Finding colorful foliage in Nashville isn't too difficult come autumn, but there are a few places that are a cut above the rest. The following two-hour fall foliage drive in Nashville will take you through and around the heart of the city, from beautiful parks to engaging hiking trails rife with wildlife. From one end of the city to the next, you're bound to find a new favorite place to wander amongst the vibrant orange, yellow, and red trees. Nashville is never as beautiful as it is in the fall time. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to learn more about why we think you should take this scenic drive through Nashville.
As you can see, this scenic drive through Nashville is about two hours and covers a lot of territory.
1. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
The two-hour adventure to see fall foliage in Nashville starts at one of the city's main attractions. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park spans 19 acres and is actually the smallest park in the entire state. However, the views during the fall season are stunning.
2. Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
The beautiful Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is made up of a historic estate house as well as an impressive 55-acre botanical garden that's decorated and honed seasonally. Therefore, you'll get to enjoy the views and seasonal events when you head to Nashville in the fall.
3. Percy Warner Park
Edwin Warner Park and Percy Warner Park are collectively known as the "Warner Parks" in Nashville, and they're great public parks to visit when it comes to wandering foliage-strewn hiking trails. There's plenty of green space and hiking trails, and we'd highly recommend grabbing your bicycle if you're looking to spend a solid amount of time at this stop to enjoy the fall foliage in Nashville.
4. Radnor Lake
The next stop on your scenic drive through Nashville is Radnor Lake. This stunning destination is popular all year round, but it's best known for its autumnal colors. We'd recommend walking the Lake Loop, at close to two miles it's perfect for leaf crunching and wildlife spotting.
5. Long Hunter State Park
We think the next spot on this fall foliage drive through Nashville is perfect for a picnic. Therefore, pack a lunch and head to the 2,600-acre Long Hunter State Park! Rife with hiking and camping opportunities, it's also a great place to wander the lakefront and take in the colors of the foliage across the water.
6. Peeler Park
The last stop on your journey to see
fall foliage in Nashville is Peeler Park. This scenic spot is tucked away in the bend of the Cumberland River and is only accessible from the aptly named Neely's Bend Road in Madison, Tennessee. Although it's a bit rural, the river access and great hiking trails will provide you with a beautiful respite from the rush of the city.
Have you had a chance to visit any (or all) of the stops on this scenic drive through Nashville? Let us know in the following comments section. Keep in mind that although this trip is about two hours, you'll want to spend time exploring the stops along the route. To keep you fuelled up for your outing, take a look at our guide to the best road trip snacks too.
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