Welcome to Thanksgiving, Nashville — now get out

Melonee Hurt
Nashville Tennessean
  • Thanksgiving Day is known for food, but it's also a great day to get outside with the family
  • If early morning is your style, join one of several 5K options

Thanksgiving is the one day of the year that celebrates eating like no other.

It's like we all have a government-issued green card to do nothing but eat. The house smells like food, and there are plans for multiple meals followed by that glorious late-night sesh of dragging out all the leftovers and microwaving a plate.

But just because the day consists of lots of eating — after all, that's what the Pilgrims and Indians did — that doesn't mean you can't get outside for a little fresh air and heart rate escalation. Maybe after breakfast but before lunch number one, you and some of the fam could embark on a little hike. Or after lunch number two, but before the Big Game, you could head to the nearest park for a brisk walk.

For you early birds who like to exercise before breakfast number one, there are multiple 5Ks and fun runs/walks happening across Middle Tennessee on Thanksgiving Day.

Here are a few options in and around Nashville for ways to burn a little fat and — who are we kidding? Make room for more food.

1. Percy and Edwin Warner Parks (Nashville)

These grand stairs are the entry point for multiple hikes and multi-use trails in Percy Warner Park in Belle Meade.

Percy and Edwin Warner Parks offer more than 60 miles of trails for a bike ride, hike, horseback ride, walk or stroll with your fur baby. So whatever your preferred mode of outdoor transportation might be, take advantage of some scenic trails without having to leave Nashville.

The parks website has maps detailing which trails are multi-use and which are dedicated for, say, trail running, as well as distances and difficulty levels. There are shorter, easy loops and longer, more moderately difficult ones, too. So you really have no excuse not to get out and enjoy the nature right in Nashville's backyard.

2. Thanksgiving Day 5K

Runners participate in the Turkey Trot 5K in Cool Springs on Thanksgiving Day.

If you need to commit to something in order to actually get out and do it, get online and search for a Thanksgiving Day 5K near you. There are a handful that happen all across Middle Tennessee, and in addition to getting out first thing with a gaggle of others who want to earn their day of nonstop eating, many of these events support local charities.

We found the Music City Turkey Trot and 1-Mile Waddle in Nashville, the GraceWorks Turkey Trot 10K/5K/1K in Franklin, the Give 'N Gobble 5K in Dickson and the Anytime Fitness Fairview Turkey Trot. Check websites for registration information and additional details.

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3. Preservation Park (Thompson's Station)

Preservation Park in Thompson's Station offers spectacular views from the high point in the natural hiking trail.

Preservation Park in Thompson's Station is not the largest park in Middle Tennessee, but it is easily accessible, fairly easy to hike and offers a panoramic view of Thompson's Station once you get to the top. You can start at the park entrance, just past the small downtown, or you can park at the Nutro Dog Park and head back to Preservation Park from there.

The trail winds through the woods, along a creek, under an old train trestle and past a beautiful old barn before heading up to the vista. Since the trail goes right by the dog park, you should bring your pup for a little Thanksgiving Day outing as well. Dogs need to be leashed on the trail but are free to run inside the dog park.

4. Shelby Bottoms Park (East Nashville)

A cyclist enjoys the bike path on the Shelby Bottoms Greenway. The park offers multiple paths and trails for bikers, walkers and runners.

The Shelby Bottoms Greenway trail system is a favorite of anyone who has been in the park. Situated along the Cumberland River, the greenway is a multi-use trail that features several trails more than six miles in length. The north end of the greenway connects to the Stones River Greenway, which has another 10 miles of paved trails.

5. Cedars of Lebanon State Park (Wilson County)

Walkers enjoy strolling down a road inside Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Lebanon, Tenn.

For anyone living east of Nashville, Cedars of Lebanon in Wilson County is a great destination for some Turkey Day escapades. The park offers several trails that are super short (half mile) in case you don't want to commit to hours of hiking as well as a 4.2-miler if you are looking to burn off some sweet potato casserole. The trail map shows multiple options for walking/hiking as well as an 18-hole disc golf course and horse trails.

So whatever part of town you live in, there are multiple options for places to get outside and get some fresh air and exercise on Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy the meals even more knowing you've earned that second (or third) helping.

Melonee Hurt covers growth and development (and hiking) at The Tennessean, part of the USA Today Network - Tennessee. Reach Melonee at mhurt@tennessean.com.