Our 7 Favorite Day Trips To Take In Nashville Before Winter Ends

Wintertime may be beautiful and encrusted with icy jewels and banks of fluffy snow, but hey. Sometimes you just need to get away from it all. The first cozy nights after the heat of summer are fabulous, but eventually, a day trip or even a weekend trip away starts to sound absolutely indulgent. If you're located in Nashville and are looking to get out of Dodge, per se, these seven spots make for some of our favorite places to visit. These are some of the best day trips from Nashville to take in the winter.

Ober Gatlinburg is one of the biggest and best artificial ski and snow resorts in the nation, making it a great spot for folks of all ages. If you're looking to become one with wintertime, this is a great spot for outdoor activities and late-afternoon hot chocolate. It's also one of the best Nashville day trips.

Take a look at this video of Ober Gatlinburg by @obermountain:

Sure, the US Space & Rocket Center is located in Huntsville, Alabama, but it's barely a few hours from Nashville. If you're obsessed with space or perhaps have a handful of little ones who deserve a bit of educational fun out and about, it comes highly recommended.

Fall Creek Falls is gorgeous any time of year, but experiencing it in all its snowy, frozen glory is truly a sight to see. Be careful if you're hiking, though! Make sure you pack the right clothes and materials for the weather. This is the tallest waterfall in Tennessee and one of the best day trips to escape Nashville in winter.

Take a look at this video by @digstravel33:

The Great Smoky Mountains is always a great spot to visit, but at a little over three hours from Nashville and its gorgeous crown of newly spun snow in the winter months, it's jaw-droppingly beautiful and easy to get to. Go for the day, hike through the afternoon, and eat a massive meal in Knoxville. This is one of the best winter day trips around Nashville the whole family can enjoy!

This Chattanooga-based wonder is perfect for the wintertime, especially if you're looking to wile away the long, rainy hours and dream about the exotic beauty of the tropics. This is one of the best family-friendly day trips from Nashville.

Take a look at this video by @ZooTours:

Head to Memphis and make your own BBQ road trip. Nashville is known for its hot chicken, but it's the city's westside cousin that knows how to turn on the heat and spice when it comes to BBQ.

Spend the day at the National Civil Rights Museum learning about the spotted history of Tennessee and the nation. It's a humbling experience, but one that will keep you out of the wind and rain while giving you something to think about.

Have you taken any of the above day trips from Nashville in winter? How about any other time of year? Let us know! Before you hit the road on a winter day trip, make sure you check out our Ultimate Winter Packing List for cold-weather essentials.

PS: Did you know that one of the largest music festivals in the nation takes place in this tiny Tennessee town? It's crazy!