tours jack daniels distillery

Jack Daniel's Distillery

• See all photos

Nashville to Jack Daniel's Distillery Bus Tour & Whiskey Tastings

Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour with Tastings & Lynchburg Stop

Jack Daniel Distillery Tour with Lynchburg & World's Longest Bar

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Jack Daniel's Distillery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Home » North America » USA » Tennessee » Visiting Jack Daniel’s Distillery: A Tiny Town’s Big Legacy

Visiting Jack Daniel’s Distillery: A Tiny Town’s Big Legacy

By Author Laura Longwell

Posted on Last updated: September 28, 2022

A one-stoplight town in southern Tennessee is home to the top-selling American whiskey in the world. In fact, every shot of Jack Daniel’s whiskey sold around the globe is made in the tiny dry town of Lynchburg. This wide spot in the road attracts over 300,000 visitors a year to see how Tennessee whiskey is made at the Jack Daniel’s distillery on the edge of town.

Less than two hours from Nashville , the distillery is a place to see how craftsmanship and attention to detail have built a brand and drinks that people swear by. A Jack Daniels distillery tour is also a walk through the 150-year history of Jack Daniel—the man himself and his namesake products. It’s a look at the impact of Prohibition, the rise of a family business, and making it “the best we can” every day, as a sign in Jack’s old office proclaims. And you don’t even have to be a whiskey fan to have a good time.

Jack Daniel’s History

What is tennessee whiskey, jack daniel’s distillery tour, whiskey tasting, visiting the distillery, tour options, accommodations.

Jack Daniel was a force of nature. At only 5 feet 2 inches tall, he had to be a bit fiery and a lot gregarious to get things done. He was known for his love of music and parties, which always attracted a lot of attention in sleepy little Lynchburg. Although Jack never married, he was rarely without a lady or two on his arm.

Nothing shows Jack’s spitfire personality more than the story of his death. One morning, he was frustrated when he forgot the combination to his safe. Losing his temper, he kicked the safe so hard that he broke his toe. Over time, his foot didn’t heal correctly and the resulting infection killed him.

The end to Jack Daniel’s life was just as dramatic as his early years. One of 13 children, Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel ran away from home at the age of 7. He became acquainted with a local storekeeper and minister, Reverend Dan Call. Jack apprenticed to Rev. Call and took up a trade not terribly common for seven-year-old boys—whiskey making.

Jack learned the ropes from one of the enslaved men working for Rev. Call, Nearest Green, and the whiskey increased in popularity. At the same time, pressure mounted from Rev. Call’s congregation, suggesting that whiskey making might not be the best for a man of the cloth. Call chose religion over distilling and sold the business to Jack for only $25 when he was 20 year old.

The Green family continued to help Jack in his new venture, and descendants still work for the distillery now over 130 years later. (Rev. Call’s descendants now run the Call Family Distillery —which we’ve visited in North Carolina—drawing on their 150-year whiskey heritage.)

So what did Jack make at his $25 company in Lynchburg, Tennessee? Tennessee whiskey, of course. Though there are common standards, different types of whiskey are made and aged differently around the U.S. and the world.

We’ve seen it done in five-gallon barrels at a renowned distillery under a bridge in Texas, and at a 230-year-old distillery on the coast of Northern Ireland. Everyone has their own spin.

Jack Daniel’s whiskey is made from corn, malted barley, and rye and is distilled in copper stills. The resulting white whiskey is then drip filtered through 10-foot stacks of sugar maple charcoal, which is produced on-site. It is this step that sets Tennessee whiskey apart from any other type.

Although it sounds like the charcoal would impart a flavor into the product, curiously, it doesn’t. After the filtering, the whiskey is stored in newly handcrafted toasted oak barrels, which give it color and most of its flavor.

The whiskey ages for 4 to 7 years. In a place like Tennessee, the weather plays a large part in the aging. If it’s warm, the whiskey will take on more flavor from the barrel faster because of how barrels breathe. If it’s unusually cool, things may take a bit longer. That’s why master tasters are also an important part of the process, making sure that the taste and color are right through every step.

The Jack Daniels tour was one of the most information-packed tours we’ve been on in a long time. And every bit of it was entertaining. From the tales of Jack himself to seeing the distillation process firsthand, we were engrossed in all of it. The traditional distillery tour took a little more than an hour, and there was a lot to see.

The distillery tour began with a ride to one of the 87 warehouses where we got a glimpse into how much whiskey is really on this property. From there, it was all on foot. We wound our way downhill to the rickyard, an area that plays a key role in the whiskey-making process.

Here, they burn enormous towers of whiskey-sprayed sugar maple wood until it becomes charcoal. This is the charcoal that is ultimately ground down for use in the filtration process—the thing that separates Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey from other whiskeys and bourbons.

The next stop was the cave spring. The natural spring that flows through a limestone cave was one of the main reasons Jack built his distillery here. Thanks to the limestone, the water is filtered of all iron, making it a perfect component of the whiskey fermentation process. Without the spring, Jack Daniel’s wouldn’t be what it is.

After a look at Jack’s office and the aforementioned offending safe, we were off to see the heart of the operation in the still house. The first step that is handled in the still house is fermentation, which has the strong odor of baking bread. We’ve seen fermentation in distilleries in Nashville and beyond, but it’s nothing like what happens here.

Over 100,000 gallons of mash are fermenting at any given point, producing what I can only describe as a wall of carbon dioxide. As we approached one of the tanks to see the cool bubbling reaction happening inside, the strength of the gas almost knocked us over.

From there, we got a glimpse at the filtration process. The white whiskey is pumped into the charcoal at the rate of a gallon per minute. As the whiskey drops through the 10-foot tank, any remaining impurities are removed. When the master tasters decide that it’s ready, the whiskey is bound for the barrels.

The distillery makes five core products—Old No. 7 (black label), Gentleman Jack, Single Barrel, Tennessee Honey, and Tennessee Fire. And since we were on the tasting tour, we got to try them all. Interestingly, all the products are made from the same base recipe in the same way. It’s only after aging that they are filtered further (as with Gentleman Jack) or have flavoring added (as with the Honey and Fire liqueurs).

The tasting room is where we got to learn the right way to taste whiskey. Taking a small first sip gets you over that initial shock to the palate. Then gently sipping and swirling the whiskey around your mouth really brings out the different flavors. And what different flavors they were.

We had both tried the Old No. 7 and Gentleman Jack in the past, but the other three products were totally new to us. And even though we’re not exactly whiskey aficionados, we loved the praline notes of the Tennessee Honey and the smoothness of the high-end Single Barrel (an actual single barrel, which makes 240 bottles, can be bought here for a mere $10,000). I was also a big fan of the Tennessee Fire, which is kind of like the tastes of fall in a glass.

Jack Daniel’s distillery is in Lynchburg, which is located about 1.5 hours southeast of Nashville.

There are four options for Jack Daniels distillery tour. The Dry County Tour takes just over an hour, and the Flight of Jack Daniels Tour (the one we did) and The Angel’s Share tour both take about 1.5 hours. The 3-hour Taste of Lynchburg tour includes a meal at the famous Miss Mary Bobo’s restaurant and a tour and whiskey tasting. Most of the distillery tours require walking, and much of the time is spent outdoors, so dress appropriately.

Tours are conducted daily from 9:00am to 4:30pm and are done on a first-come-first-served basis, or you can book in advance on their website (recommended).

Tour prices range from $20 to $100. Jack Daniels distillery tour costs are: Dry County Tour – $20, Flight of Jack Daniels Tour – $30, The Angel’s Share – $35, and Taste of Lynchburg – $100.

The White Rabbit Bottle Shop sells all the different Jack Daniel’s alcohol products. You can even get a bottle personalized on-site. The larger gift store in downtown Lynchburg sells pretty much every kind of memorabilia you could imagine.

One of the appeals of Jack Daniel’s is its remote location. If you are visiting, it is possible to do as a day trip, and it’s a great addition to a weekend trip to Nashville . However, there are several hotel options in Lynchburg and nearby if you want to stay close.

We were the guests of the distillery. All opinions of the interesting and barrel-aged are our own.

Have you ever been on a distillery tour?

Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. Since founding Travel Addicts in 2008, she has written hundreds of articles that help over 3 million people a year get the most out of their travel. In that time, she has visited nearly 60 countries on 5 continents, often returning to favorite destinations over and over again. She has a deep love of history, uncovering unexpected attractions, and trying all the good food a place has to offer.

In addition to Travel Addicts, Laura runs a site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Guide to Philly—which chronicles unique things to do and places to see around southeastern Pennsylvania. Her travel tips and advice appear across the web.

Share this post:

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Sandy Flott

Tuesday 18th of April 2023

We took the Flight of Jack tour, and enjoyed it very much! Very informative and fun. We had a great tour guide, Bob, who made it a lot of fun. I highly recommend taking the tour, and definitely visit the town square in Lynchburg.

Monday 6th of February 2023

Since when did they start charging for a tour? It was always a free tour in 2001 and in 2002.

Laura Longwell

They have charged since at least 2016.

