10 days in The Smokies & Nashville Itinerary

A tiny town with big tourist appeal, Pigeon Forge bills itself as the "Center of Fun in the Smokies." Just a short drive from the national park protecting the diverse plant and animal life of the Great Smoky Mountains, the town features numerous places to visit, such as bars, restaurants, cafes, theaters, and shops.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Parrot Mountain & Gardens, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Rocky Top Mountain Coaster. Keep things going the next day: admire the natural beauty at Parrot Mountain & Gardens, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, and then experience the excitement of Rocky Top Mountain Coaster.

To see ratings, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Pigeon Forge road trip planning site.

Fort Wayne to Pigeon Forge is an approximately 8.5-hour car ride. You can also fly; or drive; or do a combination of bus and car. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Fort Wayne in July since evenings lows in Pigeon Forge dip to 69°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 23rd (Thu) to allow time for travel to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains some of the highest mountains east of the Mississippi River, but it's the ease of access that makes this national park the United States' most visited.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Alum Cave Trail, Grotto Falls Parking and Roaring Fork. On the 23rd (Thu), identify plant and animal life at Roaring Fork and then hike along Grotto Falls Parking. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 24th (Fri): trek along Alum Cave Trail.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Great Smoky Mountains National Park tour itinerary planning app.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just a stone's throw from Pigeon Forge. Expect a daytime high around 87°F in July, and nighttime lows around 69°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Fri) to allow time for travel to Nashville.

Known as the capital of country music, the thriving city of Nashville combines old-world southern charm with a progressive urban flair.

For ratings, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Nashville trip planner.

Getting from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Nashville by flight takes about 6 hours. Other options: fly; or do a combination of bus and subway; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a -1 hour difference. Expect a daytime high around 90°F in July, and nighttime lows around 70°F. On the 29th (Wed), you're off to home.