Guide · Tennessee
Tennessee, worth the detour.
11 hand-picked stops that never make the highway signs — the hidden gems, offbeat landmarks, and overlooked museums locals send you to, each with the story behind it and why it’s worth leaving the interstate.
Outdoors
5 stops in Tennessee.
A cool cave entrance, prairie and wetland trails, and interpretation of prehistoric Mississippian cave art make this more than a routine city park. Cave access is limited to reservable ranger-led tours during the warm season.
Ijams Nature CenterMore than 320 acres hold fourteen-plus miles of trails, a Tennessee River boardwalk, Mead's Quarry lake, and a post-industrial quarry landscape. It offers either a short river walk or a longer hike before Smokies traffic.
Ocoee River State ParkHome of the Olympic-class whitewater rapids on the "Mighty Ocoee" (Class I-VI); split off in 2025 from the former Hiwassee/Ocoee River State Park into its own dedicated park.
Ocoee Whitewater CenterThe 1996 Olympic whitewater venue on the Ocoee River — the visitor center building burned in 2022 and its fenced footprint remains closed, but trails, both parking lots, and rapids viewing have reopened (daylight hours, $3 lower-lot fee).
Sewanee Natural Bridge25-foot-high, 50-foot-span natural sandstone arch overlooking Lost Cove, reached by a short trail from a small parking area off Natural Bridge Road; a distinct unit of South Cumberland State Park, separate from Foster Falls and Greeter Falls.
Culture
4 stops in Tennessee.
Reconstructed 18th-century British fort from the French and Indian War era on Tellico Lake, with living-history reenactments and interpretive programs.
Museum of AppalachiaA 65-acre living-history farm and village combines 35 log structures, barns, churches, schools, gardens, and animals with three exhibit buildings of Appalachian folk art, instruments, quilts, and everyday objects. Budget at least 90 minutes.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park782-acre park built around a Native American ceremonial earthwork enclosure on the Duck and Little Duck rivers, with waterfalls, trails, and a museum; open daily 8am-4:30pm, just off I-24.
Stones River National BattlefieldNational Battlefield preserving the site of the January 1863 Battle of Stones River; the adjoining national cemetery holds more than 6,100 Union burials, over 2,500 of them unknown.
Food
2 stops in Tennessee.
This compact Clarksville counter has served griddled burgers and its Bun and Cream dessert since 1965. It is a genuine local institution, but current cash policy and hours should be confirmed before relying on it.
Sumner Crest WineryA 1900s-era tasting room, wine flights, large gift shop, food counter, and landscaped grounds make this more than a bottle counter. Non-tasters can still use the food and grounds during the final rural leg.
Plan the Tennessee trip
Hidden gems, scenic drives, hikes — all in one Tennessee guide.
See everything worth the detour in Tennessee, then let Roamward build the trip around it. Know a Tennessee spot we’re missing? Tell us — we’re building this with the people who actually drive it.