Don galloway

Monday 9th of January 2023

Went to the jack daniels distillery back in the 80's got orange juice or lemon aid they gave out drawings on rice paper of different buildings and some of the old labels only sample we got was a whiff of the vat our guides name was red was early back then sounds better now

Dave Rhodes

Monday 9th of August 2021

I’ve been there three times and it’s great

Saturday 13th of June 2020

How Is the weather in the first week of October ?is it a good time to visit? don't want to be rained out.

Friday 19th of June 2020

October isn't really any rainier than other months, and it would still be warm in Tennessee.

Top Things to Do

Free Things to Do

Things to Do With Kids

Best Museums in Nashville

Top Country Music Attractions

Nashville's Best Parks

Outdoor Escapes Near Nashville

Live Music Venues

Guide to the Grand Ole Opry

Nashville's Top Annual Events

Food to Try in Nashville

Nashville's Best Restaurants

Best Bars in Nashville

Top Nashville Breweries

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Nashville International Airport Guide

Neighborhoods to Know

Public Transportation Guide

Driving in Nashville

Day Trips From Nashville

Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour

Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour

ImageGap/Getty Images

Let's talk Jack, as in Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and the Jack Daniel's Distillery. Let's talk about the town of Lynchburg, Tennessee, too, because you really can't have one without the other.

Sure, other companies make whiskey, but making Tennessee whiskey is pretty unique in itself, and the production is one the folks at Lynchburg have mastered. Some say the taste of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey comes from the local, iron-free waters and hard sugar maple charcoal filtering. But once you've visited Lynchburg, you will know that there's another special ingredient in every bottle of this Southern whiskey. It's the love of the Lynchburg residents.

Visit Lynchburg

The town of Lynchburg and its residents are so intertwined with the Jack Daniel's Distillery that it's commonplace for families to have a history of several generations of ancestors who have worked at the distillery. It's become a family tradition in this part of Tennessee.

The population of Lynchburg is less than 500, usually around 350. And Moore County, the smallest county in Tennessee, has a population just under 6,000.

Overall, Lynchburg is a small, quaint, slow-paced town that offers a ton of Southern hospitality. Lynchburg is a one-stoplight town, and that's part of its charm. You will find an example of a Tennessee historic town square and a 100-year-old courthouse in the middle of town, which provides visitors with an afternoon of antique shopping, country dining, and relaxation.

Tour the Distillery

The Jack Daniel's Distillery is the oldest registered distillery in the United States but ironically, Moore County is a still a dry county, which means that no alcoholic beverages are allowed to be sold here. So you won't find any bars in town selling alcoholic drinks, and this includes the hometown favorite. Still, visitors to Lynchburg can find and buy plenty of other great goodies, from candy to cakes, made with hints of Jack Daniel's Whiskey. If you want to get your hands on a bottle Jack Daniel's Whiskey when visiting Lynchburg, the distillery tours currently do allow visitors (only) to purchase bottles of whiskey on-site to take home with them.

Tours of the Jack Daniel's Distillery cost from $15 to $125, depending on what tour you take. The distillery walking tour takes about one hour to complete and is offered every day except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.

Distillery Details 

The Jack Daniel's Distillery and Lynchburg are just over an hour's drive south of Nashville. If you don't feel like driving, there are tour bus companies in Nashville that offer seasonal tours several times a week to the distillery.

If you plan on staying a few days to explore Lynchburg, there are numerous overnight accommodations nearby, including hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. Most require reservations.

About Jack Daniel

Jack Daniel was a real person.   Jasper Newton Daniel stood just over five feet tall and began making whiskey at the ripe age of 13 for a Lutheran minister. Daniel died of gangrene, after kicking his safe, on October 10, 1911. No one knows his actual birth date, but locals celebrate it every year in September.

Jack Daniel didn't have any children so the distillery was passed down to his nephew, Lem Motlow, whose name still appears on the Jack Daniel's Whiskey labels.

While Jack Daniel's offers a variety of various country cocktails, there are currently only four brands of whiskey produced at the distillery and they include:

• Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Black Label
• Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Green Label
• Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey
• Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel's Whiskey is 40 percent alcohol by volume and 80 proof. While Old No. 7 is situated prominently on the Jack Daniel's Whiskey label, no one has a clue as to what it really means. There are several different legends that surround the history of Old No. 7, from it being a batch number that Jack Daniel used, a train number that the whiskey was shipped on, to just a lucky number that he chose.

The recipe for Jack Daniel's is a really big secret , but we do know that the main ingredients include corn, rye, barley, malt and, of course, the special cave waters. The distillery also uses a hard maple charcoal filtering system and stores the whiskey in charred white oak barrels.

15 Things to Do in Nashville in December

Henry Horton State Park: The Complete Guide

The Best Nashville Day Trips

Memphis Gay Guide and Events Calendar

Downtown Nashville's Hotels

Los Angeles: Planning Your Trip

Your Trip to Nashville: The Complete Guide

The Top 15 Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

The Top 9 Breweries in Santa Rosa

48 Hours in Memphis: The Ultimate Itinerary

10 Things to Do in Breckenridge, Colorado

10 Top Things to Do in Woodstock, Vermont

Great Smoky Mountains Guide: Planning Your Trip

The 9 Best Places to Buy Golf Clubs of 2024

48 Hours in Minneapolis: The Perfect Itinerary

The Best Small Town in Every State

Jack Daniel's Bottles

• Distillery Info
• Buy the books

Jack Daniel's

• The History

Distillery Tours

• Distillery Expansion
• Distillery Fire Brigade
• Tennessee Squire Association
• Tennessee Squire Calendar
• The Master Distillers
• The Peabody Ducks

Share This Page

For those lucky enough to visit the Jack Daniel Distillery, taking the time for a Distillery Tour is a must. Although official tours weren’t offered until 1964, it wasn’t necessarily hard to get one before that time. For those visitors who made their way to Lynchburg back then, all they usually had to do was ask and chances are someone would show them around the Distillery grounds. Times have certainly changed, however, as Jack Daniel’s employed 22 Distillery Guides as of 2020.

Some of the current highlights visitors will see while on tour include visiting a barrelhouse which holds more than 20,000 barrels of whiskey, seeing the rickyard where hard sugar maple wood is burned to make the charcoal used for mellowing, going into the underground cave spring where all of the iron-free water is drawn, learning about the whiskey making process while seeing the stills, the fermenting tanks, and the charcoal mellowing vats, viewing Jack Daniel’s first office, and getting a look at the reconstruction of the White Rabbit Saloon as it appeared in Lynchburg in the early 1900’s. In recent years the Distillery has also been able to offer samples of their whiskey, but it hasn’t always been this way.

Additional information about the Distillery Tours is provided in Volume II of the Jack Daniel’s Bottle Collector’s Guide.

Jack Daniel’s Bottle Collector's Guides

The Ultimate Guides for Jack Daniel’s collectors and enthusiasts, these books provide an overview and history of Jack Daniel’s family of whiskeys and the many commemorative bottles released by the Distillery over the last 50 years.

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tours

The birthplace of an american icon: lynchburg, tn.

In the heart of Middle Tennessee , surrounded by the lush, rolling hills, is Lynchburg , a jewel of tradition and history. More than a pinpoint on a map, Lynchburg is a living canvas, painting a picture of American heritage and timeless values. This picturesque town, located comfortably away from the lively buzz of Nashville , offers a serene retreat into an era where every moment is savored, and every handshake is a bond. Embark on our Nashville Whiskey Tour , a sensory journey through the heart of Tennessee , where the rich history of whiskey and the vibrant spirit of Nashville blend into an unforgettable experience.

The essence of Lynchburg is captured not just in its sights but in the air you breathe. With its rustic charm, the town exudes tranquility, a welcome respite from the relentless pace of modern life. As you stroll through its peaceful streets, the soft melodies of nature and the gentle cadence of daily life blend harmoniously, creating a symphony that celebrates simplicity and authenticity.

This tranquil town, a short journey from the vibrant heart of Nashville, offers a unique contrast to the modern world’s rush. In Lynchburg, time moves at a different pace, inviting visitors to pause and relish the joy of the present. It’s a place that reminds us of the importance of heritage, of the enduring legacy of a well-lived life. Lynchburg doesn’t just represent a location; it embodies a way of life where every moment is an opportunity to create lasting memories.

Whiskey Trail Tours: Your Conduit to a Timeless Journey

At Whiskey Trail Tours, we understand the allure of this golden elixir. Our Whiskey Trail Tours Nashville are not just trips; they’re curated experiences steeped in sophistication and tailored to the connoisseur in you. Imagine a journey where every detail is refined, every moment cherished. From Transportation from Nashville to Jack Daniel’s Distillery to an enlightened guide weaving stories of past and present, we offer more than a ride; we offer an indulgence. As you recline in the plush comfort of our premium vehicles, the scenic beauty of Tennessee’s countryside unfolds before you, a prelude to the rich experience awaiting the distillery. Each whiskey tour is a unique blend of education and pleasure, designed to immerse you in the world of whiskey, where every sip tells a story of heritage and artistry.

Jack Daniel’s Distillery: A Symphony of Tradition and Taste

Embark on a journey that transcends mere distance, from the vibrant heart of Nashville to Jack Daniel’s Distillery. This pilgrimage is not just about traversing miles; it’s about traveling through a rich tapestry of time and tradition. The Jack Daniel’s Distillery , situated in the picturesque landscape of Lynchburg, Tennessee, is more than a destination; it’s a living legend, a cradle of the American whiskey heritage.

