5 quick escapes from the bustle of downtown Nashville
The ten counties of Middle Tennessee are vibrant and beautiful with plenty to explore. Here are five day-trips you should take to explore the amazing region we call home.
Natural beauty is abundant in Cheatham County.
The gem of Cheatham County is the Harpeth River, a 115-mile tributary of the Cumberland River. Designated as a scenic river, there is plenty to explore along its banks or while paddling in a canoe or kayak.
Cheatham Lake is another great destination for hiking, fishing, birding, swimming and camping.
There is plenty to see in Maury County. Columbia, the county’s largest city, and the county as a whole are known for their large number of pre-Civil war homes. In fact, there are more antebellum homes in this region than any other county in the state.
One of these homes is the James K. Polk Ancestral Home, built in 1816 and now open for guided tours.
You can also check out Columbia’s historic downtown for examples of antebellum architecture just 45 minutes from Nashville.
Fall is one of the best times to visit rural Robertson county. First, check out the attractions at Honeysuckle Hill Farm including their corn maze, pumpkin patch, bonfires, fireworks and even a zip line.
If you’d like to explore some of Tennessee’s creepier history, check out the Bell Witch Cave in Adams. The cave is said to be the home of a witch who haunted the family of a farmer, John Bell, in the early 1800’s. Even if you don’t believe in the paranormal, the cave is on the National Historical Registry.
One of the fastest-growing parts of Middle Tennessee, Sumner County is home to Goodlettsville, Hendersonville and Gallatin. In addition to many large employers like Dollar General, Gap and Servpro Industries, there is plenty to explore.
Wilson County’s two biggest cities are Mount Juliet and Lebanon. Home to a portion of J. Percy Priest Lake and two state parks, there is plenty to explore in the great outdoors.
Cedars of Lebanon state park features 8 miles of hiking trails and one of Tennessee’s first disc golf courses. The other state park in the county is Long Hunter state park which borders Percy Priest lake and has 25 miles of hiking and a 5-mile mountain bike trail.
Another big attraction is the Wilson County Fair held every August. Almost half a million people attended the hundreds of attractions, competitions, shows and exhibits at the fair in 2017.
Even just a few miles from downtown Nashville you can find idyllic views of Tennessee history, nature and culture.