Road trip ideas for TN, KY

HawkIVette · 10-24-2006, 12:49 PM

Planning a trip for next June to The NCM. But thought our little group would take in a little more sights along the way down there.

We will be stopping at Indianaplois Motor Speedway first, but then on to Tail of the Dragon near Maryville, TN

Then on to Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN

Then up through Nashville to Bowling Green and the NCM and Corvette Assembly Plant.

On the way home stopping at Effingham at Mid America Motorworks "My Garage Museum"

Any suggestions along this route of additional stops and sights to see is appreciated. Unique places to stay, Corvette related side stops and Diners/ Restaurants that are "special" is what we are looking for.

Appreciate your advice and maybe you could join us for the day when we come through. I will post specific dates that we are thinking about later on, but for now - June 9th though June 17th.

Thanks
Hawk

SebringBill · 10-25-2006, 12:25 AM

Take a ride through Land Between the Lakes (TVA park) that straddles KY and TN. It's a nice ~50 mi drive with some very interesting stops (I kept hearing "dueling banjos")

striper · 10-26-2006, 01:34 AM

There is a town in eastern KY actually named "Chevrolet", population 6. It would make an interesting detour.

HawkIVette · 10-30-2006, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the ideas. One more time to the top

Phanni · 10-30-2006, 05:45 PM

The Cumberland gap where Tennessee Kentucky and Virginia join is a very interiesting area also. In nearby Middleboro Ky. {about 1 mile away, is the museum that houses the P-38 that was recovered form the Greenland icecap then restored. It is about an hour drive from the tail of the dragon area {the other side of Knoxville}. You can't go wrong with this trip if you like winding roads and mountains. Enjoy.

thadams · 10-31-2006, 06:11 PM

Consider taking the back roads from Maryville to Lynchburg (Jack Daniel's). There are some nice scenic roads in that part of Tennessee. It's fairly rural though, so plan accordingly (ie., not many choices in hotels, restaurants, etc...). Fall Creek Falls State Park is on that route. They have a decent hotel/lodge on the property, but the food is about what you'd expect from a state park.

There is a car museum here in Nashville. They have mostly European cars, though. http://www.lanemotormuseum.org/

Not sure if you planning on spending any time in the Nashville area since we're only ~1.5 hours from Bowling Green. If so, I can recommend restaurants in the area.

HawkIVette · 10-31-2006, 11:03 PM

Here is what we are planning so far. As you can see we have plenty of time for driving here to there. And this is just what Yahoo maps come up with. Feel free to give me some advice, alternate routes, or points of interest along the way.
Also, anybody ever tour the distillery? How much time should we plan for that stop?

Also stopping in Nashville is not out of the question. Good place to eat would be appreciated.

June 13th- Drive 203 miles (2 hrs, 30 mins)
Leave Maryville in morning and arrive Lynchburg afternoon. Tour Distillery that afternoon if possible, or first in the morning on the 14th.

June 14th & 15th- Drive 135 miles (3 hrs, 30 mins)
Leave Lynchburg. Maybe a stop for a late lunch and some sightseeing in Nashville, then onto Bowling Green by nightfall. Tour Museum and Assembly Plant. Leave morning of the 16th for Effingham, Il.

HawkIVette · 10-31-2006, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanni

The Cumberland gap where Tennessee Kentucky and Virginia join is a very interiesting area also. In nearby Middleboro Ky. {about 1 mile away, is the museum that houses the P-38 that was recovered form the Greenland icecap then restored. It is about an hour drive from the tail of the dragon area {the other side of Knoxville}. You can't go wrong with this trip if you like winding roads and mountains. Enjoy.

Thanks for the tip. We will be come down from Indianapolis before we get to Tail, probably right by there. Will check that out.

knight37128 · 11-01-2006, 01:24 AM

I know some great places to eat in Murfreesboro. You will be going there anyway. Cruise-in on Friday 5 till 9.

http://www.4mhrc.net/index.htm

There is a great place to eat over in the bad part of town; but parking lot is close and I could shuttle. How many?

P.S. I would not go threw Chattanoga. Go through Sparta and McMinnville to Manchester and then Tullahoma ending up in Lynchburg.

Something like this:

HawkIVette · 11-01-2006, 02:38 AM

Thanks, That's what I don't like about Mapquest or Yahoo Maps. They just tell you the 4 lane roads and interstates. What you are offering you can only get from someone who knows where the real good roads are. Thanks

We will be come though that leg of our journey from Maryville, TN to Lynchburg, Tn on Wednesday, June 13th. But will drive up from JD Distillery the next day trhough Murfreesboro on Thursday. Will keep posting closer to date if anybody wants to join in and lead the way for us. Hoping to have about 6-10 Vettes, but you never know this far out, maybe more.

thadams · 11-01-2006, 10:03 AM

I agree with knight37128 on the route, but if you have time consider making your way from Maryville down to Pikeville and then picking up HWY 30 through Spencer to McMinnville. HWY 55 should get you from McMinnville to Lynchburg via Manchester and Tullahoma. I've taken the HWY 30 part of this route and it is very nice. Can't give any advice on the McMinnville to Lynchburg leg.

Intersting places around Nashville
Parthenon http://www.nashville.org/parthenon/
Country Music Hall of Fame http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/
Opryland Hotel http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordopryland/ (the restaurants in the hotel are good, as well)
The Hermitage http://www.thehermitage.com/

Food
Steak http://nickandrudys.com/
Typical 'Southern' Food http://www.lovelesscafe.com/
Typical 'Southern' Food http://www.millersgrocery.com/ (this one is between Lynchburg and Murfreesboro)
"Southern Urban Cuisine" http://pansouth.net/southstreet-index.htm

HawkIVette · 11-01-2006, 10:36 AM

Thank You
Thank You
Thank You

You guys are so helpful. This is great.

06LS2 · 11-02-2006, 03:04 PM

[quote=Phanni]The Cumberland gap where Tennessee Kentucky and Virginia join is a very interiesting area also. In nearby Middleboro Ky. {about 1 mile away, is the museum that houses the P-38 that was recovered form the Greenland icecap then restored. It is about an hour drive from the tail of the dragon area {the other side of Knoxville}. You can't go wrong with this trip if you like winding roads and mountains. Enjoy.[/QUOTE

Yea Buddy, my hometown Middlesboro!! Left there over 40 years ago, but visit from time to time. Beautiful country thats for sure. Did go back through there in our C6 in the Spring on the way to Bowling Green for the photo ops by the museum and plant.

The P-38 museum is very nice and a freebee. Through the tunnel stop by Cumberland Gap for a great meal at Webb's Kitchen. (Closed Mondays).

Have a great time....

Grey Ghost · 11-02-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebringBill

Take a ride through Land Between the Lakes (TVA park) that straddles KY and TN. It's a nice ~50 mi drive with some very interesting stops (I kept hearing "dueling banjos")

HawkIVette · 11-02-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebringBill

Take a ride through Land Between the Lakes (TVA park) that straddles KY and TN. It's a nice ~50 mi drive with some very interesting stops (I kept hearing "dueling banjos")

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

As long as you don't hear "You sure gotta purty mouth"!

Grey Ghost · 11-02-2006, 11:31 PM

Check out Floyd Garrets muscle car museum. It's been featured on many of the TV shows. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, are BIG tourist draws.
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid...NsawN0aXRsZQ--

Ocoee River and stuff around Maryville, TN. Rafting, kayaking, canoe's, etc...It was the site of the 1996 Olympics. It is a beautiful place ! Its worth a drive through, if only for the scenery !
http://www.ocoeeadventurecenter.com/