Day Trip Adventures (Revised January 7, 2026)
The info may have changed since our visit. Do some research before you go. We check websites and Facebook pages and use our phone maps to get directions. Happy Exploring!
- Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg, KY
Eat at Trustee’s Table there may need reservations if it is busy day
Self guided tours and guided tours
Take 127 North
2. Glasgow Ky
South Central Kentucky Cultural Center on the square-was once a factory that made pants
We like to shop @ Rural King and eat at Freddy’s Steakburgers
We also take a cooler because Ruler Foods (a division of Kroger’s) has a store there with
Great prices on milk and eggs and other things!
Stop at Marrowbone at Mennonite Store/ Country Kitchen?
Eat a banana split at the Tastee Foods in Burkesville (blue dairy bar)
3. Nancy, KY
Eastern time zone
Haney’s Appledale Orchard
Best fried apple pies-more of a hand pie with crust and coated in confectioner sugar
Mill Springs Battlefield National Cemetery and Visitor Center
Lee’s Ford Marina has nice restaurant
4. Big South Fork Scenic Railroad in Stearns, KY
Nearby is Yahool Falls and Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls is a state park and the lodge there has a restaurant. The drive to the falls is curvy and the address of the area is Parker’s Lake, KY.
The train ride is in Stearns, KY and takes you to the Blue Heron area and back.
5. Tompkinsville , KY
We cross the ferry at Turkey Neck Bend (long drive)—go left after crossing ferry to get to town—or go through Celina and reduce chances of getting lost!
Eat at Dovie’s on the square
Visit Old Mulkey Meeting House
The Marigold Market is new and an excellent place to eat and buy some baked goods and kitchen staples.
6. Creelsboro, KY
About 10 miles SW of Jamestown, KY
Billed as a ghost town was once a river boat stop on the Cumberland River
Eat at old general store
Now called Paula’s at Creelsboro
About two miles from store is Creelsboro Natural Bride aka The Rockhouse a large sandstone arch. The arch did not have signage the last time we were there so it may to hard to find. There is a granite monument at the parking area. The arch is in sight of the parking area and requires some climbing to get down to it.
7. Rugby
Was a restaurant there, but if not open the R.M. Books General Store says they have the best Fried Bologna in TN Its too thick for me!
They offer tours and there are some hiking trails. The church is a great photo spot and the cemetery is very interesting.
8. Brushy Mountain Prison
9182 Highway 116
Petros, TN
Eastern time zone
Pay extra for the guided tour
Eat at the Warden’s Table
9 Colditz Cove in Allardt, TN
Waterfall hike
10. Crossville
Cumberland County Playhouse never disappoints
Nice shops and eating places on the square
Homesteads museum
Cumberland Mountain state park has golf, hiking and a restaurant.
11.Cumberland Gap
Eastern time zone
On the way have lunch at McCloud Mountain
Reservations are required here, its about 30 minutes from the Gap
Stop at Lincoln Memorial University and visit the Lincoln museum
Drive to the top of Pinnacle point the stand in two states and enjoy the view
12. Mammoth Cave
Check their website for different tours and times
13. The Ark Encounter
Williamstown, KY
Eastern Time Zone
Be ready for much walking and lots of reading in the exhibits
We had a big buffet lunch at Emzara’s
You arrive in the Parking Lot and buy tickets, then board a bus for a short ride to the ark.
They have added several activities since we visited several years ago.
14. Burgess Falls
Between Cookeville and Sparta
Hike to the Falls—There is an observation deck but if you are adventurous you can continue to the bottom.
Near the entrance to Burgess Falls is a great place to eat called Chestnut Oaks Farm Store and Kitchen. Their menu contains smoked food and they also sell local crafts and ice cream.
15. Granville,TN
Calls itself Tennessee’s Mayberry Town
Plays and radio shows in the old Sutton Store
They have museums, a pioneer village and a tour of the Sutton Homeplace.
In Jackson County
Open Wednesday though Saturday
Several festivals and special events are held each year
16. Drive the Rollercoaster Yard Sale
1st weekend in October
One of the biggest best spots is Temple Hills
17. Muddy Pond
Amish Community
Get a sandwich at Front Porch
They make molasses in October
Shop at General Store
Various shops and green houses in the community
18. Bardstown, KY
Visit square enjoy meal at 200 year old Tavern there
Tour My Old KY Home
19. Fall Creek Falls
State Park near Spencer TN
Several water falls with short hikes
The Lodge is brand new and has a good restaurant
They have some cute cabins built over the lake there
Fall Creek Mennonite village at same exit off Highway 111
Great place for buying plants and vegetables in season. Maps are available on their website
20. The Caverns and Rock Island State Park
Near McMinnville
Go to Sparta and drive toward McMinnville, the park and cave are both well marked
Not much to eat, but we did find a restaurant inside the Shell Station off the main highway called The Landing. When we walked in the waitress directed us to buffet and said, “Just tell mama what you want and she will get it for you”
21. Bowling Green Ky
About 2 hour drive
Corvette Museum
Railroad Park with restored train cars
Hidden River Cave -take the boat tour
Lots of eating and shopping
22. Liberty, KY
Eastern time zone
Eat at the The Bread of Life Cafe, which is staffed and owned by the Galilean Children’s Home. The profits from the restaurant and gift shop go to the school.
