slide,there is also a ice skating rink up there too.


Pigeon Forge is a little more spread out than what Gatlinburg is.It also has Dollywood which is a nice theme park to visit and great shows there too.And not to mention a ton of other attractions and restaurants in the area.There is alot of cabins and chalets you could rent.Some have really nice mountain views and hot tubs and pool tables and its nice to kick back in your cabin and enjoy peace and quite while looking at the beautiful mountains.

http://www.gatlinburg.com/default.asp

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

http://www.discoverthesmokies.com/

http://www.yourcabin.com/default.aspx

http://www.alpinechaletrentals.com/

http://www.hiddenmountain.com/

Thanks for all the great information. The question is whether our time allocations are reasonable and wise to see the highlights? We're flying from Los Angeles where we live. So it seems we are thinking of arriving late on 7/6 in Nashville and staying until 7/10 or 7/11 and then going through the Rockies or getting a place in the Rockies with the idea of taking about 3 days to check out the hiking,scenery, and any history. That would be the 12th, 13th, and 14th. And then off to Ashville for the 15th 16th and 17th. We want to definitely be in NYC by the 21st and stay until 24th when we fly back home. What's the best way to get to NYC with that time span - plane, car, train with the idea of seeing historic sites, if possible? Does any of this sound reasonable?

Umm, I guess the troll patrol needs to be called. OH wait, I see you live in Los Angeles. That would be LaLa land, so your idea would be PERFECT! YOu should really do what you have in mind!!
I will try hard to say, "maybe" you meant "Smokies" instead of "Rockies" and maybe you aren't so totally out to lunch.
Let's try to start over. Tell us for sure.

Smokies, Rockies, Poconos - what do you expect, I'm from LA as you so shrewdly pointed out (but, darn, I like LA - does that say it all). Anyway, Smokies, needless to say, that's exactly what I meant. You see, I've been working on this Clog dancing maneuver for our trip, and so I was distracted to the extreme because I'm really a swing dancer. But, alas, I'm so lucky that you're a mind-reader on top of being a vacation planning guru - Thanks. Yes, without further road trip sagacity, we will do what comes up, but we're still working on the details. I haven't taken a trip in years and I'm warming up to the notion of traveling again thanks to Fodor's.

It's beginning to look a little more like a trip!! And fun.
You could spend your time in the Smokies AWAY from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (please!!) by staying on the NC side--or as others here have done, in Townsend. That would be very nice.
You have "time" to drive from Asheville to NYC and see another pretty part of the country.
You're spending a nice amount of time in places, I think.

It sounds like you have a draft of what you want to do......While you are in Nashville you will want to of course go to the Ryman Auditorium, Opry Mills Mall (if you like to shop), downtown to all the shops and bars where all the musicians play day and most of the night, to the Wildhorse saloon, you can swing dance there, of course there is numerous places downtown you may find good music to swing dance to. The General Jackson is a good cruise to go on up the river, their dinner cruise is ok. I don't know your age or likes so here is a weblink you can see some events going on in Nashville during 5that time period, http://www.boxofficenashville.com/. As per above there are alot of things to do in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area and again I don't know your likes and dislikes, we always stay in Cabins through Patriot Getaways there, you can google them, I have stayed many times in different cabins and have never been disappointed with them and they are fair priced, if you sign up to receive their emails they will send you their specials alot are at 50% off. If you make it to Gatlinburg and you like art there are several stores there, one is the Lamplight Gallery, they are friendly and have alot of signings as well, you may google them and find out if they are having a signing the dates you are there. There is also the candle factory on the outskirts of Gatlinburg that has been there for years, I get a candle from there each time we go. If you drive from Ashville you may want to take 40 to 95 to 58 and go to th Virgina Beach area, there is alot there to do as well. This is the area you would find your cloggers as well. I have been to 2 local events in the area when I was there visiting. From there you could take 64 to 95 and go through Washington DC Philadelphia and on up to NYC, 95 goes all the way up. Well just wanted to add my 2 cents, I hope something here may help you decide for your trip. I love traveling and do alot of it. Have a great, safe and blessed trip with your hubby......

Ther are lots of neat towns and hiking around the Asheville area. Brevard and Black Mountain are two of my favorites, but there are many. Great restaurants in Asheville and lots of interesting artists and shops. Make sure you have several days at least in this area. It is just my opinion but I much prefer these little surrounding towns and wilderness to Gatlinburg. Have a great trip!

I agree with willowjane. Most of us regional locals avoid Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge like the plague. If you like traffic, outlet shopping and tacky tourist stuff, by all means GO!!! If you want to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains, go anywhere but that congested area. I also love the towns around Asheville - especially Brevard. Enjoy the MOUNTAINS! http://brevardnc.org/

You'll be there for the Brevard Music Festival - check the calendar for the performance schedule - http://www.brevardmusic.org/festival/performances/july/

Great idea about Brevard. The Music Festival is very special.

Well needless to say I love Gatlinburg and all the tacky shops and it is no different then any other tourist spot. Gatlinburg has some nice restaurants like The Peddler, Cherokee Grill,Howards Steakhouse, Almo Steaks,Smoky Mountain Brewery,Bennetts BBQ and Best Italian and Pancake Pantry. When you go to Asheville go to The Biltmore and slso stop by the McDonalds across from the Biltmore. That McDonalds has been on the Travel Channel many times and is nice. It has a piano and fireplace. Just a nice place. Enjoy Your Trip.

Be sure to visit Black Mountain, NC just E of Asheville about 15 miles.

http://www.blackmountain.org/