Trip Itinerary from Atlanta to the Smoky Mountains

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This circular itinerary combines a visit to the capital of the Southern states, Atlanta, which is full of tourist attractions and suitable for visiting year-round, with a trip to the most visited national park in the USA, the Great Smoky Mountains, its nearby charming resort towns, and additional unique small towns along the route.

Route Map: Fun and Nature in the Smokies (11)

♦ Link to Google Map with the route

Destinations along the route

Destination		Days of stay
Atlanta		2-3
Chattanooga		1
Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge		2-4
Smoky Mountains Park		1-2
Asheville		1-2
Helen		1

Total: 8-13 days.

Route length: 940 km. Driving duration total without stops: about 11 hours. 

 

Recommended destinations, accommodations, and articles for each stop on the route:

Each destination has a link to my detailed article about it with pictures, attractions, and important tourist information.

Atlanta

Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, is also considered the "Capital of the New South" because it is the center of commerce, industry, and economy for the Southeast USA. Atlanta's city center is modern and impressive with skyscrapers, striking architectural buildings, parks, shopping centers, and plenty of attractions including the impressive Georgia State Capitol building.

 ♥ Recommended hotels in Atlanta

Article: ◄Travel guide to Atlanta

 

 

Chattanooga

Among the attractions in Chattanooga: "Ruby Falls" – a stalactite cave with an underground waterfall, Rock City Gardens, and the Incline Railway: considered the steepest railway in the world leading to spectacular views.

 Article: ◄ Trip in the Chattanooga area on the way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 

 

  

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Near the towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge)

The Smoky Mountains are part of the Blue Ridge Mountains range with mountain peaks that are almost always covered in a bluish mist (resembling smoke), hence the name. This is the most visited park in the entire USA. The park has over 4,000 types of plants and 230 species of animals, including 65 species of mammals. The most famous, which have become the park's symbol, are the black bears. The park features streams and rivers, waterfalls, and forests. 

♥ Recommended hotels in the Smoky Mountains Park (in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge)

Articles: ◄ Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ◄Travel and vacation in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

Booking tours and trips from GetYourGuide.com:

 

 

The towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

These towns are among the most popular destinations in the Eastern USA! Millions of people visit them every year! They offer a variety of cable cars, numerous options for nature trips, active recreation, and outdoor action, and they are a paradise for shopping enthusiasts.

Pigeon Forge is full of many diverse family attractions, restaurants, shows, shopping, and plenty of accommodation options of all types and budgets. In the town of Gatlinburg, the main street stretches for about 3 km, yet it is packed with family attractions, diverse restaurants, and hotels. The rest of the town's houses and vacation homes are spread across the surrounding green mountains.

♥ Recommended hotels in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Article: ◄Travel and vacation in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

 

Asheville

The city of Asheville is a small city but it is the largest city near the Blue Ridge. It is located close to 8 nature reserves (national parks and state parks), 200 waterfalls, and four rivers, and is considered a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. It is also an ideal destination for active outdoor recreation: kayaking, cycling tours, and zip-lining in the forests.

Nearby is the beautiful Biltmore Estate and the impressive "Chimney Rock".

♥ Recommended hotels in Asheville

Articles: ◄Trips in the city of Asheville and its surroundings ◄Trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Eastern USA

 

Helen

Helen is a small town in Georgia with a total of about 450 residents, but it is the third most visited city in Georgia after Atlanta and Savannah—and for good reason!

It is a charming and beautiful Bavarian town with unique buildings and atmosphere, full of sweet little shops, galleries, typical German restaurants, wineries, breweries, gardens, and flowers—all decorated and designed as if straight out of a Grimm Brothers' fairy tale.

♥ Recommended hotels in Helen

Article: ◄ Trip to the Bavarian town of Helen in Georgia

 

 

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For your trip, I recommend renting a car from the website:

♦ Car rental from the reliable and convenient Booking site: Booking.com

 

♦ Guided tours, excursions, and activities I recommend booking from: Viator

 

 

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