Staying Fit
This is a twisty, leisurely trip through Tennessee, with no more than six hours of driving over the five days, much of it along a zig-zagging, scenic route. You'll start in Knoxville, the lively home of the University of Tennessee, then head to the Great Smoky Mountains to explore Appalachian culture and tour the Tuckaleechee Caverns, meander along the scenic Cherohala Skyway, and end up in another cool little city, Chattanooga. You'll definitely need to override your smartphone map's GPS directions, because this is in no way a straight southwestward shot between the two towns. Note that from Chattanooga you're only about a two-hour drive either north to Nashville or south to Atlanta.
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COVID-19 update
The unpredictability of the coronavirus means travel restrictions are constantly evolving. Be sure to check Tennessee's Department of Health website for updates before visiting from out of state, and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for safe travel.
Market Street in Knoxville
Images-USA / Alamy Stock Photo
Day 1: Knoxville
Encapsulated in less than one square mile, Knoxville's vibrant downtown showcases beautifully restored 18th-century buildings, murals capturing the spirit of the city and a variety of unique shops and art galleries, especially on Gay and Market streets. A standout among them, the Art Market Gallery on Gay, features impressive works by East Tennessee artisans, from original paintings to fine crafts. Bring your appetite, as more than 80 restaurants serve up dishes to please every taste and budget. Start the day by building your own biscuit from the BYOB menu at Biscuits & Brew. For lunch, a gourmet hot dog and craft beer from Curious Dog will keep you fueled.
Relics from the 1982 World's Fair, the towering Sunsphere and the Tennessee Amphitheater, anchor downtown's World's Fair Park, where wide, paved walking trails make social distancing easy. The trails connect to the Second Creek Greenway, which carves a peaceful tree-lined route down to the banks of the Tennessee River. When your feet need a break, hop on one of the free downtown trolleys for more sightseeing.
Where to stay: Bed down in luxury at the Oliver Hotel on Market Square after imbibing a cocktail at its cozy, tucked-away Peter Kern Library Bar, the city's only speakeasy.
Dancing Bear Lodge
Dancing Bear Lodge
Day 2: Knoxville to Townsend (30 miles)
Leaving the city behind, drive south to Townsend, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Known as the “peaceful side of the Smokies,” Townsend lies just 20 minutes from an entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Two galleries and 13 historic outbuildings honor Appalachian cultural legacy at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Nearby, the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum provides insightful lessons on the logging industry in the mountains before the area became a national park.
