nashville area self-guided driving tour Welcome to the Ring of Fire Trail. SEE THE DRIVING TOUR MAP ON PAGE 14. This is your ticket to the Ring of Fire Trail, a drive stretching from Nashville across the gorgeous Cumberland taking in the trail Plateau and back again. • These 334 miles are full of historic sites, preserved homes and museums that bring the stories of the Ring of Fire Discover some of Middle Tennessee’s most beautiful scenery Trail to life. Many of them require advance reservations, as you roll through the hills and farms in the heart of the region. admission or both to experience our history. Fall in love with DALE HOLLOW LAKE, one of America’s favorite • Many historic buildings remain as private residences; lakes and home of the world’s record small mouth bass; others, like Cragfont and Fort Nashborough, welcome gaze out from high above the breathtaking Cordell Hull Dam; visitors. Be aware that historic sites are often closed for tours during the winter months. encounter the quiet power of the CUMBERLAND RIVER. • This is a drive that promises an off-the-beaten-path Along the way, you’ll stop in unique, off-the-beaten-path RIP? We’ve Tennessee experience. What we can’t promise is steady READY FOR A TENNESSEE ROAD T communities. Stay in hotels where Victorian-era vacationers cell phone service. Don’t be surprised if you don’t always got you covered on the new, self-guided driving trails have a signal. of the Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways. On the once came to “take a cure” at RED BOILING SPRINGS; taste Screaming Eagle Trail, you’ll encounter the military history the best of summer at Portland’s Strawberry Festival; visit • During the summer and early fall, you’ll find plenty of of the 101st Airborne, tour the home of one of country charming little towns like Cross Plains, where the local drug opportunities to stock up on local produce at farms and music’s leading ladies, sample some of Middle Tennessee’s farm stands between the points of interest along the trail. best cookin’ and so much more. Pick up a self-guided store is still the best place to get a cheeseburger. Nashville Welcome Center or visit Many stands are cash-only, so visit the ATM before you hit map at the This route explores the territory where early settlers ScreamingEagleTrail.com. You’ll find the directions, the road to take advantage of true farm-to-table goodness. stops and stories that make the Screaming Eagle Trail a arrived on Avery’s Trace and Walton Road, with forts and homes • Don’t forget to visit your favorite online review sites one-of-a-kind Tennessee road trip you won’t want to miss. dating back to the 1700s. It’s also the territory claimed by some (like tripadvisor.com or yelp.com) and help us blaze a trail of COUNTRY MUSIC ROYALTY; start your trip with a walk at to these wonderful hidden gems. Fontanel, just outside the hum of Music City. The stories out here are as rich as the sweet smoke The colorful stories and interesting facts you’ll find along the billowing from the tobacco-curing barns in the early fall. Ring of Fire Trail have From settlers and Civil War soldiers to the BELL WITch and been uncovered with underwater ghost towns, the spirit of the Ring of Fire Trail the invaluable help of county tourism partners will deliver an unforgettable Tennessee experience. and historians in these communities. Symbol Key: GREAT NATIONAL REGISTER Carl’s Perfect Pig photo courtesy of Bob and Sandra Swanson. Sandra Bob and courtesy of photo Pig Carl’s Perfect OUTDOORS of HISTORIC PLACES AFRICAN- AmERICAN LAND TRUST PICTURE SpoT HERITAGE foR TENNESSEE LIVE MUSIC STATE-owNED CIVIL WAR VENUE HISTORIC SITE TENNESSEE FESTIVALS LoDGING MAIN STREET Pictured on cover: Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville; Mansker’s Station, PRogRAM Goodlettsville; Betsy Bell Marker, Adams. Pictured above: Tobacco Barn, Robertson For complete visitor information Paper contains FooD & WINE MOTORCYCLE County; Cyclemos Motorcycle Museum, Red Boiling Springs; Hendersonville Memory on Tennessee, call 1-800-GO2-TENN 10% recycled ROUTE (R) RIGHT (L) LEFT Gardens, Hendersonville; Hotel Walton, Carthage; Dale Hollow Lake, Clay County. content. or visit tnvacation.com. Find more information at RingOfFireTrail.com. 1 Note: While parked in that launched hundreds of country music Continue W on 6. Bicentennial Mall State Park – (R) As turn right on 5th Avenue, circle the block downtown, you can also careers. See one-of-a-kind memorabilia, Charlotte Ave. Turn R on urban Nashville boomed in the late 1950s and return to Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. visit pts. 111 & 112 on rare photos and