Road Tripping: Top Places to See When Driving From Anderson, SC to City of Elmira, NY

Buckle up and get ready for an adventure-packed ride from Anderson, South Carolina to Elmira, New York. This drive will take you through some of the most beautiful and scenic routes on the East Coast. Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, or just looking for some fun and unique experiences, this road trip has it all. So, get your bags packed, bring a camera, and start exploring these top places to see along the way.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Starting from Anderson, South Carolina, your first stop should be the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. The park offers breathtaking views of the mountains, wildlife, and hiking trails. One of the most popular hikes in the park is Chimney Tops Trail. It's a 4-mile round trip hike with a 1,400-foot elevation gain, but the views are worth it. You can also drive along Newfound Gap Road, which offers numerous scenic viewpoints and picnic areas. Don't forget to keep an eye out for black bears, elk, and other wildlife that call the park home.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is known for its vibrant arts and music scene, craft breweries, and outdoor adventures. Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic 469-mile drive through the Appalachian Mountains, begins here. Downtown Asheville is a great place to explore, with numerous art galleries and boutiques. Don't miss the iconic Biltmore Estate, a French Renaissance-style mansion built by George Vanderbilt in 1895. The estate features 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, and impressive gardens. You can also visit the North Carolina Arboretum, which has 65 acres of hiking trails, gardens, and exhibits.

Top Places to see in Asheville

1. Biltmore Estate
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
3. Chimney Rock State Park
4. River Arts District
5. French Broad River

Shenandoah National Park

Drive through the beauty of Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. Known for its winding Skyline Drive, which offers views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. The park is home to over 1,400 species of plants and animals, including black bears and deer. There are numerous hiking trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds. The park's fall foliage is particularly beautiful, with vibrant colors of red, orange, and yellow.

Top Places to see in Shenandoah National Park

1. Skyline Drive
2. Hawksbill Mountain
3. Dark Hollow Falls
4. Rose River Trail
5. Stony Man Trail

Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is home to one of the most significant sites in American history, the Gettysburg National Military Park. The park is famous for being the site of the Civil War's bloodiest battle, where over 50,000 people lost their lives in just three days. You can explore the battlefield on a guided tour, walk through the Soldier's National Cemetery, or visit the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center to learn about the battle's history.

Top Places to see in Gettysburg

1. Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center
2. Seminary Ridge Museum
3. Sachs Covered Bridge
4. Eisenhower National Historic Site
5. Little Round Top

Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen State Park is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region of New York. The park has a 400-foot-deep gorge, with 19 waterfalls and cascades. You can take the Gorge Trail, a 1.5-mile walk that takes you through the gorge, or the Indian Trail, which offers beautiful views of the gorge from above. The park also has picnic areas, campsites, and swimming areas.

Top Places to see in Watkins Glen

1. Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail
2. Seneca Lake Wine Trail
3. Montour Falls
4. Watkins Glen International
5. Corning Museum of Glass

Corning, New York

Your final stop on this road trip is Corning, New York, known for its glass-making industry and charming downtown. The Corning Museum of Glass is a must-visit, with galleries showcasing over 3,500 years of glassmaking history and demonstrations of glass blowing. You can also visit the Rockwell Museum, which has a vast collection of American art, including paintings, sculptures, and Native American artifacts. Downtown Corning has numerous shops, restaurants, and art galleries.

Top Places to see in Corning

1. The Corning Museum of Glass
2. Rockwell Museum
3. Crystal City Underground Shopping Mall
4. Gaffer District
5. Spencer Crest Nature Center

Conclusion

This road trip from Anderson, South Carolina to Elmira, New York, offers a diverse set of attractions, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the charming town of Corning. The route through the Shenandoah National Park and Watkins Glen State Park provides some of the most breathtaking views of nature. Exploring the history of Gettysburg National Military Park and the opulence of Biltmore Estate is a must for history and culture enthusiasts. Lastly, enjoying the vibrant culture of Asheville and the world-famous glass museum in Corning will make this journey an experience to remember. So, pack your bags and get ready for a road trip full of adventure, scenic beauty, and unique experiences.