This past weekend, I took a trip to Tennessee with some friends. We had a blast exploring the state and seeing what we could fit into three days. It was not a grand tour of Tennessee. It was the kind of quick road trip where you pick a route, keep moving, and come home already thinking about what you missed.
We centered the trip on Nashville and Chattanooga, with Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, and Fall Creek Falls giving us plenty of outdoor time between city stops.
Day 1: Nashville to Chattanooga
We drove from Nashville toward Chattanooga and stopped at scenic overlooks along the way. After checking into the hotel, we wandered downtown, looked through shops, found dinner, and made time for Ruby Falls. It was a full first day without trying to schedule every minute.
Day 2: Lookout Mountain
The next morning we headed toward Lookout Mountain. The Incline Railway and the views from the mountain made this one of the memorable parts of the trip. We took our time, walked around, grabbed lunch, and spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Chattanooga.
Day 3: Fall Creek Falls and Back to Nashville
On our last day, we started back toward Nashville and worked in a stop at Fall Creek Falls State Park. A short hike and a few scenic stops were a good way to finish before the drive home.
For current destination information, the official Tennessee tourism site is worth checking before you go. On the trail, Noah’s Outdoors has a useful refresher on responsible trail etiquette. I would also pack a small day hiking backpack with water, snacks, and a light rain layer. The trip was quick, but it reminded me how much Tennessee can fit into a long weekend.