Every once in a while we get the urge to get outta town, and that means we’re researching solid day trips with the best of ’em. If you’re anything like us, you’ve likely researched “day trips in Tennessee” more than a handful of times. Lucky for y’all – you have us. And we did all the grunt work for you. Check out these awesome day trips in Tennessee, each one fun and quirky in its own way. Ready to start exploring?

1. Visit the next cornbread capital of the world.
Sequatchie Valley, Tennessee 37347, USA
The National Cornbread Festival - Facebook
South Pittsburg is home to the National Cornbread Festival, located in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley. Their famed festival takes place in April but we'd recommend driving down to the little ol' town and enjoying the gorgeous drive and kind people.
2. The Discovery Park in Union City is a great place to visit with kids.
Discovery Park of America, 830 Everett Blvd, Union City, TN 38261, USA
Discovery Park of America - Facebook
The Discovery Park is great for families with kids of all ages, full of exploratory activities and a focus on the history of Northwest Tennessee. Make sure to check out the man-made river, too!
3. Drive Tennessee's loneliest road.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Natchez Trace Pkwy, Tennessee, USA
Pratap Sankar - Flickr
The Natchez Trace has quite the history to it, and we decided to do a deep dive. Click on through and learn about this beautiful road, its dark past, and the reason folks just can't get enough of it.
4. These amazing hikes clock in at under three miles.
Courtesy of Sarah Dodge
Here's the thing: sometimes we don't want to take a half-day hike. No, we'd rather spend an hour in the great outdoors than head back home for a sandwich and a nap. That sounds like the dream to us! So check out these short hiking trails in Tennessee.
5. You can only access this high mountain lodge via hike...you game?
LeConte Lodge, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Natures Papparazi - Flickr
If you are looking to enjoy an extended stay in the great outdoors, you'll have to make your way to the LeConte Lodge. You can enjoy a primitive look at East Tennessee in the prettiest part of the state. Learn more about staying the night in a mountaintop cabin right here in the Smoky Mountains.
6. You've never heard of this small town, but you'll love it!
Arlington, TN, USA
Wikimedia
Arlington, Tennessee is a beautiful, fairly unknown town located in West Tennessee. It has managed to preserve its humble beginnings and is a sweet step back in time.
7. Care to explore a true crime museum?
Alcatraz East Crime Museum, 2757 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA
Alcatraz East - Facebook
Located in Pigeon Forge, the Alcatraz East Crime Museum is one of the most enjoyable places to visit with kids or even on a quirky date. You'll learn all about the history of crime in America as well as the current reality of the penal system.

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8. Or Tennessee's hidden Eiffel Tower?
Paris, TN 38242, USA
Thelma Bowen - Flickr
Paris is better known in France, but we have a neat spot right here in Tennessee! It's quite the spot to visit, and we even found a few places for you to eat. Learn all about the interesting town of Paris, Tennessee.
9. You can visit the largest underground body of water in the United States.
The Lost Sea Adventure, 140 Lost Sea Rd, Sweetwater, TN 37874, USA
Management/ Tripadvisor
If you've stuck around here for a while, you know that we have a bit of a love affair with the Lost Sea Adventure. It's a great place to visit if you're in the state, and Sweetwater is a darling town just tucked away. Also, make sure you check out this video from CBS Mornings to learn more;


10. You're sure to fall in love with these under-appreciated state parks.
Wikipedia
Check out our list of under-appreciated state parks, each one more perfect than the last and great for a sunny afternoon out during the summertime.
11. A walk down this gorgeous wildflower trail will start your summer out right.
Roan Mountain, TN 37687, USA
Brenda Wiley - Flickr
The rhododendron fields of Roan Mountain are known for their gorgeous views, but we're absolutely in love with this mountain in the springtime. The hike leading up Roan Mountain is outstanding and we highly recommend you lace up your boots for that one. Check out this video from Adventuring in the Moment to see just how breathtaking these views can get.


12. Have you visited the strangest geological formation in the state?
Natural Bridge Road, Natural Bridge Rd, Tennessee 37375, USA
Brent Moore - Flickr
The Natural Bridge in Sewanee is known as one of the quirkiest geological wonders in Tennessee and was formed by a sinkhole. What?! Yep. A sinkhole.
13. This sapphire pool in Tennessee is positively beautiful.
Blue Hole Falls, Elizabethton, TN 37643, USA
Courtesy of Sarah Dodge
located in Elizabethton way up in East Tennessee, this brilliantly blue water is quite a sight to behold. Only a short hike from the parking lot will get you to Blue Hole Falls. Check out this video from Adventuring in the Moment to see that hike and the waterfall.


14. There's a majestic castle in Knoxville you can visit - it's magical!
the Williamswood Castle/ Facebook
You can book a night at the Williamswood Castle, just outside of Knoxville. It's one of the most stunning places to stay in the state and comes highly recommended.
15. This may be the most beautiful place in Tennessee.
Sequatchie Valley, Tennessee 37347, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM - Flickr
Can you guess the most magical place in Tennessee? We're going to go ahead and say it's the Sequatchie Valley, but hey - what can we say there are so many stunning views here in Tennessee.

The next time you research “day trips in Tennessee,” we hope this handy list comes to mind. Are there any other day trips in the Volunteer State that you would add to the list? If so, be sure to share them with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!

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More to Explore

day trips in Tennessee

Beth C. | September 21, 2021

What are some of the best trips to take in Tennessee?

Here are a few recommendations for some of the best trips to take in Tennessee:

  • Land Between The Lakes
  • Rock City
  • Sewanee
  • The National Cornbread Festival
  • Shiloh National Battle Field
  • RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival
  • Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree
  • The Lost Sea Adventure
  • Burgess Falls
  • Bell Witch Cave
  • Natchez Trace Parkway
  • Franklin

 

All of these adventures can be found in this Near Nashville Day Trip Article.

What are some fun things to do in Tennessee?

Here are a few suggestions for fun things to do in Tennessee:

 

What are some of the best outdoor attractions in Tennessee?

Here are some of the best outdoor attractions in Tennesee:

 

The Volunteer State is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. With flowing rivers, dense forests, mountains, and lakes, there's just no shortage of ways to spend time in the great outdoors. Some of our favorite outdoor attractions in Tennessee include Clingman's Dome (the highest point in Tennessee), the Natchez Trace, the Ocoee River, Lookout Mountain, Foster Falls, Cummins Falls, Lost Creek Cave, and Watauga Lake. How many of these incredible natural wonders in Tennessee have you experienced?

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