With over 57,000 square feet, Nashville ranks 5th in the US for green space per capita. Natives, transplants, and visitors alike fall head over heels for the nature that Nashville and its surroundings have to offer your adventurous spirit. Whether you want to cliff jump into a lake, watch a play in a park, or get that perfect #wanderlust selfie next to a waterfall.. you’ll find it here
Near (Quick Trip):
Radnor Lake
★ 4.6
You’ll find yourself wandering this state park with a childlike sense of wonder. Radnor has an abundance of wildlife and varying degrees of trail difficulty. Want to work off the drinks from the night before? Take the ridge trail and see the rolling hills of Tennessee. Want a leisurely stroll? Take the lake trail and, if you’re there at the right time of day, the lake will reflect the hills like a mirror for that perfect photo. You may even spot a few turtles! After your nature romp, you’ll be just a 5-10 minute drive away from 12 South where you can reward yourself with shopping and great happy hours. Special mention to White’s Mercantile for all things Nashville and Edley’s for a true barbecue experience.
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Love Circle
From the name you’re probably imagining those classic movie scenes with two high school sweethearts overlooking a city, right? Well, you’re not too far off. Named after the street its on, Love Circle is located at the top of the highest and closest point to downtown Nashville. Here, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the skyline with a 360 degree panoramic vantage of the city around you. Bring a blanket, kickback, and enjoy the view. The stairs up to the top of the hill will get those glutes ready to peddle later. Fun Fact: John Rich built a house here called Mt. RIchmore so park in front of his driveway, he loves it.
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Centennial Park
★ 4.7
Centennial park has been around for over 100 years and is our most well-known park. Here you’ll find its most notable feature, a full-scale size replica of the Greek Parthenon. If you want to access your inner Athena, you’ll be able to come face to face with the queen herself inside the Parthenon. Well actually, face to toe because her statue is over 50 feet tall! Behind the Parthenon is a one mile walking loop that traverses through colorful gardens and around a small pond with your duck’s desire. In front of the Parthenon is a lawn full of frisbee throwers, dog lovers, and hammock. hangers. If you get thirsty, you’re in luck, nearby is Sweetwater. This cash only bar with live music serves as Tennessee’s oldest bar.
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Pedestrian bridge
★ 4.7
This is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world and gives you an up close and personal view of the skyline. Crossing the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville, this bridge takes you across to the stadium where our beloved Titans play. After crossing, you’ll be on the riverfront where you can stroll the green space walkway and take in all of the city around you. Make sure you’re on the bridge at sunset to really maximize the beauty offered, you may even catch a proposal!. From there, you’re only a 5-mintue walk to the honkytonks on Broadway! Convenience and beauty all-in-one, who said we can’t have it all?
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Fort Negley
★ 4.5
This may be one of the most looked over green spaces in Nashville, but also one of the most historic. Nashville was occupied by union forces in 1862 and this is the site of the largest union fortification. As you walk amongst the history of our city, you’ll quickly see why this space was chosen for a fort. The hill top has a perfect line of sight of downtown Nashville. If you’ve done the other two skyline views, you’ll have seen the skyline from the west, east, and now.. South. Fort Negley puts you right next to the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood (note for you Hailey, I just can’t bring myself to saying WeHo) This neighborhood has so many gems. The Corsair distillery for the finest guns and whiskeys, Gabby’s burgers for the best burger you can have (ask for the secret menu!) and Jackalope Brewery who opened a second (and much larger) taste room in this neighborhood last year. There are many art galleries as well so if you’re here on the first Saturday of the month then you may find yourself on a crawl. Free wine y’all!
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The Bicentenial Mall & Farmers Market
★ 4.5
The Bicentennial mall was created in 1996 to celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the birth of Nashville. This is an 11-acre greenspace right at the north edge of downtown. Bring a frisbee or blanket and sit on the lawn directly in front of the state capitol. Wander the area and learn the history of Tennessee as you walk down a path with the timeline engraved in it. Pay respects at the WWII memorial. You can head over to the farmers market for a wide assortment of foods. A local favorite, Jamaicaway, brings you the most authentic Caribbean food you can find and was featured on DIners, Drive-ins, and DIves. The Bicentenial Mall is also located next to the famed Germantown neighborhood where one can find some of the trendiest bars and eats. In the month of October, they even celebrate their own Oktoberfest!
