Whether you're arriving early, staying a few extra days, or looking for an adventure between festival weekends, Nashville's Big Backyard offers unforgettable experiences filled with music history, scenic drives, small-town charm, and authentic Tennessee culture.
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.
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