A Legacy Woven Through Time

The tale of Jack Daniel’s Distillery unfurls like the pages of a richly detailed novel, beginning in the late 1800s with the invincible and visionary Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel. Born in 1846, Jack Daniel was a man and a force of nature, driven by an unwavering passion for whiskey-making. He learned the craft from a local Lutheran minister and distiller, Dan Call, and a skilled enslaved man named Nathan “Nearest” Green, who would later become Jack Daniel’s first master distiller and a vital contributor to the whiskey’s unique character.

Jack Daniel officially registered his distillery in 1866, making it the first in the United States. Located amidst the picturesque hills of Lynchburg, Tennessee, the distillery is strategically positioned near a prime source of pure, iron-free cave spring water, which remains the vital essence of Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

Both triumphs and challenges marked the early years. Jack’s dedication to quality quickly set his whiskey apart, earning accolades and a growing following. However, the journey wasn’t without its hurdles. Prohibition hit in the early 20th century, forcing distilleries to cease operations. Yet, the resilience ingrained in its foundation ensured that Jack Daniel’s legacy would endure these trying times.

After Jack Daniel’s passing in 1911, the distillery was inherited by his family and later sold to a local businessman, Lem Motlow. Motlow, Jack’s nephew, was a man who shared Jack’s passion for whiskey making. Under his stewardship, and later that of his descendants, the distillery survived Prohibition and thrived in the following decades, expanding its reach and reputation.

Today, the Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour from Nashville takes you through storied places where you can almost hear the echoes of the past in the rhythmic dripping of the stills and the quiet aging of the barrels. It’s a place where the spirit of Jack Daniel and his successors continue to oversee every batch of whiskey.

Every drop embodies the dedication of a lineage of artisans who have committed to mastering the art of whiskey-making, ensuring that Jack Daniel’s name continues to be associated with unparalleled quality and distinctive character.

As you stand amidst the distillery’s rustic charm and serene landscapes, every barrel, building, and brick seems to whisper these tales of yesteryears, echoing the enduring legacy of its founder and the generations that followed.

Journey Through the Heart of Whiskey Making

The Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tours offer a deep dive into the fascinating world of whiskey creation, a journey that engages the palate and the soul. From the moment you set foot on the hallowed grounds of the distillery, you’re entering a realm where every detail is steeped in tradition, and every process is an ode to perfection.

Your journey begins with the foundational elements of whiskey making – the grains. Jack Daniel’s is known for its meticulous corn, rye, and barley selection. These grains are not just ingredients but the building blocks of flavor. The tour guides expertly narrate how each grain contributes to the final product, offering insights into the careful balance required to create the signature taste of Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

As you delve further into the process, you’ll encounter the unique Lincoln County Process, a defining step in crafting Jack Daniel’s whiskey. This involves filtering the spirit through handcrafted charcoal, which imparts a distinctive smoothness to the whiskey. Witness the mellowing vats, where the clear, raw spirit is transformed, drop by drop, emerging with a gentle, smoky sweetness.

Perhaps the most magical phase of the journey is the barrel aging process. In the vast barrelhouses, where time stands still, you’ll see rows of oak barrels, each silently nurturing the whiskey within. The Jack Daniels Distillery Tours illuminate the importance of the barrels, crafted from American white oak and charred to perfection, which impart rich colors and complex flavors to the whiskey over years of patient aging.

As the whiskey reaches its peak, the blending and bottling process begins. This stage is where the artistry of the master distillers comes to the forefront, ensuring that each bottle of Jack Daniel’s maintains the consistent quality and flavor profile the brand is known for. The Tours of Jack Daniels Distillery offer a rare glimpse into this meticulous process, highlighting the precision and care that goes into every bottle.

A Symphony of Flavors: Whiskey Tasting Experience

The culmination of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tours is, undoubtedly, the whiskey tasting. In Nashville and at the distillery, each tasting session explores the senses. You’re guided through various flavors, from the classic Old No. 7 to limited edition expressions. Each sip reveals layers of complexity, from warm caramel notes to subtle hints of fruit and spice, narrating the distillery’s rich history and unwavering commitment to excellence.

This voyage, complete with meticulous Transportation to Jack Daniel’s Distillery , transcends a mere tour; it’s an immersive odyssey that forges a deep connection with the soul of Jack Daniel’s. This iconic brand stands as a pillar in the world of spirits, and through this journey, you become part of its narrative. Each step taken, each process observed, and each flavor savored adds to the rich, ongoing story of American whiskey making.

Elegance and Comfort in Every Journey

With Whiskey Trail Tours, your Transportation from Nashville to Jack Daniel’s Distillery is integral to the luxurious experience. Our services, including Jack Daniel’s Distillery Transportation from Nashville , are crafted to provide comfort and elegance, enhancing your journey into the heart of whiskey country.

Linking Nashville and Lynchburg in Harmony

The bond between Nashville and Jack Daniel’s Distillery is woven from shared history, culture, and an appreciation for the finer aspects of life. Our tours blend Nashville’s vibrant energy with Lynchburg’s timeless tranquility. Whether returning on the Jack Daniel’s Distillery to Nashville route or embarking on the comprehensive Tours of Jack Daniel’s Distillery , each experience is a journey into the essence of American whiskey heritage.

Join us on this extraordinary exploration, a passage through time, tradition, and taste, where every mile is a story and every sip a celebration of Jack Daniel’s legacy.

From Sedans to Motorcoaches: Luxury in Every Mile

At Whiskey Trail Tours, we elevate each journey, ensuring that your transportation to Jack Daniel’s Distillery or along the whiskey trail tours in Nashville is luxury and style. Our fleet , a perfect blend of elegance and functionality, is specifically designed to make your trip to the distillery as memorable as the destination itself.

Embark on your journey with our sleek sedans, the ideal choice for intimate explorations or smaller groups seeking a personal touch in their Transportation to Jack Daniel’s Distillery . These vehicles offer a serene, private ambiance, perfect for those who wish to contemplate the rolling landscapes of Tennessee in quiet comfort.

Our spacious SUVs provide the perfect balance of luxury and practicality for medium-sized groups. These vehicles are ideal for family excursions or small group tours, offering ample space to relax and enjoy the journey, whether heading for a Jack Daniel’s Distillery tour from Nashville or exploring the broader whiskey trails.

Regarding accommodating more prominent groups, our motorcoaches offer a spacious and comfortable environment. These vehicles are ideal for those who are part of a significant gathering or event, ensuring that every guest travels in comfort and style, a crucial aspect of our Jack Daniel’s Distillery Transportation from Nashville .

Our Stretch and Sprinter Limousines provide an unmatched level of elegance and exclusivity for those special occasions or when a touch of luxury is desired. These vehicles transform your Nashville Whiskey Tour into an extraordinary experience, perfect for celebrating special moments in style.

Our Executive Sprinters, Mini Buses, Limousine Coaches, and large Motorcoaches cater to the needs of larger groups, ensuring that your journey, whether it’s part of the Whiskey Trail Tours Nashville or a customized tour, is comfortable, enjoyable, and in line with the highest standards of luxury.

A Gateway in the Sky: Nashville Airport to Jack Daniel’s Distillery

From the moment you land at Nashville International Airport , you’re not just arriving at a city; you’re stepping into the prologue of a captivating story that leads to the legendary Jack Daniel’s Distillery. This airport, a bustling hub in Music City’s heart, is the perfect starting point for whiskey exploration. It’s here where anticipation begins to build, where the excitement of discovery starts to bubble up, much like the rich, amber whiskey waiting at your journey’s end.

Our transportation service, bridging Nashville Airport to Jack Daniel’s Distillery , is designed to transform your transportation into an experience of effortless elegance. As you depart from the airport, you are whisked away from the hum of the city into the tranquil embrace of Tennessee’s countryside. Each mile traveled is a gradual unveiling of the region’s beauty, a scenic transition from the urban vibrancy of Nashville to the serene, lush landscapes that cradle the distillery.

As you journey from Nashville Airport to Jack Daniel’s Distillery , our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Our vehicles, a fleet that embodies luxury and class, provide a haven of relaxation. It’s a journey where every detail is catered to, ensuring that the transition from the tarmac to the tasting room is as smooth as the whiskey you’re about to savor.

As the final stretches of road bring you closer to the distillery, anticipation crescendos. The iconic Jack Daniel’s Distillery emerges as a destination that’s not just a place but a journey’s fulfillment. Join us for this exceptional journey, where the journey is not just a route but an integral part of an unforgettable whiskey adventure.

A Toast to Unforgettable Memories

With Whiskey Trail Tours , your expedition to Jack Daniel’s Distillery transcends the ordinary. It’s an odyssey that blends history, culture, and the fine art of whiskey making. As you return to Nashville, carrying with you both memories and bottles of the finest whiskey, know that you’ve not just witnessed a process; you’ve become part of a legacy.

Embark on this extraordinary journey with our Jack Daniels Distillery Tours . Contact us at (615) 244-5466 , email [email protected] , or reach out through our reservation form. Your passage through time, tradition, and taste is a reservation away.

Tour distilleries, wineries, breweries, and the city of Nashville in a private, fully sanitized, chauffeured vehicle.

