On your way out of Nashville, stop for breakfast at the world famous Loveless Cafe, which opened in 1951 and has been named to a whole bunch of "best restaurants in the South" lists. This country restaurant is famous for its homemade biscuits, which Southern Living called "good enough to sing about."
Be warned: you will eat too much.

Make sure to stop for a quick glance of the landscape at the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge, which offers an amazing view of local Williamson County. It's won several awards for its architecture and design. This is a great place to snap a sunrise or sunset photo.

The Gordon House used to be one of the grandest homes around, and travelers on the Old Natchez Trace used to use it as a landmark to signify they were nearing the end of the journey. The house was built by Captain John Gordon, who lead a scouting unit during the War of 1812. This is a great stop for a quick hike. Check out the historical sights around the house, but the real gem is a ten-minute hike to the river, where ferries used to come through on their trips south.

This hike is 1 mile roundtrip, and features a gorgeous, tall waterfall on the Duck River. It also provides an opportunity to swim in the falls, and the swimming hole is one of Tennessee's hidden gems. This trail is open year round, and most of the trail is paved. Dogs are welcome if leashed.

Stop for lunch in Hohenwald at the Casa Grande, a traditional southern Mexican restaurant.

Located at mile 385.9, this is the burial site of Meriwether Lewis, one half of the famous explorers, Lewis & Clark, who lived in this area. This park even has the original home he lived in the early 1800s. Lewis and Clark led a group of explorers who explored the American West from St. Louis to Oregon.

As you head back to Nashville, stop for dinner at Circa Grill. Circa is consistently voted one of the best restaurants in Middle Tennessee, and offers creative, upscale Southern fare.