Southeast USA Itinerary

Day 1 - Knoxville, TN to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 36 miles:

Drive from Knoxville through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN. These cities are very popluar tourist attractions at the base of the Great Smokies and plenty of optons to explore or go straight to the mountains. Once you get to the park, see some of the easy to access waterfalls in the northern section of the park including Cataract Falls, a short walk from the visitor center to the highly visited Laurel Falls. Drive south, stopping at viewpoints and short trails along the way, and don't miss the more moderately difficult Chimney Tops trail for great views of the park. Continue south and catch the sunset either from the Newfound Gap view point or Clingmans Dome- the highest point in Tennessee.

Day 2 - Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

A second day in the park allows more time to explore and take longer hikes. Drive through the valley of Caves Cove and if you have time hike to the popular Abrams Falls. More adventurous hikers can take the strenuous yet highly traveled Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte. Before leaving the park make sure to spend a little time in the southeast section of the park headed towards Asheville and take the easy Oconaluftee River Trail for scenic views.

Day 3 - Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Asheville, NC, 113 miles:

Arrive in Asheville, NC, a popular destination for Arts and Scenery in the Appalachian area. Things to do include visiting the well know River Arts Ditrict with its eclectic pop art murals decorating the outside walls of its many galleris, take a tour of the opulent Biltmore Estates, check out the beautiful Basilica of St. Lawrence and stroll downtown with its many shops, highly rated restaurants and galleries.

Day 4 - Asheville, NC to Mt Mitchell via the Blue Ridge Parkway, 28 miles:

Asheville is the gateway to Southern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway that winds its way North along the best views of the Appalachian Mountains all the way to Northern Virgina. For this trip just head North, stopping at the many great viewpoints along the way until you reach Mt Mitchell State Park and walk to the observation deck at the summit of the highest point in North Carolina for great views of the surrounding Appalachians.

Day 5 - Asheville, NC to Congaree National Park, 180 miles:

Drive Southeast across South Carolina and through the capitol, Columbia to Congaree National Park, known for the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Walk the boardwalk trail for an easy introduction to the plants and wildlife that inhabit the park and then walk one of the parks longer trails or even kayak or canoe down Cedar Creek.

Day 6 - Congaree National Park to Charleston, SC, 108 miles:

Drive Southeast to Charleston, SC, famous for its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. Most of the day will be spent exploring downtown Charleston. Start at Waterfront Park with great views of the Atlantic Ocean and see the parks its famous pineapple fountain. A short walk will take you to Rainbow Row, a historic collection of multicolored pastel Georgian-style houses. Continue south along The Battery, with its lavish real estate to White Point Garden, a popular park with wartime monuments and great views of the ocean. On the way back make sure to see some of the beautiful historic churches along Charleston's downtown streets including Cathedral of St John the Baptist, French Huguenot Church, St. Philip's Church and Saint Michael's Church. If time permits visit historic Fort Sumter National Monument, tour one of the preserved plantation homes, see the giant Angel Oak Tree or visit the retired aircraft carrier at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.

Day 7 - Charleston, SC to Savannah, GA, 108 miles:

The trip ends at one of the Southeast most iconic historic cities, Savannah, GA. Take a walk around Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous by the book and movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Drive out to Fort Pulaski and tour the renown Civl War fort and enjoy the beach at Tybee Island. Return to Savannah's Historic District and ex[plore some of its famous sqaures including Chippewa Square, enjoy the beautiful antique buildings and homes and take a rest at beautiful Forsyth Park and its prominent fountain. Make sure to see at least one of Savannahs beautiful historic churchs and synagogues including the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and Congregation Mickve Israel.