Ever heard of the word vemödalen? A so-called obscure sorrow, vemödalen refers to the frustration of snapping a photo that seems unique and interesting while simultaneously aware that thousands of people have taken that exact same photo. Even in Nashville, with its many attractions and hidden spots, you can still sometimes feel like everything has already been done, and you are just tracing outlines left by others that came before. Once you’re familiar with the Music City’s greatest hits playlist (the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Johnny Cash Museum & Café), you may find yourself craving for more, wondering whether Nashville’s got any new material in store right around the corner. Luckily, there are numerous day trips from Nashville, collaborations if you will, that will make you feel the thrill of finding that unique “sound” – a new idea, a new way of doing something. In Nashville you can sign up for some of the best day trips in Tennessee, some of them old favorites, and some of them trending new hits. Whichever you prefer, you will be able to make your own compilation that includes all the famous Music City landmarks as well as places to visit near Nashville, making your stay in Nashville a unique experience after all.
Historic Tennessee – Southern Plantations and Presidents
Excellent food, wine, and beautiful historic mansions await on one of the best day trips from Nashville.
TOUR DURATION AND BASICS
The tour takes approximately 7 hours. Mobile tickets are available for your convenience.
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
Historic Tennessee – Southern Plantations and Presidents is a tour that includes hotel pickup from any of the properties in Nashville. A typical tour starts at 9.00 AM, with hotel pickup commencing slightly before. After the tour, you will be returned to your starting point. Just make sure to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance to have enough time to organize hotel pickup.
WHY YOU SHOULD GO ON THIS DAY TRIP FROM NASHVILLE
This well-organized tour is a great opportunity to see two amazing, famed historic homes on a single day trip from Nashville. One of them is the Hermitage, the gorgeous country villa of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the US, located in the middle of a historic plantation, with farm buildings, slave quarters, a museum, a gorgeous garden, and a church. This day trip from Nashville also includes a Belle Meade Plantation tour. In the 19th century, the Bell Meade Mansion and Plantation was among the most famous thoroughbred horse farms in the world, known as the Queen of the Tennessee Plantations. Even today, it stands out as a prime example of Greek revival antebellum architecture, whose remarkably well-preserved farm buildings, stables, and slave cabins provide a unique insight into the past. Between visiting the two historic homes, you can enjoy a hearty lunch at a full southern buffet offered at the historic Hermitage House Smorgasbord. Before returning to Nashville, you’ll be able to relax with a glass of wine at the Winery at Belle Meade Plantation, a fitting way to conclude one of the best day trips in Tennessee.
STARTING FROM (AND WHAT’S INCLUDED)
You can book the tour for as little as $79.00 USD. Here’s what’s included. An air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pick-up and drop-off. The whole tour is guided, with knowledgeable and experienced guides sharing every little detail about the lives of the former inhabitants of these historic homes – and, what is especially important, without omitting the grim, sometimes unsavory details in an effort to make history look any better than it really was. The admission fees are also included, although you’ll have to pay for your own food and drinks during this Nashville road trip.
THE BOTTOM LINE
In short, this is a great tour for everyone who loves history, guaranteeing a most enjoyable day touring two of the most important historical places to visit near Nashville TN. Due to the convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off, the tour is perfect for everyone who doesn’t want to go through the hassle of renting a car. And best of all, you won’t have to skip the wine tasting, which serves as an indispensable introduction to Tennessee’s wine industry, dating back to the 19th century.
Tennessee Whiskey Adventure to Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel
Do you know your whiskey from your bourbon? Does a day of learning how the whiskey industry shaped Tennessee history sound appealing to you? Or do you simply want to try some great, aged whisky surrounded by stacks upon stacks of fragrant oak barrels? This day trip from Nashville may be the right choice for you.
TOUR DURATION AND BASICS
This tour of Tennessee-s classic distilleries takes approximately 8 hours. Mobile tickets are available, but the tour is only available in English (no foreign-language guides).
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
Unlike some other Tennessee day trips, this tour does not include hotel pickup. Instead, you need to arrive in front of Omni Hotel prior to departure, at 9:00 AM.
WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS TOUR
While you were probably aware of this, Jack Daniel’s is the best-selling whiskey in the world. Among the things that made it famous, the unique Lincoln County Process of filtering the whiskey through charcoal certainly stands out. On this day trip from Nashville, you will get a chance to explore the Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel distilleries on a guided tour – a one-of-a-kind experience providing an intimate insight into the whiskey-making process, which has changed very little since the 1880s. The historic town of Lynchburg is another great highlight, not to mention the great southern-inspired lunch and the chance to taste all of the iconic whiskey products right where the magic happens – in old-school distilleries and historic warehouses whose walls have countless stories to tell.
