Where can Floridians drive to see snow?

[Squirlz]

I moved to Stone Mountain from Illinois. It snowed once and I drove to work just like any other day. I quickly learned that the entire Atlanta metropolis shuts down when it snows!

 

[thewebbs5]

I moved to Stone Mountain from Illinois. It snowed once and I drove to work just like any other day. I quickly learned that the entire Atlanta metropolis shuts down when it snows!

Oh, that is true in about every southern state. You should have seen what the anywhere from 8"-24" of snow (depending on where you live) did to Arkansas last winter. 2 feet! that is just not normal for us!! LOL But the snow sure was beautiful. However, the making up 5 snow days at the end of the year was not beautiful.

 

[MoonFaerie]

Easiest Drive, and best vacation activities and opportunities...

Take 75 up to Knoxville, Take 40 East over to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg...

Enjoy!

Unless you're willing to go up into the mountains (and many of the roads close anyway), it's still really hit or miss here. Last year we had more than usual, and it still really wasn't much. Most of the time snow here means a dusting. Plus, just something to remember about Pigeon Forge/Gatlingburg in the winter, some businesses close for the winter& others have shorter hours. The outlet mall is only open 10-6 in Jan & Feb.

 

[JaxJags08]

This is very true, but I thought the OP said they had a long weekend (which means 3-4 days to me) and depending on where they are in FL, GA could be a fairly long drive already.

We didn't go to GA to see snow, my daughter lives in Augusta and we went over to ATL for the day. Just to clarify that I didn't drive 10 hours to GA just to see snow.

Thanks for all of the suggestions! Yes, we probably will only be able to swing 3 days since we will already be doing a week at Disney World this winter. We are in Jacksonville, which is NE FL, and will be driving with 2 children under age 5. I believe we are about 6 hours from Atlanta and around 10 to Asheville or TN. So while DH and I would be fine with 10 hours driving each way in 3 days if it were just the 2 of us, I don't think it will be pleasant/relaxing with young children in the car that much over 3 days. We'd love to do the full ski resort in the mountains with fresh snow falling experience, but I think that will have to wait another year. Honestly, I just want to give DD4 a little bit of fun in the snow since she's been begging for so long and I want it to be as fun/hassle free as possible She was absolutely delighted with the snow machine at the Osborne lights, so I know she'd be beside herself if she could actually make a snowman

 

[JaxJags08]

I'm from NC, I recommend Blowing Rock or Boone. We only live about an hour down the mountain from Blowing Rock, and it seems like they get all the snow, and for us is hit or miss. Blowing Rock is a very cute little resort town, lots of ski resorts. Every year when it snows, it seems like there is a news report showing the snow, with a family from Florida throwing snowballs, who says" we came here just to see the snow!" Both towns are on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can get there by going north on 85, then North on HWY 321.

Is the drive to Boone or Blowing Rock scary for a Floridian that is used to driving only at sea level with no snow on the ground?

 

[LisaR]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! Yes, we probably will only be able to swing 3 days since we will already be doing a week at Disney World this winter. We are in Jacksonville, which is NE FL, and will be driving with 2 children under age 5. I believe we are about 6 hours from Atlanta and around 10 to Asheville or TN. So while DH and I would be fine with 10 hours driving each way in 3 days if it were just the 2 of us, I don't think it will be pleasant/relaxing with young children in the car that much over 3 days. We'd love to do the full ski resort in the mountains with fresh snow falling experience, but I think that will have to wait another year. Honestly, I just want to give DD4 a little bit of fun in the snow since she's been begging for so long and I want it to be as fun/hassle free as possible She was absolutely delighted with the snow machine at the Osborne lights, so I know she'd be beside herself if she could actually make a snowman

Since you would only have three days, snow is hit or miss in the south, your kids are young, and you are not experienced driving in mountainous snow if you are lucky enough to find it, I would suggest taking them to Gaylord Palms ICE in Orlando. It usually runs November, all of December and into early January. They provide the warm coat so you don't have to lug heavy clothes with you. The kids will have a blast. When they are older, plan a week long snow vacation to a place that is guaranteed to have snow.