One-day trip from Cambria: Franklin or Percy Priest Lake
Both Franklin and Percy Priest Lake are viable one-day trips from Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown. Franklin is best for history, shopping, and a compact downtown stroll (about 30–40 minutes by car); Percy Priest Lake is the choice for beaches, boating, and hikes (roughly 15–30 minutes by car).
In this guide
- Overview — which to pick for one day
- Start at Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown
- Day trip: Franklin (history and shopping)
- Day trip: Percy Priest Lake and Long Hunter State Park
- Timing, transportation and practical tips
- Back at Cambria: dining and evening options
- Accessibility, safety and policies to remember
Overview — which to pick for one day
Choose Franklin if you want a walkable historic downtown with boutiques, Civil War sites like the Carter House and Lotz House, and a slower pace than downtown Nashville.
Choose Percy Priest Lake if you prefer outdoor activity: public swim beaches, boat launches, picnic areas, and trails at parks like Long Hunter State Park and Anderson Road Day Use Area.
- Franklin: history, shopping, cafés, museums.
- Percy Priest Lake: swim beaches, boating, fishing, trails.
- Both are driveable from the hotel; plan travel and parking ahead.
| Destination | Typical drive time from Cambria | Main draw |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin | 30–40 minutes by car | Historic downtown, Civil War sites |
| Percy Priest Lake (Anderson Road / Long Hunter) | 15–30 minutes by car | Swim beaches, boat launches, trails |
| Notes | Rideshare/taxi common | Bring water and sun protection for outdoor sites |
Start at Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown
Meet at the hotel lobby or grab breakfast before you leave. The hotel offers cooked-to-order breakfast daily from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM for an additional fee if you want to eat on-site before your trip.
Verify check-out or luggage storage plans with the front desk if you are returning to the hotel after a full day out; check-in begins at 3:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM.
- Hotel address: 118 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203.
- Complimentary high-speed WiFi is available throughout the property.
- Valet-only parking is offered (the hotel lists valet; rates and availability are on the hotel site).
| Hotel room types to consider on return | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Standard Room | Simple, quick place to freshen up after a day out |
| Deluxe Room, Corner (City View) | City view and slightly larger space to unwind |
| Suite, with Sofa bed | Extra seating if you return with a group or family |
Day trip: Franklin (history and shopping)
Franklin is about 21.5 miles from downtown Nashville and typically a 30–40 minute drive depending on traffic. It’s a compact historic downtown where you can cover main sites in a half- or full-day visit.
Key historical sites include the Carter House and Lotz House. Main Street has independent shops, cafés, and restaurants for lunch or a late-afternoon snack.
- Drive or rideshare from Cambria; parking is available in Franklin (check local lot rules).
- Suggested stops: Main Street shops, Carter House, Lotz House, local antique stores.
- Plan roughly 3–5 hours for a relaxed visit, longer if you add museums or a guided tour.
| Activity | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Walk Main Street and shops | 1–2 hours |
| Historic sites (Carter House/Lotz House) | 1–2 hours |
| Lunch or café stop | 45–90 minutes |
Day trip: Percy Priest Lake and Long Hunter State Park
Percy Priest Lake and nearby Long Hunter State Park are roughly 15–30 minutes from downtown Nashville by car depending on which beach or park access you choose. Anderson Road Day Use Area is one public swim beach with parking, picnic tables, restrooms and a boat ramp.
Long Hunter State Park on Percy Priest Lake offers hiking, fishing, and mountain-biking trails along the shoreline—good for a half- to full-day outdoors trip.
- Anderson Road Day Use Area: public swim beach, picnic facilities, and boat launch; local site lists a day-use vehicle fee.
- Bring swimwear, towels, sunscreen, water, and picnic supplies if you plan to stay several hours.
- Check current hours, launch rules, and day-use fees on the official recreation pages before you go.
| Area | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Anderson Road Day Use Area | Swim beach, picnic tables, boat ramp, restrooms (day-use vehicle fee noted on official pages) |
| Long Hunter State Park | Trails, fishing, shoreline access, day-use areas |
| General note | Services and fees can change; confirm on official park/recreation sites |
Timing, transportation and practical tips
Rideshare or driving are the most common options for these day trips. Franklin is farther and more of a small-town walk; Percy Priest Lake locations have parking but arrive early on busy weekends for easier spaces at popular day-use areas.
Check weather and seasonal conditions: lake and trail access are weather-dependent, and summer months are hot and humid in Nashville.
- Leave the hotel in the morning if you want cooler temperatures and less crowded parking at the lake.
- Bring a printed or downloaded map of the park/day-use area if cell service is spotty.
- No cribs or rollaway beds are available at the hotel; plan sleeping arrangements using listed room types like Standard Room or Suite, with children 18 and under staying free when accompanied by a registering adult.
| When to go | Why |
|---|---|
| Morning (before 10 AM) | Cooler temperatures; easier parking at lake and less crowded shops in Franklin |
| Afternoon | Good for relaxed shopping or longer hikes; pool and rooftop bar back at Cambria active later |
| Evening return | True Music Room & Bar at Cambria is open for dinner and live music starting midday/afternoon |
Back at Cambria: dining and evening options
Return to the hotel for dinner or drinks at True Music Room & Bar on the fifth floor, which serves Southern/American and Latin-inspired dishes and features live music. The hotel site lists True Music Room & Bar hours as 11:00 AM–11:00 PM daily; the venue’s own site has slightly different bar hours, so check if you want to catch live music or a specific service window.
If you want a poolside chill after your day, the rooftop heated pool and adjacent bar on the fifth floor are available to registered hotel guests; pool hours vary by source—confirm at the front desk for the day you visit.
- True Music Room & Bar menu highlights include hot chicken & waffles, flatbreads, and a bourbon/local beer selection.
- Pool and rooftop bar access: open to registered guests; hours and private-event closures can apply—ask the front desk.
- Valet parking is provided if you return by car; the property operates cashless for payments.
| On-site amenity | Quick note |
|---|---|
| True Music Room & Bar | Fifth-floor dining and live music; reservations available via OpenTable |
| Rooftop pool & bar | Heated saltwater pool with loungers and skyline views; open to registered guests |
| Fitness Center | 24/7 Precor equipment and functional training corner |
Accessibility, safety and policies to remember
Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown provides accessible entry, parking options, and some accessible rooms and bathrooms. If you require specific accessibility features, confirm room details with the front desk before arrival.
The hotel is family-accommodating (children 18 and under stay free) but the registering guest must be 21 or older with valid photo ID at check-in. The property is smoke-free and does not allow pets except ADA-defined service animals.
- Bring photo ID and a credit/debit card for check-in; the hotel is cashless.
- No cribs or rollaway beds are available at the property—plan room selections (Standard Room, Deluxe Room, Suite, etc.) accordingly.
- Pool and some rooftop spaces can be used for private events; availability may vary on the day of your visit.
| Policy | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check-in age | Registering guest must be 21 with photo ID |
| Children | 18 and under stay free |
| Pets | Not allowed; only ADA-defined service animals are permitted |
