4 Road Trips to Take in Tennessee

Tennessee is a beautiful state to visit any time of the year. There are several great destinations for a weekend getaway or day trip. From mountains to big cities, Tennessee has something to offer everyone. Follow the Natchez Trace Parkway and National Scenic Byway for an adventure. Gas up the car, grab the kids and check out these four road trips to take in Tennessee.

Nashville

Tennessee is synonymous with Nashville, the country music capital, and it’s a definite must-see destination. There’s so much to see and do in Nashville that the longer you can take to get it all in, the better. A few of our favorites include the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Ryman Auditorium, and the Broadway Honky Tonk Highway. You’re sure to find an abundance of live music shows from performers hoping to get their big break. One such place is the Wildhorse Saloon, with three floors, a restaurant, bar, and dance floor where they offer free line dancing lessons.

When you work up an appetite wandering around Nashville, be sure to fill up at Arnold’s Family Kitchen, Capitol Grill, or The Loveless Cafe. Stick around into the evening and catch a drink at the Oak Bar inside the Hermitage Hotel, Honky Tonk Central, or the Tootsies Orchid Lounge.

Franklin

Just a bit down the road is the city that has the only Great American Main Street in Tennessee that runs through it. Downtown is a quaint historic district, consisting of 15 blocks. Enjoy the brick sidewalks and Victorian architecture. Stop under the lights of the Franklin Theater, built in the 1930s, closed in 2007, and has recently been renovated and is better than ever. In addition to movies, they also host live music on occasion. When you start to get hungry, check out Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant in downtown Franklin. They offer some of the best southern cooking around.

Hohenwald

Continuing along the Natchez Trace Parkway, you’ll find an elephant sanctuary in Hohenwald. The sanctuary offers 2,700 acres of natural habitat and an Elephant Discovery Center for visitors. At the center, visitors can view the animals on the Elecam, as there are no visitors allowed in the sanctuary itself. When you’ve finished watching the elephants play, try the food at Junkyard Dog Steakhouse. The 20-ounce porterhouse or blackened tilapia are both worth the drive.

Centerville

The next stop along the way on Natchez Trace Parkway is Centerville, home of Minnie Pearl, a famous Grand Ole Opry comedian. Visit Grinder’s Switch Winery, where you can stroll through the 100-acre vineyards, taste a variety of their offerings, and shop their selection of local handmade items. Be sure to check their website for upcoming events to help you plan your visit. They’ve been known to offer food truck days as well as wine and yoga events.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to spots to stop, places to eat, and cities to visit along the Natchez Trace Parkway and National Scenic Byway. Other places include Leiper’s Fork and Waynesboro. Take the entire trip at once, or break it up over days, or plan a new adventure over the course of several trips and make sure to visit Toyota of Kingsport before going on your trip to check out the new and used cars we have for sale in Kingsport, TN!

Image by Shelly Yingling from Pixabay

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