There's something special about the fall in Tennessee. The balmy afternoons giving way to the breezy evenings. The roar of crowds filling the SEC stadiums on Saturday afternoons, then spilling out onto the streets (and into the bars) once the game-goers team won (or lost). The pumpkin patches creating swaths of orange across the countryside. The apple-picking season meaning apple pie is on every restaurant menu. What's not to love?
If you're looking to get out and about to soak up Middle Tennessee in all its fall glory, here are a few ideas for you.
Take a Foliage Filled Drive
Drive the Natchez Trace
Cruise down the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile recreational scenic drive through Tennessee that snakes its way through Alabama and Mississippi. Stops along the way include hiking, biking, horseback riding, For optimal fall foliage viewing, make your way to Old Trace Drive (milepost 375.8), Swan View Overlook (milepost 392.5) and a leisurely walk at Fall Hollow (391.9) will showcase the colors.
- Accessibility: Access to the parkway is free for everyone. For further accessibility information, visit the National Park Service website.
- Parking: Parking for the Natchez Trace Parkway is available at numerous designated overlooks, picnic areas, trailheads, and campgrounds, all accessible directly from the parkway
Explore Scenic Byways
Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways
Photo Credit: Cari Griffith
Another great way to see the foliage is to explore Tennessee's backroads with the help of Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways, a collection of 16 scenic drives that connect Tennessee's cities to its rural communities. Hop on The Jack Trail to cruise through beautiful landscapes that will bring you to the Jack Daniel Distillery, the small town of Bell Buckle, Arrington Vineyards, Cannonsburgh Village and more. The Promised Land Trail takes you to Granville, the Sparta Drive-In, Foglight Foodhouse, and Edgar Evins State Park. Learn the legend behind the Bell Witch Cave, visit the Port Royal State Historic Park, Wynnewood State Historic Site and more on the Ring of Fire Trail. The Screaming Eagle Trail takes you to Clarksville, music at the Fillin' Station, zip lining at Adventureworks, and Loretta Lynn's Ranch. Small towns like Lobelville, Linden, Green River Stables and Cajun dishes at Pirate's Lair can be found on the Tennessee River Trail. The Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways also has trails in East Tennessee and West Tennessee.
- Accessibility: check the websites of each stop you want to make to ensure they meet your accessibility needs.
- Parking: most locations along the scenic drives offer dedicated parking, but you can call each location to confirm.
Pick a Pumpkin (or two)
Walden Farm - Smyrna
For a lazy Saturday spent outdoors, there's nowhere better to be than a pumpkin patch, filling your wagon with Jack-o-lantern fodder aplenty. The sprawling Walden Pumpkin Farm in Smyrna doesn't just offer pumpkins, though; it also has gourds, Indian corn and other seasonal harvest items for picking, as well as plenty of kid-friendly activities like a hay ride and a 40-foot slide.
- Accessibility: Walden Pumpkin Farm is wheelchair accessible and most of the paths are gravel or grass and can be maneuvered easily.
- Parking: a dedicated parking lot is available on site.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Photo Credit: Caitlin Harris
Wander through the rows of scarecrows at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. Nashville's own botanical garden is worth a visit no matter the season, but come Sept. 23-Oct. 29, 2018, it morphs into a fall fantasyland with its annual Scarecrows exhibit, each one sponsored by a different organization from the community. In addition to the unique straw creations, there's also 5,000 mums on display, pumpkin decorating, model trains and more, all of which make up Cheekwood Harvest.
- Accessibility: Cheekwood prioritizes accessibility; for more information, visit their accessibility homepage.
- Parking: Dedicated parking is available at Cheekwood.
Attend a Fall Festival
Americana Music Festival - Nashville
Photo Credit: Erika Goldring, Getty Images for Americana Music
Thousands of artists, music fans and industry professionals from around the world will come to Nashville for the Americana Music Festival & Conference for live performances at approximately 60 venues around the city. Panels, seminars and exclusive daytime performances take place for the conference portion of the event. Performers have included John Prine, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rosanne Cash, The Milk Carton Kids, Asleep at the Wheel, Joe Purdy, The Lone Bellow, Brandy Clark, The Black Lillies and more.
- Accessibility: varies by venue, so be sure to contact the places you plan on going to ensure they can meet your needs.
- Parking: each venue has different parking options, though for many you will need to utilize nearby parking garages which are plentiful in Downtown Nashville.
Liberty Square: A Lester Flatt Celebration
Liberty Square Celebration & Lester Flatt Memorial Bluegrass Day takes place in October in downtown Sparta. The event includes bluegrass from artists like Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Becky Buller Band, Blake Williams & Friends, and David Parmley & Cardinal Tradition, food, fireworks and a classic car show. The festival honors Lester Flatt, who's known for his bluegrass guitar style as part of Flatt & Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys.
- Accessibility: this event is accessible, as it takes place on the streets of downtown Sparta.
- Parking: on-street parking is available nearby.
Fish the Dale Hollow Bass Classic
Dale Hollow Bass Classic
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Competing anglers will flock to Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown for the Dale Hollow Bass Classic in early October. Smallmouth and largemouth bass will be fished to win cash prizes and the $500 Big Fish Winner each day. Anglers interested can still apply.
- Accessibility: Dale Hollow Lake has various access points, you can learn more about them on their website.
- Parking: a number of parking lots are available to park, and marinas offer boat launching for as low as $5.
