5 fantastic road trips you can embark on from Nashville

Editor's note: Be sure to confirm the status of each location before your trip, as some may have reduced hours or be closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

When the coronavirus pandemic struck, my child and I chose to drive from Baltimore to San Antonio to stay with family. During our journey, we spent a night in Nashville at the Kimpton Aertson. I've had numerous work trips to Music City, which has become a popular destination for bachelorette parties, sporting events, and even New Year's Eve festivities.

However, as lovely as Nashville is, the prolonged pandemic may have you feeling a bit restless. Thanks to its central location, both locals and visitors can easily access a variety of destinations in every direction—north, south, east, and west—that are perfect for road trips. If you're in Music City, consider taking at least one of these five excursions.

Louisville, Kentucky

Distance from Nashville: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Louisville offers much more than just the Kentucky Derby and bourbon. Named after King Louis XVI, the city was established by George Rogers Clark in 1778. It’s also the birthplace of the cheeseburger and Kentucky fried chicken. Currently, the city is selling custom face masks to support the Louisville COVID Relief Fund and The Black Artists Fund.

What to do: Experience the Urban Bourbon Experience™, the only city-wide trail featuring award-winning micro-distilleries, exhibits, and craft cocktail spots. Don’t miss Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Derby Museum. Baseball enthusiasts should visit the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory for a custom bat. The Muhammad Ali Center is a renowned museum dedicated to the life and legacy of the legendary boxer from Louisville. Locals can even help curate a custom list of activities for your visit to Louisville.

Where to stay: If staying at The Brown Hotel—the historic site where the Hot Brown sandwich was created—is out of your budget, at least enjoy a cocktail at its famous Lobby Bar. Families might appreciate the Homewood Suites by Hilton Louisville Downtown, which features an indoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and full kitchens. For budget-conscious travelers, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Louisville Downtown is a great option.

What to eat and drink: While Louisville is famous for its mint juleps, it’s also the birthplace of the Old Fashioned cocktail, created in 1881. The city celebrates Old Fashioned Fortnight during the first two weeks of June with bourbon events, cocktail specials, and National Bourbon Day on June 14. For delicious BBQ, head to Feast BBQ for pulled pork and brisket. A local favorite, Jack Fry's, is renowned for its shrimp and grits, and you must try the iconic Kern's Derby-Pie®, a chocolate-pecan pie. Due to its trademark, many restaurants offer their own take on it, often labeled as Chocolate Pecan Pie or something similar. Don’t miss out on the version at Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Distance from Nashville: Begin your journey in Louisville, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away.

This renowned trail showcases some of the finest bourbons in the world, featuring 18 distilleries, including Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, Angel's Envy, and Bulleit. You can even document your journey on the trail with a passport, which can be obtained at the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center at the Frazier Museum in Louisville, your first distillery stop, or downloaded online to print beforehand. With numerous distilleries in Louisville, it’s a great starting point. If you need assistance planning your visit, the Kentucky Bourbon Train website is a helpful resource.

What to do: Head south to Shepherdsville to visit the Jim Beam American Stillhouse. About an hour away is the Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto. After spending the night there, take a short 45-minute drive to the Wilderness Trail Distillery in Danville. Next, head north to Wild Turkey Bourbon in Lawrenceburg, and don’t miss the Woodford Reserve distillery in Versailles. Conclude your tour with a visit to Shelbyville to check out the Bulleit Distilling Co.

Where to stay: For a fully immersive bourbon experience, consider staying at Bourbon Manor in Bardstown, the first bourbon-themed bed and breakfast in the U.S., offering a bourbon-inspired breakfast and a spa. After visiting Woodford Reserve, secure a room at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Lexington W - Versailles. The Country Inn and Suites by Radisson in Shelbyville is also a great choice following your Bulleit distillery tour.

What to eat and drink: While sampling spirits along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, why not dine at the distilleries? Enjoy lunch at Star Hill Provisions, located at Maker's Mark Distillery, which offers bourbon cocktails and delicious, farm-to-table dishes without any fuss. The Jim Beam stillhouse features Fred's Smokehouse, known for items like Devil's Cut™ pulled pork barbecue sandwiches and chocolate bourbon pie topped with Graeter's Jim Beam Bourbon ice cream. Meanwhile, Woodford Reserve's chef-in-residence prepares bourbon-infused dishes such as barrelhead brie, turkey brined in bourbon, and Kentucky butter cake.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Distance from Nashville: 3 hours, 15 minutes

The park, situated between North Carolina and Tennessee, was established in June 1934 and officially dedicated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt six years later. To create the park, each state transferred deeds for 300,000 acres to the federal government. Begin your visit at either the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, or the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, North Carolina, to gather the latest information on attractions.

What to do: There’s no shortage of activities here, with options including auto tours, walking and biking trails, camping, fishing, stunning waterfalls, horseback riding, scenic overlooks, and ranger-led programs. A pandemic-friendly choice is a car tour along the park’s 384 miles of roads, such as the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. For those who enjoy hiking, explore the Rainbow Falls Trail or fish in one of the park's 2,900 miles of streams, which include some of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern U.S.

