Cincinnati to Florida Road Trip Itinerary

Spring break is fast approaching and nothing says vacation like a family road trip down to Florida. All that separates you from Walt Disney World, beaches and sunshine is about 900 miles. Looking for some stops on the way down? We did some research to find some of the best “detours” along I-75. From playgrounds to unique landmarks and big cities to underground caverns, we hope to help make this your best road trip yet!

Big Cities:

One of the best ways to break up any road trip is to take in some new cities. Below are 6 of the biggest cities you will find on your drive down to Florida.

Knoxville, Tennessee:

Stretch your legs at World’s Fair Park or if it is warm enough, play in the splash pad. Take a long stop and visit the Zoo or the Muse Knoxville. Dive into history at James White Fort or Mabry-Hazen House Museum, or simply stop for something to eat in Old City.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee:

This mountain town and vacation area in eastern Tennessee is the home of the famous Dollywood. A year-round family-friendly vacation destination, Pigeon Forge is filled with fun activities. From thrilling attractions and award-winning shows to countless options for dining, shopping and lodging, it’s easy to find something to do here!

Gatlinburg, Tennessee: 

Gatlinburg, a mountain town in eastern Tennessee, is known as a gateway to the roughly 520,000-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many of its key attractions offer sweeping views of the neighboring park, including the 407-ft. Space Needle observation tower and the Sky Lift, a 2.1-mile aerial cable car that journeys from Downtown to the popular amusement park and ski resort Ober Gatlinburg.

Chattanooga, Tennessee: 

Set along the Tennessee River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga is a great place to stop. Whether it’s giraffes or penguins, science or trains, scenic views, or underground waterfalls, you are sure to find something for the entire family!

Atlanta, Georgia:

This dynamic city has something for every tot, tween, teen, and adult to enjoy. Delight in under-the-sea adventures at Georgia Aquarium, quench your thirst in the tasting room at World of Coca-Cola, or enjoy a memory-building experience at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Whether it’s indoors or out, theme parks or puppets, explore some of the best things to do with kids in Atlanta.

Jacksonville, Florida: 

Congratulations! You made it to Florida — no matter your destination, Jacksonville is a great stop to finish out the last leg off your trip. Praising its beaches, parks, family-friendly food scene and affordable hotel rates, Lonely Planet ranks Jacksonville on its world list of “10 Best Value Destinations.”

Parks & Playgrounds

Kentucky

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

7351 Hwy 90, Corbin, KY 40701 – 13.5 miles off route

Tennessee

Ashley Nicole Dream Playground

620 Winona St, Knoxville, TN 37917 – 1.2 miles off route

Smoky Mountain National Park

107 Park Headquarters Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 – hour detour

McFee Park

917 McFee Rd, Farragut, TN 37934 – 6 miles off route

Vandergriff Park

1414 Gadd Rd, Hixson, TN 37343 – 0.6 miles off route

Shepherd Park

2124 Shepherd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421 – 0.5 mile off route

Georgia

Stone Mountain Park

1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 – 2 miles off route

High Falls State Park

76 High Falls Park Dr, Jackson, GA 30233 – 2.5 miles off route

Reed Bingham State Park

542 Reed Bingham Rd, Adel, GA – 6.5 miles off route

Top Attractions

Tennessee

Tuckaleechee Caverns

825 Cavern Rd, Townsend, TN 37882 – 20 miles off route

Known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies” these are the highest rating Cave or Cavern of the Eastern United States.  You will find the “BigRoom” on one end of the tour that could almost fit a football stadium inside it. On the other half of the tour you get to view “SilverFalls”. It falls 210 feet from top to bottom and the tallest subterranean waterfall in the Eastern US . Millions of formations are viewed along the 1.25 mile round trip adventure.

The Lost Sea Adventure

140 Lost Sea Rd, Sweetwater, TN 37874 – 7 miles off route

Your Lost Sea adventure begins with a guided tour of the caverns. This involves a ¾ mile round-trip walk on wide sloping pathways. While touring the caverns and underground lake guides will tell of the cavern’s exciting and colorful history. They will also explain the fascinating geological development of the immense cavern rooms and rare formations. At the bottom of the cave you will take a boat ride on The Lost Sea, America’s Largest Underground Lake.

Ruby Falls

1720 South Scenic Hwy Chattanooga, TN 37409 – 3 miles off route

Journey deep inside historic Lookout Mountain to see the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States! Descend 260 feet by glass-front elevator to explore ancient formations along the cavern trail to see the thundering falls.

Tennessee Aquarium

1 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402 – 2 miles off route

From the mountains to the deep seas, you can explore the world in one amazing place right off the highway at the Tennessee Aquarium. With a recommended time of two hours to spend, this aquarium in downtown Chattanooga is a great opportunity to get out of the car.

Georgia

World of Coca-Cola

121 Baker Street NW Atlanta, GA 30313 – 0.5 mile off route

Experience the world’s most famous beverage brand like never before. See the vault that houses the secret formula for Coca-Cola, get a behind-the-scenes look at the bottling process, view hundreds of artifacts and take a trip around the globe with just your taste buds as you taste more than 100 beverages.

Tellus Science Museum

100 Tellus Drive Cartersville, GA 30120 – 1.1 miles off route

With four galleries, a digital planetarium and a solar house, the Tellus Science Museum provides an experience out of this world. Catch a planetarium show, dig for fossils and gems to take home, stand under a T-rex or experience space next to a full-size replica of the Wright brothers flyer.

Unique & Wacky 

Kentucky

Birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken

1002 W. Dixie Hwy, Corbin, KY

Tennessee

Big Dragon Statue

306 John McGhee Blvd, Caryville, TN

Georgia

The Big Chicken

12 Cobb Pkwy N., Marietta, GA

Allman Brothers Band Museum

2321 Vineville Ave., Macon, GA

Big Peach Orb on a Pole

311 Hwy 49 N., Byron, GA

Confederate Nuclear Missile

1815 E 16th Ave .(near), Cordele, GA

World’s Largest Peanut

Sylvia Dr., Ashburn, GA