Choose Your Middle Tennessee Adventure

Experience rich Native American Woodland culture with a hike through Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park in Manchester, a serene escape offering outdoor activities close to Nashville. Traverse the same bluffs and forested trails where Native Americans lived nearly 2,000 years ago, spend the day exploring picturesque waterfalls, and immerse yourself in the remarkable history preserved throughout the site. A small museum and visitor center are open 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with restrooms available on-site making it an easy, rewarding stop for anyone seeking outdoor activities in Nashville and beyond.

• Parking information: Free parking is available at the visitor center and at designated trailheads within the park.
• Accessibility options: The museum/visitor center is accessible; most natural-surface trails and waterfall overlooks are not fully accessible due to terrain.
• Destination highlights: Indigenous earthworks, scenic wooded trails, multiple waterfalls, museum exhibits, archaeological history and peaceful river views.
• Ticket prices: No admission fee; the museum and park are free to visit.
   

AdventureWorks in Kingston Springs offers a fun lineup of outdoor Nashville activities just 24 miles from the city, surrounded by the scenic Harpeth River. Take the Canopy Zip Tour, Nashville’s original zip line experience soaring above a 40-acre forest, or opt for the Haunted Forest Zip Tour, which weaves in tales of the mysterious Montgomery Bell. You can even zip line at night on the Moonlight Tour, making it an ideal spot for family outings or a daytrip with friends. AdventureWorks is open on weekends and by special request.

• Parking information: Free on-site parking is available at the Kingston Springs location.
• Accessibility options: Zip line tours require participants to walk between platforms and navigate uneven terrain; activities are not fully accessible for guests with mobility limitations.
• Destination highlights: Canopy Zip Tour through a 40-acre forest, Haunted Forest Zip Tour with local legends, Moonlight Night Zip Tour, team-building programs, and scenic Harpeth River surroundings.
   

Visit Downtown Franklin, just 22 miles south of the city, for one of the top main squares in the U.S. and countless things to do outside of Nashville. Historic preservation blends with contemporary shopping and dining as you admire striking architecture and explore antique shops, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and notable historic sites. The Main Street District also hosts music, food, and holiday festivals throughout the year, making it a lively destination in every season. Nearby landmarks like the Carter House and Carnton offer a profound look into Franklin’s Civil War history and are essential stops during any visit.

• Parking information: Free public parking is available in multiple garages and lots throughout Downtown Franklin, including the Fourth Avenue Garage, Second Avenue Garage, and spaces along Main Street. Paid parking is also available across the downtown area provided by private companies.
• Destination highlights: Award-winning historic Main Street, boutique shopping, antique stores, art galleries, local restaurants, preserved architecture, and year-round festivals and events.
   

Downtown Columbia serves up delicious food, live music, and trendy shopping, making it one of the best things to do outside Nashville for visitors seeking a vibrant small-town experience. From local breweries and restaurants to charming boutiques and family-friendly shops, the area is full of fun things to do outside of Nashville, with plenty of ways to spend the day together. Just steps away, the Columbia Arts District showcases abundant local creativity through galleries, studios, and public art. For an outdoor adventure, kayak the scenic Duck River — home to more than 150 fish species — as it winds along the edge of downtown.

• Parking information: Free public parking is available throughout Downtown Columbia, including street parking and city-managed lots near the square and along key shopping streets.
• Destination highlights: Historic downtown square with boutiques, restaurants, local breweries, antique shops, live music, the nearby Columbia Arts District, and access to the scenic Duck River for outdoor recreation.
   

Step back in time and experience what life was like in Tennessee from the 1830s to the 1930s with a visit to Cannonsburgh Village, one of the charming outdoor attractions in Nashville’s surrounding region and a great stop for adventures in Tennessee. This 8-acre site features a large tractor exhibit, gristmill, schoolhouse, caboose, chapel, doctor’s office, general store, and a working blacksmith shop. It’s also home to the world’s largest cedar bucket. The village is free to visit, with buildings open April through November and the grounds accessible year-round, offering an easy and engaging way to explore local history in the open air.

• Parking information: Free on-site parking is available in the lot adjacent to Cannonsburgh Village.
• Destination highlights: Restored historic village depicting Tennessee life from the 1830s–1930s, including a gristmill, schoolhouse, chapel, general store, doctor’s office, blacksmith shop, tractor exhibit and the world’s largest cedar bucket.
• Ticket prices: Admission to Cannonsburgh Village is free.
   

