Sewanee, Tennessee

A 2.5-hour drive from Atlanta will take you atop the Cumberland Plateau in middle Tennessee, home of South Cumberland State Park (free, Visitors Center: 11745 U.S. 41, Monteagle, tnstateparks.com/ parks/south-cumberland). Composed of 10 separate units spread over four counties, the park contains 90 miles of hiking trails and natural treasures, including Foster Falls, a 60-foot plunge fall; the view of Savage Gulf from the Stone Door rock outcroppings; and the Sewanee Natural Bridge, a sandstone archway.

The park has multiple campgrounds but only one primitive cabin. For non-campers, one of the nicer non-chain hotels in the area is the Sewanee Inn ($199 and up, 1235 University Ave., 931-598-3568, sewanee-inn.com) on the grounds of the University of the South, conveniently located near many units of the state park.

The university’s 13,000-acre grounds offer plenty of activities for the public including hiking and biking 65 miles of scenic trails. Stroll the campus to see beautiful old structures such as All Saints’ Chapel (735 University Ave.), a magnificent example of late Gothic Revival architecture built over a period of five decades in the first half of the 20th century.

For breakfast or lunch, head to nearby Tracy City and check out Tennessee’s oldest bakery, Dutch Maid Bakery and Cafe ($8 and up, 109 Main St., dutchmaid.net), established in 1902. Dine on egg dishes, sandwiches and salads, and afterwards get a loaf of the bakery’s delectable salt-rising bread (or any other number of treats) for road munchies on the way home.

COURTESY OF BLAKE GUTHRIE A don’t-miss spot in Sewanee is All Saints’ Chapel, a late Gothic Revival-style masterpiece of architecture in the center of the University of the South campus atop the Cumberland Plateau.