a good wake up ride I like to take is from the HD dealership on 321, wares valley rd. in pigeon forge over to the smokey mountain parkway and it runs into 129, take a left and ride the dragon down to deals gap store and restaurant. should be lunch time if you time it right and its a good place to grab a bite. take 28 to Franklin and then 441 back to pigeon forge. after a power nap its party time. there's brewery across the Hotel parking lot from the Harley shop. Good place to make strategic plans.
If you want to mix it up, on the way back to pigeon forge on 441 take a left onto little river gorge rd just outside of gatlinburg then a right into the camp grounds and over a narrow wooden bridge at metcalf bottoms and then onto lyons springs rd back to 321 and take a right back into pigoen forge. You're at ground zero for some good rides. 321 will take you out to 70 and to Nashville.
Hogs and Honeys is a good perch to rest in Gatlinburg and drink a few brews and look out at folks walking around.

 

Not sure about to Nashville but I live in Manchester which is on 24 between chat and Nash. We love riding hwy 30 to 411. Then 129 thru deals gap. 28 to Cherokee. Made a little circle on the blue ridge back to Cherokee then over the mountain to Gatlingberg. Awesome riding with curves most of the way.

 

My best suggestion is to skip Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The traffic is terrible - especially as Fall weather and leaf turning is coming on.

 

Im envious

 

Lots of great roads around Nashville. Obviously, hit Broadway St. if you like live music. And there's a cigar bar above one of them (I think it's the Wheel Inn) with a great bartender.

 

 

Just got home today from Nashville, I ride down several times a year. Riding in and around Nashville is mediocre at best,, except for the Natchez Trace, great road. Try Pucketts in Liepers Fork for lunch, it's not far off the Trace. Dinner downtown? Demo's at Third and Commerce. Great bread, chicken/rice soup, excellent steak. Each can eat for under $16, not including booze obviously. Broadway at night is a blast!

 

OP here...

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. Your suggestion will make for a great trip!

I'll post back when we return...

Regards

 

Have to check out downtown Nashville. I'm not usually a "bar" person but it was Awsome. Almost did kareoke (spelled wrong I'm sure) but didn't drink enough. Lol. Really a lot of cool things to walk around and see

 

Google Natchez Trace. It goes from Nashville to Natchez MS. It was a buffalo trail, then an Indian trail. Now it's a road that is nice and mellow. No trucks allowed. You can follow it down to the Mississippi border or to Tupelo or down to Natchez MS.