Star Spangled Brewing Company in Clarksville, is a veteran-owned brewery known for its rotating selection of small-batch, high-gravity craft beers. Visitors can “hop” on over to the tasting room to sample some of their best brews, then head outside to enjoy the fun, pet-friendly outdoor space complete with picnic tables and yard games. Food trucks regularly stop by, offering tasty meals and snacks that perfectly complement the brewery’s lineup of craft creations.

• Parking information: Free on-site parking is available at the brewery.
  Accessibility options: Tasting room and outdoor areas offer accessible entry; picnic-style seating and open grounds accommodate most guests.
• Destination highlights: Veteran-owned brewery featuring rotating small-batch craft beers, a pet-friendly outdoor space with picnic tables and yard games and regular food truck visits.
• Ticket prices: No ticketed admission; beer prices vary by pour and flight.
• Menu highlights: Craft beer offerings rotate but often include high-gravity ales, IPAs, stouts, and seasonal specialty brews.
   

Short Mountain Distillery, nestled on 400 acres of beautiful Tennessee farmland, specializes in crafting organic Tennessee whiskey, bourbon, and a variety of original spirits. Visitors can tour the distillery to see the production process up close, followed by a guided tasting of their signature creations. The restaurant at Short Mountain Distillery, The Shaken Glass, serves genuine Southern cuisine made with farm-fresh vegetables, herbs, and meats, offering a delicious complement to the spirits. Throughout the year, guests can also enjoy cocktail crafting classes, and from April through August, mule rides provide the perfect low-key outdoor activity for exploring the property.

• Parking information: Free on-site parking is available at the distillery and restaurant.
  Accessibility options: The distillery grounds, tasting room, and restaurant offer accessible entrances; some outdoor areas may have uneven terrain.
• Destination highlights: Organic Tennessee whiskey and bourbon, distillery tours, guided tastings, cocktail classes, Appalachian wagon rides April–August, and farm-to-table dining on a 400-acre property.
• Ticket prices: Distillery tours and tastings are ticketed experiences; pricing varies by tour type and tasting selection.
  Menu highlights: Southern cuisine featuring farm-fresh vegetables, herbs, and meats, along with seasonal dishes crafted to pair with the distillery’s spirits.
   

The Treehouse of Center Hill Lake is an ideal spot for a solo retreat or peaceful mountain vacation, offering five balconies with spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and easy access to outdoor Nashville activities. Guests can hike the private trail down to Center Hill Lake, where a quiet cove provides the perfect launch point for kayaking, with rentals available through Canoe the Caney. The treehouse includes a gas fire pit along with all cooking and grill utensils, a Keurig coffee maker, paper goods, and basic toiletries. End the day soaking in the hot tub by the fire pit or relaxing on the large sectional as the sun sets over the lake.

• Parking information: Free on-site parking is available at the property.
  Accessibility options: The treehouse requires stairs to access and is not recommended for guests with mobility limitations.
• Destination highlights: Five balconies with mountain and lake views, private hiking trail to Center Hill Lake, access to a quiet cove for kayaking, hot tub, gas fire pit and peaceful retreat setting.
• Ticket prices: Pricing varies by night and season based on the rental listing.
   

The Wildwood Resort and Marina, located about 65 miles from Nashville, offers a wide range of accommodations and adventures for every type of traveler, making it a standout destination for outdoor activities in Tennessee. Guests can choose from rustic waterfront cabins, harbor cottage houseboats, and a charming vintage Airstream village set along the scenic shores of Cordell Hull Lake. Spend the day on the water by booking a pontoon or kayak, or take part in the resort’s many other outdoor experiences. Afterward, dine at the Lakeside Restaurant, where panoramic lake views, shoreline bonfires, and live music create the perfect end to a relaxing getaway.

• Parking information: Free on-site parking is available for overnight guests and visitors.
• Accessibility options: Select lodging, dining areas, and marina facilities offer accessible features; some cabin and Airstream accommodations may have limited accessibility due to layout.
• Destination highlights: Waterfront cabins, harbor cottage houseboats, vintage Airstream village, pontoon and kayak rentals, water activities on Cordell Hull Lake, Lakeside Restaurant, shoreline bonfires and live music.
• Ticket prices: Activity pricing varies by rental type (pontoon, kayak) and season; lodging rates vary by accommodation.
  Menu highlights: Lakeside Restaurant features seasonal Southern-inspired dishes, fresh seafood, elevated comfort food and cocktails with panoramic lake views.
   

Pins Mechanical Company, located in the heart of the city, offers one of the most playful and adventure things to do in Nashville with its extensive collection of vintage arcade games, pinball machines, and larger-than-life yard games. Guests can try duck bowling, enjoy 24 pinball machines gathered in one room, play indoor bocce, or take on life-size pong and Jenga between rounds of drinks from three bars serving creative cocktails like the Pinball Wizard and the Game Over, along with draft beer and wine. Food trucks outside keep appetites satisfied, while cozy indoor seating and spacious outdoor patios make it easy to settle in for the night. For those interested in bowling, it’s best to reserve a lane upon arrival, as it’s one of the most popular activities.

