ExperienceTN.com

One of the best parts of traveling through Tennessee is discovering the small towns that still feel authentic, welcoming, and full of character. Middle Tennessee is packed with communities where historic downtowns, local restaurants, antique shops, and front-porch hospitality are all part of the experience. Whether you’re headed to Bonnaroo or simply exploring the region, these small towns are worth taking the scenic route for.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vintage Remnants founder Remy Watters recently spent a night exploring Manchester, Tennessee, and discovered that this charming Coffee County town is full of unique shops, great food, and cozy places to stay.

If you’ve got a few hours to spare and you’re in the mood to wander, Shelbyville makes for a perfect Backroads stop—especially when you build your day around the Historic Square. This is one of those places where you can park once, take your time, and let the day unfold naturally.

Travel+Leisure's Lydia Mansel highlighted the 20 Best Places to Visit in Tennessee for a True Taste of the Volunteer State, and there are several communities in and around South Central Tennessee and Nashville's Big Back Yard highlighted in the piece!

Each December in Lynchburg, there’s a night when The Holler feels just a little bit brighter, and not just because of the hundreds of twinkling lights strung across a towering whiskey-barrel tree. It’s because families, friends, locals, out-of-towners, and the occasional wide-eyed first-timer all gather at the Jack Daniel’s Visitor’s Center for one of Tennessee’s most beloved holiday traditions: the annual lighting of the Jack Daniel Distillery Barrel Tree at Christmas in Lyn

Tucked away in Franklin County, Head of the Crow State Park spans more than 4,200 acres of rugged Tennessee beauty. This hidden gem protects the headwaters of Crow Creek and showcases a classic karst landscape filled with caves, sinkholes, springs, and hardwood forests that support rare wildlife.

This month’s Sounds Like Tennessee segment takes us deep underground for three unforgettable concerts at one of Tennessee’s most unique venues, The Caverns in Grundy County. If you’re ready to add a little magic, soul, and good vibes to your November, here are three shows you won’t want to miss.

Lirette’s Cajun Kitchen: Bringing Bayou Flavor to Pulaski, Tennessee “Bonjour, commet ça va?” That’s Cajun for “Hello, how are you?” —...

If you grew up in the south, there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed a fried pie. A true southern dessert from the past. Recently, Laura Faber travelled to Giles County and met a couple making fried pies the delicious, good old-fashioned way.

Home to America's only known double-span natural land bridge, The Bridges is far more than a geological marvel, it's a full nature-based resort experience in the heart of South Central Tennessee. From serene forest trails to comfortable lodging, farm-to-table dining, and event spaces, The Bridges invited guests to relax, explore, and connect with the land.

The Caverns Sessions returns this fall for Season 14, bringing a fresh slate of remarkable artists to PBS stations and the PBS app. Taped live in The Caverns’ world-renowned underground concert hall in Grundy County, TN, the season kicks off September 10, 2025, with an episode featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter Shakey Graves.

Spring Into the Season at The Tennessean!

Early's Honey Stand Acquires Tennessee Peanut Company