Eastern road trip ideas - POI's?

[Wayne M.]

I'm formulating plans for a road trip this summer 2016. Id like input and points of interest on the back half of this route;
We're looking to start out and enjoy ourselves traveling down our usual way down I81-40 to Dollywood in Tenn. I'm looking for suggestions and POI's heading up through Kentucky and W Virginia to eventually rejoin I81 and home.
This is totally open ended- no plans made yet- timeframe of mid July. Thanks in advance!

 

[jgillott]

A little out of your way, but in WV, the New River Gorge area is beautiful. http://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm

I also suggest slipping up in to PA and catching the Flight 93 Memorial

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

Ohiopyle State Park

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/ohiopyle/

Falling Water

http://www.fallingwater.org/

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

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

Laurel Caverns

http://www.laurelcaverns.com/

 

[Jim W]

How far into Kentucky? I have traveled in the western side of Kentucky and the Land Between The Lakes is great area to camp in. Just about 25 miles down the road from the COE parks is one of the first major Civil Wars battle fields in Tennessee Fort Donelson.

Jim

 

[BigPapa]

I'd at least stop for a day in and around Nashville. Lots of stuff from music to historic and everything in between.

 

[Killgore]

Wayne, you may already have a favorite, but when we're in Sevierville, we have stayed at Pine Mountain RV Campground; clean, modern, landscaped, centrally located and very accommodating folks. If you want to escape the traffic, crowds, confusion, the long line trying to get into Krispy-Creme that normally blocks one lane of traffic, etc. etc. stay at Anchor Down RV Campground five miles west of Dandridge and about ten miles from the hub-bub. Without doubt this is the finest campground we've stayed at; located on Lake Douglas with the best amenities and staff in the business. And of course, take a walk through Dandridge and enjoy the history of my ancestral home.

When you pull down I-81, take some time to check out Lexington; home to VMI, Washington & Lee University, Stonewall Jackson's home, the Lee Chapel, and of course the Southern Inn which is an outstanding restaurant. It's kind of tight pulling directly through town because of the narrow, old streets and finding a place to park is next to impossible downtown with a camper but doing a little walking is not too bad.

- Ed

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks and keep em coming! Nothing set yet but I'm thinking Nashville and north from there. We're not camping YET! But would consider a site with cottages with amenities. So far in Pigeon Forge, we've stayed in one of Dolly's cabins and a few months ago, in Dreamore, Dolly's new hotel just off the parkway. So far we've traveled with another family, and been getting caught up in commercial traps. This time we're looking to fly solo and put feet on a stream so to speak. Relax, take another ride on that awesome train in Dollywood.

 

[Killgore]

Avoiding the commercial pitfalls in and around Pigeon Forge/Sevierville is next to impossible. The short but time-consuming trip to Gatlinburg is more of the same. Cherokee, NC is not worth the trip unless you take pleasure in driving through the mountains in a long line of traffic and making a contribution to the tribe in the local casino. My wife who is Cherokee says it sux. I would recommend the Tennessee Knife Works which you've probably already been through.

I am a military historian so my interests are farther north in Virginia; Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg and then up the road to Gettysburg. Whatever you do, get off the Interstate and travel some of the back roads otherwise you won't know whether you're in Alabama or Pennsylvania.

- Ed

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks Ed. Is Smokey mountain knife the same as Tennessee knife? I have an interest in American history in general and really appreciate the Revolution and Civil wars. I have ancestors who were involved in both, and I look forward to delving into that someday. We did drive through Cherokee and Maggie valley once. We got a kick out of seeing campaign billboards for Cherokee Chief then. We have an appreciation for experiencing America you won't see any other way. I have a friend in Macon co. NC I really need to visit as well.
Our last visits to PF weren't too bad traffic wise. Either I was lucky, or what I think was moderate is an opinion.
Jgilliot, I'm considering the western pa attractions like the 93 memorial as a seperate long weekend trip sooner.
Big papa, the Nashville experience in on the list.

 

[BigPapa]

Big papa, the Nashville experience in on the list.

Some things you might want to check out:

• See who's playing at the Ryman while you're here
• You could park downtown and within walking distance there are lots of small restaurants and "bars" featuring live music down on lower Broad. There's a Hard Rock Cafe and the "new" Acme Feed and Seed is a place you need to check out from what I here
• The Country Music Hall of Fame is nice and in the area, also
• If you like old guitars and other instruments you have to go to Gruhn Guitars that's right there, too
• The Opry is Friday and Saturday nights and there's always the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree after the Opry. Also, Opry Mills Mall with a large Bass Pro Store if you want some shopping
• The General Jackson river boat tour is in the Opry area
• We have a nice zoo if you like those
• There are several battlefields and such within easy driving distance of downtown including the Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson.