Itinerary

Arrive in Nashville and begin your journey with a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Once you’ve checked in, the remainder of the day is kept deliberately open, giving you time to get your bearings and ease into the city without feeling rushed.

Nashville lends itself well to gentle exploration in short bursts. A walk through Midtown and Music Row offers a first look beyond Broadway, where historic recording studios, low-rise neighbourhood streets and casual cafés give a sense of the city’s working music culture. Alternatively, the Cumberland Riverfront provides an easy, flat walk along the water, with open views across the river and a quieter atmosphere that contrasts with the city centre.

For your first evening, keep things simple. You might choose to dine close to your hotel or wander into a small live music venue where performances tend to be more intimate and less crowded. Many neighbourhood spaces host early evening sets, making it easy to experience Nashville’s sound without committing to a late night. It’s a relaxed way to settle in ahead of a fuller day tomorrow.

Today is dedicated to Nashville’s musical heritage, using your included Nashville Pass to explore some of the city’s most iconic music landmarks.

Begin at the Country Music Hall of Fame, where immersive exhibitions trace the artists, songs and movements that shaped Nashville’s global reputation as Music City. Continue to the Ryman Auditorium, one of the most revered venues in American music history. Often referred to as the “Mother Church of Country Music”, its intimate setting and storied stage offer a powerful sense of the performers who helped define the city’s sound. A visit to RCA Studio B completes the day’s musical journey, providing insight into the recording studio where countless legendary tracks were created and where artists such as Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Roy Orbison recorded some of their most celebrated work.

After time indoors, step outside to explore the surrounding streets and public spaces near the Cumberland River, where open walkways and river views offer a relaxed change of pace. Neighbourhoods such as The Gulch or 12 South provide a more local perspective, with converted industrial spaces, independent boutiques and cafés that reward unhurried wandering.

In the evening, the focus shifts to Nashville’s food and social scene, with time to explore lively streets and sample some of the city’s signature flavours. From world-famous Nashville hot chicken and classic Southern barbecue to fluffy biscuits and creamy banana pudding, it’s the perfect opportunity to savour must-try dishes and experience Nashville’s atmosphere beyond its performance venues.

Today is largely open, giving you time to enjoy Nashville at your own pace before this evening’s highlight. It’s an ideal opportunity to revisit a favourite neighbourhood or explore somewhere new.

East Nashville offers a distinctly local feel, with walkable streets, independent shops and creative spaces clustered around its main intersections. Alternatively, areas closer to the Cumberland River lend themselves to a slower rhythm, where riverside paths and open views provide time outdoors without straying far from the city centre.

For a lighter daytime experience, you may wish to visit Goo Goo Chocolate Co, where Nashville’s most famous confection has been made since 1912. Design‑your‑own custom candy bars and hands‑on chocolate‑making classes offer a sweet insight into the city’s culinary heritage.

You could also choose to browse record shops, visit small galleries, or simply drift between neighbourhood streets, allowing the city to reveal itself without a set agenda.

This evening, head to the Grand Ole Opry for one of the most iconic live music experiences in the United States. The long-running show brings together established artists and emerging performers, offering a snapshot of Nashville’s musical heritage in a setting that remains firmly rooted in tradition.

This morning, collect your rental car from downtown Nashville and drive south to Franklin. The journey is short and uncomplicated, marking a clear transition from the city to a slower, more small-town rhythm as urban streets give way to quieter roads and open countryside.

On arrival, check into your hotel before heading out to explore on foot. Franklin’s historic centre is compact and centred around Main Street, where well-preserved 19th-century buildings now house independent shops, galleries and cafés. A good starting point is The Factory at Franklin, a thoughtfully repurposed industrial complex that brings together artisan shops, casual eateries and live entertainment within a characterful historic setting.

Franklin also offers a deeper insight into America’s past through its Civil War battlefields and historic homes. Visiting the Lotz House, Carter House and Carnton provides a powerful introduction to the pivotal Battle of Franklin, with each site offering a different perspective on the events and their lasting impact on the city.

If you’re keen to see more of the surrounding countryside, take a short drive to Leiper’s Fork, a small rural hamlet known for its creative community, local music heritage and relaxed charm. It’s an easy addition to the day and offers a contrast to Franklin’s town centre, with galleries, boutiques and informal dining set among rolling Tennessee landscapes.

For those who prefer to stay active, local walking routes such as the Harpeth River Greenway offer a gentle outdoor option, with flat paths following the river through peaceful green surroundings. Back in town, the evening is best enjoyed at an easy pace, allowing time to relax and soak up Franklin’s welcoming atmosphere.

After breakfast, begin the drive east towards Sevierville, heading into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s a route that suits an unhurried travel day, with the option to pause in Knoxville along the way. A short stop around Market Square or World’s Fair Park offers a chance to stretch your legs, wander the walkable downtown or spend a little time by the Tennessee River. At World’s Fair Park, you might also visit the Sunsphere — its 4th‑floor observation deck rewards you with sweeping views from downtown to the distant mountain peaks — before continuing your journey.

Beyond Knoxville, the landscape begins to shift. The roads quieten, the views open, and forested hills gradually frame your approach to the mountains. Once in Sevierville, there’s time to explore — perhaps stroll downtown to admire the bronze statue and vibrant murals honouring Dolly Parton, the city’s most famous resident; or visit one of the local museums, from the Sevier County Heritage Museum to the Tennessee Museum of Aviation.

