Breathtaking Scenic Drives in Tennessee

Tennessee is known for its many scenic drives. Some take you through the piney woods; others allow you to glimpse panoramic views of the valleys between sky-scraping mountains. Grab a loved one or two, pile into your trusty Nissan, and set your GPS device for one of these scenic destinations in Tennessee.

Cherohala Skyway

If you have a couple of hours to kill and you’re in need of scenic bliss, start with the Cherohala Skyway. It stretches a little more than 40 miles from the Cherokee National Forest near Johnson City, Tennessee, to the Nantahala National Forest near Waynesville, North Carolina. It received the National Scenic Byway designation after its construction in 1996 and has become one of the most popular drives in the state.

Visit the Cherohala Skyway during autumn if you want to see a splendid display of fall color. The drive is also beautiful in the spring and summer, especially if you enjoy bird watching or if you’re an amateur botanist. Stop a few times along the drive to drink in the view or to hike down one of the adjacent nature trails.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park

A long, scenic drive through the Great Smoky Mountains makes a fantastic way to spend an afternoon in your Nissan. It’s a gorgeous drive through some of Tennessee’s most dynamic country. You’ll experience the smoke effect that hovers over the tips of the Smokys as you navigate your Nissan along the winding pavement. If you have more time, spend a whole day in the park. You can fish, hike, or even camp until you’ve had your fill of nature.

Great River Road

Queue a playlist of blues music in your Nissan and hit the Great River Road to enjoy the Tennessee stretch of this scenic byway. With the Mississippi River as your constant companion, you’ll wind through small towns, heading south from Memphis. If you need to stretch your legs, pause for a spell at Reelfoot Lake State Park to watch native birds and to dip your feet in the water.

You can also stop at Fort Pillow Historic Park to learn about the Civil War and to view time-honored memorials. Even if you stay in your Nissan for the whole trip, you’ll enjoy great scenery at a relaxing pace. Just don’t forget to roll your windows down and blast a few blues tunes for nostalgia’s sake.

Chattanooga Loop

You can’t go wrong with the 126-mile Chattanooga Loop. Devote about four hours to the journey and let your Nissan devour the pavement as you feast on the views from the driver’s seat. You’ll experience the Tennessee River Gorge as well as the majestic silhouette of Signal Mountain. If you have a few more hours, consider adding a trip to Nickajack Cave, Lookout Mountain, or Signal Point Park to your road trip’s itinerary.

Sometimes, you need the peace of the open road and the beauty of a scenic panorama to clear your mind. Fill your Nissan’s tank and head for one of these Tennessee scenic drives this weekend.

Tags: Roadtrip Tips
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