This drive from Knoxville to Nashville stretches about 279 miles through some of Tennessee’s most rewarding countryside, where every exit ramp seems to promise another adventure waiting just off the beaten path. You’ll cross the Cumberland Plateau, wind through valleys dotted with working farms, and pass countless small towns that each tell their own piece of Tennessee’s story. What makes this route special isn’t just the destination, it’s the incredible diversity of experiences you can pack into a single day’s drive, from underground boat rides to robotic dairy farms that feel like stepping into the future.
This carefully curated collection of five stops transforms your drive into a full-blown Tennessee adventure, showcasing everything from natural wonders that have been millions of years in the making to family businesses that represent the heart of Southern hospitality. You’ll discover that Tennessee’s backroads offer treasures that rival anything you’ll find on Broadway: artisan cheeses made from milk you can watch being collected by robots, wines crafted by the grandfather of Tennessee’s wine industry, and waterfalls so spectacular they’ll have you questioning why you ever doubted the power of a good detour. Most of these stops welcome your four-legged travel companions too, making this route perfect for families of all shapes and sizes who want to experience the real Tennessee, not just the tourist version.
Sweetwater Valley Farm – Philadelphia, TN
Your first stop takes you into the heart of Tennessee’s dairy country, where Sweetwater Valley Farm offers an authentic farm-to-table experience that’s both educational and delicious. This family-owned operation controls every step of their cheese-making process, from growing feed for their Holstein cows to aging their signature cheddar and gouda varieties in-house. The beautiful drive to the property, complete with charming railroad crossings, sets the tone for what’s truly a hidden gem nestled in the rolling Sweetwater Valley. Don’t miss their free cheese tastings in the farm shop, it’s the perfect way to discover your new favorite artisanal cheese before you even step foot in the main facility.
What sets this farm apart is Tennessee’s first Lely XL robotic dairy facility, where eight high-tech robots milk over 500 cows with remarkable precision and care. You can book an hour-long tour ($16 for adults, $10 for kids 3-11) to witness this fascinating process firsthand, watching as cows voluntarily enter the robotic stations while the system monitors their health and milk quality. After your tour, grab lunch at their “Seed to Sandwich” Cafe, open Tuesday through Saturday, where their grilled cheese sandwiches made with fresh cheddar are absolutely worth the drive alone. If you’re traveling with your four-legged companion, you’ll love the pet-friendly outdoor seating and small dog run, just remember that pets aren’t allowed inside the milking facility itself.
The Lost Sea – Sweetwater, TN
Just a short drive from the dairy farm, you’ll discover one of Tennessee’s most remarkable natural wonders: America’s largest underground lake. The Lost Sea, hidden within Craighead Caverns, spans over 13 mapped acres of crystal-clear water, though its full extent remains tantalizingly unknown. Your guided cave tour covers three-quarters of a mile and takes about an hour and fifteen minutes, leading you through fascinating geological formations including rare “anthodites” or “cave flowers”, crystalline structures so uncommon that the Lost Sea contains over half of the world’s known examples. The constant 58°F temperature inside makes this an ideal stop regardless of the weather outside.
The adventure culminates with a magical 20-minute boat ride across the underground lake, where you’ll glide over water that’s 800 feet long and 220 feet wide. The lake teems with rainbow trout that were introduced in 1967, and you can even feed these friendly fish during your boat tour, they have no natural predators in this unique ecosystem. Before you go, make sure to purchase tickets online in advance, especially for weekend visits, as walk-in availability is limited. While your pets will have to wait in the car for this underground adventure, you can explore the Lost Sea Village afterward, complete with a blacksmith shop, gem mine, and sweet shop that’ll satisfy any souvenir cravings.
Stonehaus Winery – Crossville, TN
Perched high atop Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, Stonehaus Winery offers breathtaking views and an impressive legacy in Tennessee’s wine industry. Their portfolio boasts 18 different varieties ranging from dry to sweet, including unique offerings like Red Muscadine, Orange Squeeze, and Blackberry Summer, crafted from grapes sourced from Tennessee as well as premium regions like Columbia Valley, Washington, and Lodi, California. The complimentary wine tastings in their gift shop provide the perfect introduction to their diverse selection.
For wine enthusiasts wanting to dive deeper, the $5 winery tours (offered Thursdays and Fridays at 2pm or 4pm) take you behind the scenes of the winemaking process from grape to bottle, limited to just 20 people for an intimate experience. The tour concludes with a guided tasting of five pre-selected wines and a Q&A session with knowledgeable staff. Don’t leave without trying their homemade butter fudge, available in seasonal flavors that pair wonderfully with their wines. As Tennessee’s only winery with statewide distribution, you can continue enjoying Stonehaus wines long after your visit, and your well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome to join you for the tasting experience.
