Cities & Towns

Nashville Day Trips

Quick & Fun Day Trips from Nashville

By Jan Duke, About.com Guide

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Come explore a listing of fun and exciting Nashville Day Trips. All are within a few hours from Nashville and all offer a carload of family fun. From Dude Ranches to Waterfalls and much more in between. Load the family in the car and set out for Tennessee.

Birdsong Resort

Photo credit: Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Birdsong Resort is located just one hour west of Nashville and is Americas only freshwater pearl farm, they offer numerous family activities with true Tennessee style hospitality. Where else in Tennessee are you going to learn the secrets behind harvesting the freshwater pearl? Birdsong is well worth you time to explore!
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Bucksnort Trout Ranch

Less than one hour west of Nashville you will find Bucksnort Trout Ranch. Take I-40, to exit 152. Bucksnort is the perfect introduction to fishing for all, the kids will especially love the experience. There is no finer eating than a fresh Rainbow Trout.
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Dunbar Cave Natural Area

Photo credit: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Dunbar Cave (approx. 100 acres) is located 60 miles north of Nashville in Montgomery County. It offers a wonderful 8 mile long cave, along with fishing and picnic area along Swan Lake, as well as several hiking trails.
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Fall Creek Falls State Park

Fall Creek Falls State Park encompasses more than 20,000 acres along the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau and offers several gorgeous waterfalls and plenty of outdoor activities.
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Historic Downtown Franklin

Historic Downtown Franklin, located in the heart of Williamson County, is just a mere 30 minute drive from Nashville. The Downtown Franklin District is filled to the brim with plenty of quaint antique shops, cute little boutiques, and delicious restaurants as well as offering it's visitors a ton of Tennessee History to explore.
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Jack Daniel Distillery

Jack Daniel Distillery is located in the town of Lynchburg (pop. 361), located 70 miles southeast of Nashville. The town of Lynchburg, as well as the distillery, is a very enjoyable way to spend a slow southern Tennessee day.
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Land Between The Lakes

Land Between The Lakes is a 170000-acre national recreation area in Western Kentucky located just off of I-24, about 90 miles north of Nashville. LBL offers everything from an Elk & Bison Prairie to a Planetarium.
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Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain sits just north of Chattanooga and one can find a ton of great activities there including Ruby Falls and Rock City.
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Loretta Lynn's Dude Ranch

Located just off I-40 at exit 143 is the town of Hurricane Mills. The entire town bought by Loretta Lynn and her husband Mooney in the mid-1960's, with its' own gristmill, post office and general store, and campground.
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Natchez Trace Parkway

Natchez Trace Parkway celebrates an ancient trail that stretched over 400 miles from Mississippi through the northern tip of Alabama and into Tennessee. You can drive or bike through this scenic byway and it also offers plenty of hiking, horseback riding, camping and more along the way.
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Road Trip to Route 52

Now if you really want to escape Nashville for a day or weekend this road trip along Route 52 is a great way to explore the Northern corridor of Tennessee. One can find everything from Wineries to a historic village.
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If I've overlooked your favorite Nashville day trip or if you need me to update, add to, or change it, please feel free to contact me anytime - Jan Duke

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