Jack Daniels Distillery Tour Vehicle Options Contact Us FAQ Privacy Policy

Distilleries Wineries Breweries Visit Nashville

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Visitor Center Tickets and Tours

This post covers the Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour, how to get tickets, ways to save money on tickets, and what to expect from this tour of the oldest registered distillery in the country.

Our local tour guides have taken this tour, some more than once, and this post is based on their experience.

We hope this post can help you decide which Jack Daniel's tour, if any, is right for you!

• Ways to Save on Tickets
• Things to See
• Things to Do in Nashville

Located roughly 1 ½ hours outside of Nashville, United States, the Jack Daniel's Distillery is the biggest and most notable landmark in the small city of Lynchburg.

Despite its rather remote location, the distillery still offers various tours and attractions for visitors to enjoy. 

There is no public transport to this location available, so if you’re coming from out of town, it may be necessary to rent a vehicle for the trip.

Alternatively, you can take a bus tour from Nashville to the Jack Daniel's Distillery which will cover transportation and tour costs. We provide details about this service in our tours section .

Fans of this famous whiskey will love the opportunity to learn about the history of Jack Daniel's as well as see how the distillery functions in modern times.

Find out what to expect on the tour, from the tours section and our Things to See section .

JACK DANIEL'S DISTILLERY TOUR PRICES

This section covers ticket details for tours and other services offered at the Jack Daniel's Distillery.

Currently 4 types of tours available with a range of activities to enjoy.

The Distillery does not offer tours on the following holidays:

• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr Day
• Easter Sunday.

You must be 21 or over to make reservations for these tours online, but there is at least one tour appropriate for all ages.

TIP: There are bus tours to Jack Daniel’s Distillery Visitor Center available for anyone who doesn’t want to make the drive. We cover these outings in our day trips section .

How long is the Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour?

The Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour lasts for approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes where you, as a whiskey fan, can explore the interesting facts regarding various fermentation processes.

Can you drink on the Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour?

No drinking is allowed on the Jack Daniel's Tour in Moore County but you can go down the hill at any small cafe or restaurant or downtown Nashville which is a 20-minute drive.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by scott lawson (@scott_lawsonnn)

Can you buy Jack Daniel's at the Distillery?

Yes, you can buy Jack Daniel's at the Distillery.

Why Is Jack Daniel's Distillery Named So?

It is named after Jack Daniel who learned brewing from a man Nearest Green and became the first master distiller in the United States.

Each drop of Jack Daniel's whiskey is produced in this distillery registered in 1866

The Dry County Tour

This is the main tour offered at the Jack Daniel's Distillery.

Visitors can expect to learn about their whiskey distilling, as well as the history behind the company.

In addition to these details, the Dry County Tour provides a behind-the-scenes look at the distillery.

It's not a tasting tour and there isn’t any whiskey tasting included on this tour, so it’s open to visitors of all ages. Most of the breweries sell their yields directly to wineries.

Children 9 and under can get in for free!

Ticket Prices

• $25/Adults | $10/Youth (10-17)
• Kids 9 and under get in free.
• Military/Senior discount is available.
• Availability: Daily from 9 am - 4:30 pm
• Hours: At least once every 15 minutes.
• Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Maximum of 20 guests per tour.
• Purchase tickets or learn more .

NOTE: The Dry County Distillery Tour is included with the Music City Total Access Pass , a service that allows you to save money on popular activities in the Nashville area.

If you’re planning to enjoy any other attractions or tours in and around the city, check out our post on Nashville tourist passes for more details.

The Flight of Jack Distillery Tour

This is essentially the same as their Dry County Distillery Tour where you witness the distillation process, but it includes a stop at historic Barrelhouse 1 – 14.

While you’re in the Barrel house, you’ll learn a bit of additional information about the history of this company, quality control, and enjoy a flight of five Jack Daniel's products. Like the Charcoal mellowing during the distillation process that removes unnecessary elements from brews.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katie Whiting (@katieee_03)

Due to the inclusion of this activity, only adults are permitted to take this tour, and you must be 21 or older to enjoy the samples.

The Daniel's special Tennessee Whiskey is offered for tasting. You will also understand what stands apart the Tennesse Whiskey from other whiskeys and bourbon.

• $30/Adults 
• Must be 21+ for the tour and sampling.
• Includes a sampling of 6 Jack Daniel's Whiskey.
• Availability: Mon-Sat from 9 am - 4:30 pm
• Sunday Availability: 11 am - 4:30 pm
• Duration: 1 ½ hours.

Samples include Jack Daniel’s Whiskey , Tennessee Fire , Tennessee Honey , Gentleman Jack and Rye .

NOTE: This tour is included with one of the day trips to Jack Daniel’s Distillery .

The Angel’s Share Distillery Tour

Much like the Flight of Jack service, this option kicks things up a notch with an additional treat for fans of the whiskey.

In addition to the Dry County Distillery Tour, you’ll also have the opportunity to taste whiskey drawn from individual barrels as well as two limited-edition whiskeys.

Due to the tastings, the Angels Share Tour is only available for adults and you must be 21 or older to enjoy the drinks included.

• $35/Adults 
• Must be 18+ for the tour.
• Must be 21+ for the samples.
• Availability: Mon-Sat from 9:45 am - 4:30 pm
• Sunday Availability: 11:15 am - 4:30 pm

Samples include Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel , Barrel Proof , Single Barrel Rye , Sinatra Select, and Gold 27 from the Daniel cave spring hollow and Barrel Houses.

The Taste of Lynchburg

This tour takes things to the next level with an additional meal at the historic Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House restaurant.

The Taste of Lynchburg experience begins with an Angel’s Share Distillery tour and it includes all of the tastings available with that service.

Once again, you must be an adult to take this tour and you have to be 21 or older to enjoy the whiskey tastings.

• $125/Adults 
• Must be 21+ for the tour and samples.
• Availability: Wed-Fri at 1 pm
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Maximum of 10 guests per tour.
• Includes a special commemorative gift.
• Includes transportation from the Distillery to the restaurant.

This is a far more limited experience and no reduced-price tickets are offered.

All samples included are the same as what you’ll get during the Angel’s Share Distillery Tour.

DAY TRIPS TO JACK DANIEL'S DISTILLERY

The following section is about bus tours you can take from Nashville to Jack Daniel’s Distillery.

Each outing includes at least one tour of the landmark as well as free time in the historic city of Lynchburg.

Nashville to Jack Daniel’s Distillery Bus Tour

If you’re not interested in making the drive out to Lynchburg for this tour, there is a bus tour that will provide transportation to and from the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. 

This outing includes the Angel’s Share Distillery Tour, which is the second-best service offered at this historic location.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Becky (@what_becky_did)

Customers will also be given free time in Lynchburg to grab lunch, go shopping and enjoy sightseeing.

Since the included distillery tour features whiskey tastings, this day trip is only available for adults and you must be 21 or older to enjoy the drinks.

• $129 per person
• Availability: Daily at 9 am
• Duration: 7 hours
• Includes 1 ½ hours of free time in Lynchburg.
• Purchase tickets or learn more ( Affiliate Disclosure ).

Nashville to Jack Daniel’s Distillery Bus Tour + Lunch

Note: As of March 2024, the tour is unavailable.

Visitors who are interested in the Taste of Lynchburg tour may want to consider this day trip, as it’s available on a more frequent basis!

This service provides transportation between Nashville and Lynchburg, and it includes the Flight of Jack Distillery Tour in addition to a meal at Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant.

Since this doesn’t include the Angel’s Share Distillery Tour, it’s not exactly the same as the Taste of Lynchburg, but it is available from Monday to Saturday instead of just Friday and Saturday alone.

• $180 per person
• Availability: Mon-Sat at 9 am
• Duration: 8 hours
• Includes free time in Lynchburg.
• Includes lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s restaurant.

WAYS TO SAVE ON TICKET PRICES

This section will include details about how to save money on tickets for Jack Daniel’s Distillery tours.

We cover information about tourist passes and other deals that may be available.

Music City Total Access Pass

The Music City Total Access Pass includes admission to the Parthenon and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, as well as tickets to 4 extra activities.

When it comes to the 4 additional tickets, there are over 30 attractions to choose from, and one of them is the Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour.

This is currently the only tourist pass that provides access to a Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour. The service included is the most family-friendly option, the Dry County Tour. 

Sadly, transportation to and from the distillery is not included, but this could still be a great way to save money on the activity if you’re planning to enjoy additional attractions in and around Nashville.

The pass costs just $75, so it’s easy to see how you can save money using this service.

Here are some of the other activities you can choose from in addition to the distillery tour:

• Nashville Zoo
• Madame Tussauds
• Old Town Trolley Tour
• Country Music Hall of Fame
• Music City Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
• Grand Ole Opry House Backstage Tour

If you’re willing to drive out to Lynchburg, this could be a great way to save a few bucks on the Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour.

That said, the tour included is just $20, so you might want to consider other ways to reduce the cost of the tour.

For more information about this and other money-saving tourist attraction passes, read our post about Nashville tourist passes .

Military Discount

If you are on active duty or retired military, this might be the best way to save money on various tours of Jack Daniel’s Distillery, as they offer 50% off to most military service members.

You must provide a valid military ID to get this deal, but it’s one of the best deals currently available on tickets for this activity.

The services included are their Dry County, Flight of Jack and Angels Share distillery tours.

