A Journey To Great Smokey Moutains From Houston!

What better way to bring in the holiday spirit or spend some family time away from all the hustle and bustle, than a road trip. Road trips are the safer way to travel now and leave the pacing and contact to you. Not to mention, road trips make lasting memories that you just don't get from flying. Think of all the laughs you and the crew or family would miss if you just flew to your destination. Science even proves that road trips are beneficial to family bonding and create a lifelong memorable experience for kids. AVR wants to take the stress away from planning by offering tons of fantastic stops along the way. Nothing is set in stone, so feel free to modify the stops we have offered if you need to tailor it specifically to your family or crew's wants. AVR is all about bringing more than just vans to our customers.

 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana: A city that is brimming with excitement

3 hours 59 minutes and 268 miles, if coming from downtown Houston via I-10E

 

 

Baton Rouge is known for a lot more than just the LSU Tigers. Though, visiting the stadium should be on your list of things to see. There are plenty of scenic parks for families that want to have some outdoor adventures or picnics and plenty of indoor recreational activities as well. There are plenty of museums, a wonderful zoo, the current and older version of the state capitol, and much more to see. Be sure to take advantage of the cheap lodging, as there is so much to see you will want to spend a night or two. Baton Rouge has some great hidden gems in terms of food, so be sure to check out the local favorites. Be sure to gas up for cheap, as our friends from GasBuddy always have your back. This is only stop one, but AVR is already showcasing some great options with this amazing, hand-picked selection. Fun at each leg of the journey is the AVR way.

Birmingham, Alabama: Real southern hospitality and history galore

9 hours 46 minutes and 669 miles, if coming from downtown Houston via I-10E

5 hours 47 minutes and 400 miles, if coming from Baton Rouge, our previous suggested stop

 

Birmingham is home to such a wide variety of activities, it would be hard for someone not to have a good time here. There is a Civil Rights Institute and other museums for the history buff of the family, Breweries for the adult crowd, ghost tours for the ones that want some thrill, and even a scavenger hunt the whole family can get in on. No one will have a bad time here, as there is simply too much to do whether you are an indoor family or love the outdoors. Be sure to take a trip to the zoo as well, it is full of wonderful and exotic animals. This is a place you will want to spend a night or two. Not just for all the wonders the city has to offer, but this is the final stop before you reach your destination. You want to make sure you are well rested and stocked for your next adventure. Food Network has a list of places you should try, and I doubt they would lead you astray. So be sure to sample as many local favorites as you can before you head out. When you do head out, be sure to use GasBuddy to find the cheapest fuel. No one wants to overpay for fuel. Next stop, Little River Canyon National Preserve. The drive is quite long, so if need be, break it up by stopping halfway in Meridian, Mississippi. Meridian is home to some amazing food, but a stop at Harvest Grille for lunch or dinner, will blow your family away.

Chattanooga, Tennessee: Family fun at a whole other level

 

2 hours 11 minutes and 147 miles, if coming from Birmingham, our previous suggested stop

 

 

There is something for everyone in the family to do while visiting Chattanooga, and this is the perfect stop in the making of an unforgettable journey. Unleash your wild side and keep the kids happy with a trip to the Chattanooga Zoo. There is also whiskey tasting for the connoisseur and river tours for a romantic or family friendly outing. Chattanooga is home to some amazing local cuisine that can be delivered, so make sure you check the favorites. Options for some of the best lodging can be found here, and Chattanooga makes a great stop for an overnight stay. That way, you can tour at your own pace and set out the next day well-rested, to start the next leg of the journey. Gas prices are very low here so restock and refuel, before moving on. The journey should be just as fun as the destination, and Chattanooga won’t disappoint.

Great Smokey Mountains, Tennessee: A sight to behold

2 hours 47 minutes and 159 miles, if coming from Chattanooga, our previous suggested stop

 

 

What an amazing journey that has been laid out for you thus far and you are only know getting to your original destination. Imagine all the laughs and hi-jinks you would miss if you traveled by plane. The safe and more fun option is the old school road trip. Great Smokey Mountain National Park offers a unique viewing experience that the family can view from the car. For those that want to enjoy the best sights nature has to offer, but aren’t the outdoorsy type, The Great Smokey Mountain offer 384 miles of scenic driving routes. Hiking, horseback riding, biking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and much more is available. Past visitors call The Great Smoky Mountains “an ideal getaway for any family”. Lodging is diverse in its options, but for those wanting cabin lodging within the park, the only cabin on the property must be hiked to. Whether you are an experienced camper or just starting out, The Great Smoky Mountains is sure to please. Only thing left to do now is pack those bags and tell the family that a long-needed vacation is back on. With this safe journey that offers great social distancing options, AVR once again has your best interest at heart. Just another day for us here at AVR, where we believe the journey should be just as fun as the destination.

There is no one way to do a vacation, but there is a right way to vacation smart and safely. AVR is here to help your family or crew vacation the right way. That is why we are dedicated to helping our customers not only pick the best van for the trip but plan the stops as well. With a spacious AVR van and a full family trip laid out that offers safe social distancing options, you are not just ready to vacation the right way; you are ready to vacation the AVR way. Because the journey should be just as fun as the destination.