Sometimes city lines get a little suffocating. You get tired of those Broadway honkytonks and tourist lines at the Pancake Pantry, your little ones turn up their noses at the local playgrounds and thirst for the stunning beauty of Tennessee’s natural areas. Yeah, we get it – which is why we found TWELVE fabulous day trips you can take around Nashville and be back in time for dinner. Happy exploring!
- Find yourself at Fall Creek Falls.
Michael Hicks - Flickr Fall Creek Falls is one of the most iconic places to visit in Tennessee. The stunning waterways will have your camera working overtime! If you’re looking to visit, punch 10821 Park Road in Specner, Tennessee into your GPS. It’ll get you to the right place!
- Walk the bridges in Chattanooga.
Camron Flanders - Flickr Chattanooga is a stunning, granola crunching city in its own right - but have you walked their iconic bridges? Even Hollywood has used the Walnut Street Bridge in their aerial views, something that we find to be entirely necessary. It’s a perfect date!
- Head out to Savage Gulf.
Michael Hicks - Flickr Ready for a hike with stunning views and a workout like no other? Savage Gulf is the answer to that ever necessary question - you can camp, too!
- Take a hike in Sewanee.
Michael Hicks - Flickr The Sewanee Perimeter Trail is taken care of by the University of the South, a stunning feat of architecture located just steps from the trailhead. It’s beautiful and well worth the drive.
- Enjoy a trip out to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery.
James Arnott- Flickr Although located (hilariously) in a dry county, Jack Daniel’s has made its small town Tennessee name into a worldwide phenomenon. You have to visit at least once, but you don’t have to buy the $10,000 barrel of whiskey. Unless you want to, of course.
- Visit the Hermitage on a haunted road trip.
nola.agent - Flickr Andrew Jackson is one of the more controversial presidents in our history, and it’s fascinating to learn about the whole of his life - the love of his wife, Rachel including - without the overhang of his questionable politics. Plus, the house is gorgeous!
- Scare the bejeezus out of yourself at the Bell Witch Cave.
Cameron Daigle - Flickr The Bell Witch Cave is one of the most well-known haunted spots in the country, its history of poltergeists and eerie tales of terrorized death punching a hole through history. You can visit on your own for a tour during the summer.
- Grab a cup of jo in Columbia.
Muletown Coffee - Facebook Muletown Roasted Coffee has made a name for itself, despite the fact it’s almost an hour from the Nashville metro area. This is where you come for a cup of coffee and a smile, where you really connect with your Columbia community and take a rest day.
- Go antiquing in Nolensville.
Stephen Drake - Flickr Nolensville is a darling spot located just under a half hour from Nashville, perfect for antiquing and a quick trip to the Amish market for a deep fried pie. You in?
- Take the TRAIN to Watertown.
Brent Moore - Flickr Buy a ticket form the Tennessee Central Railway for a ride out to Watertown - we’d recommend going in the summer, where you can walk their Jazz Festival with an ice cream cone in hand.
- Walk around Bell Buckle.
Brent Moore - Flickr Whether you head to Bell Buckle during their iconic RC Cola & Moon Pie Festival or on a lazy Saturday afternoon, we’d recommend popping into their local cafe and chatting away with the locals. This is a town of good folk.
- Explore Cummins Falls
Michael Hicks - Flickr Cummins Falls requires a bit of a hike, but it’s one of the best places to cool off during the summertime. Their swimming hole is great for kids older than ten, and adults of all ages.
If your adventure bug is still biting, check out the Ten Best Hidden Places in Nashville!
Michael Hicks - Flickr
Fall Creek Falls is one of the most iconic places to visit in Tennessee. The stunning waterways will have your camera working overtime! If you’re looking to visit, punch 10821 Park Road in Specner, Tennessee into your GPS. It’ll get you to the right place!
Camron Flanders - Flickr
Chattanooga is a stunning, granola crunching city in its own right - but have you walked their iconic bridges? Even Hollywood has used the Walnut Street Bridge in their aerial views, something that we find to be entirely necessary. It’s a perfect date!
Ready for a hike with stunning views and a workout like no other? Savage Gulf is the answer to that ever necessary question - you can camp, too!
The Sewanee Perimeter Trail is taken care of by the University of the South, a stunning feat of architecture located just steps from the trailhead. It’s beautiful and well worth the drive.
James Arnott- Flickr
Although located (hilariously) in a dry county, Jack Daniel’s has made its small town Tennessee name into a worldwide phenomenon. You have to visit at least once, but you don’t have to buy the $10,000 barrel of whiskey. Unless you want to, of course.
nola.agent - Flickr
Andrew Jackson is one of the more controversial presidents in our history, and it’s fascinating to learn about the whole of his life - the love of his wife, Rachel including - without the overhang of his questionable politics. Plus, the house is gorgeous!
Cameron Daigle - Flickr
The Bell Witch Cave is one of the most well-known haunted spots in the country, its history of poltergeists and eerie tales of terrorized death punching a hole through history. You can visit on your own for a tour during the summer.
Muletown Coffee - Facebook
Muletown Roasted Coffee has made a name for itself, despite the fact it’s almost an hour from the Nashville metro area. This is where you come for a cup of coffee and a smile, where you really connect with your Columbia community and take a rest day.
Stephen Drake - Flickr
Nolensville is a darling spot located just under a half hour from Nashville, perfect for antiquing and a quick trip to the Amish market for a deep fried pie. You in?
Brent Moore - Flickr
Buy a ticket form the Tennessee Central Railway for a ride out to Watertown - we’d recommend going in the summer, where you can walk their Jazz Festival with an ice cream cone in hand.
Whether you head to Bell Buckle during their iconic RC Cola & Moon Pie Festival or on a lazy Saturday afternoon, we’d recommend popping into their local cafe and chatting away with the locals. This is a town of good folk.
Cummins Falls requires a bit of a hike, but it’s one of the best places to cool off during the summertime. Their swimming hole is great for kids older than ten, and adults of all ages.
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