Ms. Cheap plans 5 fall weekends to get you out of the house
Mary HanceOnce we hit Labor Day, thoughts turn to fall happenings. With so many festivals and concerts going virtual with coronavirus concerns, I know we still want to get out of the house and do things.
Instead of my traditional fall guide of free things to do between now and Thanksgiving, I have come up with five themed fall weekends that offer interesting outings with challenges and rewards.
And they all can be done on the cheap, of course, and with social distancing.
I hope these suggested weekends perk up your fall calendars.
Spend a day on Natchez Trace
With fall colors on the horizon, take a ride down the Natchez Trace. You could make it a day trip in a car, or explore this bucolic two-lane road on a bicycle.
Either way, I recommend making some historical, cultural and nature stops along the way at places like Timberland Park, knee-deep Garrison Creek, beautiful Jackson Falls or the Meriwether Lewis Site.
If you are not familiar, Natchez Trace is a national park that runs 444 miles from Nashville, through Alabama, to Natchez, Mississippi. Instead of big trucks and gaudy billboards, on the slower-paced parkway (speed limits are 40 or 50 mph), you see split-rail fences, old stone walls, farm fields and an occasional deer or wild turkey.
NatchezTraceTravel.com divides the Trace into the three state segments. The Tennessee segment is split into five sections, each named after nearby towns.
There is way more to see and do than you could fit into a day, so I advise you plan your itinerary from the many options on the site.
I strongly suggest starting your day with an old fashioned picnic pickup at Loveless Cafe, 8400 Highway 100. Wait until hunger calls, and then enjoy it — like generations before you — at one the many roadside picnic tables along with way. The $29.99 Picnic Pack for four offers either fried chicken or pulled pork, with sides, tea and biscuits.
Timberland Park
Your first stop could be at this 72-acre park, at mile marker 437.2, just south of the Highway 96 entrance to the parkway.
Timberland, which is a new part of the Williamson County Parks system, is a hilly park with an impressive interpretive center and several fairly short loop trails, including one that is handicap accessible. The park is popular for hiking and bird and nature watching. The trails are old logging roads that were used for generations.
Garrison Creek
Take the Garrison Creek exit, mile marker 427.6 in Leipers Fork, to hit the northern trailhead of the 24 mile-long Highland Rim Trail (Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail). You can also access a 2-mile loop trail from there.
But if playing in a creek is more to your liking, head down to the lower parking lot where you will find a horse trail that leads you into the rocky bottomed creek bed, with cool, crystal clear water and wildflower banks.
The creek's depth varies, but it is mostly wading as opposed to swimming. Children love this shady creek, so bring water-friendly shoes for some unforgettable creek romping and rock skipping.
Jackson Falls
Fall is not the optimum time to visit local waterfalls because many are down to a seasonal trickle unless there has been a big rain to cause the full cascade effect hikers love. But a trip to Jackson Falls at milepost 404.7 is a good stop any time.
From the parking lot, you could take an easy hike north to the sweeping Baker Bluff Overlook. Or you could go in the other direction and take the steep trail that includes a paved concrete sidewalk and some bridges down to a rocky pool at the base of the falls.
Meriwether Lewis monument
The Meriwether Lewis Site, at marker 385.9 in Hohenwald, features the grave of the celebrated explorer, of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, who died here in mysterious circumstances in 1809.
A highlight is the Meriwether Lewis Monument, which was built in 1848 with Tennessee legislature funding. Be sure to notice the monument's broken shaft, which represents a life cut short by an untimely death, in this case a probable suicide.
There are also interpretive exhibits in a log cabin near the site of Grinder's Stand, the inn where Lewis stayed. The site has several trails, including an easy self-guided history trail that features exhibits on Lewis as well as Chickasaw and Kaintucks.
Rainy weekend
There is sure to be a rainy weekend this fall, and it could be the perfect time to finally see some of Nashville's best attractions you have been meaning to visit.
Tennessee State Museum
You could easily fill a day exploring the two-year-old Tennessee State Museum, which is free and even has free parking. I recommend spending at least one morning touring the museum. The permanent exhibits include Tennessee Time Tunnel, Natural History, First Peoples, Forging a Nation, Civil War and Reconstruction, Change and Challenge, and Tennessee Transforms.
There are also temporary exhibitions. Right now there is a two-gallery, 8,000-square-foot "Ratified! Tennessee Women and the Right to Vote" exhibition, which commemorates the 100th Anniversary of Tennessee’s role in ratifying the 19th Amendment.
