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Weekend getaways from Nashville
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items Living in Nashville puts you a few hours from damn near everything: mountains, bourbon country, caves, lakes, and a handful of great cities. These are easy weekend trips you can drive to on a Friday afternoon and still be back for Monday. Rough drive...
The gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, about 3.5 hours east. Hike in the national park during the day, grab a cabin with a hot tub at night. Go on a weekday or in the off-season if you can, the strip gets packed.
Gatlinburg, TN
About 2 hours southeast. Lookout Mountain, Rock City, Ruby Falls, the aquarium, and a walkable riverfront with good food. Plenty of hiking and climbing nearby if you want to get outside.
Chattanooga, TN
Right next door to Gatlinburg, about 3.5 hours out. Dollywood, dinner shows, go-karts, and cabin rentals everywhere. Cheesy as hell and a blast with the family.
Pigeon Forge, TN
Roughly 4.5 hours east through the Smokies. Breweries, the Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a weird, artsy downtown. Worth a long weekend.
Asheville, NC
About 3 hours west on I-40. Graceland, Sun Studio, Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and ribs that'll ruin you for anywhere else. A music city trip from a different music city.
Memphis, TN
About 2.5 hours north. Base camp for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, plus Churchill Downs and the Louisville Slugger Museum. Book a distillery tour and get a driver, don't be a dumbass.
Louisville, KY
About 4 hours southeast, depending on how bad the traffic is when you hit it. Georgia Aquarium, a Braves or Falcons game, the BeltLine, and a ridiculous food scene. Big city weekend without flying.
Atlanta, GA
Under 2 hours south. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center alone is worth the trip, with a real Saturn V hanging overhead. Add Monte Sano State Park and the breweries downtown.
Huntsville, AL
About an hour and a half southeast. Home of the Jack Daniel's distillery, with tours and a tiny old-school town square. Pair it with Tullahoma or the backroads around Tims Ford Lake for an easy overnight.
Lynchburg, TN
Only about 30 minutes south, so it's a staycation more than a road trip. Historic Main Street, Civil War sites like the Carter House, good restaurants, and live music without the Broadway chaos.
Franklin, TN
About an hour and a half north, past Bowling Green. The longest known cave system in the world, with ranger-led tours from easy walks to crawling through tight spots. Bring the parks pass, and hit the Corvette Museum on the way.
Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
About 3 hours south on I-65. The Civil Rights Institute, Vulcan Park, the Barber Motorsports Museum (a must if you like bikes), and a food scene that punches way above its weight.
Birmingham, AL
Roughly 2.5 hours northwest on I-24. A laid-back river town with floodwall murals, the National Quilt Museum, and a solid little downtown. Land Between the Lakes is right on the way for hiking, camping, and the elk and bison prairie.
Paducah, KY
About 2 hours east, up on the Cumberland Plateau. A 256-foot waterfall, gorge overlooks, swinging bridges, and miles of trails. Rent a cabin or camp, and bring the Jeep for the backroads in.
Fall Creek Falls State Park, TN
About 4.5 hours northwest. Ride to the top of the Gateway Arch, catch a Cardinals game, and spend a day at Forest Park, where the zoo and art museum are free. City Museum is a giant jungle gym for adults and worth every minute.
St. Louis, MO