Whenever you are looking for a vacation we are here for you. It could be summer break when the kids are out of school or you just need some time away. Why go far when we have so many amazing and unique day trips in Tennessee? We’ve found some fun-filled day trips that include everything from history to shopping to dining! Tennessee just can’t help being cool.

  1. You’ll never go wrong with a visit to the state capitol. Nashville is located in the middle of the state and you can tour the building and meander the Legislative Plaza.

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft Tennessee State Capitol, 600 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37243, USA

  1. You’ll find Tennessee nightlife going wild on Broadway, a stretch of road in Nashville that’s lined with honkytonks and dive bars. As you walk down the street you’ll hear a different musician in each venue, singing for their chance at stardom.

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft Broadway, Nashville, TN, USA

  1. The Country Music Hall of Fame is always a winner for those out of town guests or country music fans. Come take a look at Elvis’s gold cadillac and Taylor Swift’s first computer - yep. They have it.

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203, USA

  1. Leiper’s Fork is a historical town just outside of Franklin, home to Puckett’s Grocery and a slew of native Tennesseans. If you’re looking for the sweetened twang of a small town, then jump in the car and head over! Just make sure to mind your please and thank you’s.

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft Leipers Fork, TN 37064, USA

  1. Take a spin on the Harpeth River in a canoe, or rent a kayak! Tennessee is full of rivers and lakes to keep you occupied through the spring and summer.

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft Harpeth River, Tennessee, USA

  1. The downtown Nashville library is a stunning piece of architectural artistry and maze of stories. Check out a list of events on their website or simply wander in for an afternoon of rest in the sun-drenched reading room.

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219, USA

  1. Find a diner. The south is nothing if not known for its food, and if you’re not feeling the Loveless Cafe? Then take a meandering drive to Marcy Jo’s in Columbia.

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery, 4205 US-431, Columbia, TN 38401, USA

  1. The Hermitage is the once-home to President Andrew Jackson, where you can get a glimpse at the grandeur of yesteryear and solid history lesson. Interesting fact? The exterior was used consistently in the filming of hit television show, “Nashville.”

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft The Hermitage Hotel, 231 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219, USA

  1. You’ll need some caffeine to fuel your Tennessee days trips and luckily specialty coffee shops are on the rise. Head over to the nationally acclaimed Barista Parlor or Crema.

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft Barista Parlor Germantown, 1230 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208, USACrema Coffee Roasters, 15 Hermitage Ave, Nashville, TN 37210, USA

  1. Break up the humdrum of an unplanned day with a trip to a used bookstore. McKay’s is a popular destination off of Highway 40, or you can pop into Rhino Books or Book Man, Book Woman for something new to read. Editors Note: Book Man, Book Woman closed the door of their business for good at the end of 2016.

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft Rhino Booksellers, 4918 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209, USA7734 Lee Hwy Chattanooga, TN 37421636 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209, USA

  1. Take a back road for the most beautiful views of Tennessee at its heart. Doesn’t have a street sign? Drive it. Looks windy and twists back up into the hills? Do it. Grab a cup of a coffee and some loved ones for a fun and spontaneous day trip with no plans.

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft

  1. Market Square in Knoxville is a neat collection of small shops centered around a breezy courtyard. Grab an ice cream cone and wander or find yourself a fantastic meal to eat on one of the many benches.

brookpeterson / Flickr Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902, USA

  1. Pick up some fresh produce at the local farmers market - the year-round Nashville Market is always a winner, or you can head down to Franklin to get a breath of fresh air.

fizzy1991/ Tripadvisor

  1. Tennessee is home to the Battle of Franklin, one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. The state is steeped in history and you just may stumble upon a reenactment - if you’re lucky.

Brent Moore / Flickr Battle Of Franklin - Civil War Museum, 1140 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064, USA

  1. Walk down Beale Street for the true feel of Memphis and hum that classic Marc Cohn tune as you go.

Joseph / Flickr Beale Street, Beale St, Memphis, TN, USA

  1. Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art is a 55-acre property that’s rife with lush foliage and serves as the site for multiple events over the course of the year. Take a look at their event calendar and plan a trip during the spring to catch the flowering gardens!

Don / Flickr Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37205, USA

  1. Dollywood is the perfect day trip if you’re looking for an amusement park that packs screams and southern hospitality into the same visit.

Mike Burton / Flickr Dollywood, 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA

  1. Downtown Franklin is a darling little town that offers a fun string of boutique shops and restaurants perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

Elmar R/ Tripadvisor Franklin, TN, USA

  1. Jack Daniel’s Distillery may be located in a dry county (sorry, no free samples!) but the tour of the property and gift shop make the distillery a fun destination for adult day trippers.

James Arnott / Flickr Jack Daniel’s Distillery Visitor Center, 133 Lynchburg Hwy, Lynchburg, TN 37352, USA

From a distillery to the heart of Nashville, Tennessee is a vibrant state that keeps you buzzing for more. Which day trip in Tennessee do YOU want to take? Tell us in the comments below!