There is no military discount for their Taste of Lynchburg tour.

Senior Discount

If you’re 65 or older, you qualify for 20% off general admission prices for the Dry County, Flight of Jack and Angels Share distillery tours.

You must provide a valid ID with your age in order to receive this deal.

Deal Websites

While the Jack Daniel's Distillery doesn’t typically offer deals through these services, some of the companies offering day trips from Nashville to Lynchburg offer deals on sites like Groupon and LivingSocial .

In addition to whatever savings are offered, these sites frequently run additional sales which can save you even more!

THINGS TO SEE

There are a lot of interesting attractions to experience at the Jack Daniel's Distillery.

Here's a short list of the more interesting things to see while you’re here.

We’ll also include details about some fun things to do in Lynchburg!

Barrelhouse 1 – 14

If you choose either the Flight of Jack or Angel’s Share distillery tours, you’ll have the opportunity to see this historic barrelhouse.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @outingsandaboutings

Although you won’t drink anything here, it is a great chance to see where some of the best whiskey in the world comes from.

One of the more strange aspects of the history behind this company is that Jack Daniel himself was killed by a large safe – and no, it didn’t fall on his head.

So how exactly did a safe kill the man who created such an incredible whiskey? Well, you’ll have to take the tour to find out!

Natural Spring

One of the reasons that Jack Daniel’s produces such high-quality whiskey is that they have a natural spring on the property which provides the water for their drinks.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shannon and Joe (@wolvesontherun_)

While on the tour, you’ll have an opportunity to see this spring for yourself!

Aging Warehouse

While you might not have an opportunity to visit this site, you will at least pass by the warehouse where all of Jack Daniel’s whiskey is aged.

As you walk past the structure, you won’t be able to ignore the strong smell of delicious whiskey wafting through the air.

Heated Charcoal

As your tour guide explains the process by which Jack Daniel’s whiskey is made, you will have an opportunity to see the heated charcoal they use.

This charcoal is mellowed to produce the best flavor for the whiskey.

Bottling Plant

In addition to all the other sites included on this tour, you will also have the chance to see how Jack Daniel’s whiskey is bottled at the end of its journey.

If you feel like grabbing a bottle for yourself, you can purchase one in the gift shop!

Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House

This is probably the most well-known restaurant in the area, and you can enjoy a meal here during the Taste of Lynchburg tour.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by L.A. Walker (@anglophile7)

There is also a day trip which includes lunch at this location.

Miss Mary Bobo’s restaurant has some of the best food in Tennessee, and the service you’ll receive here is quite possibly the definition of Southern hospitality.

RELATED POSTS:

• What to Do in Nashville
• Where to Store Your Luggage
• Tourist Attraction Passes
• Madame Tussauds Nashville

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

Paul Whitten

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

Grand Ole Opry, CMA Fest, Morgan Wallen, Amy Grant, Def Leppard > TICKETS!

Nashville.com official guide to nashville, tn, jack daniel distillery.

In 1863, Daniel started making whiskey in Lynchburg, Tennessee. The key to the whiskey’s success, Daniel believed, was that it was made with cool, pure, iron-free spring water from a cave on the property. To this day, Jack Daniel’s is only made using this water. Outside of the cave stands a statue of Mr. Daniel himself, watching over the spring of his secret ingredient. Our Jack Daniel Distillery tour offers an insight into how the legendary No. 7 is made, as you get to observe each step of the distillery process.

GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION

• All ages are welcome however restrictions do apply. Please read individual tour descriptions thoroughly to understand these restrictions.
• The Jack Daniel Distillery is a working distillery. There may be times the tour path is altered to accommodate routine maintenance and repairs; expect temperature fluctuations and strong odors.
• Tours are outdoors and involve walking and stairs.  Jack Daniel’s has developed an alternative Distillery tour for those who would have difficulty participating in the tour. There is a bus-tour option for those who are short on time or who don’t have a hankering for stairs. For those opting for the other tour options, walking shoes are recommended.
• Clutches, fanny packs and wallets are allowed. No purses or bags are allowed on tours.
• There are free, self-locking lockers provided at the Visitors Center.
• Baby carriers are recommended however strollers are not allowed on tours.
• Services animals are welcome at the Distillery, however, they must be restrained at all times.

SECURITY, POLICIES & RESTRICTIONS

• Bags are not permitted on tours. Bags include: backpacks, purses and camera bags.
• Cameras and cell phones are allowed on tours, however, pictures are restricted in certain areas of the tour.
• The Jack Daniel Distillery and Visitor Center is a smoke-free facility. This includes smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes and vapor devices. Smoking is not permitted on tours.
• Weapons of any kind are not permitted inside the Visitors Center or on the Distillery tour

Buy Tickets To Jack Daniels Distillery

Nashville Hotels!

Nashville Calendar of Events! 

Nashville Concert & Event TICKETS! 

Nashville.com : The Complete Guide to Nashville, Tennessee!

Jack's birthdate has always been a mystery. Hopefully yours isn't.

This site uses cookies. Cookie Policy . I agree to the terms of use , and the privacy policy . This information will not be used for marketing purposes.

Do not check this box if you use a shared computer.

Access Denied

You must be of legal drinking age to enter this site.

Live Freely. Drink Responsibly.

• Accessibility
• Sustainable Stewardship
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

DO NOT SELL OR SHARE MY DATA

JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY LYNCHBURG, TENNESSEE

JACK, JACK DANIEL'S, OLD NO. 7, JD, GENTLEMAN JACK, JACK HONEY, JACK FIRE, and COUNTRY COCKTAILS

are registered trademarks of Jack Daniel's Properties, Inc. © 2024.

All rights reserved. 

All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION, VISIT RESPONSIBILITY.ORG AND OURTHINKINGABOUTDRINKING.COM

Please do not share or forward with anyone under the legal drinking age.

SELECT YOUR REGION AND LANGUAGE

Taste of lynchburg tour.

Combine a tasting tour with a flavorful trip to the table.  The first course is a storyteller-guided tasting tour of Mr. Jack’s distillery that features our Angel's Share Whiskeys. Your second course is a down-home noonday meal at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant.

Must be 21 to make an online reservation.

TOUR OVERVIEW

• $135 Adults (Must be 21+ to take this tour)
• Sales tax and fees included    
• This special tour is offered Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 1:00PM. Please check-in 30 minutes prior to scheduled time.
• Includes tour and tasting of Jack Daniel Distillery
• Includes lunch at Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House Restaurant  
• Includes a personal photo of your group
• Maximum of 10 per tour
• Closed on New Years Eve, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
• No discounts apply   

Questions? Please call us at +1-931-759-6357.

Questions about the tour? Read our Tour FAQs

Tour cancellation policy and terms & conditions

Barrel Making

Watch Video

Seraph Biosciences Looks to Stop Disease in Its Tracks

Miss Mary Bobo's Restaurant - Everyday Southern Fried Okra

Let us give it to you straight.

Sign up for e-news.

Get the latest on upcoming events & things to do.

Read Our Magazine

Get to know Chattanooga & its local attractions.

• Privacy Policy

Phone: (423) 756-8687

Toll-Free: (800) 322-3344

© 2024 Chattanooga Tourism Co. All rights reserved.

Cookies are used for measurement, ads and optimization. By continuing to use our site you agree to our  privacy policy .

Jack Daniel’s – A Distillery in a Dry County

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey is the most popular brand of whiskey in the world. It can be found in almost any bar and nearly every bartender knows what you want when you ask for a Jack and coke. I can make those statements with full confidence they are true. Not only is it the most popular, but it is also the oldest distillery in the United States. I am a big fan of all varieties of whiskey, but Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey is one of my “go tos”. When I had the opportunity to take a tour of Jack Daniel’s distillery as part of going to TBEX (a travel bloggers conference), I didn’t hesitate to say yes!

Table of Contents

• 1 Mystery of Jack Daniel
• 2 Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Making Process
• 3.1 How can you taste whiskey in a Dry County?
• 4 Food from Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House
• 5 Thoughts on Distillery Tours

Mystery of Jack Daniel

There are several mysteries surrounding Jack Daniel’s birth and death. Some stories told on the tour may be tall tales, but aren’t acknowledged as being so on the tour. I’ll accept them as canon and only tell the tales I was told. It is up to you to decide otherwise.

Jack Daniel was born around 1850. It is widely known, and an accepted fact, that his mother died shortly after his death. The cause of death was likely a birth complication, which wasn’t uncommon at that time. The tombstones of Jack and his mother would indicate that she passed before he was born. Quite odd if you ask me! There was a fire that burned all of the courthouse records so the truth may never be known.

One day, Jack decided to go to work early and tried to open the safe. Not remembering the combination, he kicked the safe out of frustration which broke his toe. He was a stubborn man so he didn’t go to a doctor. The toe became infected which spread and ultimately Jack had most of his leg amputated. Jack died shortly thereafter most likely from infection/blood poisoning.

The only building, on the property, that was usable after prohibition is Jack’s office. That safe is still there. Today it is empty. They don’t want someone forgetting the combination and kicking the safe again… we all know how that ends.

Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Making Process

Our first stop was at the rickyard. Ricks are cords of sugar maple wood which are then burned (using whiskey at a fire starter, of course) to make charcoal. The charcoal is used later on in the process which we learned about later in the tour.

