The Best Day Trips in Gallatin, TN
Here's the thing about working at a storage facility in Gallatin. We talk to a lot of locals. People storing boats before hitting Old Hickory Lake, families dropping off camping gear between trips, folks with RVs heading out for weekend adventures. After a while, you start to piece together where everyone's actually going.
Our team at StorPlace on Tulip Poplar Road has lived in and around Gallatin for years. We've done these day trips ourselves, heard recommendations from hundreds of customers, and figured out what's actually worth your time versus what sounds better than it is.
So if you're in Gallatin with a free Saturday and you're wondering what to do, here's the real local guide.
Old Hickory Lake
Let's start with the obvious one. Old Hickory Lake isn't just near Gallatin. It basically wraps around us. And honestly, it's underrated compared to other Tennessee lakes.
What makes it good:
- Way less crowded than Percy Priest or Center Hill
- Multiple access points around Gallatin (Bledsoe Creek, Cages Bend, Cedar Creek)
- Decent fishing (bass, crappie, catfish)
- Clean water compared to some Nashville-area lakes
- Free or cheap access at most spots
What to actually do there:
- Pack a cooler and claim a spot at Bledsoe Creek State Park. Swim, kayak, sit in the sun. It's not complicated.
- Rent a boat from one of the marinas (Cages Bend Marina or East Harbor)
- Fish from the shore if you're not into boats. Plenty of accessible spots.
- Bring bikes and ride the trails around the lake areas
Local tip from our team: Go on weekdays if you can. Weekends in summer get busy, but weekday mornings are perfect. The lake is big enough that you can always find a quiet spot if you're willing to drive to less popular access points.
The storage connection: Half of our customers store boats, jet skis, and kayaks with us between lake trips. Way easier than keeping them in your driveway all year, and you're five minutes from the water when you want to use them.
Bledsoe Creek State Park
Bledsoe Creek State Park doesn't get the hype it deserves. Probably because it's smaller than the big-name Tennessee state parks, but that's actually what makes it nice.
What's actually there:
- Decent hiking trails (nothing too intense, good for families)
- Lake access with a nice beach area
- Fishing spots along the shore
- Picnic areas that don't require reservations
- Rarely crowded, even on nice weekends
Best way to spend a day: Start with a morning hike on the High Ridge Trail (about 2.5 miles, easy terrain). Hit the beach area after for a swim. Bring lunch and claim a picnic table. Spend the afternoon fishing or just reading by the water.
Historic Downtown Gallatin
Not every small historic downtown is worth your time. Some are just three antique shops and a struggling diner. Gallatin's downtown is actually pretty solid.
What makes it work:
- Sumner County Courthouse in the middle
- Actual local businesses, not just tourist traps
- Good restaurants mixed in
- Walkable in an hour or two
- Free parking
Where to actually go:
- Black Elm Coffee Shop - Public Square for good coffee and breakfast
- Walk the square and check out local shops (varies, but there's usually something interesting)
- Lunch at Loretta's or or a neighborhood Bar & Grill
Local perspective: Downtown Gallatin isn't trying to be Broadway or Franklin. It's just a functional small-town square that happens to have some charm. Manage expectations accordingly, and you'll enjoy it.
Cragfont
Full disclosure: not everyone cares about historic homes. But Cragfont is pretty cool, even if history isn't normally your thing.
What it is: Built in 1798 by General James Winchester. Stone house, period furniture, guided tours. It's one of the best-preserved early Tennessee homes.
Why it's worth it:
- Tours are actually informative without being boring
- The house itself is impressive. Stone construction from 1798 is not common
- The property has nice grounds, you can walk around
- Only takes 90 minute’s including the tour and the grounds
- Cheap admission ($10 for adults, last we checked)
Combine it: Cragfont is about 10 minutes from downtown Gallatin. Do both in one day historic house in the morning, lunch downtown, walk around the square. That's a full day right there.
Long Hollow Jamboree
Country music venue in Gallatin. Some people love it, some people aren't into country music. Know which camp you're in.
What to expect:
- Live country and bluegrass shows
- Very Tennessee, very local vibe
- Older crowd mostly
- Affordable tickets
- Saturday night shows typically
Honest opinion: If you like traditional country music and small-venue shows, you'll have a great time. If you're more into other music genres, this probably isn't your scene. That's fine either way.
Come Store Your Stuff, Go Do Things
If you're in Gallatin with recreational equipment you're not using regularly, that's literally what we're here for.
StorPlace Tulip Poplar at 1172 Tulip Poplar Road has outdoor storage for:
- Boats and jet skis (way better than in your driveway)
- RVs and campers (we see a lot stored between trips)
The logic is simple: store it close to where you use it. When you want to hit Old Hickory, your boat is five minutes away. When camping season hits, your gear is accessible.
More space at home, equipment protected and secure, ready when you want to use it.
That's the pitch. Now go enjoy Gallatin.