Where to stay: The park features only one on-site hotel, the Le Conte Lodge, perched atop Mount Le Conte and accessible only by hiking. Advance reservations are necessary for a stay here. To access backcountry campsites, a hike of several miles is required. If you're eager to stay within the park but prefer not to hike, you have three other camping options available:

• Frontcountry: Developed campgrounds for RV and tent camping equipped with restrooms.
• Group Campgrounds: Spacious campsites designed for groups of eight or more.
• Horse Camps: Smaller campgrounds that are vehicle-accessible, featuring hitch racks for horses and basic camping facilities.

If camping or hiking to a hotel isn’t your style, there are numerous hotels, cabins, and bed and breakfasts in the vicinity. You might want to consider Mountain Laurel Chalet Rentals in Gatlinburg, Black Fox Lodge Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, or the Quality Inn and Suites in Robbinsville, North Carolina.

What to eat and drink: Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dining options are limited. The Cades Cove Campground Store offers a snack bar with breakfast items, hot and cold sandwiches and wraps, soups, chili, pizza, soft-serve ice cream, fountain drinks, and more. Beyond that, you’ll be hunting for vending machines. In Pigeon Forge, The Old Mill Restaurant is known for its generous servings of Southern comfort food. For a great steak with a lovely view of the Little Pigeon River, check out The Peddler Steakhouse in Gatlinburg.

Asheville, North Carolina

Distance from Nashville: Approximately 4 hours and over 30 minutes

Asheville is a lively city tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains, showcasing a delightful blend of well-preserved architecture—ranging from Art Deco to Neoclassical. With its downtown filled with unique shops, art galleries, a bustling restaurant scene, and vibrant entertainment options, it offers something for everyone. Notably, Asheville boasts the highest number of breweries per capita in the U.S., alongside numerous outdoor activities for nature lovers.

What to do: No visit to Asheville is complete without exploring the Biltmore Estate, a stunning French Renaissance castle built by George Vanderbilt, featuring 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms and 65 fireplaces. Unleash your creativity at Roberto Vengoechea's Visions of Creation Gallery, where you can participate in a workshop to craft your own silver ring. Take a drive along the 469-mile scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, known as "America's favorite drive," which serves as a gateway to various outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, birdwatching, fishing, and tubing on the French Broad River.

Where to stay: After touring the Biltmore Estate, consider staying at the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, which offers hotel rooms and family-friendly studios with living rooms and multiple bathrooms. If you prefer being in the heart of the city, the AC Hotel Asheville Downtown is just a short walk from popular attractions. Alternatively, experience the welcoming atmosphere of the Hill House Bed and Breakfast, serving guests freshly brewed coffee from Javataza, fresh juices, and a hearty breakfast of eggs, cream, breads, and cheeses.

What to eat and drink: For a fantastic barbecue paired with local beer, head to 12 Bones Smokehouse. If you appreciate farm-to-table dining, The Blackbird's menu highlights local farmers’ produce, fresh Carolina seafood, and craft beverages. For a more upscale culinary experience, indulge in gourmet dishes like harissa-spiced rack of lamb and lobster spaghetti at The Dining Room at the Biltmore Estate.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Distance from Nashville: Approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes

Situated along the Arkansas River in Pulaski County, the largest county in the state, Little Rock serves as the capital city. At its core lies the vibrant River Market District, a hub for the finest restaurants, shops, nightlife, museums, and hotels. Outdoor lovers will find plenty to explore, with city parks offering walking trails, bike paths, fishing spots, golf courses, and picnic areas.

What to do: Be sure to stop by the Clinton Presidential Center and Park, which houses the Clinton Foundation, Presidential Library and Museum, and Clinton School of Public Service. For history enthusiasts, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is a must-see, commemorating the integration of schools by nine African American students in 1957. Families can enjoy a trip to the Little Rock Zoo, featuring a variety of animals and the beautifully restored Spillman Engineering Over the Jumps Carousel. For outdoor activities, Pinnacle Mountain State Park offers scenic views and nature trails just west of the city, perfect for hiking.

Where to stay: Consider staying at The Empress of Little Rock, an award-winning bed and breakfast established in 1888, featuring elegant amenities like a grand double staircase, candlelit breakfasts, and uniquely styled rooms with private baths. Alternatively, The Burgundy Hotel, a Tapestry Collection property by Hilton, is Little Rock's first boutique hotel, offering various suites. For camping enthusiasts, the Maumelle Recreation Area and Campground, located about 20 minutes from the city, provides reservable and walk-in sites along Lake Maumelle and the Arkansas River, complete with amenities like picnic shelters and a boat ramp.

What to eat and drink: Locals rave about Big Orange, famed for its gourmet burgers (how about a white truffle and pecorino?), delicious salads like the Border Town Wedge, and playful milkshakes (I’m in the mood for a dulce de leche). For a more refined dining experience, Cache Restaurant in downtown Little Rock is a must-visit, celebrated for its farm-to-table approach featuring three- and nine-course meals, including vegetarian options. Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the city's craft brewery scene, including Stone's Throw Brewing, Lost Forty Brewing, and Diamond Bear Brewing, all serving typical brewery fare.

Bottom line

As the pandemic continues, it’s a great opportunity for a nearcation or schoolcation. These five destinations are just the beginning of the amazing spots to explore on your next road trip from Nashville.