Cincinnati to Great Smoky Mtns drive: 24 ranked stops, break in Richmond

A 65-acre living-history farm and village combines 35 log structures, barns, churches, schools, gardens, and animals with three exhibit buildings of Appalachian folk art, instruments, quilts, and everyday objects. Budget at least 90 minutes.

A classic Smokies comfort-food stop for families staying between Cades Cove and Gatlinburg.

Contemporary Southern restaurant and award-winning bourbon bar on Jefferson Street pairing chef-driven plates with a deep whiskey list. Order: Bourbon flight.

For over 40 years a pillar of Lexington fine dining, serving refined American fare with Southern and European influences downtown. Order: Tournedos Maxwell.

Restaurant inside the historic 21c Museum Hotel elevating Southern dishes like smoked grits with locally sourced farm ingredients. Order: Smoked grits.

Michelin-noted north Gay Street deli serving Eastern European and Jewish fare like lox bialys, matzoh ball soup and house babka Order: Lox bialy.

A simple drive-in burger stop for the Cades Cove day, useful when the loop runs long and nobody wants to fight Pigeon Forge traffic.

Townsend coffee roaster and breakfast stop for early Cades Cove entry days, before the loop road backs up.

gnarly, steep shuttle-and-lift downhill

A quieter Townsend dinner for the Cades Cove side of the park.

The Red River Gorge’s natural arches