Nothing marks the change of season quite like a cozy fall getaway. One of our favorite things about living in the Midwest is that there are so many places close by where you can see those beautiful fall colors. See why we recommend Gatlinburg, Brown County, and Hocking Hills for your next girls’ trip or fall break with the kiddos.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
6 hour drive from Indianapolis
Kitschy mountain town meets outdoor adventure
DAY 1
Beat the crowds with an early, peaceful drive where you’ll watch fields full of wildlife waking up. You’ll be surrounded by mountain views peeking out from behind the morning fog, which makes for a stunning backdrop. Grab your coffee to go and prepare for the 11-mile loop of Cade’s Cove. It’s 100% worth braving the early hours in pursuit of scenic views and a potential bear sighting. TIP: It’s free, so we recommend getting there when the park opens to avoid long lines.
After your leisure drive, you’ll be ready to stretch those legs and lead everyone on an epic hike to see some waterfalls. Whether you want time to sit in your thoughts or talk through life’s updates with the gals, there are endless trail options. Our favorites were Abrams Falls, a 5-mile moderate hike to a small but breathtaking waterfall, and Laurel Falls, a 2.5-mile easy hike along a relatively flat path.
DAY 2
Another outdoor adventure that will get your group’s heart racing is some white water rafting for an outdoor adventure that satisfies even the biggest adrenaline junky! We had a blast at Smoky Mountain Outdoors (SMO) Rafting, which costs $35-40 each and lasts about 1.5 hours. The tour guides in charge are super knowledgeable about the river and do most of the heavy lifting. They’ll have you bonding as a team as you work to keep the raft from tipping while laughing along the way.
After you’ve spiked your heart rate, head into the heart of Gatlinburg to spend the evening on the main strip. Grab dinner at No Way Jose’s Cantina, a Mexican restaurant with a cute outdoor patio overlooking a pond where you can watch all the activities on the main street. The sangria margarita is delicious, and the portions are enormous!
Gatlinburg is known for its moonshine, so you’ll want to add a distillery to your itinerary. Sugarlands Moonshine is the perfect spot if you’re looking for something casual and fun to do with your group that doesn’t require a lot of pre-planning.
Stop by their store on the strip and do a moonshine or whiskey tasting. For $5, you can try 12 moonshine flavors. Looking for something a little more structured and in-depth? Book the blended cocktails tour for $16 (you basically pay for the two drinks, and you get one on the tour). Those tours will sell out, so buy tickets early! *Tip: Go either during the middle of the day on the weekend or on a weekday. Otherwise, you might be standing in a huge line at peak hours.
Hocking Hills, OH
About a 3 ½ to 4-hour drive from Indianapolis
Scenic hikes, hidden caves, and waterfalls
DAY 1
Hocking Hills State Park is a hidden gem known for its awe-inspiring landscapes, which you wouldn’t expect in the Midwest, and hiking experiences. Sitting right in the mountains, the park has become a fall hotspot thanks to its cliffs, forests, and stunning waterfalls.
Spend the day exploring popular trails like Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave. Each hike offers a unique nature adventure packed with fall colors, making Hocking Hills a must-visit weekend destination.
Whether you’re staying at an Airbnb, cabin, or lodge, end the evening fireside with a s’more in hand.
DAY 2
Looking to add in an adventure you won’t forget? Jump on a zip-line at Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. This tour will have you zipping through canopies for 2.5-3 hours and costs $99.
After an afternoon of adventure, relax and unwind at Hocking Hills Winery. This winery has been family-owned and operated since 2013 and serves a wide range of award-winning wines, delicious shareable plates, and live music on the weekends.
End your day with a group dinner at Hocking Hills Lodge, where you can choose between the Rock House Pub or Rock House Restaurant. Remember to make reservations if you go with the Rock House Restaurant!
Brown County/Nashville, Indiana
1 hour drive from Indianapolis
Small-town charm meets natural beauty
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Nothing beats a weekend trip to Brown County in the fall! Rent a cabin with the girls and spend the evening relaxing with a bottle of wine before exploring the charming town of Nashville and taking on some scenic hikes. How to spend your time in Brown County:
DAY 1
Grab a coffee at The Daily Grind, a cute coffee shop in the middle of town that’s a pretty big hotspot in the mornings. They serve handcrafted drinks and to-go bites like bagels and pastries.
Now, it’s time to hit the trails. The entrance to Brown County State Park, Indiana’s largest state park, is about a 10-minute drive from Nashville and has several hiking trails. A highlight of our trip was climbing the fire tower. This is a great way for adventure seekers to get a bird’s-eye view of the forest and fall foliage.
Not sure which trail to take? We used alltrails.org to see reviews and photos by other hikers to help us choose which hike was right for us. We went with Trail 7, which was a nice loop around Ogle Lake. The park also offers mountain biking, guided horse rides, and kayaking.
After getting your workout on in nature, it’s time for a drink! The top place to visit in Brown County is Hard Truth Hills. It’s this huge, gorgeous property that houses a craft distillery, tasting center, and restaurant. Brewery and spirit lovers will have a blast with their tastings, and the food is delicious.
We bought the Toasted Coconut Rum, and it’s still one of our favorite spirits, which we continue to buy. You can honestly spend a half-day here – from the live music to mixology classes to ATV tours; you’ll walk away with many unique experiences…and probably some delicious souvenirs.
DAY 2
Kick off your day in town with brunch at the Bird’s Nest Cafe. You’ll find all the breakfast classics here, like homemade muffins, and chicken and waffles.
Now it’s shopping time! If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, then you’ll love the city of Nashville. It gives off Stars Hollow vibes with over 125 artisan shops, and everything is walkable. We found that most little wineries offered free or low-cost tastings too! Some favorite spots include:
- Heritage Candy Store – Which has the BEST fudge
- Naughty Dog Books – Housed in an old bank building
- Rivers & Roads Home – A great place to find home decor and locally-made goods
Fall will be here before we know it – so get to planning that road trip with friends or your fall break adventure! Whether you’re looking for a quick day trip nearby or a long weekend getaway, the perfect place is just a drive away.
About Sippin’ Sangria
Caroline and Lexa are a traveling duo who have visited several local, U.S., and international destinations together. Through these adventures, they’ve learned the ins and outs of traveling with friends and love connecting with other female travelers. When they’re not booking their next flight, Lexa and Caroline plan trips—honeymoons, girlfriend getaways, weekend trips, and more.
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