The water source that is used comes from a limestone cave spring. It is noticeably cooler as you get closer to the cave. The water is a cold 53-56 degrees. Close by is a statue of Jack Daniel standing on a rock. Jack on the Rocks depicts Jack roughly 7 inches taller than his 5’2” stature.

The tour then went to view the fermenting vats, the stills, and the charcoal mellowing vats. After prohibition, the federal government almost forced Jack Daniel’s to be labeled as bourbon. The distillery told the government that they charcoal mellow the whiskey and to taste the difference. Obviously, the government agreed. To this day, Tennessee whiskey must be charcoal mellowed. Jack Daniel’s mellowing process drips whiskey into vats that are tightly-packed with 10 feet of charcoal.

The whiskey is then aged in toasted white oak barrels. Each barrel is handmade by the distillery. The whiskey is then aged 4-8 years, but the age is never specified on a bottle. Jack Daniel’s distillery has a number of barrelhouses scattered around town, each one holding an average of 20,000 barrels. The whiskey ages differently depending on where the barrel is in the warehouse. Air temperatures can vary by over 20 degrees from bottom to top which allow for the wood to expand depending on the temperature.

Tasting Whiskey in a Dry County

Every drop of Jack Daniel’s consumed around the world was produced at the distillery, in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Lynchburg is located in a county that has remained dry since prohibition – thus no alcohol can be sold. The irony is not lost on anyone that the world’s most popular whiskey distillery is located in a dry county. The distillery operates several different tours, most of which offer samples of the whiskey.

Our tour got a unique tasting. We sampled the following varieties:

• Distilled bourbon before charcoal mellowing (thus, calling it a bourbon)
• Whiskey after mellowing
• Old No. 7 (the typical black labelled bottle that most people are used to seeing)
• Gentleman Jack – after aging whiskey goes though a 2nd round of charcoal mellowing of 3 feet of charcoal
• Single Barrel
• Tennessee Honey
• Tennessee Fire

The distilled bourbon tasted like a bowl of corn flakes. It didn’t have much flavor other than corn. The charcoal mellowing process subdues that corn flavor. The whiskey after mellowing has a much more dynamic flavor profile. I tasted apple, rye, and a subtle corn flavor. That’s literally the only thing the charcoal mellowing does to the whiskey, but it makes a huge difference!

Multiple barrels of whiskey are mixed to produce Old No. 7 which gives it a consistent and predictable taste. Single Barrel comes from just one barrel. Two bottles of Single Barrel may taste slightly different if they come from different barrels. The barrel numbers are labeled on the neck of the bottle.

How can you taste whiskey in a Dry County?

Since I took the tour, that is the most common question I’ve been asked. Of course, the distillery operates completely within the letter of the law. Samples can be given, but not sold, to visitors that are on distillery property, where the whiskey is produced. Also, commemorative bottles can be sold at limited quantities to each visitor.

Food from Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House

Unfortunately, Miss Mary Bobo’s is closed on Sunday, which was when I visited. The restaurant’s menu typically varies each day. Miss Mary Bobo’s was gracious enough to cater lunch for us. The meal was a traditional Southern meal so it was very hearty. Our plates were full of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, baked beans, green beans, macaroni & cheese, cornbread, and a beef stew. For dessert, we had peach cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was amazingly delicious.

Thoughts on Distillery Tours

I’ve taken tours of the Jameson distillery and the Guinness Storehouse . I suppose you can say I like learning about how famous beers & spirits are made. Have you taken a brewery or distillery tour that you think I should take? Leave a comment below!

I don’t have a bucket list. If I did have one, then I’d certainly be able to cross off “Visit Jack Daniel’s Distillery”. It was a dream of mine to visit. Thank you to everyone involved at TBEX and the distillery for making this happen.

Further reading: I recommend this Lonely Planet Guide on Civil War Road Trips .

Disclaimer: even though I was a guest of the distillery, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Featured image courtesy of Jack Daniel’s Distillery

About The Author

Adam Sterling

11 thoughts on “jack daniel’s – a distillery in a dry county”.

I have lived in the next county over from the distillery and have taken several people to tour. It is very interesting to see the process and to hear the story. There are 2 other distilleries close by so come prepared to visit all three.

Such cool stories and amazing about the distillery being in a dry county!! Glad they let you have samples. I’d love to do a whisky tour one day.

I love whisky and so it’s great to see this post and learnt a little bit about this liquor! Interesting story about Jack Daniel’s mother death day and how he die due to stubborness! I wish to visit there and see the safe myself if I am visiting Tennesse! @ knycx.journeying

Interesting fact that the water comes from a limestone spring cave. A Jack Daniels Distillery Tour would be interesting and fun to see. So, it looks like free samples are given out, but don’t prepare to buy one.

This is definitely on my to-do list. My parents went last year and I must admit I was jealous! Crazy to think it’s in a dry county as well.

How fascinating! I love distillery tours. Crazy how he died due to complications of kicking a safe! thanks for coming to fly away friday! Hope to see you this week 🙂

That’s so cool you got to visit the Jack Daniel’s distillery! I’d love to experience that someday…even though I don’t drink JD’s! Haha! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday, hope to see you again this weekend! xo

It was definitely cool. It’s a must even for people who aren’t whiskey drinkers. They give other tours where you don’t get any samples.

This is on my husband’s bucket list too. Thanks for sharing!

HAHA! The word “Jack Daniel’s grabbed my attention right away! A flashback to my party days 😉 This is such an interesting and different post. Thanks for sharing the experience! #FlyAwayFriday

You are very welcome! It was an amazing experience.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Jack Daniels Tour

Tour info for Jack Daniels distillery:

The Distillery is about 75 miles southeast of Nashville, Tennessee. The address is 182 Lynchburg Highway, Lynchburg, TN.

The hours of operation are : 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Central Time, and they’re open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

View Jack Daniels Tour Photos Here !

More tour info.

Tours of the Jack Daniel Distillery are free.

Sampling tours, where visitors can taste Jack Daniels, are now available, and cost around $10 for anyone over the age of 21.

More Info on the Distillery can be found here: http://www.jackdaniels.com/visit

Jack Daniels also hosts an immensely popular World Championship Barbecue competition each October, which draws visitors from across the world.

The History of Jack Daniel's Iconic Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey , renowned as America’s top whiskey and a global best-seller, has achieved iconic status. The core bottling, Jack Daniel's Old No. 7, is produced following a traditional recipe and has a smooth woody character with notes of vanilla and honey. 

Over the years the range has expanded to include rye and flavored whiskey expressions along with the high-end ‘Single Barrel Select' offering aimed at the premium end of the market.

Testament to the brand's cult status and continuing success is the fact that Jack Daniel's merchandise ranges from glassware, apparel, and poker sets to partnerships with Harley-Davidson to build exclusive motorcycles. 

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey has become deeply embedded in the American cultural fabric, playing a significant role in BBQ traditions, and supporting a host of emerging musicians and bands. 

Revered for years across the U.S., it has won the admiration of celebrities, including the iconic Frank Sinatra, who was rumoured to be buried with a bottle of Jack Daniel's. Its presence in renowned movies like Scarface (1983) has further elevated the brand’s global stature.

Production at Jack Daniel's    

Unlike Scotland's malt whisky which is distilled from malted barley, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey is produced from a sour mash grain recipe consisting of 80% corn, 12% barley and 8% rye mixed with spring water. 

The resulting distillate meets the US regulatory criteria for classification as a straight bourbon. Although, the distillery states an additional production step known as the ‘Lincoln County Process' makes Jack Daniel's more than bourbon – it makes it Tennessee Whiskey . 

The ‘Lincoln County Process' involves filtering the distillate drop by drop through large vats filled with charcoal to remove imperfections. The charcoal used is produced at the Jack Daniel's distillery site by burning hard sugar maple wood in an open-air fire that peaks at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, hence maintaining an onsite fire department. 

Tennessee state law requires all distillers to meet the same quality standards and production processes used by the Jack Daniel's distillery for products produced in the state labelled as ‘Tennessee Whiskey'.

Following this charcoal mellowing the whiskey is laid to rest in the multi-storied warehouses at the distillery.  These vary between three and seven stories and contain a minimum of 7,000 barrels. 

As the temperature varies across the warehouse levels whiskey matures slightly differently depending upon where barrels are stored, a feature utilised by Jack Daniel's to store the barrels for specific expressions and products at different positions in the warehouses. 

For instance, the Green Label is a lighter younger style whiskey drawn from barrels stored on lower floors at the centre of the warehouse where whiskey matures more slowly. Maturation usually takes four to six years at the Jack Daniel's distillery depending on the respective product and the effect on individual barrels.        

Early Years: Jack Daniel, Born to Make Whiskey

Situated in Lynchburg, Tennessee, a town approximately 70 miles south of Nashville, America's best-known whiskey distillery is named for its founder Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel. 

Following his father's death in the American Civil War, Jack Daniel left home and was taken in by Reverend Dan Call, a Lutheran minister and moonshine distiller, in 1864. Daniel went on to learn the art of distilling from Call and his distillery worker Nathan "Nearest" Green, an enslaved African American man. 

