9 best day trips to small towns from Nashville, Tennessee

Day trips are a great alternative for those who do not like to travel long distances. Today we are going to talk about Nashville, located in Tennessee. This city is filled with poppyseed food, live music and entertainment, fascinating history, culture, family adventures, and endless opportunities for recreation. It's a place where you'll definitely make some great memories.

The area around is incredibly picturesque and diverse, and guests will be delighted to travel to different places. The Travel has published a list of nine places to visit near Nashville.

9th place - Cummins Falls, Tennessee

You have to visit this waterfall and enjoy its beauty. Located on the Blackb`urn Fork River, it is the eighth-largest waterfall in the state and boasts a height of almost 23 metres. The waterfall is part of the state park of the same name, which was created in 2012. It is a great place for recreation and hiking, as well as fishing and swimming.

Distance and travel time from Nashville: 110 kilometres, 1 hour 43 minutes

Best time to visit: July through September.

Most popular sights to see: Cummins Falls State Park, Dogwood Park, and Cane Creek Park.

8th place - Lynchburg, Tennessee

This is a small city with more than five thousand people, and you can travel here in 2 hours or less. It has incredible antique shops. One of the best things to do here is to visit the Jack Daniel's Distillery, the oldest registered distillery in America. You can also visit the grave of Jack Daniel and stroll through Lynchburg Historic Square.

Distance and travel time from Nashville: 143 kilometres; 1 hour 31 minutes

Best time to visit: mid-May and June

Main sights to see: Jack Daniel's Distillery and Lynchburg Historic Square.

7th place - Ethridge, Tennessee

Arriving here, you can see a lot of interesting things: original shops, colourful art, and a large number of outdoor activities. A trip to this city is not complete without trying Amish food. At Bob's Café, tourists can try a variety of dishes, including the Bob's cheeseburger and the Swiss burger with mushrooms.

Distance and travel time from Nashville: 124 kilometres, 1 hour and 21 minutes

Best time to visit: May, September, October

Most popular sights to see: Amish Heritage Welcome Centre and Museum, Ethridge Amish Information Center & Wagon Tours and Bob's Cafe.

6th place - Bowling Green, Kentucky

It is also called the "city of entertainment". It hosts various events, as well as the Beech Bend amusement park and the Splash Lagoon water park, which has many attractions for children and adults. Other places of interest include Fountain Square Park, Basil Griffin Park and Mammoth Cave National Park.

Distance and driving time from Nashville: approximately 108 kilometres, 1 hour 8 minutes

Best time to visit: late May and June

The most popular sights to see: Splash Lagoon Water Park, Beech Bend Amusement Park, Fountain Square Park, Basil Griffin Park and Mammoth Cave National Park.

5th place - Clarksville, Tennessee

The city was named after the revolutionary George Roger Clark. There are different ways to explore this area: you can walk through its streets on foot or take part in more adventurous adventures. You can discover beautiful nature, local cafes, historical sites, unique shops, as well as contemporary art and culture.

Distance and travel time from Nashville: approximately 80 kilometres; 55 minutes

Best time to visit: May and June

Most popular attractions: Beachaven Vineyards & Winery, Clarksville Welcome Centre, and Dunbar Cave State Park.

4th place - Columbia, Tennessee

It's a small town with a lively downtown area that's packed with entertainment venues, colourful shops, great restaurants, historic sites, and other attractions worth exploring on a day trip.

Travel distance and time from Nashville: 74 kilometres, 49 minutes

Best time to visit: mid-May and June

The most popular sights to see: Chickasaw Trace Park, Elm Springs and Columbia Farmers Fresh Market.

3rd place - Gallatin, Tennessee

In this city, you can relax among nature because it has incredible landscapes due to its geographical location. Gallatin has a modern movie theatre, a one-room theatre, and a city library. Annual events include the Sumner County Fair, which is held during the last week of August, the Fall Festival, which is held on the public square, and the Gallatin Christmas Parade. You can also visit museums here. The Sumner County Museum in Gallatin houses a number of artifacts of historical significance to the city and the county. The city has several architecturally significant buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a central historic district. Restored houses that are open to the public are Cragfont, Rosemont, and Truesdale Place.

Distance and travel time from Nashville: approximately 47 kilometres, 36 minutes

Best time to visit: late May - June

Main attractions worth seeing: Bledsoe Creek State Park, Douglas-Clarke House, and the Palace Theatre.

2nd place - Franklin, Tennessee

There are many things to enjoy here: shopping, outdoor walks, and learning about local history and culture. In particular, we recommend visiting the Franklin Battlefield, which takes visitors back to the Civil War. And don't forget about the Carter House, the Lotz House Museum, and the Franklin Theatre.

Travel distance and time from Nashville: 35 kilometres, 29 minutes

Best time to visit: mid-May - June

Main sights to see: Franklin Battlefield, Carter House, Lotz House Museum, and Franklin Theatre.

No. 1 - Kingston Springs, Tennessee

This charming rural river town boasts many outdoor activities, including hiking, zip lining, canoeing, fishing, and more. Visitors will also enjoy visiting the city's shops, restaurants, and cultural venues.

Distance and driving time from Nashville: 37 kilometres, 28 minutes

Best time to visit: mid-May - June

Main attractions worth seeing: Harpeth River State Park and Narrows of the Harpeth.