Before heading to your accommodation, discover Sevierville’s incredible food scene. Healthy Balance Meals offers tasty, wholesome dishes for breakfast and lunch with dine-in or takeaway options; while The Appalachian, open from early evening, serves refined regional cuisine with wood-fired dishes highlighting local flavours. With over a hundred restaurants—from national favourites to local gems—Sevierville is a food lover’s delight.

Once you’ve had your fill of local sights and tastes, check into your treehouse accommodation and settle into the surroundings. The rest of the evening is best kept simple: a short walk nearby, quiet time outdoors, or simply sitting on your deck listening to the forest. The slower pace signals the start of the journey’s most nature‑focused stretch.

Today is devoted to the landscapes surrounding Sevierville, with time to explore the Great Smoky Mountains at a pace that suits you.

From your accommodation, it’s easy to reach a range of walking and hiking routes inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from gentle valley trails to longer forest walks that climb into the hills. The emphasis is on being outdoors rather than covering distance, with plenty of shaded paths and scenic stopping points.

Rivers and streams add another option for the day. Calm stretches of water suit kayaking or short waterside walks, offering a different perspective on the landscape and a chance to spot birdlife along the banks. Wildlife sightings are often incidental here rather than staged, particularly deer and native birds encountered while walking or driving.

For evening dining, a short drive away you can head to The Applebarn Cider Mill and General Store, where the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and Applewood Grill offer hearty meals. If you prefer a more private setting, you can pick up local treats or a cabin pack from there and enjoy dining in your treehouse.

Back in downtown Sevierville, Seasons 101, led by Chef Deron Little, serves creative, seasonal dishes in a relaxed yet refined atmosphere, with an ever-changing menu of signature plates and cocktails. For seafood lovers, Pinchy’s Lobster & Raw Bar brings a taste of New England to the Smokies, with lobster rolls, clam chowder, raw oysters, and even sushi, all enjoyed on a spacious patio with fire pits, cornhole, and sometimes live music under the stars.

Today offers the perfect chance to delve deeper into the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Scenic drives are one of the highlights here, with Cades Cove offering a leisurely loop past historic cabins and open meadows known for wildlife sightings, while the Foothills Parkway delivers sweeping mountain panoramas and easy-access viewpoints. A visit to Clingmans Dome, the park’s highest point, rewards you with far-reaching views across the Smokies from its observation tower, reached via a short, paved walk.

For gentle walking, several short trails lead to memorable waterfalls, including Laurel Falls, cascading beside a paved path, and Grotto Falls, where the trail passes behind the tumbling water itself. Historic stops such as Mingus Mill, a working 19th-century gristmill, and the nearby Oconaluftee Farm Museum provide insight into early Appalachian life. Wildlife enthusiasts may wish to drive into Cataloochee Valley, one of the best places in the park to spot elk grazing in open fields, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon.

If you’d prefer something more active, there are opportunities for tubing on local rivers, cycling along quieter park roads, or simply exploring the visitor centres to pick up trail maps, chat with rangers and collect park passport stamps.

Alternatively, use today to slow the pace completely. Time spent reading, resting or sitting outdoors at your treehouse is very much part of the experience here. It’s a natural pause before returning to city life tomorrow.

Leave the Smoky Mountains behind this morning and drive south to Chattanooga, where the landscape opens out around the broad sweep of the Tennessee River. After checking into your hotel, spend the afternoon getting to know the city on foot, beginning along the riverfront. Walking and cycling paths trace the water’s edge, linking parks, viewpoints and cafés, with Coolidge Park offering a particularly relaxed spot to pause beneath its shady trees or watch river activity drift past.

From the river, you might cross the Walnut Street Bridge—one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the country—for elevated views back towards the mountains, or continue towards the Bluff View Art District, a compact enclave of galleries, sculpture gardens and riverside paths with a distinctly European feel. Nearby, the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex in the Southside blends restored railway history with shops, gardens and casual dining, reflecting the city’s successful reinvention.

For a broader sense of place, Lookout Mountain rises just beyond downtown, with viewpoints that stretch across the Tennessee Valley and sites such as Rock City or the Incline Railway adding a sense of drama to the setting. History is also close at hand at Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, where open landscapes and well-marked trails bring to life one of the most significant Civil War battlefields.

As evening approaches, Chattanooga’s food and drink scene offers plenty of choice, from relaxed restaurants to riverside patios. A visit to Chattanooga Whiskey Distillery or one of the city’s independent craft breweries provides a taste of the local character, rounding out a city that balances outdoor access, history and a quietly creative spirit.

After breakfast, drive south to Atlanta, marking the final leg of your journey. The route offers a straightforward transition from Tennessee into Georgia, with arrival typically in the early to mid-afternoon depending on traffic.

After checking into your hotel, spend the afternoon exploring one part of the city in depth. Midtown works well for a first visit, combining wide green spaces with major cultural institutions,

while nearby neighbourhoods such as Inman Park or Virginia-Highland offer tree-lined streets, historic homes and a strong sense of local life. Focusing on a single area allows time to explore on foot without feeling rushed.

If you feel like stretching your legs, Atlanta’s network of urban parks and walking trails provides an easy way to unwind after the drive. As the day draws to a close, the city’s diverse neighbourhoods and lively streets create a fitting setting for your final evening, offering a relaxed contrast to the mountain landscapes that came before.

After breakfast, make your way to the airport and return your rental car before your onward flight home. With no fixed plans today, the morning is unhurried, allowing time for a relaxed start and a final moment to reflect on the journey.

If your flight time allows, you may wish to take a short walk nearby or enjoy a final coffee close to your hotel before setting off. Atlanta’s central neighbourhoods are well connected, making it easy to move around without rushing.