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft

Tennessee State Capitol, 600 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37243, USA

Broadway, Nashville, TN, USA

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203, USA

Leipers Fork, TN 37064, USA

Harpeth River, Tennessee, USA

Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219, USA

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kraft

Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse and Bakery, 4205 US-431, Columbia, TN 38401, USA

The Hermitage Hotel, 231 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219, USA

Barista Parlor Germantown, 1230 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208, USACrema Coffee Roasters, 15 Hermitage Ave, Nashville, TN 37210, USA

Rhino Booksellers, 4918 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209, USA7734 Lee Hwy Chattanooga, TN 37421636 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209, USA

brookpeterson / Flickr

Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902, USA

fizzy1991/ Tripadvisor

Brent Moore / Flickr

Battle Of Franklin - Civil War Museum, 1140 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064, USA

Joseph / Flickr

Beale Street, Beale St, Memphis, TN, USA

Don / Flickr

Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37205, USA

Mike Burton / Flickr

Dollywood, 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA

Elmar R/ Tripadvisor

Franklin, TN, USA

James Arnott / Flickr

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Visitor Center, 133 Lynchburg Hwy, Lynchburg, TN 37352, USA

Wanna keep up with all there is to do in Tennessee? Then check out these 12 road trips around our state.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

day trips in tennessee August 04, 2022 Chris Dodge What are some more cool day trips to take in Tennessee? We got you started on some pretty great ideas for a day trip in Tennessee but we wanted to break it down further for you and give you a few more ideas for each section of our state.  East Explore the many trails that can be found along the Cherokee National Forest. Like this drive that takes you to incredible places, or take a beautiful waterfall hike.  Spend some time in the Johnson City area by taking a hike up to a lookout tower or maybe just visit it in the fall for amazing colors. You could also spend the day in the historic town of Jonesborough. Find lots of history around Knoxville or visit The Great Smoky Mountains. More specifically if you are looking for some beginner hikes in the Smokies or if you just wanna see the bustling town of Pigeon Forge you can do that too. If you like Pigeon Forge, then Gatlinburg is equally fun and is snuggled right into the Great Smoky Mountains.   Middle The beauty of the Chattanooga area is a wonderful place to visit. With great mountains and caves to explore as well as beautiful forests. The Falls Creek Falls State Park is a great place to see waterfalls. Then of course you have plenty to do in Nashville.  West On the far left side of our state, you have the Kentucky Lake or the cool town of Jackson to explore. Then why don’t you try some real southern BBQ in Memphis or explore more to do in the city?

The OIYS Visitor Center

day trips in tennessee

August 04, 2022

Chris Dodge

What are some more cool day trips to take in Tennessee? We got you started on some pretty great ideas for a day trip in Tennessee but we wanted to break it down further for you and give you a few more ideas for each section of our state.  East Explore the many trails that can be found along the Cherokee National Forest. Like this drive that takes you to incredible places, or take a beautiful waterfall hike.  Spend some time in the Johnson City area by taking a hike up to a lookout tower or maybe just visit it in the fall for amazing colors. You could also spend the day in the historic town of Jonesborough. Find lots of history around Knoxville or visit The Great Smoky Mountains. More specifically if you are looking for some beginner hikes in the Smokies or if you just wanna see the bustling town of Pigeon Forge you can do that too. If you like Pigeon Forge, then Gatlinburg is equally fun and is snuggled right into the Great Smoky Mountains.   Middle The beauty of the Chattanooga area is a wonderful place to visit. With great mountains and caves to explore as well as beautiful forests. The Falls Creek Falls State Park is a great place to see waterfalls. Then of course you have plenty to do in Nashville.  West On the far left side of our state, you have the Kentucky Lake or the cool town of Jackson to explore. Then why don’t you try some real southern BBQ in Memphis or explore more to do in the city?

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

We got you started on some pretty great ideas for a day trip in Tennessee but we wanted to break it down further for you and give you a few more ideas for each section of our state. 

East

Explore the many trails that can be found along the Cherokee National Forest. Like this drive that takes you to incredible places, or take a beautiful waterfall hike.  Spend some time in the Johnson City area by taking a hike up to a lookout tower or maybe just visit it in the fall for amazing colors. You could also spend the day in the historic town of Jonesborough. Find lots of history around Knoxville or visit The Great Smoky Mountains. More specifically if you are looking for some beginner hikes in the Smokies or if you just wanna see the bustling town of Pigeon Forge you can do that too. If you like Pigeon Forge, then Gatlinburg is equally fun and is snuggled right into the Great Smoky Mountains.  

Middle

The beauty of the Chattanooga area is a wonderful place to visit. With great mountains and caves to explore as well as beautiful forests. The Falls Creek Falls State Park is a great place to see waterfalls. Then of course you have plenty to do in Nashville. 

West

On the far left side of our state, you have the Kentucky Lake or the cool town of Jackson to explore. Then why don’t you try some real southern BBQ in Memphis or explore more to do in the city?