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The Land of
Waterfalls & Whiskey
This Tennessee road trip blends the drama of towering waterfalls with the depth of world-class whiskey.
By Jason Frye
When Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead sang “Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain’t no place I’d rather be,” they must’ve been singing about this waterfall and whiskey road trip. Blending Nashville’s urban landscape with charming villages, legendary whiskeys and new favorite bottles, and the truly exceptional nature of Tennessee’s state parks, this road trip route shows you a new side of the Volunteer State.
Omni Nashville Hotel
OMNI
Nashville makes the perfect starting point and offers the chance for a luxe stay (the city’s 21 AAA Four-Diamond properties include the Omni Nashville Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Nashville and W Nashville) at either end of your road trip, and some excellent food. Stop by Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack for a spicy lunch, and then set your sights for one of Tennessee’s state parks and home to the first of several spectacular falls.
Cummins Falls
ADOBE STOCK
An easy drive east leads to Cummins Falls State Park and its 75-foot-tall cascade. Watching it tumbling down the rock face into a picture-perfect plunge makes snapping a photo as irresistible as the urge to wet your feet. During warmer weather, join swimmers and waders in the water (but mind your footing and play safe) or just take in the moment.
Aerial view of Fall Creek Falls
Next, steer southeast, to Fall Creek Falls State Park, one of Tennessee’s largest at 29,800 acres. Not to be outdone, Fall Creek Falls drops 256 feet in a see-it-to-believe-it natural amphitheater. Trails lead along the Cumberland Plateau to overlooks and vantages that frame this natural wonder. Check out other trails in this park to earn three more falls at this stop: Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls and Cane Creek Cascades.
Great Falls, Rock Island State Park
Find the next waterfalls in Rock Island State Park, where the Collins, Caney Fork and Rocky rivers meet. This spot northwest of Fall Creek Falls State Park offers a two-for-one waterfall experience with Great Falls—and the historic Cotton Mill—and the 80-foot-tall Twin Falls wowing visitors. Hiking trails, easy-to-reach overlooks and even the parking areas provide views and access to the water.
Machine Falls, Short Springs State Recreation Area
By now you’ve worked up a thirst, and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail is here to help. Follow the scent of charred oak barrels to Lynchburg’s legendary Jack Daniel’s Distillery for a (responsible*) sip. Along the way, pack in two more waterfalls at Short Springs State Natural Area, near the town of Tullahoma; short trails lead you to Machine and Busby falls, and during spring, the trails are packed with wildflowers, making this stop even more entrancing. At Jack Daniels, you can take a distillery tour, a tour focused on its famed barrels; a five-hour tour combining Lynchburg and Jack Daniels history with whiskey tastings; and a Bonded Tour that comes with exclusive samples. Expect more than the classic Jack here, and enjoy limited flavors, experimental batches, hard-to-find bottles and more.
A short walk (5-10 minutes) from the Jack Daniel’s Distillery is downtown Lynchburg. Centered around a historic town square, the downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and ideal setting for a leisurely afternoon stroll, shopping and dining. Book lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant for a meal that’s more Southern feast than dainty bite.
*Note: Choose a designated driver if you plan on participating in any whiskey tastings while on a road trip.
AAA Tours are Available for visiting Jack Daniel’s Distillery!
• Jack Daniel’s Smooth Distillery Tours Shopping and Barbecue includes a tour of the distillery, plus shopping and a visit to Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant for lunch.
• Nashville to Jack Daniel's Distillery Bus Tour + Whiskey Tastings includes a guided bus tour from Nashville to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery.
Check out AAA.com/TripCanvas for more tour options and details.
NEAREST GREEN DISTILLERY TOUR VIDEO
As you move back toward Nashville, stop by Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville. This relatively new whiskey brand has made quite the splash and has history with Jack Daniel. Uncle Nearest Green, an enslaved man and whiskey wizard taught Daniel the art of distilling, and after the Civil War, Green became Daniel’s first master distiller. In recent years, Green’s launched the brand to honor his legacy and some of his descendants are involved with the distillery. Here, you can label your own bottle, join a master distiller to savor tastes from barrels, sip your way through history or take the usual tour-and-flight before tucking into some barbecue at Barrel House BBQ.
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Stable Reserve Spirits
VISIT FRANKLIN TENNESSEE
Your final stop is Franklin, a town almost too charming for words. Book a fantastic stay at The Harpeth Franklin Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton, a short walk from Leiper’s Fork Distillery’s House of Spirits and Stable Reserve Distillery. Do a little shopping and start planning your next Tennessee road trip.
Consider renting a vehicle for your next road trip. Visit AAA.com/Hertz for reservations and more information.
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