9 Best Small Town Day Trips in Tennessee

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is a major draw to this Tennessee town, which is only about an hour drive southeast of Nashville. Downtown, browse High Cotton Vintage Home Furnishings for clothing and home décor, Sprout Children’s Shop for children’s clothing, gifts and accessories and Harvest Local Foods for locally sourced food items and goods.

Grab a burger and shake from Jiffy Burger and sample reds, fruit wines and sweet wines from Beans Creek Winery. Then, spend time outdoors at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, where you’ll find waterfalls, foot trails and beautiful scenery.

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is a unique destination where history and nature come together, offering scenic trails, waterfalls and fascinating ancient earthworks to explore. Before you visit, here are a few key details to help you plan your trip.

• Address: 732 Stone Fort Drive, Manchester, TN 37355
• Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Accessibility: The park's website lists accessible parking and restrooms.

Have a day full of wellness and outdoor adventure in McMinnville, approximately 1.5 hours southeast of Nashville. Start with a yoga session at Twisted Yogis before heading to Juicy’s Wellness Café, a plant-based restaurant serving soups, salads, organic juices, smoothies, plant-based burgers and more.

Spend time by the falls at Rock Island State Park. On your way back, stop at Rock Island Trolley Stop Ice Cream Shop for specialty ice cream served as sundaes and shakes or in a cone or cup.

You’ll also find clothing, jewelry and antiques at shops like Red Door Boutique, The Lazy Daisy, The Rustic Touch and Lemon Clothing & Cosmetics. Enjoy barbecue at Prater's BBQ or Collins River BBQ, or stop at Depot Bottom Country Store for deli selections, desserts and sweet fruit tea.

Cumberland Biscuit Company currently serves breakfast, brunch and lunch from 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday and is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Journey below the surface at Cumberland Caverns, which has 27 miles of caves and underground passageways with rock formations, underground waterfalls and pools. The attraction currently offers a variety of cave tour experiences, including walking tours, adventure tours and overnight packages.

• Address: 1437 Cumberland Caverns Road, McMinnville, TN 37110
• Hours: Open year-round, seven days a week.
• Tours: Walking tour options range in length and difficulty, with age requirements varying by tour.
• Tickets: Current walking-tour prices and youth pricing vary by tour. Check current options when planning your visit.

Spend the day browsing antique shops and locally owned businesses in Bell Buckle, approximately one hour southeast of Nashville. Phillips General Store features architectural fragments, textiles and other finds inside a more than 100-year-old dry goods store with original fixtures. Shop antique furniture, home décor and lighting at 1852 Antiques, or browse antiques, clothing and handmade items at Simplicity in Bell Buckle. Bluebird Antiques & Ice Cream Parlor combines antique shopping with sweet treats like ice cream and fried pies.

Step into Bell Buckle Coffee Shop and Book Swap for walls of books and coffees ranging from Americanos to caramel macchiatos. Sandwiches, baked goods and breakfast sandwiches are also available.

Want to spend even more time in Bell Buckle? Seasons Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of Bell Buckle at 101 Webb Road E. and currently accepts reservations through its website.

Bell Buckle Cafe serves Southern comfort food, including classics like chicken-fried steak, along with rotating daily specials and desserts.

• Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday.

Spend a day among the shops in downtown Lewisburg, located about one hour south of Nashville. The Weathered Farmhouse carries candles and home goods and has a flower bar. Studio 20 South is a stop for shoes, clothing and accessories, while Gone Postal Marketplace is filled with antique finds ranging from paintings and furniture to vases and collectibles. Bellaboo Boutique offers a variety of boutique styles, and Tillis Jewelry carries fine jewelry and everyday accessories.

Enjoy a sip of Tennessee at Pickers Creek Winery, where you can sample dry white and red wines, semi-sweet and sweet wines and fruit wines such as blackberry and peach.

Before you visit Pickers Creek Winery, it’s a good idea to check current hours and event listings, as offerings can vary by season and special occasions. The winery often hosts live music and other gatherings that can make your visit even more enjoyable.

• Address: 1986 New Columbia Highway, Lewisburg, TN 37091
• Spring/summer hours: Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.
• Events: The winery regularly lists live music and other events on its calendar.

The 1.5-hour drive to Lynchburg from Nashville is picturesque, and once you arrive, you’ll find plenty to fill the day. Browse the shops around downtown for locally made and Tennessee-themed finds. Look for candles at Lynchburg Candle Co., pottery at Lynchburg Pottery & Gift Gallery and Jack Daniel’s merchandise, grilling products, clothing and other gifts at Jackie’s Gift Gallery. Stop at Miss Mary Bobo’s for family-style country dining or dig into smoked barbecue at Barrel House BBQ.

Take a tour of Jack Daniel’s Distillery to learn how Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey is made. Several tour experiences are available.

• Address: 133 Lynchburg Highway, Lynchburg, TN 37352
• Visitor Center hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. CT daily.
• Tickets: The Jack Daniel Distillery Tour is currently $35.
• Reservations: The person making a tour reservation must be age 21 or older.
• Accessibility: Tours/experiences are partly outdoors and may involve walking and stairs. Jack Daniel’s website  says reasonable modifications, auxiliary aids and services can be requested by visitors with disabilities. Visitors who need accommodations should contact the distillery before their tour. 

Tullahoma is about 1.5 hours from either Nashville or Chattanooga, making this small town stop ideal for both cities.

Start your visit with outdoor recreation at Tims Ford State Park, which currently offers nearly 25 miles of hiking trails. Eight miles of paved biking and hiking trails connect the major areas of the park.

Spend time on Tims Ford Lake or play a round at The Bear Trace at Tims Ford, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. If you want to add some history to your trip, stop by the Beechcraft Heritage Museum to see historic aircraft on display.

