Things to do in Nashville
Brave Tennessee’s quantum leap
Whoosh your way through Tennessee with Adventureworks (tel: +1 615 297 2250; www.adventureworks.com), a zip-wiring company providing airy thrills for the brave at heart. Zoom over through stunning forest, feet dangling over treetops, or try aerial trekking, an obstacle course in the sky, whilst only the courageous will take the quantum leap, a 9m (30ft) jump.
Discover lost underground caves by boat
Float your way through a grand natural entrance and into an awe-inspiring cave system at Lost River Cave (tel: +1 270 393 0077; www.lostrivercave.com), just an hour from Nashville. Boat tours glide the peaceful green waters as centuries of natural history arches overhead, including impressive red limestone domes. Visitors can paddle themselves on a kayak tour.
Go caving in the Cumberland Caverns
Tennessee's largest show cave, the Cumberland Caverns (tel: +1 931 668 4396; www.cumberlandcaverns.com), features some 43km (27 miles) of mapped underground passages and several routes to choose from. Daily walking tours can only reveal so much. Instead, if you're brave enough, wait for nightfall and pump up the adrenaline gauge by camping in the caves overnight.
Hike the trails around Fontanel Mansion
For hikers itching to stretch their legs, the trails at Fontanel Mansion (tel: +1 615 876 4618; www.fontanelmansion.com) wind for 4km (2.5 miles) under gorgeous canopies of native trees. Local creatures, including raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks and deer, will offer company. Dogs on leashes are warmly welcomed too and the paths are well maintained but unpaved.
Try some wild swimming
Escape your hotel swimming pool and splash around in some wonderful wild swimming holes instead. Percy Priest Lake (www.percypriestlake.org) is a lovely spot - a man-made reservoir not far from the city with safe, designated swimming areas. There's an information centre on shore with maps showing the best areas for a plunge.