If you are looking for a way to refresh and rejuvenate the way you see Nashville, Tennessee, then there’s nothing quite like spending time in nature. We’ve put together a scenic road trip that will take you from one side of downtown to the next, from parks to scenic viewing points perfect for your enjoyment. There’s nothing quite like an afternoon spent on the banks of the Cumberland River, and we will never get over the beauty of Shelby Park. If you haven’t been, we can help you discover your favorite new-to-me Nashville spots. Take this scenic road trip near Nashville next time you’re feeling adventurous.

You can follow along on our road trip on Google Maps.

GoogleMaps
Here's a quick look at our route. We'll be traveling from one side of the city to the next, but you will find that each location is easily accessible from downtown and the main tourist districts.
1. The Warner Parks
Percy Warner Park, 50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
idintify media/Flickr
The Warner Parks refers to two Nashville public parks, Edwin Warner Park and Percy Warner Park. Both are managed by the city and are known for preserving the great outdoors in a stunning, beautifully expansive way. Expect a myriad of hiking trails throughout the parks, and you can visit the Warner Park Nature Center for community experiences and educational opportunities.
2. Belle Meade Mansion
Belle Meade Mansion, Nashville, TN 37205, USA
CHeitz - Flickr
If you'd like to learn a bit more about deep Nashville history then we would recommend visiting the Belle Meade Mansion and Winery. The home dates back to the mid-19th century and is a great place to see Greek Revival-style architecture. You can tour the estate's original giving space, stable, carriage house, and slave quarters with the purchase of admission, and the Southern Food Traditions Tour will give you the chance to learn about iconic culinary foods in the American South.

Enjoy this charming first-person tour of the Mansion:
3. Love Circle Park
Metal Man - GoogleMaps
Love Circle Park is a local lovers lane, a small hill that sits above Nashville's West End district and offers views of the downtown skyline. You can park your car along the circular roadway and set up shop on the small shelf of grass at the location's peak. Expect a couple of quirky folks enjoying the view alongside you!

Check out the view from Love Circle Park in Nashville in beautiful 4k:
4. Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park, 100 1st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201, USA
Meghan O'Brien for OIYS
Riverfront Park was first established in downtown Nashville in the 1980s, and the five-acre plot of land that borders downtown and the Cumberland River has become a popular spot for tourists and local events. Open-air concerts are held here throughout the year, and the ease of access from Broadway to the park makes it a great place to clear your head after a mind-boggling afternoon spent on HonkyTonk Highway.
5. Cumberland Park
Cumberland Park, 592 S 1st St, Nashville, TN 37213, USA
Brent Moore - Flickr
You can find Cumberland Park tucked between the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge on the eastern side of the Cumberland River. After opening in the spring of 2012 it has become a prime spot for parents due to its innovative take on outdoor play. Expect a splash pad during the summertime and plenty of opportunity for playground fun the rest of the year. It's also a great spot for folks to jog through on their morning run with its fabulous views of the river.
6. Shelby Bottoms Greenway
Shelby Bottoms Greenway, Nashville, TN, USA
Kim F - AllTrails
Shelby Bottoms Greenway is one of the most beautiful, scenic locations in the city of Nashville. At 960-acres in total, this East Nashville park is perfect for running, cycling, and outdoor adventuring. The Nature Center on-site offers a handful of educational opportunities throughout the year, and the greenway borders the riverfront for stunning views. If you come in the springtime you will be treated to a myriad of wildflowers, too!

Check out what it's like to ride the Shelby Bottoms Greenway firsthand:

How many of these Nashville spots have you been to? Will you be taking this neat scenic road trip near Nashville sometime soon? We have a feeling you just might find a favorite new spot along the way.

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More to Explore

Scenic Road Trip Near Nashville

Tori Jane | February 02, 2023
  1. Where should I go on a scenic road trip near Nashville? 

If you find yourself wondering if you should go on a scenic road trip near Nashville, just know the answer is definitely yes. When it comes to where you should go on a scenic road trip near Nashville, some ideas include:  

  • Head to the amazing Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky 
  • Check out the famous Muscle Shoals, Alabama 
  • Visit the city of Chattanooga, TN, and learn about its intriguing history 
  • Visit the city of Memphis, TN, and learn about its history as well 

Learn more about some of our favorite scenic road trips from Nashville.  

  1. What are some of the most scenic places near Nashville? 

Nashville – and all of Tennessee, really – is an outrageously beautiful place with plenty to do and see, especially if you’re a fan of the great outdoors. Some of the most iconic, must-do scenic places near Nashville are places like:  

  • The Shelby Street Bridge – jaw-dropping views of this beautiful city unlike anything you’ve ever seen before 
  • The Ryman Auditorium – maybe not the first place that comes to mind when thinking of “scenic”, but it’s absolutely gorgeous and so is its architecture 
  • Centennial Park – an incredibly beautiful, greatly shaded park filled with trees that really showcases how beautiful Music City really is 

Learn more about iconic scenic places in Nashville.   

  1. Are there any scenic drives near Nashville? 

Absolutely! Now, we might be a little biased and say something like every drive around Nashville is a scenic drive near Nashville, but what we mean by that is that there are so many options you won’t even know where to begin, such as:  

  • The Natchez Trace Parkway – literally known for being outrageously beautiful, this epic scenic road passes right through Music City and is absolutely AMAZING 
  • Hillsboro Pike and Tyne Boulevard – two drives that are quite close to one another; see stunning, rolling hills and large, old-growth trees on these beautiful drives  

Learn more about scenic drives in Tennessee.   

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