When I was transplanted from Germany and brought to the US, we made our way to the South. I saw bits and pieces of it growing up, but thought it would make a great first adventure on our sabbatical around the world. One of the first port of call was the Hollywood of the South – Atlanta, Georgia. It was a great opportunity to get some family time in as well as take care of the necessary pre-trip admin. Can’t really get far with an expired driver’s license, right? Once the admin was done we packed up our car, sad goodbye to the family and made our way to the mountains. Wait, what? The South has mountains? Absolutely.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the great places the South has to offer and to get your Southern USA Road Trip juices flowing.
HELEN, GEORGIA
It’s nothing like the real-deal, BUT it’s corny and cute. In true US road trip fashion, we checked ourselves in to the Super 8 Motel and enjoyed the afternoon walking through the little village. In the evening we popped into the Helen Festhalle for the Oktoberfest celebration – polka tunage and beers were on offer. We were there on a Tuesday night, so not much going on except a few coach buses from elderly homes that drove in from surrounding states. Prost!
The South’s version of Germany is exactly how you would picture it to be. Definitely worth the visit if you find yourself passing through. We didn’t stay very long, but a popular thing to do in the area is visit Unicoi State Park – lots of hiking and biking trails as well as swimming and boating on Unicoi Lake.
Be sure to check out Hotels.com to find the latest deals on places to stay in Helen, Georgia.
GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS
We left Helen before sunrise to make our way up through the Great Smokey Mountains. Spanning across North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smokey Mountains is one of the most visited national parks in the US. True to their name, the Smokies had smoke-like blue mist hovering around the peaks and valleys as the sun rose. We kept finding ourselves stopping in the pull-outs to admire the views.
We hadn’t really planned on doing much in the mountains except for driving through and admiring the views via Newfound Gap Road. For those who have a bit more time, popular stops include Cades Cove, Roaring Folk Motor Nature Trail, Sugarland Valley, and Clingmans Dome – the highest point in the Smokies (and Tennessee).
Be sure to check out Hotels.com for the latest deals on places to stay in the Great Smokey Mountains.
PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE
Any Dolly Pardon fans out there? Then there is no better place to stop than Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This mountain town is home to the famous Dollywood – Dolly Pardon’s very own amusement park. Rob actually pushed to make this happen which was very surprising. The park is apparently a place many people in the UK hear about, but rarely get to see due to the location. Well – we changed that for Rob on our trip.
There is a charm about Dollywood that you don’t get in your overly commercial amusement parks. A nice combination of live shows, family entertainment, and classic amusement park rides. We rode the new wooden coaster called “Lightning Rod” which is apparently the fastest wooden coaster in the world. A highlight of the day was seeing the show My People – a show about the life of Dolly Pardon, told through her extensive song book, sung by Dolly’s extended family. When in Rome, right?Be sure to check out Hotels.com for the latest deals on places to stay in the Pigeon Forge.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON ROADTRIPS IN THE SOUTH
I had almost forgotten how beautiful the state of Georgia was until we took our little southern roadtrip. It was only a couple of days, but I am pleased that I got to share the good ol’ South with Rob before we jetted off to our next destination.
TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS: USA
Flights
The USA is well-connected with numerous international and domestic airports. Use Kayak to find the best deals on flights to various destinations across the country.
Accommodation
For finding great places to stay in the USA, Hotels.com is an excellent resource. They offer a wide selection of hotels, and you can earn a free night's stay after every 10 bookings as a rewards member.
Car Hire
Exploring the USA by car is a fantastic way to see the country. Compare car rental options and find the best deals at RentalCars.com to ensure you have the perfect vehicle for your journey.
Travel Insurance
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National Park Pass
If you plan to visit multiple national parks, consider getting an America the Beautiful Pass which offers access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including all national parks, for one annual fee.
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