Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Driving Trails near Gatlinburg

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has a system of motor trails that show off various themed tourist attractions throughout the state, as promoted through their Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways website. Christopher Place is located on three of the driving trails filled with history, shopping, and and the scenic landscape of eastern Tennessee.

Along the Civil War Trail, you'll see famous sites and museums connected with the Civil War, including the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, the Battle of Blue Springs, and the Battle of Shiloh.

The White Lightning Trail is a self-guiding motor trail spanning a 200-mile route with exhibits about moonshine, hometowns of famous country singers like Chet Atkins and Kenny Chesney, and Victorian homes. Moonshine whiskey was smuggled along this route during Prohibition. The route starts in Knoxville and takes you up the Clinch and Powell river valleys with the ending point in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, which follows part of the trail of the original Appalachian settlers. On the trail you'll also find Civil War sites, scenic overlooks of the beautiful Tennessee hills, and famous factories. While on the trail you'll follow the path of Daniel Boone.

The Sunnyside Trail will have you winding through back roads of the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you're looking for outlet shopping, Dolly Parton's hometown and Dollywood, or the Gatlinburg Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, with carriage makers, glassblowers, potters and more, you'll find any of these along the Sunnyside Trail. This driving trail is over 400 miles long with almost 400 tourist attractions along the way--starting in our very own back door of Sevierville.

Which trail will catch your eye?