Tennessee is an absolute gold mine of adventure — and some of the very best places you can visit are a little off the beaten path. Everyone knows about the state’s usual suspects (the Smoky Mountains, we’re looking at you!), but here at Only In Your State, we like to take the road less traveled. Discover hidden gems on these 15 unique and fun day trips in Tennessee — just prepare to be blown away!

1. Arrington Vineyards
Larry Darling/Flickr
Founded by country music star Kix Brooks, Arrington is a stunning piece of land that boasts a burgeoning event calendar, A private event venue, and a great spot for wine tasting. Get some adults together and spend a classy day in the country at Arrington Vineyards.
2. Birdsong Resort
Birdsong Resort, Marina and Family Lakeside RV Campground/ Google
Located in Camden, Birdsong Resort is where you can camp for the weekend or hang out at the marina. It's also the location of the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm. Crazy fact? It's the only one in the US. Alright!
3. Bucksnort Trout Ranch
Bucksnort Trout Ranch
Grab the family and get on over to the ranch - for more than thirty-five years, Bucksnort Trout Ranch has been a Tennessee family summer staple.
4. Downtown Franklin
Ichabod/Wikimedia
Located thirty minutes outside of Nashville, Franklin is a delightful little place where you can take a Civil War tour or wander the boutiques of downtown. This charming town is steeped in history and totally Hallmark-movie-level quaint.
5. Fall Creek Falls
Courtesy of Sarah Dodge
Quite possibly one of the most beautiful of the Tennessee state parks, Fall Creek Falls is also one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. The park encompasses more than 29,800 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the Cumberland Plateau and is full of picture-perfect cascades, gorges, waterfalls, and streams. At 256 feet, Fall Creek Falls is also one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. This is one of those must-see places in Tennessee and to learn more about it check out this video from Adventuring in the Moment:


6. Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, USA
H. Michael Miley/ Flickr
Of all the scenic places in Tennessee, Chattanooga really takes the cake with Lookout Mountain. Located right on the border of Tennessee and Georgia, Lookout Mountain is the perfect destination for out-of-the-ordinary experiences and amazing natural wonders. Adventures await at this beautiful place.
7. Land Between the Lakes
Land Between The Lakes/Flickr
There are 170,000 acres in what is known as the Land Between the Lakes. Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee share this gorgeous area, where you can hike, camp, enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation -- or simply sit and marvel at this glorious natural wonder.

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8. Leiper's Fork
Brent Moore/Flickr
Historic Leiper's Fork is precisely where you want to go when you're looking for a small town with all the charm Tennessee can muster. You'll enjoy a gorgeous drive out into the country, then will be able to fill up on some down-home food from one of the town's worth-the-drive diners.
9. Reelfoot Lake State Park
Reelfoot State Park Campground, 2595 TN-21 E, Tiptonville, TN 38079, USA
Reelfoot Lake State Park/ Facebook
Tiptonville is home to Reelfoot Lake, a beautiful body of water that is the main event at this beautiful state park. Rent one of the park's premium cabins and recharge in nature at this glorious Tennessee treasure.
10. Natchez-Trace
鈴木 かなえ/ Google
The Natchez-Trace is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the historic "Old Natchez Trace" corridor. It's not only a scenic drive; but also an area rife with outdoor recreation of all varieties, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the parkway.
11. Memphis
Luca Sartoni/ Flickr
Memphis is the land of Elvis and the blues -- and precisely where you want to head when it comes to a unique Tennessee day trip. With the city's myriad museums and attractions, there's something for everyone here!
12. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park/ Facebook
Located just outside Memphis, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is always a good idea. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is 12,539 acres of pure Tennessee glory, bordering the majestic Mississippi River. It's also home to an impressive lineup of trees and endangered plants, so if you've got a green thumb, you'll be totally charmed by this lush park!
13. Find a Cave
Brent Moore/Flickr
Pick a cave, any cave. Did you know that Tennessee has around 10,000 caves?! It's time to spend the day spelunking if you ask us.
14. Foster Falls
Brent Moore/Flickr
Foster Falls is another splendid outdoor spot in Tennessee: with a campground, beautiful waterfall, and wildlife that'll get your inner child way more than excited. It's the perfect place to plan a little day trip adventure! Check out this video from Adventuring in the Moment to see not only the hike down but also great views of this beautiful waterfall.


15. The Lost Sea
Management/ Tripadvisor
Craighead Caverns is a neat underwater string of caves that has the largest underground lake in the United States - second largest in the world. The Lost Sea may indeed be Tennessee's coolest natural wonder. Check out more about the cave with this video from CBS Mornings:


Alright, Tennesseans – what do you think of these unique Tennessee day trips? Did we miss any must-visit spots? Let us know in the comments below! And if this list has ignited your sense of wonder and curiosity, we know you’ll love exploring these 12 small towns throughout the year.

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More to Explore

Unique Tennessee Day Trips

Sarah | February 14, 2021

What's the most beautiful place in Tennessee?

One of the most beautiful places in Tennessee is The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

So Tennessee is gorgeous -- stunning, in fact! And The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known across the United States for its beautiful views and the moody blanket of mist that falls over its peaks in the early morning. It’s the most popular national park in the nation -- and remains one of the most beautiful places in the south. In Tennessee, however, the Great Smoky Mountains claimed the title as *the* most beautiful place in the Volunteer State -- and we do not disagree!

What's a hidden gem in Tennessee that even the most in-the-know Tennessean might not know about?

We just love sharing hidden gems around here -- and a secret trail recently popped up on our radar that surprised even us! Dubbed, appropriately, "The Top Secret Trail," this Tennessee treasure literally leads to some of the most amazing places in the state. You have to check it out!

What's a short day trip in Tennessee -- like, one-tank-of-gas short?

Here are some short day trips out of Nashville, Tennessee.

If you're short on time -- or fuel -- you can still take some pretty epic day trips in Tennessee. Here's a fun roundup of one-tank trips that will lead to you some of the coolest places in the state. The catch? You'll start in Nashville! (Which, is a totally worth-it day trip in and of itself.) Happy travels!

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Explore Tennessee

Featured Addresses
Arrington Vineyards, 6211 Patton Rd, Arrington, TN 37014, USA
Birdsong Resort Cir, Tennessee 38320, USA
622 W Sugar Creek Rd, McEwen, TN 37101, USA
Franklin, TN, USA
Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee 37367, USA
Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, USA
Dover, TN 37058, USA
Leipers Fork, TN 37064, USA
Reelfoot Lake State Park, 2595 TN-21 E, Tiptonville, TN 38079, USA
Natchez Trace Rd, Tennessee 37064, USA
Memphis, TN, USA
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, 910 Riddick Rd, Millington, TN 38053, USA
Foster Falls, Tennessee 37374, USA
The Lost Sea Adventure, 140 Lost Sea Rd, Sweetwater, TN 37874, USA