Day trips · Nashville · United States
5 best day trips from Nashville
Where to go when you want a day away from Nashville, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Nashville is Franklin (About 30 minutes by car). The closest option is Franklin, about 35 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 5
- Closest
- Franklin (35 km)
- Most popular
- Franklin
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | 35 km | About 30 minutes by car | Car via Interstate 65 | Couples, Culture, Families |
| Leiper's Fork and the Natchez Trace Parkway | 50 km | About 45 minutes by car | Car via the Natchez Trace Parkway | Couples, Quiet stays |
| Lynchburg and Jack Daniel's | 120 km | About 1.5 hours by car | Car via Interstate 24 | Food lovers, First-timers |
| Chattanooga | 215 km | About 2–2.5 hours by car | Car via Interstate 24 | Families, Couples |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | 150 km | About 1.5 hours by car | Car via Interstate 65 into Kentucky | Families, Solo travellers |
The day trips
35 km · About 30 minutes by car
1.Franklin
A historic town with a Victorian Main Street of shops and restaurants, the Carter House and Carnton plantation from the 1864 Battle of Franklin, and live music at the Franklin Theatre.
- Getting there
- Car via Interstate 65
- Best for
- Couples, Culture, Families
50 km · About 45 minutes by car
2.Leiper's Fork and the Natchez Trace Parkway
The scenic Natchez Trace Parkway runs southwest from Nashville; its double-arched bridge near Franklin is a striking viewpoint. Leiper's Fork is a small rural village of galleries and a well-known music-and-food venue.
- Getting there
- Car via the Natchez Trace Parkway
- Best for
- Couples, Quiet stays
120 km · About 1.5 hours by car
3.Lynchburg and Jack Daniel's
The Jack Daniel's distillery offers tours and tastings in a small town whose county has long restricted alcohol sales. The town square has shops and a classic Southern boarding-house restaurant.
- Getting there
- Car via Interstate 24
- Best for
- Food lovers, First-timers
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215 km · About 2–2.5 hours by car
4.Chattanooga
A river city in the mountains, known for the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain's Incline Railway, Rock City and Ruby Falls, and the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge. It is a long day trip, better as an overnight.
- Getting there
- Car via Interstate 24
- Best for
- Families, Couples
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150 km · About 1.5 hours by car
5.Mammoth Cave National Park
The longest known cave system in the world, with ranger-led tours through vast chambers and narrow passages, from short walks to strenuous half-day routes.
- Getting there
- Car via Interstate 65 into Kentucky
- Best for
- Families, Solo travellers
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- WeGo Public Transit buses run from WeGo Central downtown along the main roads, including to the airport and Music Valley.
- The WeGo Star commuter train runs weekday rush-hour services between downtown and Lebanon to the east; it is of limited use for visitors.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Nashville?
Franklin. A historic town with a Victorian Main Street of shops and restaurants, the Carter House and Carnton plantation from the 1864 Battle of Franklin, and live music at the Franklin Theatre.
+How long does it take to get from Nashville to Franklin?
About 30 minutes by car — Car via Interstate 65, about 35 km.
+How long does it take to get from Nashville to Leiper's Fork and the Natchez Trace Parkway?
About 45 minutes by car — Car via the Natchez Trace Parkway, about 50 km.