The buffet is huge and includes the salad bar. Never disappoints
On Saturday morning only they have a breakfast buffet.
Nearby is a Mennonite community called South Fork where you can buy salvaged groceries, produce, baked goods and all things kitchen/cooking related.
During the 127 yard sale this community has a large spot at the entrance selling all sorts or things including homemade ice cream and pretzels.
We recently discovered a new spot called Goode’s Riverside Creamery near The Bread of Life. The ice cream is delicious and the sandwiches are big enough to share. They sells products from their dairy and meats.
23. Danville,Ky
Eastern time zone
Kentucky’s oldest city
Very interesting architecture in the downtown area.
In the center of the town there is a replica of the original settlement called Constitution Square
Shopping and eating on the main street.
Drive around to view some very old antebellum homes.
The public library there is worth a visit. Its five stories with a reading courtyard and sculpture garden.
24. Bush Beans Visitor center in east Tennessee
Chestnut Hill, TN
Near Sevierville if you are in the Smoky Mountain area
Visitor center with a free,small self-guided museum showing the history of the company. It also includes a gift shop and restaurant with country dishes and their signature dish, pinto bean pie.
25. Cave City, KY and Horse Cave
About 10 miles from Glasgow on highway 90. You can see or stay in the WigWam village. There’s shopping and dining and several things for kids like Dinosaur World and a Wildlife Museum.
Just a few miles up the interstate you can visit Horse Cave, KY. They are a town built on top of a cave. You can tour the cave and cave museum there. The Dutch Country Safari Park is at the exit. It is a drive through animal park owned by the Mennonites in the area. (We did not actually do these two things)
26. South Pitttsburg, TN
This town is on the border of Alabama and Tennessee and is home to the Lodge Cast Iron Company. You can view the world’s largest cast iron skillet in their museum and eat in the restaurant called Big Bad Breakfast.
This one is a long drive to Dunlap on through Jasper on Highway 64 to I-24 and we recommend that you plan this in conjunction with something else that you might find in the area! It is close to Chattanooga and South Cumberland Park.
27. Louisville, KY
This city has lots of things to do and we have always made it an overnight trip.
There’s a large children’s science center and a Louisville Slugger museum downtown. You can take a riverboat ride and watch a minor league baseball game.
There is a huge Cavern system built under the city that you can tour or zipline. We did the drive though Christmas lights and it was great. That is seasonal, of course.
We had a great time at Churchill Downs and stayed in a rental unit right across the street. There is also a good zoo in Louisville.
Bernheim Forest
Located in Clearmont, KY just off the interstate is a great stop when traveling to Louisville. They are famous for the three wood sculptures called forest giants. There is a playground, miles of hiking in the different forest areas. We walked the trail with the forest giants and the holly forest.
28. Stanford, KY
Eastern time zone
The second oldest town in Kentucky built right on the Wilderness Road. We recommend visiting the shop called Ky Soaps and Such and eating at the Bluebird. The Bluebird is a Farm to table restaurant with delicious fresh food and the world’s best pie. Don’t leave without ordering the Strawberry White Chocolate Pie.
There is a restored railroad depot and a fort near the main street. The Buffalos Springs Cemetery on the outside of town is huge and has some interesting monuments. We highly recommend spending a day in this friendly town.
29. Big South Fork National Recreation Area
Our favorite spot to hike in the fall is this area. No matter which way you look the colors are spectacular. Two of our favorite trails are Twin Arches and the trail from Leatherwood to the old O and W Railroad bridge. Be prepared if you take the short hike to the Twin Arches, there are many, many stairs!
https://www.nps.gov/biso/index.htm
30. Pogue Creek Canyon Natural Area and Pickett State Park
Just before the entrance to Pickett State Park you will find the trail head for the Pogue Creek Natural Area. There are some amazing rock formations and great views on this trail. We actually encounter a black bear on this trail on day.
31. Pickett State Park
Don’t forget about visiting this gem in our own county. Be sure to check our the trails and cross the swinging bride over the lake there. Hazard Cave is an easy trail and they also have one of the Imagination Library story trails there for kids. Lots of picnic tables in the lake area to have lunch or rent a boat or canoe in the boathouse, where Peanut worked many summers ago!
https://tnstateparks.com/parks/info/pickett
32. Monterey, TN
A couple of stops in Monterey, Tn is Bee Rock Overlook just outside of the town. Its a short walk to an amazing view. Then stop at Laurel Mountain Bakery and have a homemade sandwich or pick from their breads or baked goods for a dessert.
