8 days in Knoxville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Greenville Itinerary

A gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Knoxville embraces music culture.

Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Thu): identify plant and animal life at Ijams Nature Center and then make a trip to Market Square.

To find where to stay, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Knoxville driving holiday planner.

Chicago to Knoxville is an approximately 9-hour car ride. You can also fly; or drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Chicago to Knoxville. Expect a daytime high around 87°F in July, and nighttime lows around 69°F. You will have some time to spend on the 3rd (Fri) before leaving for 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.

On the 3rd (Fri), get to know the fascinating history of Noah Bud Ogle Cabin and then identify plant and animal life at Roaring Fork. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the dramatic scenery at Laurel Falls, then hike along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and then take in the awesome beauty at Mount LeConte.

Start your trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

You can take a bus from Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2 hours. In July, daily temperatures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park can reach 87°F, while at night they dip to 69°F. You'll set off for Greenville on the 5th (Sun).

The largest city in "upstate" South Carolina, Greenville has grown around the natural wonders of waterfalls located in the downtown area.

Escape the urban bustle at Zipline and Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. Change things up with these side-trips from Greenville: Bearwallow Mountain (in Hendersonville), Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Tours & Tastings (in Mills River) and Asheville (Food Tours & Biltmore). And it doesn't end there: stroll around Falls Park on the Reedy, get to know the resident critters at Greenville Zoo, pause for some photo ops at Joel Roberts Poinsett Statue, and brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Dark Corner Distillery.

For reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Greenville holiday planning site.

Traveling by bus from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Greenville takes 4 hours. July in Greenville sees daily highs of 90°F and lows of 72°F at night. On the 9th (Thu), you're off to home.