And by all means, take a minute to enjoy the view of downtown Nashville, Bicentennial Mall and the State Capitol from the museum’s second-floor veranda. It is a beautiful vista, and if you catch it just right on a fall day, you might even see the colorful changing of the leaves in the park.
The museum's children's area is temporarily closed, and the interactive touchscreen features have been disabled because of COVID concerns. But families can pick up a free Museum Sleuth Scavenger Hunt booklet to liven up their exploration of the exhibits.
Nashville Farmers Market
You will likely work up an appetite with all of that exploring, so it is nice that Nashville Farmers Market, with its eclectic and affordable Market House food court, is across the parking lot. I'm a big fan of the Chicago Style Gyro walkup, but there are 20 choices for meals and snacks, with most meals under $10.
Frist Art Museum
Just a mile away is theFrist Art Museum, which has an impressive fall lineup.
Don't miss the "Rina Banerjee: Make Me a Summary of the World" exhibit, which opens Oct. 9. The Indian-born artist’s work includes large-scale installations, sculptures and paintings produced over two decades.
Also coming to the Frist this fall is "Albrecht Dürer: The Age of Reformation and Renaissance," which opens Nov. 6 and will showcase the works of the German Renaissance printmaker Dürer's engravings, etchings and woodcuts.
Frist admission is $15, and free for those 18 and under. The museum has temporarily closed its Martin ArtQuest area, cafe and gift shop and is requiring advance, timed tickets to see the exhibits.
The Parthenon
The Parthenon in Centennial Park, which is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, may be my favorite Nashville attraction. With a $10 admission, it is affordable any time of year.
The classic architecture and the imposing 42-foot-tall Athena in the Naos (main hall) always "wow" me.
The Parthenon has other exhibits, too. The Centennial photography exhibit provides an interesting look at the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, which The Parthenon was built for and set the stage for it to become the centerpiece of Centennial Park.
There's a new temporary music exhibit, "Music in the Park: Songs and Stories from Centennial Park 1896-2020," in the Parthenon’s east gallery through Dec. 6 that celebrates Centennial Park’s historic association with song.
Thrift-apalooza: 10 stores in three days
We bargain shopaholics have been in a state of withdrawal during the pandemic.
But now, with almost all of my favorite nonprofit thrift shops back up and running — and with more merchandise than ever — mapping out a three-day weekend thrift shopping spree could be just the retail therapy we need.
To kickstart your weekend of treasure hunting, head to This 'N That Thrift Shop at 5007 Georgia Ave. in West Nashville, which raises money to support St. Luke's Community House. It is a small shop and is only open limited hours, but it is known for its great book section, lovely jewelry and nice clothing for the whole family.
Then head north to Treasure Hunters at 600 S. Main, in Goodlettsville, which has a good assortment of housewares and well-priced clothing, plus a boutique area. It supports the Goodlettsville Help Center.
Other Day 1 stops include the Goodwill superstore at 2101 Gallatin Pike at Rivergate, which is the biggest Goodwill in the midstate; and then head out to Hendersonville for Samaritan Center's Thrift Shop at 116 Dunn St., which supports the needy in Sumner County. It is a well-merchandised store, known for its wonderful book section and large home goods area.
Lunch options for Day 1
This is going to be a full day of thrifting, so you will need a hearty lunch to keep you going. I suggest a midday break at either Center Point Pit Barbecue, 1212 West Main St., in Hendersonville, or Liz's Country Kitchen, 107 Memorial Drive, in Goodlettsville.
Thrift Day 2
Gas up your car for Saturday's shopping because the distance between stops could take you a few miles. Start at GraceWorks, at 104 Southeast Parkway in Franklin, which is really two stores in one, both raising money to help the needy in Williamson County.
One side of GraceWorks features clothing, jewelry and accessories, and it includes a popular boutique with ladies clothing and some higher-end home decor items. The other is a warehouse next door filled with furniture and assorted household goods.
From there, head to Murfreesboro to browse through the Garden Patch Thrift Shoppe, a recently remodeled boutique-ish shop at 309 S. Spring St., which supports Greenhouse Ministries and offers upscale clothing and household goods. Don't miss the warehouse store on the other side of the building for furniture and large appliances.