Have a meal at One22West or keep things casual with a burger, panini or tacos from Daddy Billy’s Restaurant & Bar. Enjoy a beer from Ole Shed Brewing Co., with selections that include Haystack IPA, Honey Do Golden Ale and Pot Belly Porter.

Make your way to Short Springs State Natural Area to see Machine Falls, which drops more than 60 feet. The 420-acre natural area is located about 3.5 miles northeast of Tullahoma.

• Public access: Public access is allowed.
• Parking: Parking is extremely limited. If designated spaces are full, the natural area has reached capacity and visitors may not park in undesignated areas to enter.
• Trails: Trails are available in the natural area.
• Pets: Dogs are permitted on leash.
• Camping: Camping is not permitted.

Rutledge Falls, a stunning multi-level waterfall and popular summer swimming hole, is also nearby.

Outdoor recreation takes center stage around Monteagle, which is about 1.5 hours from Nashville and less than an hour from Chattanooga. Fiery Gizzard State Park is one of three parks that were formerly known collectively as South Cumberland State Park. The former park system was divided into Fiery Gizzard State Park, Savage Gulf State Park and Head of the Crow State Park. Fiery Gizzard State Park encompasses approximately 7,811 acres.

Nearby, The Caverns offers underground tours and concerts inside its cave venues. For an elegant meal, head to High Point Restaurant for dishes including steaks, pasta, salads and more.

Travelers who want to extend their trip can stay at The Smoke House Lodge & Cabins, located at 844 West Main St. in Monteagle. The lodging property currently offers lodge rooms and cabins.

Fiery Gizzard State Park has more than 20 miles of hiking trails accessed from multiple trailheads.

• Fiery Gizzard Trail: 12.8 miles from the North Trailhead to the South Trailhead and rated difficult.
• Hiking: Trail options range from shorter walks to challenging backcountry hikes.
• Rock climbing: Climbing areas are located at Foster Falls and Denny Cove.

The Caverns cave tours include guided experiences through two caves as well as longer Adventure Cave Tours.

• Address: 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, TN 37366
• Guided Cave Tour: Approximately one hour.
• Adventure Cave Tour: Approximately three to four hours.
• Tour schedule: Check current tour availability when planning your visit.
• Concerts: Browse upcoming shows at The Caverns.

Take a scenic drive to Cookeville, tucked away in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland region and easily reached from Nashville in about 1.5 hours by car. The town has so much to see and do, you may want to return for another day of exploring.

If you’re looking for a natural playground, you’ll find caves, lakes, streams, waterfalls and hiking trails leading to scenic overlooks within a short drive of town. For a more relaxed outing, head downtown to find murals and boutiques like Poppie’s Boutique, which carries clothing, jewelry and home accents. Step into The Painted House for home styling pieces and gifts, then grab coffee at Poet’s.

Walk the trails at Dogwood Park, visit the interactive fountain and find a spot for a picnic. Taste local brews at Red Silo Brewing Company, or have a locally inspired meal at restaurants such as 37 Cedar Restaurant and Bar, Father Tom’s Pub or Seven Senses Food & Cheer.

Before leaving, pick up doughnuts from Ralph’s Donut Shop or ice cream, shakes and smoothies from Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee House.

Dogwood Park is one of Cookeville’s most popular downtown green spaces, offering a family-friendly stop where visitors can relax, play and enjoy seasonal water features. It’s an easy add-on to a day spent exploring local shops, restaurants and nearby attractions.

• Address: 30 E. Broad St., Cookeville, TN 38501
• Park hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Playground hours: 7 a.m. to dusk.
• Fountain: The interactive fountain operates April through October.
• Accessibility: Heart of the City Playground is an all-inclusive, fully accessible playground designed for children with a range of abilities and accessibility aids.
• Fountain safety: Water-appropriate shoes are recommended because the fountain deck can be wet and slippery.

Head to Murfreesboro for a day filled with family-friendly fun. Earth Experience is a hands-on museum that dives into the natural history of Middle Tennessee. Here, you can see archeological relics from as far away as Antarctica, paleontologists working in their lab to clean and repair dinosaur bones and meet Frank, the 38-foot-long tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. At the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, families can participate in hands-on learning about the five senses of the body, phosphorescence in the shadow room, farmers market and where food comes from, wings and wheels and how we can manipulate the power of water. You can dive into Tennessee’s deep Civil War history at Oaklands Mansion or at Stones River National Battlefield. Head to the historic downtown to find plenty of boutique shopping Bella’s Boutique and The Exchange Boutique. Enjoy an elegant meal at Five Senses; memorable barbecue at Slick Pig BBQ; salads and sandwiches at City Café; steaks and seafood at The Alley on Main; giant gourmet burgers at Buster’s Place; beautiful views and brews at Hop Springs Beer Park; craft beers at Cedar Glade Brews; and, if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, enjoy small-batch, uniquely flavored ice cream from Hattie Jane’s Creamery.

If you’re planning a visit, Earth Experience is a hands-on museum that brings Tennessee’s natural history to life through fossils, exhibits, and interactive displays that are especially popular with families and kids.

• Address: 816 Old Salem Road, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
• Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Admission: $12 for ages 12 and older; $10 for children ages 4-11; free for children age 3 and younger.

The best destination depends on what you want to do. Bell Buckle is a strong choice for antique shopping and small-town charm, Lynchburg combines Tennessee history with food and shopping and Tullahoma and Monteagle offer easy access to waterfalls, hiking and other outdoor recreation.

Bell Buckle, Lewisburg, Lynchburg and Cookeville combine locally owned shops, restaurants and downtown areas that can easily fill several hours of a day trip.