We are heading out this weekend on a big road trip and I am looking for recommendations for any quick sites to see or restaurants to stop at along our route. We have 4 kids ages 2, 4, 6 and 8, so anything that they can burn energy at along the way is appreciated. Here is the high level itinerary:

Friday PM: Houston to Mobile, AL
Saturday: Mobile AL, to Atlanta, GA - Food recs for Atlanta with kids? Things to see when we get in town around 5pm?
Sunday: Georgia Aquarium
Altanta, GA to Cataloochee, NC
Monday: Camping Cataloochee
Tuesday: Cataloochee to Gatlinburg - This is essentially going to be our off day, what's worthwhile in Gatlinburg area?
Wednesday: Dollywood
Thursday: Gatlinburg, TN to Desoto State Park, AL - Quicks stops in Knoxville or Chattanooga?
Friday: Camping Desoto State Park, AL
Saturday: Desoto State Park, AL to New Orleans, LA - Not familiar with this stretch, could use some recs.
Sunday: New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX

Chattanooga- Rock City for sure - your kids will be talking about the gnomes in the rocks the rest of their lives. There's also a park now on the river there that's nice and you can walk over to shops etc
At Desoto, You will be close to Mentone - 7 miles from the state park. Really neat area !!
Alabama ( the band) has a neat museum in Ft. Payne
Take 'em to the Little River and let 'em splash around - Little River Canyon National Preserve
Your oldest one may like to fish the Little River - it is beautiful

Must do the roller coaster on side of mountain. A blast

Sliding Rock near Brevard is a blast for your kids - you're going to need to ride with your little ones though.
Give them a dime to a quarter an hour ( depending on their age) if they're quiet on the trip ( and if they don't ask, " are we there yet? " ) If they each have their own little bag of money, it works like a charm.
And then let them spend whatever they've earned on a souvenir when y'all arrive at Dollywood or wherever.

In Mobile they have WWII-era USS Alabama battleship is anchored in Battleship Memorial Park....I havent been yet but I'm dying to stop there the next time we drive through on the way to Florida

In Atlanta, within walking distance of the Aquarium, you might also want to check out CNN, World of Coca Cola, and the College Football Hall of Fame.
If you like really nasty, greasy food, The Varsity is an Atlanta staple.
In Chattanooga, the above mentioned recommendations are great. If your family really loves aquariums (I know you'll already be seeing the Atlanta Aquarium), Chattanooga also has a great one.
Enjoy, and keep us posted.

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Take 'em to the Little River and let 'em splash around - Little River Canyon National Preserve

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A few years ago, we drove the rim road around the LRC. Absolutely beautiful. About the same depth as Palo Duro Canyon, but narrower and tree-covered. I assume you are talking about the area SE of Ft. Payne on 35, but we drove highway 176 down most of Lookout Mountain. Nice drive.

DeSoto State Park has a nice waterfall, and we ate lunch at the Wildflower Cafe in Mentone. Good place.


At Knoxville, consider a diversion to Oak Ridge. But then, I'm a Manhattan Project nerd. There is a good museum there and they are beginning to allow tours onto the plant to visit the MP areas that still exist.

At Birmingham, drive up to the back of the Vulcan statue and look at his bare butt.

What are some can't miss spots in Smoky Mountains National Park? My 10yr old and I are going over Labor Day. Staying in Cherokee.

Canyonag Yes that's right. My husband and boys would hike down in the canyon to fish and our little kids would splash around at the bottom where the canyon opens up.

BSD Cades Cove

BSD,

If you're staying in Cherokee, I'd suggest you stay on the North Carolina side. The Blue Ridge Parkway starts (or ends) in Cherokee. It's worth a few hours of your time...the views are amazing. Also, Looking Glass Falls in the Pisgah National Forest is one of my favorite destinations. If you do want to head to the Smoky Mountain National Park, I'd suggest Clingman's Dome, Newfound Gap, Laurel Falls, and Cade's Cove.

BSD-
Alum Bluff (or Alum Caves) trail hike was a great one for my kids (8-14yo).

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail out of Gatlinburg. Relatively short loop driving tour, spring for the little self-guided booklet that tells about what you are seeing. Trailheads to a couple of waterfalls if you want to hike a bit.

ToddyHill said:

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BSD,

If you're staying in Cherokee, I'd suggest you stay on the North Carolina side. The Blue Ridge Parkway starts (or ends) in Cherokee. It's worth a few hours of your time...the views are amazing. Also, Looking Glass Falls in the Pisgah National Forest is one of my favorite destinations. If you do want to head to the Smoky Mountain National Park, I'd suggest Clingman's Dome, Newfound Gap, Laurel Falls, and Cade's Cove.

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just did a small section of the BRP on Saturday. Devil's Courthouse is a great spot - short (but steep) hike to the top. We drove from the BRP to Brevard through Pisgah National Forest. Saw some of those falls and the sliding rock. FYI - there are lots of sliding rocks in the Smokies. We have one right near our home in Cashiers NC that s nice and fun.

Also, bring a fly fishing rig - tons of small streams in the SMNP.

If going to GSM national park go swimming at The Sinks or tubing in Townsend.

Elvira's in Ware's Valley is one of the few good restaurants around that's not trying to be a tourist trap.