Road Trip April 2008 Help Needed with Route

We need some help in planning for a trip we are going to be taking this April.

After getting information from the different forums this is what we have come up with, but would be glad of any advice as it may not be the best plan.

Flights are booked and we arrive in Chicago around 5 pm 10th April

Chicago 10th/11th %26amp; 12th April

Indianapolis - 13th %26amp; 14th April

Mammoth Cave - 15th April

Pigeon Forge - 16th %26amp; 17th April

Nashville - 18th %26amp; 19th April

Head to Florida on 20th April

Fly home from Atlanta 1st May

I realise we will be doubling back to Nashville, but wanted to go to the Grand Ole Opry that week end to catch a show.

Wanted to fit in some museums, some tourists attractions amd a little walking/nature, shopping, eating etc and after looking at previous posts have got a good idea of things to do in each place, but should we consider somewhere that we have not mentioned ? Just really want to make the best of the time we have touring

Any ideas will be gratefully received

Thanks

Road Trip April 2008 Help Needed with Route

Hi tomkins,

I have some ideas you my want to consider.

Everyone who visits me wants to go to the Indy 500 museum. Then shopping. I am not a shopper.

If it is a sunny day,(it is rainy in April) I would suggest going 1 hour west to Turkey Runn State Park. I have enjoyed the trails there since I was a child.

Have reservations before you go to Mammoth Cave. Here is a link: nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/reservations.htm

For a short cut (avoid Nashville) Take the Cumberland(Nunn) Parkway East. It is just south of Mammoth Cave on I-65. This will take you across Kentucky to I-75. (I saw this on the KY forum last year). Take I-75 south to Knoxville. Then I-40 east to Pigeon Forge.

Go to a local supermarket, pick up a cheap cooler and food for a picnic. There are many great stops in the Great Smoky Mountain NP for one.

Here is a link to the NPS GSM trip planner: nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/trip-planner.htm

To Nashville just take I-40 west.

This is just a few ideas, I am sure the other members will have more. Enjoy your trip!

Road Trip April 2008 Help Needed with Route

Thanks for the information we will take a look at the web sites mentioned.

Think we will perhaps find an alternative to Pigeon Forge, you are right it looks like a nice quiet mountain place. I think I got carried away looking at the lovely mountain cabins for rent and the scenery. I have taken a look at the Chatanooga forum and someone has mentioned a place called Rock City and a few other nearby places which sound interesting I will look into them as an alternative. I must admit we had thought about Chatanooga as a place to go also, but we were trying to narrow the touring down a bit.

Thanks again for your help

I%26#39;ve not been, but a lot of people love Gatlinburg, TN so you may want to check that out as an alternative to Pigeon Forge.

If you have children in your group-even teens-consider the Children%26#39;s Museum-1st class-5 floors of ultra modern displays. There is even a carousel on the 5th floor for all to ride.

If you%26#39;re interested in antiquing at all, here is a database of antique shops in the area.

http://www.in-tiques.com/

I recommend the Indianapolis Museum of Art, a rejuvenated, world-class museum. The grounds are spectacular - the museum is located on a former Lilly estate. The gardens and the mansion are still there and open to the public.

Also, don%26#39;t miss the Canal area downtown. It%26#39;s the city%26#39;s museum campus. You can walk along the canal. It connects to a pedestrian greenway that goes behind the zoo and across the White River, and it%26#39;s very peaceful over there with a lovely view of the city.

Check out the schedule at the Artsgarden, which is adjacent to the big mall downtown (Circle Centre). There are often free concerts and other performances or exhibits.

Right next door to the Indianapolis Art Museum is Crown Hill Cemetary. Your%26#39;re thinking,%26#39;cemetary%26#39;? YES. It is the 3rd largest private cemetary in the country with many famous people buried there. Different tours to the headstones are available by yourself or with a guide. Someof the featured tours include Civil War heroes, racing hero%26#39;s, or just local greats. At the top of ';the Crown';, Hoosier poet/storyteller is buried there. Yopu might see penny%26#39;s on his stone. This is because he used to throw coins or candy on his lawn for the neighborhood kids back when he resided in the local neighborhood, Lockerbie. Also up there is the highest natural point in Indianapolis and offers a great view of the city. April 13/14 should be a great time to go with all the different trees and flowers blooming. Visit www.crownhill.org