Afternoon shopping could take you to Nashville to the large ThriftSmart store, 4890 Nolensville Road. It was remodeled while closed due to the pandemic, and it has all categories of thrift, including a boutique and a highly regarded book section. It supports four locally based charities.
Lunch options for Day 2
While in Murfreesboro, I suggest a country cooking lunch at either Kleer-Vu Lunchroom, a Murfreesboro institution at 226 S. Highland Ave., or Jeff's Family Friendly Restaurant, 467 S. Hancock St. It is hard to say which one is better!
Thrift Day 3
Although many area thrift shops are closed on Sundays, Goodwill and ThriftSmart (if you didn't make it there Saturday) are open. All 29 midstate Goodwill stores are good bets, but I encourage you to go on the wild side with some "adventure shopping" at one of the two Goodwill Outlets, where clothing and other items are sold by the pound.
It is a fun way to shop (or watch shopping) as eager shoppers, many who are resellers, unashamedly dig through bins for treasures. Be sure to take gloves and hand sanitizer for this hunt.
Outlets are located in Cockrill Bend Industrial area and in Berry Hill, behind the retail Goodwill store.
Smart Art + Craft Supplies is also open on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 2416 Music Valley Drive. This is a unique thrift shop that focuses on selling donated art and crafts supplies. It is a treasure trove for creative items like rubber stamps, paint paper, party supplies, picture frames and more at great prices. It supports Progress Inc., which works with adults with intellectual disabilities.
Volunteer weekend
How about spending a weekend volunteering? Hands on Nashville and Second Harvest Food Bank have plenty of volunteer opportunities, including some weekend and family friendly outings.
Hands On Nashville's opportunities include sorting, helping with community gardens, participating in cleanups in places including Nashville City Cemetery and virtual volunteering.
Second Harvest has a robust volunteer program, with opportunities listed and updated daily on their site. Shifts are limited to 15 or fewer volunteers. The most critical need is sorting nonperishable dry goods and frozen food from the grocery rescue program.
You could organize your own volunteer activity — maybe a neighborhood cleanup or a food drive among your friends and neighbors for a local food pantry. A book drive for children's books could be fun, or maybe a food, towel and toy drive for an animal shelter. You could collect toiletries or T-shirts for Room in the Inn, or diapers for Nashville Diaper Connection.
Hands on Nashville's Lindsey Turner says, "Lots of Nashville organizations need items to keep their programs running. Hands On Nashville has a wishlist on our website (www.hon.org/hon_wishlist) where our community partners list their needs."
"Your donations go a long way," she said, adding to be sure to connect with the individual organizations to arrange drop off or pickup of items.
There is also a new-to-Nashville volunteer search engine justserve.org that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched to connect willing volunteers of all ages to nonprofits in need of help. Projects range from donation drives to dog walking.
State park weekend
With a 10% Tennessee resident discount at most Tennessee State Park overnight accommodations, this fall would be a good time to plan a state park getaway.
Rent a cabin or a room at the lakeside lodge (prices start at $117 a night) at Montgomery Bell State Park for a weekend and enjoy all that it offers, as well as some side trips for more exploring and fun.
The 3,800-acre park could keep you busy for days with 19 miles of trails, an award-winning golf course and three lakes, including a swim beach and non-motorized boat rentals.
The park is also close to Harpeth River State Natural Area, which has a lot of trails, including a stunning and fairly challenging "overlook trail" that takes you on a steep climb to a narrow bluff that offers a panoramic view of the Harpeth Valley.
If hiking is not your thing, branch out and explore downtown Dickson's shops and galleries and its Clement Railroad Hotel Museum.
Or if you want to get out on the water, nearby Kingston Springs is home to several Harpeth River canoe and kayak outfitters Foggy Bottom and Tip-A-Canoe.
Montgomery Bell offers good eating, too. The park lodge's restaurant no longer serves big buffets, but is known for its delicious catfish.
Or head to Carl's Perfect Pig in White Bluff for some of Carl's mouth-watering and award-winning ribs and pork barbecue.
Spending a weekend in one of our parks is sure to be an affordable treat, but a day trip is another good option. With 56 state parks, there's no excuse for not taking advantage of these natural treasures for a weekend or a fun filled nature day trip.
Reach Ms. Cheap at 615-259-8282 or mscheap@tennessean.com. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/mscheap, at Tennessean.com/mscheap and on Twitter @Ms_Cheap, and catch her every Thursday at 11 a.m. on WTVF-Channel 5’s “Talk of the Town.”