The constraints of the coronavirus have us all feeling a little stir crazy. Maybe you’re working from home, or out of work entirely, surrounded by kids and other family members. If you’ve so far dodged any symptoms of COVID-19 but have a bad case of cabin fever setting in, then consider one of these scenic drives through the region.
Gas is cheaper than it’s been in years. Many restaurants are staying open, even if you have to settle for the drive-through and eat in the car.
This list of scenic stops originally appeared in the August 2017 edition of Get Out magazine, but being able to tap into something familiar seems essential right now.
For this assignment, former staffer Myron Madden went looking for some of the region’s underrated overlooks, the less frequented, though no less breathtaking, lookout locations. All are easy to access and, this time of year, full of burgeoning greenery. The bonus: You won’t have to rely on the standbys – Sunset Rock and Edwards Point – that are likely getting plenty of visitors right now.
Keep in mind that anywhere you travel, visitor centers and restrooms may be closed. TVA already has announced that the visitor center at its pumped storage facility at Raccoon Mountain (one of the overlook options below) will be closed indefinitely. Other situations may change by the hour.