Looking for fun day trips in Tennessee that let you get out of the house without booking a hotel? Tennessee has plenty of places where families can enjoy a day of history, outdoor adventures, music, delicious Southern food, and small town charm.
Whether you live in Tennessee or are visiting from a neighboring state, you’ll find day trip ideas throughout East, Southeast, Middle, and West Tennessee. From exploring mountain scenery and waterfalls to discovering historic towns and lively cities, there are plenty of ways to plan a memorable family outing and sleep in your own bed that night.
We’ve gathered 11 Tennessee day trip ideas to help you choose your next adventure. You’ll find destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, history lovers, families with kids, and anyone who enjoys exploring somewhere new.
If you are just itching to get out of the house but stay close to home, these Tennessee Day Trips for families are for you.
Truthfully, when you are on vacation at a place like Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, you take day trips every day. We decide what we are going to explore each day of vacation. I am going to help you with this list of great day trip ideas in Tennessee.
Best Day Trips in Tennessee by Region
Tennessee stretches from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west. In a southern state rich in history and culture, each region has its own personality, making it easy to find a day trip that suits your interests and starting point.
East Tennessee
East Tennessee is where you will find Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sieverville and Jonesborough. An area rich with history, mountains, waterfalls, Dollywood, which is one of my favorite places, and plenty of interesting places to explore in a day. If you love the outdoors, East Tennessee offers plenty of ways to spend a day surrounded by nature. There are untold numbers of family friendly attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg tourist areas.
Southeast Tennessee
Chattanooga is one of the best known destinations in Southeast Tennessee, with attractions for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and history lovers.
If you’re planning a day trip from Atlanta to Chattanooga, consider making a full day of it. Depending on your starting point and traffic, allow plenty of time for the drive. You could visit Ruby Falls, explore the Chattanooga Zoo, enjoy a meal downtown, and head home after a day of sightseeing. We visited Griffin’s Hot Dogs and I highly recommend it if you are a hot dog lover too.
My husband and I love visiting Tennessee, and Chattanooga holds a special place in our travel memories. Ruby Falls and the Incline were both on my bucket list. One challenged my fear of heights, and the other helped me face my fear of tight spaces. I’m happy to say I experienced both!
Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee is home to Nashville, Lynchburg, and Franklin. You can easily spend a day in any of these cities enjoying food, culture, and history.
Spend a day enjoying Nashville’s music and culture, walk through historic Franklin, or discover the small town charm of Lynchburg. Depending on where you go, you can fill your itinerary with history, local food, shopping, and interesting places to explore.
West Tennessee
Are you an Elvis fan? Memphis is surely on your Bucket list.
It isn’t a long drive from parts of northeast Arkansas or northwest Mississippi. Memphis is known for its music, history, food, and cultural attractions.
11 Best Day Trips in Tennessee
You can easily spend a day at Graceland. We crossed visiting Graceland off of my husbands Bucket List. There is plenty more to explore if you have a whole day to spend in Memphis.
Ready to start planning? These 11 travel guides offer ideas for exploring Tennessee, from mountain drives and outdoor adventures to historic towns and exciting cities.
11 Day Trips in Tennessee
We've gathered 11 Tennessee day trip ideas to help you choose your next adventure. You'll find destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, history lovers, families with kids, and anyone who enjoys exploring somewhere new.
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Spend 24 hours in Gatlinburg and take this advise from frequent visitors who know the hot spots.
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A day trip on the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road is one of the best things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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30 Best Things to Do in Nashville, Tennessee
Spend a day or stay a few days in Nashville Tennessee. Did you know that you can see the Parthenon and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville?
I hope you can use these best day trips in Tennessee to make your year filled with adventure and family fun. Day trips are the way to go when you are trying to avoid hotel stays to save money. Because Tennessee is a southern state filled with history, culture, and down home good cooking, you can find plenty of places to go and things to do for day trips.
Tips for planning a Tennessee Day Trip
A little planning before you set out will help you get more out of your day trip without feeling rushed.
- Choose a destination within a comfortable driving distance, usually within a 2 hour drive. Remember to allow time for traffic, breaks, and the drive home.
- Plan around your family’s interests. Outdoor adventures, historic towns, city attractions, and family-friendly activities can all make wonderful day trips.
- Check opening hours and seasonal conditions. Attractions, trails, and park roads may have different schedules throughout the year. Some may be closed during the winter such as mountain roads that close due to weather.
- Pack snacks and a picnic. Eating outdoors can be a fun way to save money and enjoy your surroundings. Many mountain drives have parking areas with picnic tables, depending on where you are.
Day trips are also a practical way to explore new places while avoiding the expense of an overnight hotel stay.
Also see our list of Festivals in Tennessee
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