Planning a trip from KC to Charlotte...history buffs please advise.

[InfidelSerf]

My girlfriend and I are planning a road trip from KC to Charlotte N/SC to visit her mom in late August.

We want to take our time and see as much along the way and we'll be bringing her 9yo grandson.
I want to make it a historical/educational trip for him.

Are there any points of interest that are must sees?  
I'm thinking anything within 50-80miles off the major interstate route would be reasonable.

Nashville will be one city we will be spending a few days in.

So let's here it from all the history buffs or proud locals.  

I'm also interested in any good attractions or events that will be taking place during that time.  
The trip is tenatively going to be the 20th of August and on.

[K Frame]

By which route are you going?

If you give us the interstates you're planning on traveling, it would probably be easier as you have at least 4, the way I read it, major choices for interstate paths.

[InfidelSerf]

I70 from KC to St Louis
I64 out into I57 to I24 to Nashville
US41 to Chattanooga then US64 to Murphy, NC (her mom's)
I want to go from there up to Gattlinburg,TN
Then to Asheville,NC then US74 out of Asheville to Charlotte

That's a tenative route.

[TNGO]

That route will take you near two National Battlefields and one National Military Park:

www.nps.gov/fodo" target="_blank">Fort Donelson, www.nps.gov/stri" target="_blank">Stones River, and www.nps.gov/chch" target="_blank">Chickamauga/Chattanooga.

Not to mention the sites of the battles of Franklin and Nashville, but they don't have National Parks, unfortunately.

US41 actually goes right through the Stones River battlefield.

[Zundfolge]

Too bad you're not heading farther south to Charleston ... get yourself a bowl of she-crab soup

[garrettwc]

A stop at the Biltmore estate in Asheville, NC would be good. The estate was built by turn of the century industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt. There is a guided tour that you can take that has lots of information about the family and their history. I had a history of American business class in college so I had already studied the family, but there was a lot of stuff I learned on the tour that I never knew. For those that might be curious, one of Mr. Vanderbilts descendants is fashion mogul Gloria Vanderbilt.

When you go through the Smoky Mountain area, check out some of the American indian sites. From you route description, it sounds like you will be following what was known as the "Trail of Tears" for at least part of your route.

[K Frame]

Cornelius "The Commodore" Vanderbilt had been dead for nearly a quarter century when construction was started on Biltmore. He died in 1877, construction on the house began in, IIRC, 1895, by George Vanderbilt, The Commodore's grandson.


That said, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is one of the gateways to the Great Smokey Mountains. There is a LOT of Appalachian history (Cade's Cove, probably a dozen period mills) in the area. Pigeon Forge is nearby, which is a haven for artisans and craftsmen. I personally love the Pigeon Forge Pottery works.

[garrettwc]

Oops, Mike is correct. I was off by a couple of generations, the house was in fact George's. That's what I get for trying to remember my history lessons in the middle of the night. :/

[Sergeant Bob]

Something I found pretty interesting in Fayetteville, NC, (aka Fayettenam) was the cemetaries. Lots of history (Civil War graves) buried in a cemetary. I'm sure it's also true of cemetaries in other towns.

[spinr]

I imagine you'll be taking U.S. 441 through the Park to Gatlinburg?  It's a nice drive, albeit with a fair amount of traffic.  Great views, though.  Cades Cove is along the way too.

If you have time, I'd recommend a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railway.  Their Nantahala Gorge trip is nice.  A decent ride, not too long (about 4.5 hours), with a lot of beautiful scenery.  And the open air cars offer a better experiance, in my opinion.

There's Unto These Hills, that the Cherokee Indians put on, but the last performance is August 20th, so you might not be able to make that.  Definately worth it if you can, though.  Oconaluftee Indian Village is nearby too.

If you're into dams, go by Fontana Lake & Dam.  Tallest concrete dam East of the Rockies.

As garrettwc said, the Biltmore Estate is a must see.  They just opened the fourth floor of the house for the first time.  There's also the Thomas Wolfe House in Asheville.

The highest point East of the Mississippi, Mount Mitchell, is about 40 miles Northeast of Asheville.  Lots of dead trees, but a decent hike and great views on a clear day.

On past Asheville, on your way to Charlotte, is Chimney Rock Park.  Never actually been up on the rock myself, but pretty cool from what I hear.