The unbeatable king of Country music, Nashville is often known as the ‘Athens of the South’ due to its rich collection of universities and colleges as well as its superb reproduction of the Parthenon. Established in 1779, the city offers a brilliant variety of attractions, a lot of which are obviously related to its musical history. Music lovers would not want to miss walking around the legendary Music Row district and the Music Row Square which is home to the iconic RCA Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
If you are planning to spend your holiday in the city and would love to find out what more it has to offer, we suggest you the top 5 weekend getaways from Nashville:
Northern Georgia
A perfect haven for adventure lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, Northern Georgia comes packed with a lot of fun and excitement. From camping to hiking to mountain biking, there is a range of activities that makes this part of the US State an amazing weekend getaway from Nashville. If you are an adrenaline junkie, dare yourself to the 270-foot-long swinging bridge over the Toccoa River near Blue Ridge. However, if you prefer something calmer and classier, the region is home to over 20 wineries which offer you custom winery tours. Last but not the least, for something over-the-top romantic of high-schoolish, catch a movie at Swan Drive-in Theatre which is one of the only five of its kinds left in the entire state.
Best Time to Visit: Though the mountainous region of Northern Georgia can be visited around the year, the most preferred time to be here is between the months of March to May.
How to Reach: The easiest and the fastest way to get to Northern Georgia from Nashville is by a self-driven car in which the journey takes slightly under three hours.
Memphis, Tennessee
If you liked the country music scene in Nashville but you are more of a blues and rock n’ roll person, you would absolutely love Memphis because this is where these music genres originated. Some of the iconic places in the city that vouch for Memphis’ glorious musical past include Sun Studios, Beale Street, and of course, Elvis Presley’s famous Graceland estate. Food lovers will have a gastronomical feast relishing the famous Memphis barbecue. Also linked to important historical events such as the Civil Rights Movement and slavery, the city’s museums, namely National Civil Rights Museum and Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, offers a lot of background to history buffs.
Best Time to Visit: April to May and October to November are the most perfect months to visit Memphis and avoid its harsh, long summer and chilly winter.
How to Reach: The fastest and the most convenient way to get from Nashville to Memphis is by driving your own car. The journey takes three and a half hours and costs $21 to $30 in fuel. However, you can also take a Greyhound bus to Memphis for $27 to $40.
Lexington, Kentucky
Known as the ‘horse capital of the world’, Lexington is a vital economic and cultural point that is located in the heart of Bluegrass Country. Home of the University of Kentucky, the city is dotted with historical, cultural, as well as natural sights for you to explore. Visit the Aviation Museum of Kentucky to know about Kentucky’s flying background. And, if you are keen on knowing about America’s First Lady, don’t miss out on the Mary Todd Lincoln House. Lastly, you cannot leave here without watching a horse race at Keeneland.
Best Time to Visit: Undeniably, the fall and the spring season are the most suggested seasons to visit the city.
How to Reach: If you are willing to splurge, you can take a direct flight between the two locations for up to $450. Alternatively, you can also take a bus to Louisville and change over for Lexington. The latter takes approximately five and a half hours and costs between $73 to $110.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
With a population of approximately 4,000 people, Gatlinburg is one of the tiniest towns in Tennessee, yet it is one of the most visited tourist places in the state. And, the primary reason behind this town’s immense popularity is the one and only Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the United States! Although the park is spread across Tennessee and North Carolina, Gatlinburg definitely has the monopoly over the remarkably scenic routes. Other than this, you could also visit Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, and Cades Cove.
Best Time to Visit: The months from June to August and October (for the fall foliage) are the peak times here. However, if you prefer staying away from the crowd, you should come here in either September or October (except for the weekends).
How to Reach: Although there are buses and flights to get to Gatlinburg from Nashville, but the fastest and the easiest is by a self-driven car. A car ride takes between $22 and $32 in fuel and you should expect to reach under four hours.
Chicago, Illinois
Nicknames as the “Windy City”, Chicago is often referred to as the greatest American city of recent times by travelers. The home of the Chicago Bulls and the Blackhawks, the city is a mecca for sports lovers. However, sports are not the only thing that makes Chicago stand out. In fact, the city is also known for its bold architecture and a skyline that is dotted with several world-famous skyscrapers including but not limited to the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower, the legendary John Hancock Center, and the gigantic Willis Tower (a.k.a Sears Tower). Explore Top Weekend Getaways from Chicago, Illinois.
Best Time to Visit: To enjoy Chicago at its cultural best, the most suggested time to visit the city would be between the months of April to May and September to October.
How to Reach: If you are on a budget and have time to spare, take a direct bus to Chicago for 11 hours and $50 to $110. However, flying to Chicago Midway or Chicago O’Hare only takes under four hours and costs between $74 to $1800 depending on the airport you are fly in to and which class you pick.
Taking a vacation amidst your busy and hectic life is a must, however, nobody likes to spend hours and days on travel planning. This is why, we have put together this list for you. Whether you are a music buff or an adventure lover, the city of Nashville and its surroundings have a lot to offer to all kinds of travelers. With its many historic monuments, intriguing museums, and astounding national parks, it is definitely a must to visit some, if not all, of the weekend getaways from Nashville to make the most out of your vacation.