11 Amazing Tennessee Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive

A Tennessee road trip is about driving through lush landscapes, cranking up the volume on the car radio, and discovering an eclectic mix of engaging, fun, and enriching attractions in the “Volunteer State.” From the Country Music Hall of Fame in Music City to bloody battlefields and historic homes of presidents and country music singers, every mile brings a new surprise. So whether travelers are into country music, history, outdoor adventure, scenic drives, or whiskey, there’s a 2- to 3-hour road trip from Nashville’s International Airport (BNA) for everyone.

Bell Witch Cave - Adams

There’s no better time of year than autumn to explore the supernatural and downright creepy than with a visit to the Historic Bell Witch Cave in Adams, about an hour’s drive from the airport in the state capital of Nashville. Rumored to be one of America’s most haunted locations, the legend dates back to the 19th century, after a mysterious, malevolent spirit plagued the Bell family. Known as the "Bell Witch," this entity tormented the family with strange sounds, physical attacks, and eerie voices. Amateur ghostbusters can discover the legend of the Bell Witch on a guided tour of the cave and historic John Bell Cabin, or go a bit deeper and book a real-life “Paranormal Investigation” in the area, a “Guided Lantern Tour,” or a “Witch’s Dell Haunted Hayride.”

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - Nashville

A must-see for any good country music fan is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville, a short 15-minute drive from the Nashville airport. Called the “Smithsonian of Country Music,” it first opened in the historic Music Row district of Nashville, where legendary studios recorded the music of Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton.

The museum now encompasses 350,000 square feet of space in its new, expanded location, and its walls tell the story of country music with over two million artifacts, like Elvis’ gold Cadillac and Loretta Lynn’s famous dresses, as well as touring exhibits. There’s even a new Taylor Swift Education Center with memorabilia from her early tours. The jewel in the museum’s crown is the Hall of Fame Rotunda, where the first Hall of Famers were inducted in 1961, with three more artists added annually to the esteemed group.

Fall Creek Falls State Park - Spencer

Nothing puts the “fall” in Fall quite like Fall Creek Falls State Park, one of Tennessee’s largest and most-visited state parks in Spencer, two hours from the airport. The park encompasses almost 30,000 acres of rugged terrain and includes one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern U.S.—its namesake waterfall, the 256-foot Fall Creek Falls. The ideal destination for natural lovers and outdoor adventurers, the park is home to various shorter walks and hikes suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. Pack a picnic to make the most of this day trip.

At the Piney Creek Falls Overlook and suspension bridge, hikers are rewarded with stunning views of the gorge, and at the Nature Center at Fall Creek Falls, visitors can learn more about the park with exhibits, maps, a gift shop, and helpful park rangers. Near the Center are several scenic overlooks of the 85-foot Cane Creek Falls and 125-foot Rockhouse Falls, then a trail leading to the Cane Creek Cascades.

The Hermitage - Nashville

Twenty minutes from BNA is the magnificent home of “The People’s President,” Andrew Jackson, the 7th U.S. president, and a must-see for history buffs and presidential historians. The Hermitage is so interesting from a historical point of view that it’s been open for tours since 1889. Initially, the Hermitage was a 1,000-acre cotton plantation; today, the hermitage is a working farm where visitors can explore the property by starting at the Andrew Jackson Welcome Center with a short film about his life and accomplishments. Take a tour of the mansion, including two parlors, a main bedroom, a library, a kitchen, and other rooms, then head outside and explore the gardens and grounds and Andrew Jackson’s Tomb. For a deeper look at the property's storied history, check out the “Tours about the Enslaved.”

Explore the haunted side of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage through October 2024 with a spooky nighttime tour of the mansion, grounds, and cemetery by lantern lights while listening to stories about the tragedies and mysteries that befell the Jackson family.

Cumberland Caverns - McMinnville

Take a guided tour of one of Tennessee’s most extensive cave systems in McMinnville at Cumberland Caverns—90 minutes from Nashville International Airport. Perfect for amateur spelunkers and their families, Cumberland Caverns includes over 27 miles of passageways, underground waterfalls, and stunning rock formations. All cave tours are guided, but there are plenty to choose from, including a variety of themed walking tours geared specifically for history buffs, rock enthusiasts, or adventurers who prefer to tour the cave by lantern light. Adventure tours range from the “Hall Crawl” for younger visitors to the extreme “Guts and Glory” tour for the 16+ crowd in good athletic shape. If the day trip extends into the overnight trip, there’s even a tour for that. Dress in layers; the caves are cold.

Loretta Lynn's Ranch - Hurricane Mills

For country music fans, Hurricane Mills was the home of one of America’s country music icons, Loretta Lynn (who died at the age of 90 in 2022), so turn up the music and enjoy the 90-minute drive to the Loretta Lynn Ranch. Famously born in Butcher Holler, Kentucky, the Loretta Lynn Ranch was home to the singer and her family throughout her rags-to-riches story that became the highly successful film “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Fans can tour her 18,000-square-foot mansion, a replica of her Butcher Holler home, and walk the grounds at the sprawling ranch. Other sites in the nearby historic Western Town include the Coal Miner’s Daughter’s Museum, the Native American Artifact Museum, the Grist Mill, and the Doll & Fan Museum—home of the dolls sent to the star over her six decades-long career.

