Travel Recommendations to Knoxville, TN
Jul 12, 2019 08:24:18 #
Lovin' retirement
Loc: Middletown, New Jersey
Good morning, my wife and I will be driving to Tennessee in mid August to meet with our family for a
weeks vacation at a house we rented on a lake outside of Knoxville Tennessee.We are located in Middletown New Jersey and would appreciate any recommendations as to where to stay during our drive as we will be taking two or three days to drive there. We’d like to travel 6 or 7 hours the first day and stay overnight, preferably at a nice BnB. Then drive a few more hours on day two so that we are close to our final destination to drive to the next day.
Any suggestions are most appreciated.
weeks vacation at a house we rented on a lake outside of Knoxville Tennessee.We are located in Middletown New Jersey and would appreciate any recommendations as to where to stay during our drive as we will be taking two or three days to drive there. We’d like to travel 6 or 7 hours the first day and stay overnight, preferably at a nice BnB. Then drive a few more hours on day two so that we are close to our final destination to drive to the next day.
Any suggestions are most appreciated.
Jul 12, 2019 09:03:14 #
I'm not going to tell you all the specific places to see (Im not a tour guide). Take I 81 south. Luray Caverns is on that route. but I would consider getting off of 81 south of Roanoke and head south into western NC. A visit to Asheville would be nice. Biltmore Estate. From there you can take I 40 right into Knoxville. the mountains in NC are very scenic. Just an idea if you want to be adventurous.
Jul 12, 2019 09:47:11 #
Lovin' retirement
Loc: Middletown, New Jersey
foathog wrote:
I'm not going to tell you all the specific places to see (Im not a tour guide). Take I 81 south. Luray Caverns is on that route. but I would consider getting off of 81 south of Roanoke and head south into western NC. A visit to Asheville would be nice. Biltmore Estate. From there you can take I 40 right into Knoxville. the mountains in NC are very scenic. Just an idea if you want to be adventurous.
Thanks so much for the suggestions. Sounds good!
Jul 12, 2019 11:51:11 #
FYI I'm originally from NNJ. Been in NC for 26 years. I would Google "sites to visit along I 81 in VA". Just driving thru Western NC is nice. You will LOVE Biltmore. It's not cheap though. Plus the highest mountain east of the Mississippi is in NC, Mt Mitchell That's in the area too. The Great Smokies National Park is the most visited in the country. Have a safe trip and enjoy.
Lovin' retirement wrote:
Good morning, my wife and I will be driving to Ten... (show quote)
Jul 12, 2019 12:51:10 #
grinch
Loc: Euharlee, GA
Lovin' retirement wrote:
Good morning, my wife and I will be driving to Ten... (show quote)
I too am originally from NNJ (Bergan County) but now live in North Georgia. Spent many trips on I-81 in the late '70s and early '80s just to avoid the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and DC. Western NC is beautiful. There are many places to see. Roanoke, VA is about 7 hrs from Middletown and there are many places to stay. I would also suggest getting off I-81 as soon as is convenient and get on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is vastly slower than I-81 (many 15-25 mph curves with spectacular vistas) but if you want a scenic drive there is none better on the East Coast. Grandfather Mountain and the spectacular Linn Cove Viaduct nearby are two attractions along the way.
Blue Ridge Parkway and the Linn Cove Viaduct
There is a lot of info on the BRP at the above link so you should get a good feel and find plenty of info to satisfy your interest in the area. There are many scenic attractions. Ashville, NC is spectacularly beautiful and could be a destination on its own (Biltmore House). Same with the Smokies, but you will be right next to the Smokies in Knoxville.
Enjoy your trip and travel safe.
Jul 12, 2019 13:45:04 #
Lovin' retirement
Loc: Middletown, New Jersey
grinch wrote:
I too am originally from NNJ (Bergan County) but n... (show quote)
Thanks much for the great info....I really appreciate it.
Jul 12, 2019 13:50:51 #
I'm from Bergen County too. (Bergenfield)
grinch wrote:
I too am originally from NNJ (Bergan County) but n... (show quote)
Jul 13, 2019 07:33:10 #
Lovin' retirement wrote:
Good morning, my wife and I will be driving to Ten... (show quote)
The most important thing is make sure your passport is up to date. LOL
Jul 13, 2019 07:45:25 #
Jul 13, 2019 08:07:21 #
Lovin' retirement wrote:
Good morning, my wife and I will be driving to Ten... (show quote)
AAA or Google your question regarding where you want to stay
Jul 13, 2019 08:33:20 #
Be sure to catch the Knoxville Zoo. It's one of the finest for its size in the country. A One Day Wonder!
Jul 13, 2019 08:38:56 #
Lovin' retirement wrote:
Good morning, my wife and I will be driving to Ten... (show quote)
I think 'Natural Bridge in Virginia' would be about the 6-7 hrs for the first day, depending on traffic and time of day travelling of course.
Jul 13, 2019 08:49:07 #
My wife and I went to the Knoxville World’s Fair in 1982. On the drive down we stopped at the big rivers. We spent one night at the Peacock Hotel in Memphis and rode down the elevator with the ducks. In Knoxville, we chose a private residence that the exposition had arranged. That was a bummer. As the previous HHer mentioned Ashville is just over the mountain and that was even better than the Knoxville International Energy Exposition. We lucked upon a small concert of Blue Grass music. Two of the musicians were recognized as the best playing particular instruments. They were particularly proud to play Rock Top and mentioned it was written at the Gatlinburg hotel near there. I agree. The B&B is a good choice, but we lucked out on the trip there and back. Coming through Arkansas we watched the producing of sorghum in a big harvest. By the way, I studied physics at Princeton and enjoyed my time in NJ.
Jul 13, 2019 13:15:27 #
Luray Caverns, Virginia is a great stop enroute. Then onto the Asheville, NC area and if visiting the Biltmore Mansion and Winery, I highly suggest a stay or at least visit at the Omni Grove Park Inn. It is nestled in the mountains and only minutes from the Biltmore and art galleries of Asheville. Truly one of the best hotel stays in the country. Has a museum of the hotel in the basement that is great concerning the area and hotel history. The lobby and bar area with overlooks of the mountains and valleys are amazing. The views are even amplified during winter snowfalls. Enjoy...
Jul 13, 2019 20:24:20 #
Lovin' retirement wrote:
Good morning, my wife and I will be driving to Ten... (show quote)
I lived in Knoxville for five years. I would move back if I could. Spend a couple of days in Townsend, TN if you can. We stayed at Bradley Mountain. Absolutely fantastic!!!
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