Burgess Falls State Park – Sparta, TN
Nature lovers, prepare to be amazed by one of Tennessee’s most spectacular waterfall displays, where four cascading falls drop over 250 feet along the Falling Water River. The crown jewel, Burgess Falls itself, plunges an impressive 136 feet into a pristine pool below, creating a thunderous display that’s both powerful and serene. The scenic River Trail, just 0.8 miles long, guides you past all four waterfalls: the gentle 20-foot Falling Water Cascades, the 30-foot Little Falls, the dramatic 80-foot Middle Falls, and finally the grand finale at Burgess Falls. Thanks to the “Waterfalls For All” initiative, the park offers handicap accessibility and free all-terrain wheelchair reservations, with an ADA paved trail leading to Little Falls.
Here’s where you need to pay attention to safety: swimming is generally prohibited in most areas of the park due to dangerous conditions and shallow water, and the base of the main falls is only accessible by paddling in from external access points like Cane Hollow Recreation Area. The Base of the Falls Trail is currently inaccessible from within the park due to damaged stairs, so stick to the designated viewing areas and always stay on marked trails. Your leashed pets are welcome on the trails, and you’ll want to check the park’s Facebook page before arriving, as parking can be extremely limited, especially on holidays. The park is undergoing exciting improvements including a new visitor center and expanded parking, but for now, arriving early in the day gives you the best shot at securing a spot.
Father Tom’s Pub – Cookeville, TN
After all that hiking, you’ll be ready for some hearty comfort food and local hospitality at Father Tom’s Pub, a cozy Irish-style establishment that perfectly captures small-town Tennessee charm. The walls are adorned with local artwork from high school performances, giving the place a genuine community feel that’s both welcoming and authentic. Their menu features standout dishes like the Irish style beer cheese soup, The Bernie Mac (house-made white cheddar mac and cheese topped with hot chicken), and The Nine Iron, a towering sandwich loaded with corned beef, smoked turkey, bacon, Swiss, and fresh vegetables on toasted sourdough.
The full bar showcases local brews alongside an impressive selection of wines and spirits, including classic cocktails like Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, plus an extensive scotch collection that would make any connoisseur happy. What makes this place extra special for road trippers with furry companions is their dog-friendly outdoor seating and dedicated dog menu. Yes, your pup can order their own meal while you enjoy yours. Owners Tom and Jennifer have created more than just a restaurant; they’ve built a community hub that supports local businesses and breweries while providing the kind of warm, personal service that makes you feel like a regular from your very first visit.
Cooter’s Place – Nashville, TN
Your road trip concludes with a nostalgic dive into television history at Nashville’s one and only “Dukes of Hazzard” Museum and Shop, operated by Ben Jones, who actually played Cooter in the beloved TV series. This free attraction is packed with authentic memorabilia, including pictures, props, costumes, and most importantly, the iconic vehicles that made the show famous: Cooter’s Tow Truck, Daisy’s Jeep, Rosco’s Patrol Car, and of course, the legendary General Lee, a 1969 Dodge Charger that’s as impressive in person as it was on screen. You can even get your picture taken sitting in the General Lee, creating the perfect souvenir photo to cap off your Tennessee adventure.
The museum doubles as a comprehensive gift shop where you can browse an extensive collection of Dukes of Hazzard merchandise, from T-shirts and hats to quirky items like rubber ducks and metal signs that’ll remind you of this unique stop for years to come. If you’re lucky, you might even meet Ben Jones himself, who’s known for his warm interactions with visitors and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from the show. Your leashed dogs are welcome inside both the museum and shop, and the friendly staff are known to have treats on hand for four-legged visitors. Located at 2613 McGavock Pike, the Nashville location is open Sunday through Thursday 9am-6:30pm and Friday through Saturday 9am-6:30pm, making it an accessible final stop before you explore the rest of Music City.
The Real Magic Lies in the Unexpected Exits
You started this journey thinking you were just driving from Knoxville to Nashville, but somewhere between watching robots milk cows and floating across an underground lake, you realized you were collecting stories that’ll last a lifetime. These six stops have shown you that Tennessee keeps its best secrets just a few minutes off the interstate, from waterfalls that’ll make you forget about your Instagram feed to small-town pubs where the locals actually want to chat with travelers. Next time you’re tempted to just power through to your destination, remember that the most memorable road trips happen when you’re brave enough to follow those curious exit signs and see what’s waiting just around the bend.
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