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There are no shortage of amazing outdoor activities across Middle Tennessee. So if you are looking for a caving experience, a long hike, a short hike, or just searching for beautiful waterfalls and scenic overlooks, I’ve got you covered.

Over the past decade, Tennessee has experienced an incredible public art movement. Artists and communities have come together to paint colorful murals across the region, turning small towns and downtown districts into open-air galleries. Many of those projects were led through our friends at DMA-events, an organization founded by Coffee Countians whose very first mural project was painted right here in Manchester.

If there is one thing besides Bonnaroo that Manchester, Tennessee is known for, it’s the food. Sure, the music festival put the city on the international map, but long before campers started rolling into The Farm each June, Manchester had already built a reputation as one of Tennessee’s great roadside food towns.

Your first stop should be the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead and Welcome Center located on the campus of the world-famous Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, only about 30 minutes from Manchester. Here, you can grab a free Tennessee Whiskey Trail Passport and officially begin your whiskey adventure.

My secret creek spot! No matter the time of day, it’s the perfect time of day to dunk your toes in the cool water creek just behind Crown Winery, in the heart of Leipers Fork, Tennessee.

Centerville has a way of drawing you in gently—through its historic square, welcoming storefronts, and the kind of charm that reveals itself the longer you stay. This itinerary leans into that rhythm, offering a way to experience the town and its surroundings not as a checklist, but as something a little more personal.

Set your sights a little east and head Up The Mountain. If you've already hit the highlights closer to home, the waterfalls and sandstone cliffs on the South Cumberland Plateau are worth the drive.

There are places that feel curated… and then there are places that just are. Lynnville is the latter. Tiny, quiet, and deeply rooted, it’s the kind of town where craftsmanship still matters, where front porches outnumber stoplights, and where a good find usually comes with a story. This itinerary isn’t about rushing—it’s about slowing down, wandering, and letting the day unfold the way a good antiquing trip should.

Doors are opening on once dormant buildings, live music is playing in the evenings, and shopkeepers are arranging vibrant displays for each season. Under the surface of this transformation is something pretty interesting: Right now, every business on the Wartrace Square is run by women.

Vintage Remnants (aka your antique-loving best friend with a full tank of gas and no self-control in a good shop) Just south of Nashville sits Columbia, Tennessee, “Muletown” if you’re feeling local—and let me tell you, this place is the kind of town that sneaks up on you. One minute you’re planning a casual day of antiquing, and the next you’re mentally rearranging your house to fit a French armoire you absolutely don’t have room for.