🧳 Fall road trip recs

It is Friday. You know what that means.

• Today's weather: Sunny with a high of 86.

🎂 Happy early birthday to our Axios Nashville member Banks Woodruff!

Today's newsletter is 799 words — a 3-minute read.

Middle Tennessee is hitting the road next week as many schools mark fall break.

Driving the news: If you're looking for last-minute recommendations for a quick and easy trip, Axios Nashville is here to help.

• A while back, we asked our readers to share their favorite day trips. As usual, the replies were voluminous and enlightening.

The big picture: Our friends in East Tennessee got several shoutouts. Of course, devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene has hobbled many communities in that area.

• And go-to destinations in western North Carolina like Asheville won't be ready for tourism for some time.
• The Tennessee Department of Transportation has updated information on road closures and other flood impacts within the state. If you're planning on heading east, be sure to call ahead to ensure hotels and attractions are open.

Yes, but: Many fall favorites in East Tennessee are encouraging visitors to come if they can.

🥞 Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge avoided heavy flood damages and are largely back to business as usual with limited exceptions, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

🦋 Dollywood is open and celebrating its annual Harvest Festival.

⛰️ Great Smoky Mountains National Park reports all major roads, trails and facilities on the Tennessee-side of the park will be open to visitors. But some park closures remain in effect.

• Detailed information on ongoing closures is available online.

Zoom out: Our readers offered a bevy of other ideas for fellow travelers.

🧭 West Tennessee extravaganza: Gayle L. says the western side of the state offers "a small circle of fascinating places to visit — something for everyone."

• She recommended Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, the Casey Jones Railroad Museum in Jackson and the Alex Haley Museum and Interpretive Center in Henning, which celebrates the author of "Roots."
• Another West Tennessee staple is The Mindfield in Brownsville, a large iron maze that's billed as the largest metal sculpture in the country.
• Nearby, an old one-room schoolhouse hosts a museum dedicated to one of Tennessee's favorite daughters: Tina Turner.

🐄 Kentucky: Rob F. suggests heading north to visit the Bluegrass State. At Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese in Austin, Kentucky, you can even book a room above the dairy cow barn.

• "No, it doesn't smell," Rob assures us. "Lots of fresh cheese and calves to pet!"
• Along the way, you can stop and see a giant sculpture of an actual fork in the road in Franklin, Kentucky.

Share this story

The Savannah Bananas are coming back to Nashville next year, and this time they're supersizing the game.

The intrigue: The wacky, dancing baseball team will visit Nissan Stadium on May 10 as part of a 40-city tour.

• The tour marks the first time the team will play in NFL stadiums. Nashville is one of three cities to score a football stadium game.
• The tour will also stop at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina and Clemson's Memorial Stadium in South Carolina.

Between the lines: The Georgia-based team is baseball's answer to the Harlem Globetrotters. Games might include ping pong in the outfield, a backflip catch, a batter on stilts or a twerking umpire.

• They play under Banana Ball rules, which dictate a two-hour time limit, outlaw bunting and cause a batter to be out if a fan catches a foul ball on the fly.

What they're saying: Owner Jesse Cole tells Axios Nashville was "a perfect fit" for another visit in 2025.

• "We have huge following in Nashville," he says. "We've worked with so many country artists over the years that have come out and performed with us."

What's next: Fans need to sign up for the Banana Ball Ticket Lottery for a chance to buy tickets. The lottery closes Nov. 1.

• A drawing will occur roughly two months before the event. If you're selected, you'll have a chance to buy tickets.

Share this story

⚖️ A federal lawsuit brought by a group that includes Facebook and Instagram's parent company is challenging a new Tennessee law that requires age verification and parental consent before minors create social media accounts. (Tennessean, subscribers)

⚓️ Vanderbilt football is a massive underdog against powerhouse Alabama tomorrow. (Nashville Post)

🆚 The District 60 state House race, which represents the Old Hickory, Hermitage and Donelson areas, pits a gun reform activist against a former aide to Speaker Cameron Sexton. (Tennessee Lookout)

Instagram Teen Accounts have automatic protections for who can contact teens and the content they can see. Plus, only parents can approve safety setting changes for teens under 16.

What this means: Built-in protections for teens, and peace of mind for parents.

Learn more.

The Friday News Quiz is back and so is your chance to win accolades in our newsletter.

1. When is the deadline to register to vote in the November election?
2. The Nashville airport is adding flights to what European country in 2025?
3. What kind of office do Tennessee's U.S. House members want the federal government to open in Nashville?

✍️ Reply to this email with all three correct answers and you'll see your name in this space next week.

Instagram is launching Teen Accounts, with built-in protections limiting who can contact teens and the content they can see. Plus, only parents can approve safety setting changes for teens under 16.

The impact: More protections for teens, and peace of mind for parents.

Learn more.

Our picks:

🌴 Nate is on vacation. His song of the day is "Everybody's Talkin'" by Fred Neil.

🎧 Adam is listening to "Help Me Make It Through the Night" by Martina McBride.

This newsletter was edited by Jen Ashley.