8 Great Socially Distant Day Trips in Tennessee

Well ya’ll, we made it through 2020! Which is quite a feat if I do say so myself! Now that we are starting a new year, I know I’m thinking about vacations, but I also know that vacations are going to look a little different this year. With people still trying to stay socially distant to keep themselves and others safe, I know I’m looking for places to have a little fun with my family, while still keeping everyone safe. For that reason we have decided to do a few days trips in our great state of Tennessee and do things that are fun, but also socially distant from other people. I thought I would share some of the places we were considering in case you were also looking for some great socially distant day trips in Tennessee! 

 

Here are my top 8 great socially distant day trips in Tennessee: 

1. Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge- Anyone who lives in Tennessee knows the joy and wonders of the great smoky mountain area. There are TONS of things to do. While it may look a little differently now with occupancy limits and mask mandates but the fun is still there. You can really stay socially distant by renting your own cabin and relaxing in your private hot tub and taking in the natural beauty of the mountains around you. You could also pack a picnic and head to the smoky mountain national park! 

2. Memphis Botanical Gardens- This is a must do for our family anytime we are in in the west Tennessee area! The grounds are stunning and there is always something new to see! They are on a whopping 96 acres and feature 30 different gardens. They also offer seasonal crafts and gifts, guided tours, and more! As of now masks are required and occupancy is limited. Check out the website for updated information. We love to spend the day walking in the different gardens, taking photos at their several photo op areas, feeding the koi and ducks, and grabbing lunch at their on site restaurant! 

 

3.Tennessee Safari Park- Another west Tennessee favorite of ours is the Tennessee Safari Park! This is a great day trip for being socially distant because for most of this adventure, you stay in your car! That’s right, it’s a drive thru zoo! We always have a blast at this place. It’s a 5.5 mile trail where you will come across tons of different types of animals that all want to come up and see you. When you first enter the park you are given the chance to buy buckets of food to feed the animals, and trust me, you will want to buy at least three of them. A warning though, the animals will get up close and personal with you! We had a buffalo stick his entire head IN our car! It was hilarious! They also offer a small walk through zoo and gift shop. Everything is outdoors and they have social distance guidelines in place. 

 

4. Tims Ford State Park- Another family favorite of ours is Tims Ford! If you wanna spend the day soaking up the sunshine on a beautiful lake, this is the place for you! You can rent boats, bring out the jetskis, pack a lunch and spend the day in your bathing suit. They also have private cabins that you can rent for a day or a whole week! During non covid times we would do family reunions here and rent out 2 of 3 cabins for the weekend and spend all day on the lake, and grill out in the evenings and just enjoy the amazing state park. 

5. Harmony Lane Farm- Two words everyone…goat.cuddling. Yes, you can visit this farm and cuddle goats! Not only do they have goats, they have all types of adorable farm animals. You can schedule a tour to check out all the ins and outs of a working farm which is super fun and informative. (Great for homeschooling families too!) And bonus, they have an on site store with the BEST goat cheese I have ever had. Along with several fresh meats, sweets, and even bath and body products. 

6. The Nashville Zoo- The Nashville Zoo has done a great job at implementing new rules and regulations to make sure that every family can come enjoy the day with their animals while also being safe. You do have to reserve tickets in advance that are only good for a specific time frame. They do this to ensure that there are only a certain amount of people in the zoo during a certain time. I like this because you know you can enjoy your time while being able to be socially distant from other families. Masks are required for all aged 13 and up! 

7. Cumberland Caverns- If you are a little more on the adventurous side I highly suggest strapping on a good pair of tennis shoes and heading out to Cumberland Caverns for the day! If you have ever wanted to explore a cave this is a great one to start at. They offer daytime tours, and even overnight excursions! The best part is they have tours for everyone. If you are a beginner they have an easy walking tour, if you are no stranger to caving, they have extreme tours for you too! It’s such a fun time. 

8.Loretta Lynn’s Ranch- Last but certainly not least on my list is the hidden gem that is Loretta Lynn’s ranch. Located in the heart of middle Tennessee, this property is absolutely stunning! The offer home tours, museum tours (a must for any country music fan) as well as a beautiful campground space for your RV or tent! They even have horse and jeep trails on property for your to enjoy. The perfect mini getaway for any fan! 

 

So there you have it! My 8 Great socially distant day trips in Tennessee! Which one would you be most excited to visit? Have fun with it and be sure you follow us on our Facebook page, instagram and twitter to find out all the diy’s, crafts and recipes we share! Before you go check out our Tips for distance learning during a pandemic here!