Sometimes, the best summer road trip adventures come in small packages. This three-day Asheville road trip from North Carolina to Tennessee packs mountain views, hot springs, and two of the South’s coolest cities into just 140 miles. You’ll trade Asheville’s craft beer scene for Knoxville’s riverside vibes, with the Great Smoky Mountains serving as your scenic intermission.
What makes this TN road trip special? The pace. Instead of rushing between attractions, you’re soaking in natural hot springs, wandering through America’s largest private home, and hiking to waterfalls without checking your watch. The route follows mountain roads that twist through the Blue Ridge, offering views that make you forget about whatever’s waiting in your inbox back home.
Perfect timing matters here. Summer brings everything to life – the rhododendrons bloom along the parkway, the French Broad River runs perfectly for tubing, and mountain towns buzz with festivals and farmers’ markets. Plus, you’ll actually want those hot springs on a cool mountain evening after a day of hiking, rather than suffering through them in 90-degree heat.
Day 1: Explore Asheville, NC
Morning & Afternoon Activities
Start at Biltmore Estate, because honestly, where else can you wander through a 250-room mansion before lunch? George Vanderbilt’s Gilded Age estate sprawls across 8,000 acres, and you’ll need advance tickets (seriously, don’t show up hoping for walk-in entry in summer). The house tour takes about an hour if you hustle, but why would you? The library alone, with its 10,000 books and hidden doors, deserves a solid 20 minutes.
Skip the formal gardens if time’s tight and head straight to downtown Asheville. Woolworth Walk occupies a restored five-and-dime store, now packed with local artists’ work across 20,000 square feet. Malaprop’s Bookstore down the street hosts author readings most nights; check their calendar. Lexington Glassworks lets you watch artists blow glass in their hot shop, and yes, that vase they’re making costs more than your hotel room.
Got energy left? Take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Craggy Gardens. The 1.4-mile trail to the summit isn’t tough, but June’s rhododendron blooms make it slow going – you’ll probably stop for photos every 50 feet. The 360-degree views from the top show why this Asheville driving tour segment lands on every “best of” list.
Dining
Tupelo Honey Café serves Southern comfort that’ll ruin you for normal pancakes. Their sweet potato pancakes come with peach butter and spiced pecans. Prepare for a wait on weekends – locals know what’s up. White Duck Taco Shop in the River Arts District doesn’t mess around. The duck mole taco sounds weird until you taste it. Their General Tso Chicken runs a close second. Grab a seat on the patio overlooking the French Broad River. Cúrate brings Spanish tapas to downtown Asheville, and chef Katie Button (trained under Ferran Adrià) knows her stuff. The pan con tomate seems simple – just bread and tomatoes – but it’ll change how you think about both. Reservations essential, especially Friday-Saturday.
The Crow & Quill looks like Edgar Allan Poe decorated a bar. Over 600 spirits line the walls, and the bartenders actually know what to do with them. Solo travelers appreciate the bar seating where you can watch cocktail theater up close.
Accommodations
Foundry Hotel Asheville occupies a restored steel foundry, keeping industrial touches like exposed beams while adding luxury beds you’ll never want to leave. The rooftop bar serves breakfast with mountain views.
Wrong Way River Lodge offers A-frame cabins right on the French Broad River. Each cabin has a deck with Adirondack chairs positioned for sunset watching. Book the “Wrong Way” cabin for the best river access.
Day 2: Asheville ➝ Hot Springs, NC (≈ 1.25 hrs)
Morning
Highway 209 to Hot Springs earns its nickname “The Rattler” honestly – this road coils through the mountains like its namesake. But those curves deliver. The French Broad River plays peek-a-boo through the trees, and every overlook tempts a photo stop.
Detour to Max Patch Bald if the weather’s clear. This 4,629-foot grassy summit offers 360-degree views without trees blocking anything. The Appalachian Trail crosses right over the top, so you’ll share the space with thru-hikers looking pretty weathered yet accomplished. The walk from the parking area takes maybe 20 minutes, but budget an hour – you won’t want to leave.
Afternoon
Hot Springs Resort & Spa sounds fancy, but it’s beautifully low-key. Natural mineral water feeds private tubs overlooking the French Broad River. Book a tub for an hour (or two – you’ll extend once you’re in). The 100-degree water feels perfect after morning hiking, and watching kayakers paddle by while you soak beats any hotel spa.
The town of Hot Springs barely stretches three blocks, but those blocks pack character. The Appalachian Trail runs right down Bridge Street – look for white blazes on telephone poles. Pop into Bluff Mountain Outfitters for trail stories and gear you didn’t know you needed.
Dining
Vaste Riviere Provisions started as a food truck and upgraded to a brick-and-mortar spot that still feels wonderfully informal. Their sandwiches use local ingredients – the turkey comes from down the road, the bread from Marshall. The rotating soup always hits. Big Pillow Brewing occupies a century-old boarding house where the Appalachian Trail literally runs through the property. Grey Eagle Taqueria operates inside, creating the perfect beer-and-tacos combo. Thursday-Saturday often features live bluegrass on the lawn.