After a dispute concerning his father's estate was settled, Daniel used his inheritance to found a legally licenced distillery in partnership with Dan Call. The establishment date is contested, with the modern Jack Daniel's brand stating the distillery was founded in 1866 which would make it the first whiskey distillery to be registered in the USA. 

In contrast, Daniel's biographer Peter Krass records in the 2004 biography Blood & Whiskey: The Life and Times of Jack Daniel that official registration documents assert the distillery was not established until 1875.

Dan Call quit the distilling partnership soon after its creation for religious reasons, allegedly under pressure from his wife and congregation for "working for God on Sunday and then making liquor on Monday". 

Acquiring full control of the fledgling distillery, Jack Daniel appointed the now-freed Nathan "Nearest" Green as the first head distiller. (An expression of Uncle Nearest recently was recently named ‘World's Best Tennessee Whiskey' at the World Whiskies Awards 2023 ). 

In 1884, Daniel purchased Cave Spring Hollow and the surrounding land for $2,148, gaining a clean spring water source and location to build the distillery's permanent home. 

After building the distillery Jack opened two bars in the Lynchburg town square in 1892 named the White Rabbit and Red Dog saloons. 

At a time when spirits were bottled from the barrel by individual grocers, Daniel began bottling directly at the distillery in 1895 to convey a sense of fairness and integrity to customers.  After much deliberation the iconic square bottle was chosen with Daniel commenting that it was "A square bottle for a square shooter".

In 1904 the World's Fair in St Louis, Missouri, introduced the latest scientific and cultural innovations to the world which included the Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. Competing amongst 24 entries from around the world, the Old No. 7 earned the gold medal for World's Best Whiskey.  

Various theories surround the origins of the ‘Old No. 7’ brand name – some say it refers to the seventh recipe experiment to generate the perfect mash for the whiskey, while others suggest it refers to the government registration number Daniel received for the distillery.

The Battle Against Prohibition

With no wife or children as heirs, Jack Daniel passed control of the distillery to his nephew Lem Motlow in 1907 before passing away in 1911. In 1910, Tennessee passed a statewide prohibition law, effectively preventing the legal distillation of Jack Daniel's within the state. Motlow attempted to relocate Jack Daniel's distilling operations to St Louis, Missouri, and Birmingham, Alabama but then prohibition began nationwide on January 17 th 1920 following the ratification of the US Eighteenth Amendment. 

After thirteen years, prohibition was repealed at US federal level in 1933. However, state prohibition laws including Tennessee's remained in effect, continuing to prevent the Jack Daniel's Lynchburg distillery from reopening.

Lem Motlow, who had by now been elected Tennessee State Senator, led efforts to repeal state prohibition laws in 1938. However, a number of Tennessee's counties opted to remain dry – including Moore County where the Jack Daniel's Lynchburg distillery is located. 

After further lobbying from Motlow, a bill was passed allowing whiskey to be produced in Tennessee and sold in other states – Jack Daniel's could finally resume production in Lynchburg. 

In 1941, Lem Motlow commissioned a life-size statue of Jack Daniel, which was erected in front of Cave Spring Hollow. Following intense negotiations between Lem's son Reagor Motlow and the US government in 1941, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey achieved official approval as a distinct product labelled as whiskey rather than bourbon thanks to the charcoal mellowing ‘Lincoln County Process'.

The Jack Daniel's distillery was then forced to cease operating between 1942-1946 when the US government banned the production of whiskey for the duration of the Second World War. 

Post-war production resumed at Jack Daniel's in 1947, when good-quality grain was more readily available for distilling. After guiding the distillery through Prohibition, the Depression and wartime closure, Lem Motlow passed away in 1947.

  Jack Daniel's: Birth of an Iconic Brand 

 In 1956, Jack Daniel's was sold to Brown-Forman Corporation, an American-based wine and spirit company. However, the Motlow family continued to operate and manage the distillery. 

In 1964 the brand introduced its well-recognized black and white label and initiated a new advertising campaign.  On September 14, 1972, the Jack Daniel's distillery earned a place on the US National Register of Historical Places. 

Until 1987 Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey (with the black label) had an alcohol content of 45%, which translates to 90 U.S. Proof.  Post-1987, the alcohol content for the same whiskey was slightly reduced to 43%, which is 86 Proof.

In 1988 the brand introduced a new variant called “Gentleman Jack” which undergoes a second charcoal mellowing before bottling to achieve exceptional smoothness. As Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 is a popular sauce ingredient in US BBQ culture, Lynchburg hosted the first annual Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue Competition in 1989.

Although Moore County remained dry, a 1994 Special Act of the Tennessee Legislature permitted the Jack Daniel's distillery to sell one commemorative bottle to each guest on site from January 1995. 

In February 1997 the first Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select bottlings were released, each drawn from individual barrels. As this Single Barrel range has evolved the distillery now offers customers the premium option of purchasing an entire barrel for bottling and receiving a whiskey of distinct flavour for approximately $10,000. 

In 1999, the Jack Daniel's distillery opened a visitor's centre which sells commemorative bottlings of Gentleman Jack, Single Barrel Select, and Old No. 7 in distillery-exclusive decanters at the White Rabbit Bottle Shop.

Ongoing Success 

From 2002, all generally available bottlings were reduced to 80 U.S. Proof, although without any public publicity or announcement from the distillery. 

Despite a petition from Modern Drunkard Magazine of over 13,000 signatures, the Jack Daniel's distillery stood by their decision and argued that the reduction made their whiskey more accessible to a wider range of drinkers. Expanding the range to attract a new generation of drinkers the first flavoured expression, Tennessee Honey, launched in 2011 followed by the cinnamon-flavoured Tennessee Fire in 2015 and Tennessee Apple in 2019.

Introducing the first new mash formula since the inception of Old No. 7, Jack Daniel's pioneered America’s revival of rye whiskey by unveiling Single Barrel Rye in 2015. This whiskey is distilled from a blend consisting of 70% rye, 18% corn, and 12% barley. Following this, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Rye, a conventional rye whiskey, was released in 2017.

In response to growing global demand a new  cooperage was opened in 2014 in Lawrence County, Alabama, crafting hundreds of barrels from American white oak each day. 

The distillery does not refill barrels and so uses each only once. After being used once to mature Jack Daniel's whiskey most barrels are then sold on to a variety of producers including Scotland's whisky distilleries, American tabasco sauce producer the McIlhenny Company and the rum distillers Mount Gay Rum and Appleton Estate. 

Other barrels are repurposed, for example as garden planters. In 2016 the Jack Daniel's distillery celebrated its 150 th anniversary, marking the event by commemorating the key role played by Nathan "Nearest" Green in the early years of the distillery and in the development of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey.  

Jack Daniel's Timeline 

1864            Following his father's death, Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel is taken in by Reverend Dan Call, a lay preacher and moonshine distiller. Jack Daniel learns distilling from Dan Call, and Nathan "Nearest" Green, an enslaved African American man.

1866 – 1875 On receiving an inheritance, Jack Daniel partners with Dan Call to found a legally licenced distillery. The establishment date is contested, with the modern brand states the distillery began in 1866, making Jack Daniel's the first distillery registered in the U.S., while sources examining official registration documents argue establishment did not occur until 1875.

                     Dan Call quits the partnership for religious reasons, leaving Jack Daniel to take control of the distillery. Nathan "Nearest" Green is appointed head distiller.

1884            Jack Daniel purchases Cave Spring Hollow and the surrounding land for $2,148 and establishes a permanent distillery at the site.

1892            Jack Daniel opens two bars in the town of Lynchburg, Tennessee called the White Rabbit and Red Dog saloons.  

1895            Jack Daniel begins using the iconic square bottles, intended to convey a sense of fairness and integrity.

1904            Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 takes a gold medal at the 1904 St Louis World's Fair.

1907            Jack Daniel begins training his nephews in aspects of the distilling business, one of whom, Lemuel "Lem" Motlow becomes distillery bookkeeper.

                     In 1907, Lem Motlow takes control of the distillery, following the retirement of Jack Daniel.

1910            Tennessee passes a statewide prohibition law in 1910, effectively preventing the legal distillation of Jack Daniel's within the state.

1911            Jack Daniel passes away in 1911 from blood poisoning.

                     Lem Motlow makes failed attempts to relocate distilling operations to St Louis, Missouri, and Birmingham, Alabama to circumvent the Tennessee prohibition law.  He also appoints his brother Jess Motlow as Master Distiller.

1920            Following ratification, nationwide prohibition begins on January 17 th 1920.

1933            Prohibition is repealed at US federal level, although state prohibition laws including Tennessee's remain in effect, preventing the Jack Daniel's Lynchburg distillery from reopening.

1938            Elected as a Tennessee state senator, Lem Motlow leads efforts to repeal state prohibition laws allowing Jack Daniel's production to resume in 1938.

1941            Lem Motlow commissions a life-size statue of Jack Daniel, which is erected at the Cave Spring Hollow.

                     Jack Daniel's achieves official approval for the distinctive classification of Tennessee Whiskey, characterised by additional charcoal mellowing known as ‘The Lincoln County' process.

1942            The distillery ceases operations when the US government bans the production of whiskey due to the Second World War between 1942-1946.

1947            Production resumes at the Jack Daniel's distillery. Lem Motlow passes away.

                     In a New York City bar, Jackie Gleason introduced Frank Sinatra to Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey – creating a lifelong enthusiast.

