Charlotte to Asheville to Great Smoky Mountains Loop Road Trip

Map

Start: Charlotte, N.C.

Start your epic road trip loop to the Great Smoky Mountains in Charlotte, North Carolina. Maybe you’re a resident of the Queen City and already know the fun that’s in store. But if not, Charlotte touts an international airport, so you can fly from your home city and then rent a car or RV to start your journey.

Before you do anything else, you’ll want to get a taste of the city with a tour. There are options for every audience. If you’re interested in the city’s darker past, check out the lantern-led Carolina History and Haunts Tour. If you’re looking for a cozy experience, head to the city center where you can catch a 20-minute to one-hour horse-drawn carriage ride through Uptown. Find yourself stifling giggles on most stuffy tours? Jump on the Funny Bus Comedy City Tour and you can laugh out loud. Choose from a PG-13 or R-rated tour and BYOB.

Local tip: Look for tours, especially historical tours, that allude to hornets. This might be in the form of a hornet’s nest symbol or the word “hornet” in the company or tour name. The hornet’s nest is Charlotte’s secret symbol of American spirit. The symbology comes from a supposed statement during the Revolutionary War made by British General Cornwallis. He called Charlotte a “hornet’s nest of rebellion” and the term stuck, becoming an icon of local pride. You’ll find it in everything from the city’s NBA team name to police badges.

Potentially the most important thing to know about the Carolinas is that the people who live there are very passionate about their barbecue and that the topic is very controversial. Don’t ask if mustard belongs in Carolina Barbecue Sauce. If you’re from a place where barbecue isn’t a topic to be avoided at parties like religion and politics, you’ll be delighted by any of Charlotte’s stops for the fare. For those who speak barbecue as a second language, we won’t pick favorites.

There’s nothing controversial about classic Southern food, luckily. For the most down-to-earth meal of your trip, head to Dish (1220 Thomas Avenue) in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood. You’ll be greeted by a cozy atmosphere and the best Southern classics of your life. Think fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and pimento cheese.

For a day jam-packed with adventure, head to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The world’s largest man-made whitewater river, this center is where the U.S. Olympic team practices. You don’t have to be an Olympian to enjoy it, though. Encompassing 1,300 acres next to the Catawba River, you can stand-up paddleboard (also known as SUP), kayak, adventure raft or rodeo raft on everything from class II to IV water. The Whitewater Center is perfect for the whole family. Kids ages 4 and up can hop in a tandem kayak with an adult and kids 8 and up can kayak or SUP. If land is more your forte, hit up the climbing wall, ziplines, ropes courses or mountain biking trails. One-day, two-day, and single activity passes are available.

Whether you’re a NASCAR buff or you played with Hot Wheels as a kid, you’ll appreciate the NASCAR Hall of Fame. See cars from all generations that hit the track and tributes to the world’s best drivers before immersing yourself in the experience. Watch a film in the surround-sound equipped theatre to feel like you’re a part of the action, or jump in a replica stock car, equipped with the same iRacing virtual software the pros use to train. The simulators update weekly based on the real time race schedule, so you’ll be driving the same tracks as the pros, competing against other participants.

Chimney Rock State Park, N.C.

Two hours east of Charlotte lies Chimney Rock State Park. The park is named for a beautiful rock outcropping that gives visitors incredible views of up to 75 miles of Lake Lucre and Hickory Nut Gorge. Getting to the view is the real adventure, however. Take the Outcropping Trail, where you’ll ascend 491 stairs to get to the viewpoint. Your heart will be pounding at the top.

North Carolina State Parks knows that not everyone is up for this kind of climb, so a seasonal elevator offers a milder route. At the elevator’s top, only 44 stairs separate you from the viewpoint. The elevator itself is an adventure, carved into the solid rock and terminating in the Sky Lounge, a gift shop in the air.

Chimney Rock is also the perfect place to see the fall colors. Peak leaf-peeping season is mid-October. Look for hickories, poplars, white oaks and birches turning gold and yellow and red oaks, sourwoods and maples in hues of red and orange.

Asheville, N.C.

Forty-five minutes west of Chimney Rock State Park, you’ll find yourself in the city of Asheville, N.C.

If you’re a foodie, Asheville is the place for you. Start by getting hyper-local and experiencing the bounty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Then visit the largest home in America with six restaurants, a multitude of shops and three lodging options on-site. Finish the day with a visit to one of Asheville’s local breweries or browse the River Arts District to take in the arts scene. More to do in Asheville.

Cherokee, N.C.

At the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll stop in Cherokee, N.C. before heading into Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Stop by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian to learn more about the first people to inhabit the national park. You may be surprised to hear a very different perspective on the history of the Trail of Tears and the Indian Removal Act than you’ll find at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, operated by the National Park Service; a reminder to always keep an open mind and listen to all viewpoints.

Oconaluftee Islands Park gives you an opportunity to stretch your legs and relax after a long drive. Float down the river in an innertube or cross over a bridge to the grassy island the park is named for and fish from the docks or eat lunch at a picnic table. The park is easily accessible from downtown Cherokee, so you can stay until sunset before heading back to town to grab a bite to eat.

Get an early start to hike to the popular Mingo Falls – you’ll avoid crowds and the heat of the day. The 120-foot ethereal cascade is not technically in the park. It’s on the Cherokee Reservation. It’s a 0.4 mile walk to the falls, but beware, it’s steep. It’s one of the tallest waterfalls in the southern Appalachians.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The moment you’ve been waiting for – Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Check out our Top 10 Things to Do in the park to make the most of your visit. And don’t miss these top views from up high.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Chock-full of souvenir shops, craft stores, restaurants, and kitschy attractions (think Ripley’s Believe it or Not!), the bustling towns can be a sensory overload or a rollicking good time, depending on your perspective.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Find family fun under Pigeon Forge’s sparkling lights. Stay 20 minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park in this city with no shortage of things to do.

The Best of Carter County, Tenn.

Nestled in the Smoky Mountains near Johnson City, just north of the national park, Carter County is home to incredible outdoor recreation, beautiful scenery, fascinating history and small town charm. We’ve found the best places to hike, paddle, bike and go back in time near Elizabethton, Watauga Lake, Roan Mountain and more.

Soak in Hot Springs, N.C.

Hot Springs, N.C. is home to the only hot springs in the state. For a truly unique soaking experience, book a mountain cabin at Broadwing Farms, which includes access to hot springs-fed tubs. Otherwise, head to Hot Springs Resort and Spa, which has hot tubs available by the hourly rental.

This destination is popular with Appalachian Trail through-hikers to soak their weary bones. Strike up a conversation with your fellow travelers and you may hear some interesting stories about life on the trail.

If you’re up for a hike, park downtown and do the two-mile loop to Lover’s Leap, a rocky outcropping with beautiful views of the French Broad River and surrounding area. The name refers to an old legend of a lovesick woman leaping from the rocks. It’s not a place to jump in the river, so don’t be fooled.

Cataloochee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Head south to the remote Cataloochee entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This valley surrounded by 6,000 foot peaks is filled with historic buildings preserved from when the town was one of the most prosperous settlements in what is now the park, and is home to a herd of elk. The rustic, narrow road is open seasonally.

End: Charlotte, N.C.

End your road trip with a three-hour drive back to Charlotte and get ready to start sorting through pictures of your amazing trip.