Clock Out, Head Out!

Labor Day weekend hands you three days and a good reason to use them. Skip the packed attractions and point the car toward Tennessee’s small towns, mountain trails, lake water, and backroad wineries instead.

Pick Your Kind of Escape

For a road trip with plenty to do once you park, start in Jonesborough. Tennessee’s oldest town has a preserved historic district made for exploring on foot, with shops, restaurants, and cafés mixed among buildings that have been around far longer than your long-weekend plans.

If your August has been mostly air-conditioned, Norris Lake offers a fitting change of scenery. The reservoir stretches across East Tennessee with marinas around the lake serving as jumping-off points for boating and time on the water. Bring a swimsuit and make a full day of the lake, whether that means boating, paddling, or just cooling off.

Those who would rather earn the view can head to Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg. The park sits within more than 24,000 acres of wilderness and offers miles of hiking trails through the Cumberland Mountains. Trails range from shorter walks to serious backcountry outings, so this is one stop where checking the route before lacing up is worth the trouble.

Take the Backroads

Middle Tennessee makes a strong case for keeping the itinerary loose. Historic Granville, known as “Tennessee’s Mayberry Town,” welcomes visitors Wednesday through Saturday and packs quite a bit into a small footprint. The T.B. Sutton General Store anchors the experience, while museums, historic buildings, an artisans’ gallery, and Pioneer Village are all within walking distance. A $7 town tour ticket covers the museums and attractions, with reduced admission for children.

For an afternoon that practically requires taking the scenic route, follow the Upper Cumberland Wine Trail. Its family-owned wineries are scattered through communities including Brush Creek, Crossville, Baxter, Jamestown, Livingston, and Sparta. There’s no prescribed starting point, which works nicely for a weekend built around having nowhere urgent to be.

Labor Day may mark summer’s unofficial closing bell, but there’s no requirement to spend it elbow-to-elbow with everyone else. A historic Main Street, a lake, a mountain trail, or a glass of Tennessee wine will do just fine.

Find more places to get outside and explore at: https://www.guidetotennessee.com/recreation-places.