The trip
Texas doesn't really get fall color. So once a year, we go and find it. The Great Smoky Mountains are the most visited national park in the country, and in late October you can see why. Whole ridges turn red, orange and gold, and the mist that gives the mountains their name hangs in the valleys every morning.
We drive there, on purpose. Two nights in Memphis and two in Nashville give us music, barbecue and some important American history on the way. Then three days in the mountains, and the Blue Ridge Parkway into Asheville, before a quick flight home.
Peak color moves up and down the mountains with the weather, and every year is different. Late October is usually good at the middle elevations. We adjust which roads we take based on where the color is best that week.
Highlights
- The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis
- A show at the Grand Ole Opry, and honky-tonks on Broadway
- The Cades Cove loop, with deer, wild turkey and often black bears
- The view from Kuwohi, the highest point in the Smokies
- The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville
Day by day
Dallas to Memphis
East across Arkansas. Dinner is dry-rub ribs, then a walk down Beale Street.
Memphis
The National Civil Rights Museum, built around the motel where Dr. King was killed. It's powerful, and we leave plenty of time. Afternoon at Sun Studio, where Elvis, Johnny Cash and B.B. King recorded early on. Optional Graceland visit.
Memphis to Nashville
Hot chicken for lunch, and an evening at the Grand Ole Opry.
Nashville
The Country Music Hall of Fame and a tour of the Ryman Auditorium. In the afternoon, Broadway's honky-tonks, where there's live music from about ten in the morning.
To the Smokies
East to Townsend, the "quiet side" of the Smokies. Late afternoon on the Cades Cove loop, when the animals come out.
Great Smoky Mountains
Newfound Gap Road over the crest, and the walk up to the observation tower at Kuwohi (renamed from Clingmans Dome in 2024). A short hike on one of the park's classic trails. We drive through Gatlinburg, and then have a frank conversation about Gatlinburg.
Cherokee & the Parkway
The elk at Oconaluftee, the Museum of the Cherokee People, then up onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, with overlooks at nearly every bend, into Asheville.
Asheville
The Biltmore Estate, the largest private home in America, and its gardens. The town has been rebuilding since Hurricane Helene in 2024. We spend our money at local businesses and are happy to do it. Farewell dinner.
Home
A morning flight from Asheville to Dallas.
What's included
✅ Included
- Van transport with a driver-guide from Dallas to Asheville
- One-way flight from Asheville to DFW
- 8 nights in hotels and a mountain lodge, double occupancy
- Breakfast daily and 4 dinners
- Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studio, Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman tour and Biltmore tickets, plus Grand Ole Opry seats
➖ Not included
- Lunches and 4 dinners
- Optional Graceland admission
- Tips for your driver-guide
- Single supplement (from $720) and travel insurance
Good to know
Some stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway were closed for repairs after Hurricane Helene. We check what's open the week before we leave and plan the route around it. Smokies parking now requires a parking tag, which we take care of.
