Best Springtime Day Trips Around Nashville

Spring weather is in the air, and everyone’s excitement is palpable! Although this year’s winter wasn’t terribly difficult in the Nashville area, springtime is always eagerly welcomed. As the weather shifts toward sunny days full of warm breezes and chirping birds, many people are ready to get out and enjoy the outdoors in any way possible.

A superb springtime activity is embarking on a day trip with close friends and/or family members. Nashville and the surrounding areas are bursting with interesting day trip destinations that are ideal for springtime visits. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Mammoth Cave, National Park, KY

It’s simply astounding that the world’s longest cave is only 1.5 hours from Nashville! Mammoth Cave is aptly named, and your jaw will definitely drop to the cave floor when you first take in the sheer size of the caverns and chambers here. Depending on your desired level of intensity, you can participate in a number of different tours that range from 45 minutes to over six hours! Additionally, you can hike above ground to explore a number of trails that will take you past the River Styx’s mouth flowing from a cave to join up with the Green River. There is abundant wildlife along the hiking trails that you’re likely to catch glimpses of as well.

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens’ ‘Cheekwood in Bloom’

Beginning March 19 and continuing until April 24, a brilliant array of colorful blooms spring to life, including daffodils, redbuds, magnolias, dogwoods and most impressive, over 100,000 tulips! Each weekend during ‘Cheekwood in Bloom’ is filled with a variety of fun activities and scheduled entertainment. This year, each weekend will have a theme, and all activities will be family friendly.

Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival

Specifically celebrating the coming of springtime, the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival also recognizes and celebrates America’s friendship with Japan. There is plenty to do, including: Japanese art exhibits and demonstrations, Japanese food taste testing, Japanese products for sale at Ginza marketplace and Japanese leisure activities for all ages at J-Funland. The Cherry Blossom Festival takes places on Saturday, April 9, 2016.

Falls Creek Falls State Park

Here you’ll view one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States, along with a myriad of simply breathtaking scenery. Some highlights to check out in spring at Falls Creek Park are: the luscious hardwood forest, cascades, gorges, streams, horse stables (with guided rides available), and the Zipstream Zipline tours. You can also bike or hike through the park, play a round of golf, bird watch and enjoy a boat rental (on which you can choose to fish or simply enjoy the scenery).

 
These are merely a few of the incredible sights and events you can visit on a springtime day trip from Nashville. Enjoy the fresh air and new blooms as you set out to explore Nashville and beyond!