We’re talking about a vacation this summer so we can plan ahead. My mother (who will pay for it) said she’d love to go to Yellowstone, but it looks like it’s about a 24-hour drive for us. Still, I like the idea of going to a national park. We’re in Indiana, so this image shows about the limits of where we’re willing to drive. Maybe 14-15 hours at most, which puts most of the ones in the image in range.
However-
• We’ve already been to Indiana Dunes and Gateway Arch.
• My daughter is scared of caves, so Mammoth Cave is out.
Out of the rest, which would you most recommend so I can suggest it to my mother?
Is there anything not in Indiana that is within this area that you think is more worth visiting than a national park that also would take a decent amount of time to visit and see different things? (Not a city, obviously.)
Any advice appreciated. Thanks!
Breaks interstate Park between WV and KY is pretty nice. I also very, very highly recommend smoky mountains, I live in the region and have gone every year. Ik you said no cities but Gatlinburg area can be nice to check out after the trip if you wanna see Smoky Mountain Knife Works and all the small businesses in the rural parts of the mountains.
+1 for Smoky Mtns. So much to explore, Clingmans Dome, waterfalls, elk, bears, restaurants close by, but you can get as far away from the tourist-ty stuff as you like. Secluded cabins to downtown hotels. Dollywood for the kids is good. I live in Georgia, but try to get up there with the family every year or two. Also Smoky mountain knife works is worth it if you’re into knives, outdoors, camping…
It’s looking the most promising right now just due to all the things to do in Gatlinburg as well. We can’t help it, we enjoy a good tourist trap.
The Artisan’s Market is worth going to Gatlinburg, but avoid the main strip of the city unless you’re looking to eat. There’s maybe 4 unique shops, the rest are the exact same touristy shit under a different name.
The Knife Works will be busy, also. It doesn’t slow down. Parking will be ass. It’s totally worth it just to go into the downstairs Relic Room.
Isle royal isn’t very easy to visit. But the parks department operates 2 “national lakeshores” in MI that everyone should see. Sleeping bear dunes is west of traverse city and is super accessible and close to lots of lodging in TC. Pictured rocks is perhaps my favorite place on earth. But, driving up to the UP is a bit of a trek.
Just looked it up. From us to Copper Harbor (the farthest port) is less than 11 hours by car and I wouldn’t really count the ferry in the travel time because that would be part of the experience, so honestly that doesn’t sound too bad. Also, we’d drive through both Chicago and Milwaukee if we wanted something to do on the way there or back. It’s not a terrible idea, although @Null’s suggestion of the Smoky Mountains is appealing since I’ve driven through them and it was beautiful, but it would also be cool to go somewhere none of us have been. Thanks!
Shenandoah is really nice. None of the East Coast parks are going to be as mind-blowing as the famous ones out west. And you can also go to the Great Smokey Mountains area if you plan the route correctly.
Yeah, that’s the real shame. You can’t really compare with something like Yosemite. But it’s just too far away. Great Smokey Mountains is sounding like the best bet so far. There’s stuff in Gatlinburg I know we would like to see as well. My daughter loves any aquarium anywhere and it has one, and there’s a pinball museum. My daughter and I both love pinball. I can tell it’s a tourist trap, but between that and the national park, I think we’ll have a lot to do.
I have lived near Smoky Mountains for years. Especially if you have kids, they will not go bored and the park is nice and not infested with people. (You just gotta go through the people to get to the park). Make sure to get to Clingman’s Dome for nice pics. There’s lots of trails for all experience levels too.
There’s stuff in Gatlinburg I know we would like to see as well. My daughter loves any aquarium anywhere and it has one
Depending on how much driving around you want to do, it might be worth heading down to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. (Take this route for a scenic drive including the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway.) You’re also kinda within striking distance of the Georgia Aquarium (the largest aquarium in the US and the 4th largest in the world), although the drive isn’t nearly as scenic.
Having been to all but voyageurs go to either the smokey mountains or new river gorge. I was going to put mammoth cave on that list but, you know fears and stuff. I will say mammoth cave does not feel like your typical cave, it’s way larger, and has been adapted for tourists.
I’ve been to Mammoth Cave before myself and really loved it, but she doesn’t care how big the cave is. She says she just doesn’t like the idea of all of that rock above her head. We tried to convince her a couple of years ago, but she’s dead set against it. Smokey Mountains sounds like the best choice.
based on name: isle Royale