STARTING FROM (AND WHAT’S INCLUDED)
The price of the tour is $178.48 USD, with basically everything covered, including lunch, tastings, admissions, transport by air-conditioned bus, and live commentary by a professional, friendly guide.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This is one of those tours where you can learn a lot while having a great time. Instead of large, packed busses, expect a comfortable ride in a smaller van. The guides are knowledgeable and fun and willing to compromise, especially when it comes to time management – the schedule is very flexible.
Memphis Day Trip with VIP Access to Graceland from Nashville
One of the several longer Nashville day trips, this 15-hour tour is a must if you want to go for the complete Music City experience and cover all the bases. When it comes to the quintessential American music legends, Nashville is missing a few pieces, primarily Graceland, Beale Street and Sun Studio, “the Birthplace of Rock ‘N’ Roll” and the first company to record Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Carl Perkins.
TOUR DURATION AND BASICS
At 15 hours, this is one of the longer day trips from Nashville. It includes hotel pickup and supports mobile ticket purchases. It takes 4 hours to reach Memphis in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach.
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
After purchase, you can organize pick-up arrangements at any hotel in Nashville, with drop-off at your original departure point at the end of the day.
WHY YOU SHOULD OPT FOR THIS DAY TRIP FROM NASHVILLE
If you want to go for a walk in Memphis, ten feet off of Beale, if you want to see the ghost of Elvis and follow him up to the gates of Graceland, then this day trip from Nashville is exactly what you need. The trip includes a guided tour of Sun Studio, a 3-hour tour of Graceland with a VIP pass (including a visit to the King’s burial place, his car museum, and two luxury private planes), and plenty of free time at the famed Beale Street.
STARTING FROM (AND WHAT’S INCLUDED)
At the price of $175.00 USD, you can count on round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle (with hotel pick-up), all entry/admission costs covered, together with a professional and well-informed guide. Only food and drinks are extra.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While this is a very long day, as long as you come prepared, expect a fun, informative, and dynamic trip with a wealth of knowledge shared by the terrific tour guide. The Elvis memorabilia is a real treat, but it’s the stories and the places that make this a must-see day trip from Nashville.
The tours listed above are three of the best day trips from Nashville. If you’d like to try something new in the Music City itself, check out this one last option.
Bonus Round: One special day trip in Nashville proper
Nashville Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the General Jackson
This is one of the quintessential Nashville trips – a relaxing river cruise aboard the General Jackson Showboat, a huge ship built to resemble a vintage steam-powered riverboat, with a spectacular salon and plenty of entertainment options such as tribute nights. The real highlight, however, is the chance to walk around the deck during the tour and take in the breathtaking sights.
TOUR DURATION AND BASICS
The showboat cruise takes around 4 hours (lunch or dinner). Hotel pickup is available, as well as the option of purchasing the ticket via your mobile phone.
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
The lunch cruise starts at 12:00 PM, and the dinner cruise at 7 PM. Hotel pick-up and drop-off at the same location is available by shuttle in Nashville. The hotel pickups start one hour to an hour and a half prior to departure.
WHY YOU SHOULD EMBARK ON THIS CRUISE
The General Jackson is one of the largest paddle-wheel ships in the country, modeled after a classic steam-powered riverboat and named after the original General Jackson, which was built in 1817. The ship’s large Victorian theater provides the perfect setting for an exciting show that blends traditional and contemporary music, with occasional comedy skits, musicals, and gospel music. As you cruise down the Cumberland River, you will have a unique chance to enjoy the scenery on the riverbanks and unparalleled views of Nashville’s skyline. The tour also features a 3-course lunch/dinner with delicious Southern specialties such as the slow-roasted sugar-cured country ham with mustard molasses glaze, braised short ribs with BBQ demi-glaze, and chocolate tart with seasonal fruit dipped in Jack Daniels for dessert.
STARTING FROM (AND WHAT’S INCLUDED)
You can book this tour for as little as $88.88 USD, with hotel pickup and drop-off, the cruise itself, live entertainment, and either lunch or dinner included in the price.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The gorgeous boat sets the tone for this lovely cruise, with excellent food, breathtaking views of the city, and the entertainers on board going above and beyond to exceed all expectations.
PIN FOR LATER!
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If you have any other propositions for this Day Trips from Nashville, feel free to share them in the comments below!