video, traveling exhibits Rosa L. Parks Blvd./ and early 1960s, the ground here was too You’ll get a feel for the neighborhood, and downtown nashville pg. 27. US-41A to pt. 6. This mid-sized city draws people from all over the world, and live performances. Don’t forget the gift soft for high-rise construction due to find great places to eat and drink, including 600 James Robertson Pkwy. eager to stroll the sidewalks of Broadway, duck into the famous shop and Two Twenty•Two Grille. Nashville the historic salt lick that had originally The Cocoa Tree, DrinkHaus, Monell’s, The honky tonks, and walk in the footsteps of country music’s and . Turn R on 615-741-5280 attracted the wildlife, Native Americans, Mad Platter Germantown Café greats. This thriving district has something for everyone, from 4. Fort Nashborough – The great city of trappers and settlers to the area. This park Demonbreun St. Turn Turn R on Rosa L. Parks pool halls and pub fare to great meals and family fun; shopping Nashville traces its roots to this site on was created in the 1990s to save the one 9. Fontanel Mansion & Farm – (R) This is a true L on 1st Ave., go the banks of the Cumberland River. In Blvd./US-41, continue gem just outside of and souvenirs to world-class sporting events. This has truly about 3 blocks to pt. 4. remaining view of 1780, James Robertson and a group of N on US-41 for approx. Nashville. Formerly always been the heart of the city, and right on the banks of 170 First Ave. N. the Capitol and 10 miles. Turn R on the Cumberland River sits Nashville’s beginning — the site of Nashville early pioneers established a settlement to commemorate Lloyd Rd., turn L on the 136-acre estate the original Fort Nashborough. Led here by James Robertson, here called Fort Tennessee’s 200th Whites Creek Pk. to of country star this is where the city’s first settlers lived. Looking out over the Nashborough. This birthday. Visit this pts. 9 & 10. Barbara Mandrell, river and behind the fort at reconstruction 19-acre park, stroll 4225 Whites Creek Pk. the 27,000-square- uses the same Whites Creek foot log home is the bustling downtown is an the “Pathway of 615-724-1600 interesting reminder of construction History” and splash in 31 fountains, all now used for special events. Enjoy over the changes Nashville has elements as those tributes to Tennessee’s waterways. two miles of hiking and biking trails early forts, built Did You that are free to the public; catch a show seen — from humble fort to KnoW modern skyscrapers, pioneers to house the settlers and their families On the Bicentennial Mall, you’ll see at the Woods Amphitheater or dine at the and protect them from Native American fabulous on-site restaurant. Open Tues.-Sun. to performers — since the a granite map of Tennessee’s historic Did You attacks. Open daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. late 1700s. Did You “trails,” from Native American KnoW paths to modern-day Interstates. Fontanel was the location of KnoW Architect William Strickland and politician ? CMT’s top-rated Gone Country Samuel Morgan argued throughout the State Pt. 7 is located beside 7. Nashville Farmers Market – (R) Since the show hosted by John Rich, and pt. 6. DIRECTIONS Park near the visitor center, and walk to Capitol’s nine-year construction. Even today, early 1800s, the was shown in the filmCountry people report eerie arguments from the north- 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. ? Strong starting Gwyneth visit points 1-4. farmers market 501 Broadway ? east corner of the building, where both men Nashville has been a vital Paltrow and Tim McGraw. Nashville 615-880-2001 1. Downtown Nashville are entombed in the walls. part of Nashville 615-259-4747 4225 Whites Creek Pk. 10. Farm House Restaurant – This delightfully Visitor Center life. Stop in to The Capitol, Ryman Auditorium, and several Whites Creek down-home restaurant at Fontanel offers a visit local farmers 615-724-1601 Abbreviation Key: Ring of Fire starts here other downtown landmarks are featured on true “farm to fork” menu featuring local Nashville Ghost Tours, offered in the fall. and produce re- R RIGHT in downtown Nashville. sellers; grab a bite at one of the Market produce, dairy and meats. Dine on Southern- L LEFT Call 615-884-3999 to learn more. Stop in for tips and info House restaurants; visit on the weekend style comfort food with a creative twist, N NORTH on area attractions, and Turn L on Church St., like kids’ meals served on Frisbees meant S SOUTH 5. Tennessee State Capitol – (L) Perched on and browse the Flea Market. Tourists love hear live performances turn R on 5th Ave. N. for tossing around the grounds after dinner.