33. Monticello, KY
Eastern time zone
Just a short drive from Byrdstown is the little town of Monticello, KY. Their square contains a history museum with a cave in the basement and a stage coach on the ground floor. There is a charming little store called Main Street Books right in the center of town. We were told the cheeseburgers from the Pool Hall there are not to be missed, but we haven’t tried them yet.
We have eaten at the Black Stallion Steakhouse and at Happy Hoppers, both were tasty. We come home with tax free groceries from Wal-mart.
Just a short drive from Monticello is Mill Springs Park with a watermill and walking trails.
34. Wilson County/Tennessee State Fair in Lebanon, TN
You can’t see this in just one trip, its that big! We go every year because our grandson is showing goats in the livestock area. There are buildings filled with exhibits, and products from Tennessee and displays from every county. Some buildings are dedicated to 4-H and FFA and teaching displays for children to learn about agriculture. Of course, they have a huge midway with rides and all the fair foods. Livestock shows are happening everyday and the birthing barn is a popular spot. It's 10 days of fun every August.
35. Highway 52 Yard Sale
In the middle of May, Highway 52 has a yard sale each year. We usually begins around Hermitage and Red Boiling Springs and goes to Portland. We don’t usually go beyond Lafayette, TN. We see lots of interesting things and meet many great folks. We enjoyed eating at the Gibson Cafe for lunch last year. Its on the square in Lafayette. Many of the sales are set up right along the edge of the highway.
36. 127 Yard Sale
World’s longest yard sale. Just take Highway 127 North or South during the first Thursday-Saturday in August each year. Its always fun to go searching for a treasure! We all know most sales begin the first of the week!
37. Lynchburg, TN
Home of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey
Take the distillery tour and be sure to eat at Miss Mary Bobo’s where the food is served family style and you need a reservation.
You can walk from the distillery into town.
You can visit Jack Daniel’s grave and shop in the stores around the square. Several photo spots around the square.
Leave early and plan to spend the day, it’s an easy drive.
38. Munfordville, KY
Replica of Stonehenge in a neighborhood just off the square. Small town with a square and some interesting things in the museum there. Stop in the Visitor’s Center for information. You are near Cave City and Horse Cave Ky.
https://www.visitmunfordville.com
39. Franklin, KY
Visited the Octagon House, interesting but a little expensive (10 dollars each person) for what you get. No guided tour just a person who wanted to give a long talk! You can self guide yourself though the house and grounds. Needs some major upkeep but interesting. We ate lunch in a little bakery on the square and found several historical markers in the court house lawn. John and June Cash were married there. We wandered into the library where the Friends of the Library had a small bookstore.
40. Barren River and Scottsville, KY
We lunched at Barren River State Park Lodge. Spotted at Paradise Point but it was not for us. Drove on to Scottsville, KY, its the home of the first Dollar General and has a quaint square with shops and murals.
41. Harrodburg, KY
Replica of an old fort, first one in KY. (Old Fort Harrod State Park) There were costumed re-enactors there the day we visited. Not a lot of spots to eat but a drive down the main street and look at the old buildings. It’s near Danville so we stopped there for eating and shopping.
https://parks.ky.gov/parks/find-a-park/old-fort-harrod-state-park-7823
42. London, KY
Levi Jackson State Wilderness Road Park. Working watermill (Mchargue’s Mill) with a collection of mill stones outside. We got there after the season but the miller was cleaning and gave us a great tour of the operation. There is also a replica of a Mountain museum there and some historic markers and lots of picnic tables for lunch if you want to pack your own.
We ate in town in the old part of town at a hole in wall hamburger joint called Poor boys where the owner met us at the town and told us the specials. There’s some great shopping there too!
43. The Cookie Jar Cafe
This is just outside of Dunlap, TN. Right off Highway 111. Great food, a collection of cookie jars, baked goods and a terrific view. The food was good and menu had daily specials and just about any item you could want on the menu.
44. Clarkrange, TN
The Cumberland Mountain General Store is a good stop for lunch.
The Java Drip Cafe inside the store serves breakfast and lunch. There’s also several boutiques in the store if you like to shop. Across the street you will find a new store called The Salvage Market where you can buy salvage groceries, bulk foods and cheese and meat. We found lots of good snack foods there (still in date).
45. Marrowbone, KY
The Kountry Kitchen store has a deli with sandwiches and baked goods. They have seasonal produce and kitchen staples. There’s a covered picnic area next to the river, where you can eat.
Just down the road you will find the Chestnut Grove Market in Marrowbone. They have a daily special in the restaurant and you will find produce and plants in season.
46. Versailles, KY
Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and museum—ride the railcars for ten miles. You pedal but each car has a motor to help it go. They do not operate all year and you must have a reservation to ride. Lots of fun! It’s only 15 minutes from Lexington so you could plan something there also.
Rail Explorers
https://www.railexplorers.net
This info may have changed since our visit. Do some research before you go. We check websites and use our phone maps to get directions. Most of these places have a Facebook page.
Happy exploring!
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