First trip to KY/TN/NC: Itinerary help??

This is our first trip to KY/TN/NC. We’re leaving May 17, so first weekend will include Memorial Day. Our main goal was the Smokies. After reading travel books, we’re now interested in also exploring NC side. Here’s our specs: We want to avoid tourist traps, theme parks, so will bypass Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Cherokee, Maggie Valley (Apologies to all who enjoy them. We’re just finally without kids!) We’re not campers or hikers, love scenery, driving and then stretching legs for the view. We’re driving a Grand Am with low “curb catcher”. At the end of the day, we like a place where we can have a couple beers/wine. Expect to pay around $100 for room. So, here’s our tentative 2-3 week itinerary from Chicago:

1. Leave Sunday, overnight in Louisville KY

2. Monday: I65 to Bowling Green or Nashville. Bardstown %26amp; distilleries. Overnight in Bowling Green or Nashville depending on exploring

3. Tuesday: I40 to Crossville, exploring on way. Fall Creek Falls if we have time. Overnight in Crossville (Crossville is only must-do stop.)

4. Wednesday: In town until later afternoon. (If we don’t leave until 5:00, is it reasonable to drive to Maryville/Alcoa to get close to GSMSP? What about Knoxville? Or should we stay overnight to see Fall Creek Falls if we haven’t yet?)

4a. Overnight in Crossville, Knoxville, or Maryville/Alcoa

5. Thursday: explore wherever we are, ending up in Townsend area. Overnight in Maryville/Alcoa or Townsend

6. Explore GSMSP: Cades Cove, etc.

7. Friday: Drive Foothills Pkwy to Fontana Lake area, then ending around Bryson City/Sylva (Is this too ambitious? Should we instead stay in Fontana and explore down to Robbinsville? We don’t want to be driving all day.)

7a. Overnight in Bryson City/Sylva (Note this is now Memorial day weekend! We don’t want to be caught in M-Day traffic, what can we expect? Would Cherokee be reasonable option if can’t find lodging around Sylva? Should we consider opposite direction: Robbinsville, although Rt 129 is “Tail of the dragon/motorcycle heaven”) Really need some help!

8. Saturday: Hard decision! All the scenic byways look great – falls, rivers, etc, but I have no idea how much time to allow or where to stay. Should we head to Asheville and use it as 2-3 day basecamp? Stay in Highlands and explore 64? One book says 64 is not maintained/bad road though scenic. Rt 74/19, 1310, Brevard, Cashiers, Blue Ridge Pkwy? Help!

9. Sunday %26amp; Monday: Asheville (Figure would be good place to enjoy holiday weekend without worrying driving. Being from Chicago, we’ve learned to avoid road on holidays – crowds and drinking. Is it the same in NC?)

10. Tuesday: Starting return trip. Figure we’ll take 40 to Knoxville… or should we skip K-ville and head up to Cumberland Gap on 25E? Overnight in Knoxville or around Cumberland Gap/Pine Mtn

11. Wednesday: Head for Cumberland Falls. Overnight around Cumberland Falls. Williamsburg/Corbin/London?

12. Thursday: Up to Lexington. Explore Bourbon trail, horse country, maybe Red River Gorge, Natural Bridges

13. Thursday %26amp; Friday: Lexington

14. One more night in Louisville or Indianapolis

15. Home

THANKS FOR ALL SUGGESTIONS! ps: I%26#39;m also posting this in TN %26amp; NC forums.

First trip to KY/TN/NC: Itinerary help??

A couple of ideas for things to do in the Bluegrass Region surrounding Lexington:

-Shaker Village in Harrodsburg (less than an hour from Lexington). It is America%26#39;s largest restored Shaker community and you can tour restored Shaker buildings, ride the Dixie Belle Riverboat down the Kentucky River, dine in the Trustee%26#39;s Office (reservations required) where they now serve beer and wine and more (www.shakervillageky.org).

-Alltech%26#39;s Lexington Brewing Company produces Kentucky Ale, Kentucky Light and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale and they give tours Monday through Friday at 3 and Saturday at 1. (www.kentuckyale.com)

-Mary Todd Lincoln House, Waveland State Historic Site, Hunt-Morgan House and Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate are four historic homes in Lexington offering regular tours. In our office at the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, we offer tickets to the four homes for $15 (it costs $7 per home if you pay for each one individually).

-There are several wineries around Lexington: Jean Farris Winery and Bistro (Lexington), Talon Winery and Vineyards (Lexington), Chateau de Vieux Corbeau (Danville) and Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery (Nicholasville).

-Keeneland Race Course is open to the public everyday from 6:30am to 5pm. You can eat at the Track Kitchen and tour the grounds.

-Kentucky Horse Park is Lexington%26#39;s premiere attraction. There are museums (International Museum of the Horse and American Saddlebred Museum), galleries and exhibits (such as the Parade of Breeds). On September 25-October 10, 2010, the Ky. Horse Park will be host of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the world championships for eight equestrian sports. The new outdoor stadium just hosted its%26#39; first event, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, and the new indoor arena is nearing completion (www.kyhorsepark.com).

-The four bourbon distilleries in the region are: Buffalo Trace Distillery (Frankfort), Woodford Reserve (Versailles), Wild Turkey and Four Roses (both in Lawrenceburg).

-On your way to Lexington, check out the Artisan Center in Berea just off I-75,(www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov).

These are just some of the many things to do in the Bluegrass Region. You can go to www.visitlex.com if you want more ideas or call (800) 845-3959 and we can help you with any questions you may have.

First trip to KY/TN/NC: Itinerary help??

Corvette Museum Bowling Green, Kentucky

http://corvettemuseum.com/

Wow! Now those are some suggestions. Our library only had 1 book on KY, so I%26#39;ve been hunting for material. Both your replies will help. I won%26#39;t have time today to do much more reading, but next few days should open up. Thank you!