Southeast Pelicans, why should I visit your town?

Pazuzu · 08-17-2018, 06:05 AM

Looks like we're going to be traveling from Atlanta to...somewhere, over 4 or 5 days next month. We don't know where to go or what to do, but we've learned that we like roadtrip vacations. 4 or 5 days, 4 or 5 cities, with some scenic/cultural/physical stops along the way.

So, what is in Georgia/Alabama/Tennessee/The Carolinas/Virginia that we should see?

We like fun cities, we like caving, we like hiking, we like scenic overlooks. We like culture, but things like art museums are a dime a dozen unless you have some really specific specialty. Sue likes the water, but we're not into things like sailing or fishing.

Last trip, we did 1800 miles and visited 5 states, 2 caves, 5 National Monuments, visited 2 or 3 ghost towns, and got to see Wall Drugs. What can the SE do for us?

We are also spending the first weekend in Atlanta, she's busy with a conference but we'll be in town for 3 nights. Yes, I will visit Porsche...but any favorite breweries in town?

Gogar · 08-17-2018, 06:15 AM

I was in the smoky mountains for a few days in July, it was great. Plenty of green and altitude changes and rivers, lakes, scenic outlooks! Not far to Knoxville, Asheville, Chattanooga, even Atlanta.

Seahawk · 09:34 AM

My small composite design and manufacturing place is in Morganton, NC. Stop by!

Great little town in the foothills about 45 minutes from Asheville. September is a great month in the area.

Glen did a similar trip last year so he will no doubt chime in.

Small towns in the SE I like that have a defined downtown and are interesting:

Brevard, NC
Lexington, VA
Aiken SC.

BTW, Mike, why should anyone in the SE want YOU to visit?

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Good time of year to visit the NC mountains...but plan ahead because accommodations are full (and expensive). Biltmore house in Asheville is very cool and almost anywhere along the parkway is nice. Zeb Vance birthplace just outside of Asheville is interesting as well. A picnic/hike near CraggyGardens or Mt. Mitchell is good too. Lots of good BBQ in eastern NC...much different than Texas.

If you like civil war history...form Chickamauga to Fredericksburg...lots of historic sites. Just about any historic site you can think of in VA/DC area.

IROC · IROC's Garage

Come up through Chattanooga (the downtown area by the Tennessee Aquarium has been revitalized and is very cool - especially across the river from the Aquarium) and then head up towards Knoxville. Maybe take 411 rather than the interstate. Lots of stuff in Knoxville (downtown, Market Square, etc.), but I'd turn off of 411 and take the Cherohala Skyway up and over into NC and then head to the GSMNP and do Clingman's Dome, etc. and then head over to Asheville. The lower part of the Blue Ridge Pkwy (in NC) would be nice. The Boone, Banner Elk, Seven Devils area of western NC is really cool.

Lots of stuff in this area. The mountains of East TN/Western NC are my favorite places in the country.

ckelly78z · 08-17-2018, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogar

I was in the smoky mountains for a few days in July, it was great. Plenty of green and altitude changes and rivers, lakes, scenic outlooks! Not far to Knoxville, Asheville, Chattanooga, even Atlanta.

We were near Asheville in late June, and stayed at a really nice VRBO 5 bedroom cabin overlooking a lush valley. Skyline drive runs for a good distance through several states, and is a sight to behold, and several neat hiking trails in the Smokies.

I would highly reccomend it. We wanted to go to the "Wheels through Time" museum that has all the old motorcycles run by the guy whao had a TV show about barn find bikes. We also did white water rafting which was a blast.

Pazuzu · 08-17-2018, 09:22 AM

I'm getting the sense that Asheville is the nexus of everything East of the Mississippi...

wswartzwel · 08-17-2018, 09:23 AM

If you like hiking and views, you might want to check out Linville Falls, N.C.

MBAtarga · 10:25 AM

Stone Mountain (east of ATL) has a lot of history (confederacy) and of course the mountain and carving.
Sweetwater brewery is just off the 85 interchange just north of the 75 split.
We've got World of Coke, College Football hall of Fame, and our own Aquarium - all right beside each other in the downtown area.

Not in Ga - but on a route further north - Ever done the dragon?
https://tailofthedragon.com/

Edit - for Porsche - you MUST have a reservation. You can't just drop in. Place a reservation for lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants to get in.

IROC · IROC's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

I'm getting the sense that Asheville is the nexus of everything East of the Mississippi...

Especially if you enjoy drinking beer.

Asheville is a good destination, but the beauty of this area (no pun intended) is the journey. Heck, interstate 40 between Knoxville and Asheville is a beautiful drive.

Jims5543 · 10:36 AM

Another Vote for the little Big Apple, Asheville.

Lots of great desinations nearby there and a lot to do in the city proper.

No chains in the downtown area, most restaurants are farm to table.

If you like a good proper Old Fashioned check out Pecks Bar, they age their own Old fashioned in barrels.

Check out the Arcade Building, it is a copy of the base of the Empire State Building, as a matter of fact a lot of Asheville is a copy of NYC.

Its a very cool little city.

Edit

Make reservations at Hot Springs, especially if you want to have a nice romantic evening. Bring bathing suits, or don't.

you reserve your own private hot tub in a very secluded setting on the bank of a river, the hot tub is filled for each guest with fresh hot spring water that is around 105°.

Chocaholic · 08-17-2018, 10:37 AM

Don’t come here. We’re full.

id10t · 08-17-2018, 01:34 PM

Like water? Like caves? My area has world known cave diving, and some great instructors are in the area. Prob too late, but plan it out to get basic SCUBA certified up there where you are, then schedule a weekend cavern diving cert course and a few dives. Then come back later and upgrade to full cave.

KFC911 · 08-17-2018, 05:34 PM

Lots of good advice...the journey is the prize in those mountains...just explore! But if you run across any eastern NC BBQ....you're lost

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rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

We can always do a Pelican meet up when you're in ATL! What are the dates?

and North Georgia Mts are nice and great roads!
https://www.tripstodiscover.com/most-breathtaking-georgia-waterfalls/

Dueller · 07:16 PM

You didn't mention anything about Motorsports but about an hour and 45 minutes west of Atlanta is Leeds Alabama home of the barber Racetrack and Motorsports Museum. Think of it as a combination of the Pebble Beach of race tracks combined with a six-story very modern architecture Smithsonian Racing automobile and Motorcycle Museum. Then leave there and head up to Huntsville Alabama which is about 90 minutes up the road for a unique community. Then up to Chattanooga and maybe over to the North Georgia Mountains for hiking, white water rafting, sightseeing. Then maybe over to Asheville for that scene. Oh yeah the Barber race track has a Porsche driving school you can drop in on. I think Barber is open pretty much year-round. Even if you aren't a motorcycle afficianado and auto the history and beauty of thousands of perfectly restored collectible motorcycles and race cars is amazing even for the non enthusiast

Dueller · 08-17-2018, 07:13 PM

Barber museum

Dueller · 08-17-2018, 07:28 PM

Ground of racetrack are perfectly manicured with outcroppings of modern art sculpture

tdw28210 · tdw28210's Garage

Well there are a few top notch towns, Asheville, Greenville, Charleston and Savannah. The ATL to Asheville to Greenville back to Atlanta is pretty manageable with lots of pretty roads and brewing along the way. But Charleston is pretty special as is most of the low country. Worth the drive if you have the time.

Dueller · 07:35 PM

And of course porsche high perf driving school at barber