Accommodations
Broadwing Farm Cabins embrace off-grid life without making you suffer. Solar power handles the basics, while wood stoves and mountain views handle the rest. The “Crow’s Nest” cabin perches on a hillside with sunrise views worth the early wake-up.
Hot Springs Resort Cabins or Glamping Tents keep you within walking distance from everything. The glamping tents include real beds and electricity, basically hotel rooms with canvas walls. Cabins range from basic to luxurious, all with riverside settings.
Day 3: Hot Springs ➝ Smoky Mountains ➝ Knoxville (via Cosby or Gatlinburg) (≈ 3–4 hrs with stops)
Morning
Decision time: enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park through Cosby (peaceful) or Gatlinburg (touristy but fun).
Cosby wins for avoiding crowds and accessing one of the park’s best waterfall hikes. The Hen Wallow Falls Trail covers 4.4 miles round-trip through hemlock forest to a 90-foot waterfall. The trail gains 900 feet but spreads it out gradually. Swimming’s not allowed, but wading in the creek below the falls feels pretty great in summer heat.
Gatlinburg works if you want mini golf, pancake houses, and the kind of tourist kitsch that’s actually entertaining. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies ranks among the country’s best, though explaining why there’s a world-class aquarium in the mountains requires mental gymnastics.
Afternoon
Foothills Parkway might be the Smokies’ best-kept secret. This scenic drive offers mountain views without the crowds clogging Cades Cove or Roaring Fork. The western section from Walland to Wears Valley opened fully in 2018 after decades of construction delays. Pull-offs every mile or so let you stop for photos without holding up traffic.
For pure Americana, detour to Bush’s Visitor Center in Chestnut Hill. Yes, the baked beans company. Their museum chronicles the family business with more enthusiasm than beans probably deserve, but the free samples and gift shop full of bean-themed merchandise provide solid entertainment. The cafe serves beans six ways, obviously.
Dining
The Wild Plum Tea Room in Gatlinburg hides in the Village Shops, away from the main tourist drag. Their Austrian-German menu seems random until you taste the schnitzel. Stock & Barrel in Knoxville elevates burgers beyond fast-food territory. The “Ring of Fire” burger loads local beef with habanero, black bean, and pepper jack. Their bourbon selection runs 80+ bottles deep. The Market Square location puts you within walking distance of nightlife.
Accommodations
The Oliver Hotel brings boutique style to Market Square. The 1876 building keeps original details like exposed brick while adding modern touches like rain showers and Frette linens. Peter Kern Library speakeasy hides in the basement – ask the front desk for the password.
Graduate Knoxville celebrates all things University of Tennessee with orange accents everywhere. Rooms feature Dolly Parton imagery (she’s a Tennessee treasure) and windows overlooking downtown or campus. Saloon 16 rooftop bar serves cocktails with skyline views.
Day 4: Explore Knoxville, TN
Morning
K Brew on Gay Street roasts beans in-house and serves pour-overs that make Starbucks taste like dishwater. Grab a cortado and wander Market Square’s Saturday farmers market (May-November). Local vendors sell everything from Cherokee purple tomatoes to goat milk soap.
Old City mixes historic warehouses with new development. Rala showcases regional artists and makers; their selection ranges from hand-thrown pottery to screen-printed shirts celebrating Appalachian culture. Central Collective next door stocks vintage finds and handmade jewelry.
Ijams Nature Center proves cities can preserve wild spaces. This 315-acre park offers 12 miles of trails, but summer calls for water activities. Rent a paddleboard for Mead’s Quarry Lake, where clear water fills an abandoned marble quarry. The Canopy Walk suspension bridges let you explore 50 feet up in the trees.
Afternoon
Knoxville Museum of Art stays free and features strong regional collections. The Thorne Rooms miniatures recreate historic interiors at 1:12 scale with obsessive detail. The outdoor sculpture garden provides Instagram fodder with mountain backdrops.
For river time, the Tennessee Riverboat Company runs 90-minute cruises on a genuine paddlewheeler. The captain shares Knoxville history while pointing out great blue herons and osprey nests. Alternative: rent kayaks at Volunteer Landing and paddle your own tour. The calm water near downtown suits beginners.
Dining
Tomato Head started as Knoxville’s first vegetarian restaurant, but now serves sustainably raised meats too. Their pizza dough ferments for three days, creating a crust that manages both crispness and chew. The “Brother Basil” with fresh mozzarella and basil from their own garden defines summer eating. J.C. Holdway earned Chef Joseph Lenn a James Beard Award for good reason. The menu changes based on what local farms deliver, but expect dishes like wood-fired chicken with field peas or pork shoulder with Tennessee whiskey glaze. The biscuits alone justify the price.