• Parking information: Paid street parking and nearby public garages are available in the surrounding area.
• Accessibility options: Venue offers accessible entrances and indoor spaces; some game areas may have limited maneuvering space depending on crowd levels.
• Destination highlights: Duckpin bowling, 24 pinball machines, vintage arcade games, indoor bocce, life-size yard games, three full bars, food trucks and indoor/outdoor seating areas.
• Ticket prices: No general admission fee; game pricing varies, and bowling lanes operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
   

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in Nolensville, the first location opened in 2006, serves some of Middle Tennessee’s most iconic barbecue with its award-winning West Tennessee–style whole-hog tradition. Guests can dig into local favorites like the Redneck Tacos or the Farmer’s Salad with smoked turkey, all served in generous portions alongside a variety of delicious sides that never disappoint. For added convenience, Martin’s offers online ordering for takeout or delivery through DoorDash, making it easy to enjoy their signature flavors from the comfort of home.

• Parking information: Free on-site parking is available at the Nolensville location.
• Accessibility options: Restaurant offers accessible entrances and indoor seating areas.
• Destination highlights: First-ever Martin’s location, award-winning West Tennessee–style whole-hog barbecue, casual atmosphere, and generous portions.
• Menu highlights: Redneck Tacos, Farmer’s Salad with smoked turkey, whole-hog barbecue plates, smoked wings, brisket, ribs, and a variety of classic Southern sides.
   

Recognized as the original home of Nashville hot chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken in downtown Nashville is a must-try for heat seekers and one of the most adventurous things to do in Tennessee for anyone who loves bold flavor. The menu ranges from mild to fiery, with each piece of chicken coated in spices that deliver a rich, unforgettable kick, though those brave enough to tackle the “XX-Hot” should be prepared to breathe fire. Known for serving some of the best hot chicken in Middle Tennessee, Prince’s continues to delight diners with a signature flavor that helped define a Tennessee culinary icon.

• Parking information: Paid street parking and nearby public parking garages are available in the downtown area.
• Destination highlights: Considered the original creator of Nashville hot chicken, iconic spicy flavor options, and a historic culinary staple in Middle Tennessee.
• Ticket prices: No admission fee; menu prices vary by item.
• Menu highlights: Hot chicken plates and sandwiches ranging from mild to “XX-Hot,” tenders, wings, southern sides, and classic comfort-food pairings.
   

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, one of Nashville’s oldest and most iconic honky-tonks, has been a staple of the city’s music scene since 1960 and remains one of the essential things to do in Nashville. Known for hosting legendary artists like Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Faron Young, the venue is steeped in history and defined by its unmistakable old-school atmosphere. Tootsie’s features three lively levels, each offering live music and a full bar, along with tasty food, great drinks, and the enduring spirit of Nashville’s musical heritage. Don’t miss the rooftop area, where you can take in incredible views of downtown.

• Parking information: Paid parking is available in nearby downtown garages and surface lots around Broadway.
• Destination highlights: Iconic Nashville honky-tonk dating back to 1960, three levels of live music, full bars, rooftop views of downtown, and a storied history of hosting legendary performers.
• Ticket prices: No cover charge during most hours; prices may vary for special events.
• Menu highlights: Bar-style favorites including burgers, chicken tenders, sandwiches, and classic appetizers paired with a wide selection of beer and cocktails.
   

Grinder House Coffee Shop is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee, it’s a warm, welcoming community hub where visitors can enjoy locally sourced coffee drinks, home-style soups and sandwiches, and live music in a cozy, homey setting with plenty of space to relax. Serving breakfast all day alongside full lunch and dinner menus, Grinder House is known for its made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits and other delicious treats. It has even been declared one of the best listening rooms for live singer-songwriters in Tennessee. Check out their website for upcoming events, and continue planning your vacation by discovering even more things to do in and around Nashville.

• Parking information: Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the coffee shop and along nearby streets.
• Destination highlights: Cozy community atmosphere, locally sourced coffee, all-day breakfast, live performances and recognition as one of Tennessee’s best listening rooms.
• Ticket prices: Live music events are typically free; special ticketed shows vary by performer.
• Menu highlights: Made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits, breakfast served all day, home-style soups, sandwiches, specialty coffee drinks and house-made baked goods.
   

Continue planning your vacation by discovering even more things to do in and around Nashville.