We love Tennessee – don’t get us wrong. We think it’s the prettiest, smartest, most adventurous little (big!) state out there. It’s our home and we love it, but sometimes we need to just GET AWAY. So here are 15 fun weekend trips that will take you straight outta town, sometimes even out of the state.
- Spend the day at Dollywood.
Charlene N Simmons - Flickr There are more than 40 amusement park rides and attractions at the well-known Dollywood, a place where kids come to be kids and adults remember the sweet twang of their country childhoods. Great for families and children of the younger set, you can get a 3 day, 2 park ticket for $99. Pretty sweet!
- Or make the trek to Holiday World!
Jeremy Thomas - Flickr A little bit further out of the way, Indiana’s Holiday World is where you go for a day chock full of wooden roller coasters and all the free soda you can drink. Each area of the park pivots on a seasonal theme, making for a fun trip down memory lane.
- Try a delicious paleta in Nashville.
Las Paletas - Facebook Las Paletas is located in the 12 South neighborhood of Nashville, and it has been slinging deliciously decadent popsicles for a few years now. Its cult following is well-earned, and the affordable price point makes them even more valuable.
- Or head over to Steel City for a pop.
Steel City Pops - Facebook Louisville is only a couple hours away, and sometimes it’s nice to break some state lines. Steel City Pops is a trendy hot spot that serves up creamy, fruity and coffee based iced treats to break up the monotony of the summertime.
- Spend the afternoon in a waterfall in Rock Island.
Arthur T. Labar - Flickr The rugged beauty of Rock Island State Park makes it one of the most popular places to visit in the state. Run over by lots of young folks during the weekends and warmer months, you may want to break out of tradition and head out during the day on a Tuesday.
- Or find a fabulous musuem to wander.
Mike Folsom - Flickr The Frist in Nashville is great, as is the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and the Alcatraz East in Pigeon Forge. Check their local calendars to see if there are any fun events or discounted exhibits.
- Catch live music in Leipers Fork.
Tommy John - Flickr The original Puckett’s is located in Leipers Fork, and it serves up a sweet meat ’n three alongside their nightly live music. It makes for the best kind of country evening.
- Wander through downtown Franklin.
flickr/J. Stephen Conn There are walking tours throughout the town of Franklin, but we’d recommend just grabbing your favorite people and taking a spin around the downtown area on your own. Spend the afternoon popping into tiny shops and saying hey to the locals. Lauded as one of the best downtowns in the US, this is a free trip worth your while.
- Take a trip to Gatlinburg.
faungg’s photos - Flickr Gatlinburg is the Tennessee native’s getaway, a place where you can choose to bundle up in the mountains or be a tourist from sun up ’til sun down. Head to the mountains for a hike through the wilderness or pop into a shop or two.
- Perhaps view seven states at one time?
Woody Hibbard - Flickr Lookout Mountain is shared between Tennessee and Georgia, but no matter the state of origin you can see a solid seven from its main viewpoint. There’s simply no other place like it.
- Visit the largest underground lake in the United States.
Brent Moore - Flickr The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the United States, and is even listed among one of the largest in the world. You can visit for yourself in Sweetwater, Tennessee.
- Or twist and turn through the mountains on The Dragon.
Frank Kehren - Flickr If you make your way to the Tail of the Dragon in Deals Gap, you’ll find yourself traveling 318 curves in 11 miles. It’s the ride of a lifetime and extremely popular amongst thrill-riders.
- Rent a pontoon and enjoy a day on Watauga Lake.
Brent Moore - Flickr One of the best kept secrets in Tennessee, Watauga Lake is great to rent a cabin and enjoy and weekend or so of water sports. The man-made lake is perfect for quiet afternoons, and there are multiple fireworks shows during the month of July. Can you imagine a better way to celebrate than on a boat…?
- Grab some friends and play frisbee at Shelby Farms.
Noel Pennington - Flickr Shelby Farms is actually one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It covers a land area of 4,500 acres, which means it could eat New York City’s Central Park five times over - and then some.
- Hike through the Great Smoky Mountains.
Nick Amoscato - Flickr The great natural wonder of Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is actually the most visited national park in the United States. The jury is still out on to whether it’s because of its vicinity to multiple states or its magnificent beauty.
If you’re tired after your weekend away, you’ll have to check out The Most Unique Hotel In Tennessee – You’ll Definitely Want To Visit!
Charlene N Simmons - Flickr
There are more than 40 amusement park rides and attractions at the well-known Dollywood, a place where kids come to be kids and adults remember the sweet twang of their country childhoods. Great for families and children of the younger set, you can get a 3 day, 2 park ticket for $99. Pretty sweet!
Jeremy Thomas - Flickr
A little bit further out of the way, Indiana’s Holiday World is where you go for a day chock full of wooden roller coasters and all the free soda you can drink. Each area of the park pivots on a seasonal theme, making for a fun trip down memory lane.
Las Paletas - Facebook
Las Paletas is located in the 12 South neighborhood of Nashville, and it has been slinging deliciously decadent popsicles for a few years now. Its cult following is well-earned, and the affordable price point makes them even more valuable.
Steel City Pops - Facebook
Louisville is only a couple hours away, and sometimes it’s nice to break some state lines. Steel City Pops is a trendy hot spot that serves up creamy, fruity and coffee based iced treats to break up the monotony of the summertime.
Arthur T. Labar - Flickr
The rugged beauty of Rock Island State Park makes it one of the most popular places to visit in the state. Run over by lots of young folks during the weekends and warmer months, you may want to break out of tradition and head out during the day on a Tuesday.
Mike Folsom - Flickr
The Frist in Nashville is great, as is the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and the Alcatraz East in Pigeon Forge. Check their local calendars to see if there are any fun events or discounted exhibits.
Tommy John - Flickr
The original Puckett’s is located in Leipers Fork, and it serves up a sweet meat ’n three alongside their nightly live music. It makes for the best kind of country evening.
flickr/J. Stephen Conn
There are walking tours throughout the town of Franklin, but we’d recommend just grabbing your favorite people and taking a spin around the downtown area on your own. Spend the afternoon popping into tiny shops and saying hey to the locals. Lauded as one of the best downtowns in the US, this is a free trip worth your while.
faungg’s photos - Flickr
Gatlinburg is the Tennessee native’s getaway, a place where you can choose to bundle up in the mountains or be a tourist from sun up ’til sun down. Head to the mountains for a hike through the wilderness or pop into a shop or two.
Woody Hibbard - Flickr
Lookout Mountain is shared between Tennessee and Georgia, but no matter the state of origin you can see a solid seven from its main viewpoint. There’s simply no other place like it.
Brent Moore - Flickr
The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the United States, and is even listed among one of the largest in the world. You can visit for yourself in Sweetwater, Tennessee.
Frank Kehren - Flickr
If you make your way to the Tail of the Dragon in Deals Gap, you’ll find yourself traveling 318 curves in 11 miles. It’s the ride of a lifetime and extremely popular amongst thrill-riders.
One of the best kept secrets in Tennessee, Watauga Lake is great to rent a cabin and enjoy and weekend or so of water sports. The man-made lake is perfect for quiet afternoons, and there are multiple fireworks shows during the month of July. Can you imagine a better way to celebrate than on a boat…?
Noel Pennington - Flickr
Shelby Farms is actually one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It covers a land area of 4,500 acres, which means it could eat New York City’s Central Park five times over - and then some.
Nick Amoscato - Flickr
The great natural wonder of Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is actually the most visited national park in the United States. The jury is still out on to whether it’s because of its vicinity to multiple states or its magnificent beauty.
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