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Close (Afternoon Adventure):
Percy Priest
★ 4.6
A short drive from town, this is the biggest and closest lake to Nashville as well as a favorite place for locals to go for relaxation. There are many options for activities here. If you feel sporty, you can rent a boat or jet skis and enjoy a day on the lake with your girls. If you’re looking to challenge your fears, there is a ‘secret’ cliff diving spot with jumps that range from 3 -15 feet which also serves for a great overlook of the lake. (You’ll have to know where you’re going to find this spot.) If you want to relax, take one of their many trails and find your favorite swimming hole. Hang a hammock, dip your toes in the water, and watch the serenity of the lake as you’re with your favorite people.
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Natchez Trace
If you have a car then you should not definitely not miss the opportunity to drive down the famed Natchez Trace which starts in Natchez, MS and ends in Nashville. You can take the beginning of the route from Nashville to Franklin, a quaint town with a classic town square. (Check out The Factory for shopping and food or head over to Gray’s for live music.) Along the ride, you’ll be presented with picturesque views of farmland and rolling hills on your ride. Justin Timberlake built a house in this area, as well as a few other celebrities, so you might be lucky enough to see one! Along the way, make sure to stop in at The Loveless Café for an authentic Southern Mama’s meal.
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Harpeth River
★ 4.7
Floating in a canoe down a lazy river, flanked by green on both sides, and surrounded by your closest friends is easily a favorite summertime activity on anyone’s list. Harpeth River state park gives you exactly that. You can find many hiking trails as well as fishing holes but the most popular attraction is the river itself. Get your girls, rent some canoes, and go out on the easily navigable 7-mile loop on the river. Bring your coolers and your tunes and you’ll forget time and space exists as you float down the river thinking “I love this life.” Bonus points if you find the rope swing!
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Percy Warner Park
★ 4.7
On your way to this park, you’ll be mesmerized by its scenic drives. You’ll drive through the historic Belle Meade community with prestigious and beautiful homes to your left and right. You’ll then be greeted with winding roads through hills until you arrive to the park (which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places itself.) Here at the park, which has a million annual vistors, you have a few options. You can hike the hills, you can meander over to the dog park to get your cuteness fix, or you can be more extreme and rent mountain bikes to go out on the bike trails! You’ll find this entire area brings a certain sense of peace, the ‘sit on your porch watching the fireflies’ kind of peace, that Southerners know well. Next to the park is Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Mansion. Their beautifully manicured gardens and the mansion itself is a must see. Take some time to stop and smell the flowers!
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Far (Day Trip):
Fall Creek Falls
★ 4.8
If you’re ready for the day trip and want to see the Tennessee landscape, this is the place for you. About 2 hours southeast of Nashville sits Fall Creek Falls. Standing at 256 feet tall, this is the tallest waterfall in the Eastern United States. Come here to be mesmerized by the long plunge the water takes into the lagoon below. Fall Creek also offers trails, a suspension bridge, and camping options. They also have a canopy challenge course where you can really get your adrenaline going with ziplining high above the forest. You can make it an overnight trip and rent cabins as well if you fall in love with this place as we’re sure you will. If you’re lucky enough to be here during the fall then you’ll be presented with fiery foliage as far as the eye can see.
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Stone Door and Foster Falls
★ 4.7
South Cumberland State Park is an understated wonder of nature located an hour and a half south of Nashville. This park offers many trails and a few waterfalls, all close to one another, but the most noteworthy are Foster Falls and the Stone Door. At Foster Falls, you can swim in the blue lagoon or walk under the falls and be splashed with the mist. The Stone Door trail brings you by another waterfall and to the edge of a cliff that looks over the valley. Let your feet dangle off the side of the cliff if you’re feeling especially brave. At both of these locations is an activity for the fearless, rock climbing. There’s no greater feeling than reaching the top of the wall and overcoming any fear or doubt that may have crossed your mind. Yolo, right? (Side note: If you would rather do this activity indoors, then The Crag offers an assortment of walls in Nashville)
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Cummins Falls
★ 4.6
This is easily the most popular of the waterfalls mentioned. As you drive here, you’ll see the hills gradually rise as you enter the beginning of the Appalachian mountains in east Tennessee. After a moderately step hike down, you’ll walk alongside the small river jumping from rock to rock and crossing over logs. But it’ll all be worth it when you get to those cascading falls. The cliff serves almost as a staircase for the falls and, if the water level is low enough, you can sit on them for that feed-worthy photo. Hang out and be happy with every decision you’ve made in your life to come top this point. You deserve this! On your return, make sure to stop into Tennessee Legend Distillery. There you’ll be treated to a sampling of some true Tennessee whiskey.
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