Local's Guide To Middle Tennessee

Found 97 blog entries about Local's Guide To Middle Tennessee.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting Tennessee in the fall, we know you’ll agree that our gorgeous state reaches the pinnacle of its seasonal beauty from mid-October through late November. 

With the arrival of autumn in late September, the show starts in the dense forests that crown the Great Smoky Mountains. As they begin their transformation, their leaves drape the mountains in vivid hues of crimson, orange, and gold. By the last two weeks of October, the colors have traversed to the foot of the mountains and spread across the state, making riotous autumn hues visible from nearly anywhere! However, for those of you who want to experience the ultimate fall vistas, we’ve curated a list of some of the best places to enjoy fall foliage in

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Autumn has returned to Tennessee, and with it, a cape of riotous crimson and gold hues is rippling down the Great Smokies to the valley floors. Despite the hurdles the pandemic continues to raise, we’re proud to say that our local farmers have nevertheless been hard at work preparing beautiful corn mazes for children and adults alike to conquer.

Today, we’re sharing our picks for the Best Corn Mazes in Tennessee, from petite to mega-massive! If a homegrown challenge is just your speed, then don your pumpkin-patch boots, grab a sweater, and high-tail it over to a maze in your neck of the woods.

Please note: Due to current social distancing requirements, each farm has established new rules to keep each group of guests a safe distance from other patrons.

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Debt is either "good debt" or "bad debt." --or so we've been told. "Good" debt is that money owed for things that may assist in building wealth, such as student loans or mortgages. "Bad" debt would be things like credit cards. This is an oversimplification as the differences between "good" and "bad" debt can be better defined, thereby giving us a clearer picture of debt and how to tell what is helpful. 

Here's the rundown on debt: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Student Loans

Student loans are often necessary, as it's often the only way college education is possible for many Americans. But not all degree programs are equal when considering the debt one acquires and the income potential from that particular degree. A good rule of thumb is

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Summer is drawing to a close, and soon it will be time to plant our fall selections. Fall’s riotous colors are a delightful addition to the yard and garden, provided one has a green thumb, right? Not so, at least not anymore! Gardening success is mainly contingent upon one main thing: learning and implementing the best information about caring for the already-healthy plants you decide to purchase. That’s precisely why the garden center you choose matters so much. Today, let’s talk about the best local garden centers in Middle Tennessee!

When the Parks team sat down to discuss this list, we knew exactly what kind of experience we wanted you to have. In short, the garden centers below were selected because they offer a specially curated selection of

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Once nearly a lost art in Tennessee, grape growing has resurged as the demand for tobacco crops has fallen since the 1980s. Though the hot and humid climate here has presented challenges, vintners have adapted, allowing grapes to become a major source of revenue once again. Now, Tennessee is proud of the many wineries that have sprung up to meet the community’s desire for local, well-made wines. 

This summer, we’ve been touring wineries throughout the region, and today we’re sharing our picks for the Best Vineyards in Middle Tennessee! 

Whether you head out now to take advantage of the last weeks of summer or visit the wineries during this fall’s crush, our local wineries are sure to appreciate your support more than ever due to this season’s

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The current need for social distancing has rekindled the nation’s love of the drive-in movie theater, and Middle Tennessee is no exception. Locals have been flocking to the nearest drive-in to experience the nostalgia and excitement of enjoying a movie from the comfort of their own vehicles. If you would like to join in on the fun this summer, read on for our local picks for the Best Drive-In Movie Theaters of Middle Tennessee!

Since the current pandemic means that no new movies are being released this year, your nearest drive-in will be showing either a classic or slightly older movie. For this reason, many drive-ins are charging by the vehicle rather than by the person, making this summer the most affordable drive-in season in recent history.

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This summer, as health conditions have made continued social distancing necessary, many families are feeling the need to get outdoors. When cabin fever has you down, consider safe staycations at one of our top Family-Friendly Campsites in Middle TN! While many favorite vacation destinations are off-limits for now, camping at any of the following sites is still considered a safe way to bond with your nearest and dearest while exercising and expanding your knowledge of the natural world.

Please pack and use plenty of insect repellent as well as tick-repelling clothing because deer ticks are still a major concern at all sites listed below.

 

Savage Gulf State Natural Area
Savage Gulf State Natural Area
3177 TN-399
Palmer, TN 37365

This ideal

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Whether you’re visiting Tennessee for the first time, or you’re a native showing a visitor around your beloved state, Parks highly recommends visiting at least one of our 10 Best Unusual Tennessee Attractions this summer. We have included destinations that will help you escape the heat, get off the beaten path, and snap incredible shots for your social media feeds and family photo collections. 

Fill up those water bottles, pack up some sunscreen and bug spray, and let's start exploring!

 

The Lost Sea
Sweetwater, TN
bit.ly/thelostseatn

Deep beneath the ground, Tennessee’s cave systems harbor the largest underground lake in the country. This mysterious cavern tour takes visitors past rare anthodite “cave flowers;” then out on a

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Be aware that some caverns may be temporarily closed due to the ongoing pandemic, but they will gradually be re-opening! Other destinations will be open on a case-by-case basis as the state re-opens in phases. Please check the links below for updates and further information!

We’re all ready to get out of doors after a tense spring spent indoors, so the destinations we’ve chosen for today’s article are The Best Tennessee Natural Attractions! While we wish they could all be open at this time, we know the time will soon come when we can get out and explore these gorgeous wild landscapes Tennessee residents are so proud to call our own.

Clingmans Dome
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
bit.ly/clingmansdome

Sitting atop the highest point in

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Belle Meade, which means beautiful meadow, is a small city located in Davidson County Tennessee. Approximately the same size as neighboring Warner Parks, it’s a luxurious neighborhood within a fifteen-minute drive of downtown Nashville and Green Hills. If you prefer more of a rural setting, West Meade may be a better option. You get the convenience and upscale lifestyle of Belle Meade, except with surroundings that make you feel miles away from any city. Watch our Local’s Guide to Belle Meade/West Meade video to take a look at this wonderful community!

The Belle Meade community has an almost European feel and offers a mix of plantation-style estates, charming Tudors, and mid-century modern homes. Many of Nashville’s earliest wealthy families settled

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