1956            The distillery is purchased by the Brown-Forman Company.

1964            The iconic black and white label and advertising is created.

1972            The distillery is listed on the US National Register of Historical Places, from September 14 th 1972.

1987            Previously produced at 90 U.S. Proof (45% alcohol volume) Jack Daniel's black label is reduced to 86 Proof. Jack Daniel's black label is regarded as the premium bottling, while a Jack Daniel's green label becomes the standard bottling released as 80 Proof.

1988            Double-mellowed Gentleman Jack is launched on the US market.

1989            The first annual Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue Competition takes place in Lynchburg.

1994            A 1994 Special Act of the Tennessee Legislature allows the Jack Daniel's distillery to sell commemorative decanters on site from January 1995.

1997            In February 1997 the first Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select bottlings are released.

1999            The distillery visitor's centre opens.

2002            All generally available bottlings are reduced to 80 Proof.

2011            Tennessee Honey is released.

2014            A new Jack Daniel's cooperage opens in Lawrence County, Alabama crafting hundreds of barrels daily.

2015            Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Rye Whiskey is launched.

                     Tennessee Fire is released.

2016            The distillery celebrates the distillery's 150 th anniversary underlining their claim that registration and establishment occurred in 1886.

2017            Tennessee Rye is launched.

2019            Tennessee Apple is released. 

Read the full article at The History of Jack Daniel’s Iconic Tennessee Whiskey

Things to do Near Nashville

Updated : April 18, 2024

AAA Travel Editor, WA

Table of contents.

• Jack Daniel's Distillery
• Oakland's Mansion

Arrington Vineyards

Franklin, tn, clarksville, tn, mammoth cave national park, ky, rock island state park, natchez trace parkway.

• Leiper's Fork, TN

Rock City, TN

Bowling green, ky, cumberland caverns, planning your trip to nashville.

There's plenty in downtown Nashville to keep you busy for a while. But when you've had your fill of honky tonks, urban flair and hot chicken and want to venture further afield, it makes sense to head out for a day trip. And you'll find an incredible variety of day-trip-worthy destinations within easy driving distance of Nashville. You'll find everything from wineries and distilleries to gorgeous hiking spots, Civil War battlefields and small towns just waiting to be explored.

The countryside around Nashville features rolling hills and scenic vistas. To the east, you'll encounter stunning mountains. To the north is horse racing territory; distilleries and tobacco fields pepper the landscape. In nooks and crannies in the immediate area surrounding Nashville, you'll find vineyards, creeks, state parks and nature reserves aplenty. No matter which way you venture, you'll be met by a relaxing, scenic drive, friendly folks and something well worth your time to experience.

Here are some of the best things to do near Nashville, TN. Day trips spent heading to these spots are time well spent.

Jack Daniel's Distillery

• Distance from Nashville: 79 miles / 1 hour 21 minutes driving

Jack Daniel's Distillery is the oldest registered distillery in the United States. Founded in 1863, they've had plenty of time to perfect the art and science of their iconic No. 7 whiskey. Head to the visitor center for a tasting and to find out how their whiskey is made. When you're done, take time to explore Lynchburg, TN, home to plenty of great restaurants and other attractions like the U.S. Space and Rocket Center , before heading back to Nashville. Don't feel like driving? Book a guided tour that departs from Nashville for a Jack Daniel's Distillery experience.

Oakland's Mansion

• Distance from Nashville: 35 miles / 37 minutes driving

The Oaklands Mansion is a well-preserved Civil War-era plantation home that has been beautifully preserved and restored to the beauty it possessed more than a century ago. Occupied by the Maney family during and after the Civil War, the home itself was built in the early 1850s; it features an eye-catching Italianate design, gorgeous gardens and an arboretum that you can stroll through when you visit. It's a lovely glimpse into the area's culture and history and a peaceful respite from the city. Grab a lunch at The Chop House or another of Murfreesboro's eateries while you're in the area.

• Distance from Nashville: 29 miles / 32 minutes driving

Arrington Vineyards is just south of Nashville. Occupying 95 acres, this gorgeous family-run vineyard is a great place to go for a tasting or a food-and-wine pairing. If you time your visit right, you'll also be able to enjoy live music and a full meal while you're there. You could also grab a bottle of wine, some cheese and snacks and head to a solitary stretch of the vineyard for a hillside picnic.

• Distance from Nashville: 22 miles / 25 minutes driving

Franklin, TN has a lot going for it. This cute mountain town is chock-full of historic homes, Civil War history, intimate eateries serving up locally distilled whiskey and microbrews and friendly, chill vibes. The downtown stretch is lined with art galleries, boutiques and vintage/antique shops. Take in the sights at your own pace with a Franklin hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour , or get a taste of the Tennessee backroads on a guided backcountry side-by-side ride .

• Distance from Nashville: 48 miles / 54 minutes driving

Clarksville is a little farther than Franklin, but it packs its own distinctive vibe that's well worth a visit. You'll find a downtown lined with restaurants, boutique shops and galleries. In the little town's downtown, you'll find a three-story brewery called Strawberry Alley Ale Works , a buzzing location with industrial-chic decor, a compelling craft beer selection and an all-day menu. Clarksville's location on the Cumberland River has enshrined it in history; it's also just a hop away from Dunbar Cave State Park, a great spot to stop for an hour or two.

• Distance from Nashville: 94 miles / 1 hour 30 minutes driving

Head north into Kentucky's tobacco fields and you'll find more than just thoroughbreds and tobacco sheds. Located just outside of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the world's longest cave system. Take a guided tour, explore the areas that are open to the public and stop by the visitor's center and gift shop before you leave. Mammoth Cave is located on Kentucky's Scenic Route 70 , which traverses a gorgeous slice of the country--well worth a little more driving, if you feel like exploring more after visiting the caves.

• Distance from Nashville: 85 miles / 1 hour 36 minutes driving

Rock Island State Park is best visited during the hot summer months when you're in the mood for some clean, cool water to jump in. This state park is home to a gorgeous cascade, miles of walking/hiking trails and beachside access to the river so you can jump right in. Dogs are also welcome at this state park, making it a great Nashville day trip choice if you have canine companions along for the adventure. When it comes to fun things to do near Nashville, Rock Island State Park will always be near the top of the list.

• Distance from Nashville: As long as you want it to be. The Parkway begins in Nashville and continues for 444 miles.

The Natchez Trace Parkwa y is one of the nation's most peaceful parkways. Devoid of billboards and strip malls, you'll find curve after curve of gorgeous countryside, with plenty of history and beautiful stops along the way. This is a popular route for bikers, so keep your eyes open for motorcycles as you go, but don't hesitate to stop at the many points of interest and eateries as you go. You can also take the Natchez Trace down to Leiper's Fork for a memorable Tennessee day.

Leiper's Fork, TN

• Distance from Nashville: 26 miles / 38 minutes (longer if you take the Natchez Trace)

If you take the leisurely, wandering Natchez Trace Parkway from Nashville to Leiper's Fork, the drive will take you a little over an hour--but the scenery makes the voyage well worth the trip. The drive is shorter if you take Old Hillsboro Road. The rural village of Leiper's Fork isn't far from Franklin, TN, but it's worthy of a day trip of its own, particularly if you're looking for a lovely place to grab lunch or dinner and enjoy a little sightseeing before heading back to Nashville. Leiper's Fork offers lots of antique shopping, a few excellent lunch spots and the Leiper's Fork Distillery, which offers guided tours.

• Distance from Nashville: 134 miles / 2 hours 30 minutes driving

Located outside of Chattanooga, TN, Rock City Gardens offers an experience that encapsulates some of the area's most breathtaking views. Rock City is admittedly a longer day trip from Nashville; to make the most of your time in Rock City, you'd want to get an early start. But the view from the top--where you can see seven states on a clear day--is worth the trip. The entire experience will be a memorable one as the trails are family-friendly and the woodlands, botanical gardens and on-site cafes and gift shops can keep you enchanted for hours. You could also take a ride up the Incline Railway, a glass-topped funicular, or venture underground to see Ruby Falls, a subterranean waterfall.

• Distance from Nashville: 65 miles / 1 hour 5 minutes driving

Bowling Green is just about an hour north of Nashville, but it has a very distinctive personality. Stop by the National Corvette Museum , take a boat tour through the Lost River Cave, or stop at the Historic RailPark and Train Museum before grabbing a bite to eat; Tony's of Bowling Green is a solid choice.

• Distance from Nashville: 83 miles / 1 hour 32 minutes driving

Cumberland Caverns is hands-down one of the best day trips near Nashville. From gorgeous caverns to an underground waterfall, the best way to experience this outing is via guided tour. Skip the driving and hop on a bus for a guided small bus tour from Nashville complete with an excursion down to the caverns below. Take note that in order to reach the caverns, you'll have to traverse 350 steps hand-cut into the stone, so it's ranked as moderate in difficulty. If you're driving yourself, consider stopping in Mckinnville for lunch; Collins River BBQ is a local favorite.

When thinking of the best time to visit Nashville it’s important to know that AAA members can access perks and take advances for vacation planning such as getting the best discounts on hotels , rental cars and entertainment tickets. 

More Articles

Travel like an expert with aaa and trip canvas, get ideas from the pros.

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!