Toronto Canada to Hilton Head SC

[jacksonjohn83]

Hello All,

I am hoping I can pick your brains and experiences for my upcoming family trip.
We are planning a trip from Toronto to Hilton Head. We have 5 days for this trip. Below is my rough plan as I istart thinking about it.

Day 1: Toronto to Cincinnati
Day 2:
Day 3: Knoxville to Ashville via Smoky mountain and blue ridge parkway.
Day 4: Ashville
Day 5: Ashville to Hilton Head

Questions:
o What could be possible short stops between Cincinnati and Knoxville?
o Any recommendation for specific stops from Smoky mountains and blue ridge parkway?
o Any short stops between Ashville to Hilton Head

Our interests: Art, architecture, scenic view point or road, road side attraction, etc.

Thanks,

[Midwest Michael]

My initial thought is that with day 2, you would be to just use that extra time to explore Cincinnati itself. There's plenty of art and architecture in the city that you could check out, before grabbing a lunch of "3-way" Cincinnati Chili (Skyline being the most ubiquitous chain), and making the half day drive to Knoxville.

Another option would be to stop at a Bourbon distillery while making your way through Kentucky. Buffalo Trace would be a relatively short detour, but there's a few more like Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and Four Roses are all also options that wouldn't take you too far off the direct path to Knoxville.

[AZBuck]

Let's deal with Asheville first since that seems to be where you seem to be planning on spending a fair amount of time. My wife and I have been there and have very pleasant memories of a lovely town in a beautiful setting. Obviously, the Biltmore Estate would meet your architectural needs but also consider the Thomas Wolfe Memorial (in his mother's former boarding house). There is even an Architecture Trail.

But before Asheville, you might want to look at Lexington KY for a midday break between Cincinnati and Knoxville. There you'll find Mary Todd Lincoln's home, Ashland the home of Henry Clay, and the Waveland State Historic Site

Next up, some scenery. Most of this drive will be through farmland and mountains with only the occasional sore spot. I'll assume that between Knoxville and Ashville you'll be using US-441/US-19 through Great Smoky Mountains National Park rather than the more direct I-40. On the final leg, South Carolina offers a number of state parks such as Jones Gap State Park with the tallest waterfall in South Carolina and Santee State Park with scenic short hiking trails.

So there's a few ideas to help get you started.

AZBuck

[jacksonjohn83]

Thank you both for your feedback. Based on your advice and some additional googling, I have made minor changes to plan and a couple of follow-ups:

Day 1: Toronto to Springfield OH
Day 2: Hartman rock garden (morning)
Frank Lloyd (Westcott house) in the mid afternoon
Drive to Knoxville, TN (4pm onwards)
Day 3: Ashville via Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the great smoky mountain, and Blue ridge parkway.
Day 4: Ashville
Day 5: Hilton Head

On day 2, most site seeing is done during the day, we will be driving from 4 p.m. on wards until we reach Knoxville.
On day 3, instead of using US-441/US-19, I was thinking to use US-441/Blue Ridge Parkway.
On day 4, Bitmore Estate is selling day passes I am wondering does it really take a full day to tour the place? Would I have time to do both (Biltmore and Thomas Wolfe Memorial) in one day?

Thank you again for all your help.

[BillyGr]

On day 3, instead of using US-441/US-19, I was thinking to use US-441/Blue Ridge Parkway.

Just to keep in mind, the Blue Ridge Parkway is listed at 45mph or less (wasn't sure, checked it online). Only thought of that having been in Shenandoah, which is 105 miles long and doesn't sound bad until you find out their speed limit is 35, meaning 3 hours minimum to go from one end to the other.

Not that it is a bad thing but might make a difference in how far you can go in a given time.

[AZBuck]

As noted, my wife and I have visited the Biltmore. It was definitely a stop more up her alley than mine. She loves both stately homes and gardens. But her interest in homes is more of a way of looking into the lifestyles of the rich and famous than studying architecture. Nevertheless we spent a full half day just touring the home and spent no time at all in the gardens. That's just to say that, given your interests, you could easily spend the greater part of a day at the Biltmore.

[jacksonjohn83]

Thank you both for sharing insights.