Discover Hidden Gems On These 15 Unique Tennessee Day Trips
Tennessee is an absolute gold mine of adventure — and some of the very best places you can visit are a little off-the-beaten path. Everyone knows about the state’s usual suspects (Smoky Mountains, we’re looking at you!), but here at Only In Your State, we like to take the road less traveled. Discover hidden gems on these 15 unique Tennessee day trips — just prepare to be blown away!
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Founded by country music star Kix Brooks, Arrington in a stunning piece of land that boasts a burgeoning event calendar, private event venue and great spot for wine tasting. Get some adults together and spend a classy day in the country at Arrington Vineyards.
Located in Camden, Birdsong Resort is where you can camp for the weekend or hang out at the marina. It's also the location of the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm. Crazy fact? It's the only one in the US. Alright!
Located thirty minutes outside of Nashville, Franklin is a delightful little place where you can take a Civil War tour or wander the boutiques of downtown. This charming town is steeped in history and totally Hallmark-movie level quaint.
Quite possibly one of the most beautiful of the Tennessee state parks, Fall Creek Falls is also one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. The park encompasses more than 29,800 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the Cumberland Plateau, and is full of picture-perfect cascades, gorges, waterfalls, and streams. At 256 feet, Fall Creek Falls is also one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States.
Of all the scenic places in Tennessee, Chattanooga really takes the cake with Lookout Mountain. Located right on the border of Tennessee and Georgia, Lookout Mountain is the perfect destination for out-of-the-ordinary experiences and amazing natural wonders. Adventures await at this beautiful place.
There are 170,000 acres in what is known as the Land Between the Lakes. Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee share this gorgeous area, where you can hike, camp, enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation -- or simply sit and marvel at this glorious natural wonder.
Historic Leiper's Fork is precisely where you want to go when you're looking for a small town with all the charm Tennessee can muster. You'll enjoy a gorgeous drive out into the country, then will be able to fill up on some down-home food one of the town's worth-the-drive diners.
Tiptonville is home to Reelfoot Lake, a beautiful body of water that is the main event at this beautiful state park. Rent one of the park's premium cabins and recharge in nature at this glorious Tennessee treasure.
Natchez-Trace is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the historic "Old Natchez Trace" corridor. It's not only a scenic drive; but also an area rife with outdoor recreation of all varieties, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the parkway.
Memphis is the land Elvis and the blues -- and precisely where you want to head when it comes to a unique Tennessee day trip. With the city's myriad museums and attractions, there's something for everyone here!
Located just outside Memphis, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is always a good idea. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is 12,539 acres of pure Tennessee glory, bordering the majestic Mississippi River. It's also home to an impressive lineup of trees and endangered plants, so if you've got a green thumb, you'll be totally charmed by this lush park!
Foster Falls is another splendid outdoor spot in Tennessee: with a campground, beautiful waterfall, and wildlife that'll get your inner child way more than excited. It's the perfect place to plan a little day trip adventure!
Craighead Caverns is a neat underwater string of caves that has the largest underground lake in the United States - second largest in the world. The Lost Sea may indeed be Tennessee's coolest natural wonder.
Alright, Tennesseans – what do you think of these unique Tennessee day trips? Did we miss any must-visit spots? Let us know in the comments below! And if this list has ignited your sense of wonder and curiosity, we know you’ll love exploring these seven amazing caves in Tennessee.
Address: 6211 Patton Rd, Arrington, TN 37014, USA
Address: Birdsong Resort Cir, Tennessee 38320, USA
Address: 622 W Sugar Creek Rd, McEwen, TN 37101, USA
Address: Franklin, TN, USA
Address: Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee 37367, USA
Address: Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, USA
Address: Dover, TN 37058, USA
Address: Leipers Fork, TN 37064, USA
Address: 2595 Highway 21 East, Tiptonville, TN 38079, USA
Address: Natchez Trace Rd, Tennessee 37064, USA
Address: Memphis, TN, USA
Address: 910 Riddick Rd, Millington, TN 38053, USA
Address: Foster Falls, Tennessee 37374, USA
Address: 140 Lost Sea Rd, Sweetwater, TN 37874, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unique Tennessee Day Trips
February 14, 2021
Sarah
What’s the most beautiful place in Tennessee?
So Tennessee is gorgeous — stunning, in fact! And The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known across the United States for its beautiful views and the moody blanket of mist that falls over its peaks in the early morning. It’s the most popular national park in the nation — and remains one of the most beautiful places in the south. In Tennessee, however, the Great Smoky Mountains claimed the title as *the* most beautiful place in the Volunteer State — and we do not disagree!
What’s a hidden gem in Tennessee that even the most in-the-know Tennessean might not know about?
We just love sharing hidden gems around here — and a secret trail recently popped up on our radar that surprised even us! Dubbed, appropriately, “The Top Secret Trail,” this Tennessee treasure literally leads to some of the most amazing places in the state. You have to check it out!
What’s a short day trip in Tennessee — like, one-tank-of-gas short?
If you’re short on time — or fuel — you can still take some pretty epic day trips in Tennessee. Here’s a fun roundup of one-tank trips that will lead to you some of the coolest places in the state. The catch? You’ll start in Nashville! (Which, is a totally worth-it day trip in and of itself.) Happy travels!
Address: 6211 Patton Rd, Arrington, TN 37014, USA
Address: Birdsong Resort Cir, Tennessee 38320, USA
Address: 622 W Sugar Creek Rd, McEwen, TN 37101, USA
Address: Franklin, TN, USA
Address: Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee 37367, USA
Address: Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, USA
Address: Dover, TN 37058, USA
Address: Leipers Fork, TN 37064, USA
Address: 2595 Highway 21 East, Tiptonville, TN 38079, USA
Address: Natchez Trace Rd, Tennessee 37064, USA
Address: Memphis, TN, USA
Address: 910 Riddick Rd, Millington, TN 38053, USA
Address: Foster Falls, Tennessee 37374, USA
Address: 140 Lost Sea Rd, Sweetwater, TN 37874, USA
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Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
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