Axios Nashville's fall break road trip guide
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Illustration: Maura Losch, Allie Carl/Axios
Middle Tennessee is hitting the road next week as many schools mark fall break.
Driving the news: If you're looking for last-minute recommendations for a quick and easy trip, Axios Nashville is here to help.
- A while back, we asked our readers to share their favorite day trips. As usual, the replies were voluminous and enlightening.
The big picture: Our friends in East Tennessee got several shoutouts. Of course, devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene has hobbled many communities in that area.
- And go-to destinations in western North Carolina like Asheville won't be ready for tourism for some time.
- The Tennessee Department of Transportation has updated information on road closures and other flood impacts within the state. If you're planning on heading east, be sure to call ahead to ensure hotels and attractions are open.
Yes, but: Many fall favorites in East Tennessee are encouraging visitors to come if they can.
🥞 Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge avoided heavy flood damages and are largely back to business as usual with limited exceptions, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.
🦋 Dollywood is open and celebrating its annual Harvest Festival.
⛰️ Great Smoky Mountains National Park reports all major roads, trails and facilities on the Tennessee-side of the park will be open to visitors. But some park closures remain in effect.
- Detailed information on ongoing closures is available online.
Zoom out: Our readers offered a bevy of other ideas for fellow travelers.
🧭 West Tennessee extravaganza: Gayle L. says the western side of the state offers "a small circle of fascinating places to visit — something for everyone."
- She recommended Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, the Casey Jones Railroad Museum in Jackson and the Alex Haley Museum and Interpretive Center in Henning, which celebrates the author of "Roots."
- Another West Tennessee staple is The Mindfield in Brownsville, a large iron maze that's billed as the largest metal sculpture in the country.
- Nearby, an old one-room schoolhouse hosts a museum dedicated to one of Tennessee's favorite daughters: Tina Turner.
🐄 Kentucky: Rob F. suggests heading north to visit the Bluegrass State. At Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese in Austin, Kentucky, you can even book a room above the dairy cow barn.
- "No, it doesn't smell," Rob assures us. "Lots of fresh cheese and calves to pet!"
- Along the way, you can stop and see a giant sculpture of an actual fork in the road in Franklin, Kentucky.