Don’t miss the Halloween-themed events in October and November of 2024, like the “Halloween Havoc in Hurricane Mills Chuckwagon Races” and “FallJam 2024,” an event for off-roading Jeep enthusiasts who want to explore over 20 miles of diverse trails.

Stones River National Battlefield - Murfreesboro

Stones River National Battlefield is a historic site in Murfreesboro, about 40 minutes from the airport. The site commemorates one of the bloodiest battles in the American Civil War, fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863. After the battle, most of the Union dead were quickly buried on the field but then reburied in the Stones River National Cemetery in 1865. More than 6,100 Union soldiers lie there, along with about 1,000 soldiers from other conflicts up to the Vietnam War.

The park preserves about 670 acres and over 7 miles of trails for visitors to explore, but there are numerous ways to discover the park. A self-guided driving tour of the park covers six battlefield sites where tour signs describe the site’s significance to the battle and include stops at the headquarters of prominent generals. History buffs can also walk and bike through the park, visit the museum and the bookstore, and watch living history events like “The Most Terrible Cannonading - U.S. Artillery Battery Demonstrations” during October 2024.

Lookout Mountain - Chattanooga

It’s a two-hour drive from the airport to the popular attraction known as Lookout Mountain near downtown Chattanooga, but it is the ideal autumn day trip for families with children. There are three must-see attractions on Lookout Mountain: Ruby Falls, Rock City Gardens, and the Incline Railway. The drive time between each attraction is about 15 minutes, and visiting all three is a jam-packed day of non-stop activity that will delight and exhaust the family's younger members.

At Ruby Falls, visitors descend 260 feet by glass elevator for a .5-mile trail to see the tallest and deepest underground waterfall in the U.S. Rock City comes alive with autumn colors, where visitors can experience incredible panoramic views from Lover’s Leap. On a clear day, see Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina from the See Seven States Flag Court and walk along the 180-foot Swing-A-Long Bridge. Finally, travel up and down Lookout Mountain on one of the world’s steepest passenger railways on “America’s Most Amazing Mile.”

Burgess Falls State Park - Sparta

Located on the Falling Water River, the 350-acre Burgess Falls State Park in Sparta is renowned for its natural beauty and four can’t-miss waterfalls cascading down from over 250 feet. The park is a favorite with outdoor enthusiasts, especially hikers who enjoy a moderately challenging hike. Hike along the River Trail to see the four stunning waterfalls, including the impressive 136-foot Burgess Falls. The one-mile Ridge Top Trail is very scenic and brings hikers down the main canyon of Falling Water River.

Other activities in the park include kayaking to the base of the biggest waterfall and picnicking. Several small and largemouth bass fishing spots are along the bank of the main waterfall, the fishing pier, and below the dam. After a day on the trails, stop at Happy Trails Brewery & Taproom in downtown Sparta for a well-earned craft beer before the 90-minute drive back to the airport.

Jack Daniel’s Distillery - Lynchburg

Welcome autumn with a 90-minute drive from the Nashville airport to Lynchburg, home of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery, and bring along a non-drinking history buff for the return trip. Learn about the founder of Old No. 7, Jasper Newton Daniel, better known to his friends as “Jack.” From its founding in 1866, making it the very first registered distillery in the U.S., to launching its first ready-to-drink can of Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola in 2023. Take a tour of this iconic whiskey distillery from a variety of tours on offer, including the 3-hour “Taste of Lynchburg” and the 2-hour “Bonded Tour,” where whiskey drinkers can explore new bonded whiskeys.

Dollywood - Pigeon Forge

For dedicated Dolly Parton fans only, this day trip to Pigeon Forge involves a three-hour drive from BNA. Dollywood is an extremely popular, family-friendly theme park co-owned by the country music legend herself. Spanning 160 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood features over 50 top-of-line thrilling rides, live entertainment, craft demonstrations, and festivals like the Harvest Festival during October and November 2024, where park go-ers can explore the Hoot Owl Hollow, see a 40-foot pumpkin tree, and listen to the sounds of Southern gospel, bluegrass, and country tunes all day long.

Indulge all the senses with a Harvest Festival Tasting Pass; visitors can taste their way around the theme park on everything from Pumpkin-Spiced Smoked Ribs to Caramel Apple Funnel Cake. It’s everything a theme park fan could want and more, with some of the proceeds from Dollywood supporting local communities, educational programs, and disaster relief efforts.

Embark on an autumn day trip through Tennessee with a stop at the eerie Historic Bell Witch Cave in Adams or visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Nature lovers will appreciate Fall Creek Falls State Park or Burgess Falls State Park, where they can enjoy hiking and breathtaking waterfalls. History enthusiasts can explore The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s plantation, or visit the Stones River National Battlefield, commemorating a significant Civil War battle. All-day adventure awaits at Cumberland Caverns, Dollywood, or Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, featuring stunning attractions like Ruby Falls and Rock City. So pack up and head to Tennessee, where the music is timeless, the scenery is majestic, and every road leads to adventure.