Blue Ridge & Smoky Mountains

Blue Ridge & Smoky Mountains

Tours Starts: Nashville, Tennessee

Tours Ends: Charlotte, North Carolina

Day 1

Arrive in Nashville

Welcome to Nashville! If you purchased airline tickets from YMT, a representative will meet you at the airport and transport you to the hotel.

The Inn at Opryland or similar

Day 2

Nashville

Nashville is home to the iconic Grand Ole Opry. Discover the best the legendary Music City has to offer. Experience Nashville’s landmarks and sites on a city tour including the Historic Downtown District and “Honky Tonk Row,” Riverfront Park, the Tennessee State Capitol, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the Parthenon, Vanderbilt University, and Music Row.
After lunch on your own, head to the Grand Ole Opry House, which debuted in 1974. Experience a fully guided backstage tour and see where the world’s longest-running live radio show is still performed. Walk in the footsteps of country music's legends and get an exclusive behindthe- scenes look at this world-famous show. (B)

The Inn at Opryland or similar

OPTION: GRAND OLE OPRY SHOW:

See the Grand Ole Opry, the show that made country music famous, which features a dynamic line-up of new stars, superstars, and legends of country music. Balcony seating $69 p/p. Please add this option at time of booking. Please note that artists and schedule are subject to change without notice

Day 3

Louisville

Travel from Nashville to Louisville. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum, where you will learn all about “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.” Hear about past Derby winners and the history of Churchill Downs. Walk through the property to the paddock and out to the grandstand, learning trivia and fun facts along the way.
From horse racing, “the sport of kings,” continue to a mecca of America’s pastime. The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is all about celebrating the extraordinary role of the Louisville Slugger bat in baseball’s past, present, and future. Since the sport is such a big part of American history and culture, even visitors who don’t consider themselves big fans find something that resonates with them. Enjoy your evening at leisure. (B, L)

Hampton Inn Louisville Northeast or similar

Day 4

Cumberland Gap & Pigeon Forge

Welcome to Kentucky’s Cumberland Gap National Historic Site, the first gateway to the west. History was made here: follow the buffalo, the Native American, the longhunter, and the pioneer, who all traveled this route through the mountains into the wilderness of Kentucky. After a beautiful drive through the Daniel Boone National Forest, get settled at your hotel.
Your evening in Pigeon Forge is yours to enjoy, or you may sign up for the optional Dolly Parton's Stampede dinner show. (B)

Hampton Inn Pigeon Forge or similar

Day 5

Ashville via Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Take the scenic route on the Blue Ridge Parkway, then stop at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in the town of Cherokee. Experience 13,000 years of Cherokee history, the Cherokee story is told through computer generated animation and special effects, lifesized figures, artwork, and priceless artifacts.
Continue to Clingmans Dome, which at 6,643 feet is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This evening you will enjoy a visit Biltmore Estate. Completed in 1895, George Vanderbilt’s 250- room chateau is as impressive today as it was more than a century ago. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the house, as well as the beautiful gardens and grounds surrounding it, which were designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. (B)

Holiday Inn Express Ashville or similar

Day 6

Grandfather Mountain & Boone

This morning take the scenic route on the Blue Ridge Parkway. “America’s Favorite Drive” is a U.S. National Parkway that winds 469 miles through the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands.
This afternoon you will visit Grandfather Mountain State Park, known for its incredible vistas and unmatched ecological diversity. The Mile High Swinging Bridge, found at the top of the park, is America’s highest suspension footbridge.
Spend the afternoon relaxing in Boone. This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure or you may choose to join your fellow travelers for an optional. (B)

La Quinta Inn & Suites Boone or similar

Day 7

Henry River Mill Village & Charlotte

As you travel from Boone to Charlotte you’ll have a chance to step back in time to the last century on a guided tour to learn about the rich heritage of western Carolina mill towns. You'll visit the Henry River Mill Village Historic District. In 1860 the Henry River area was known for its waterpower and by 1905 two families had partnered together to establish the Henry River Manufacturing Company. You’ll have time on your own to explore the historic area.
You're evening in Charlotte is yours to enjoy. (B)

Home2 Charlotte Uptown or similar

Day 8

Depart for Home (B)

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.