Fall is the easiest season to enjoy Middle Tennessee and the hardest one to pack for. A single October day can start near 50 degrees and finish in the mid 70s. Here is a short, practical list for a week at our place in Mt. Juliet, plus the things you can leave at home because they are already here.
The weather, in real numbers
Nashville's 30-year averages (1991 to 2020) put October at a high of 74 and a low of 50, and November at a high of 61 and a low of 39. September still runs warm, with highs around 84. The pattern to plan for is a 20 to 25 degree swing between morning and afternoon, and rain that can show up in any month. Pack for the swing, not the average.
Clothes
- Layers you can peel off by noon: a light fleece or flannel over a t-shirt covers most October days.
- One real jacket if you are coming in November. Evenings on the deck get cold once the sun drops behind the trees.
- A packable rain shell. Middle Tennessee rain tends to pass through rather than settle in, so a light shell beats an umbrella.
- Closed-toe shoes you do not mind getting muddy. Trails at Cedars of Lebanon and Long Hunter State Park are worth it after a rain, but they are not flip-flop trails.
- One outfit for a night out. Nashville is about 30 minutes away and nobody dresses up much, but you will want something that is not hiking clothes.
For the outdoors
- Bug spray if you are here in September or early October. The stream and the trees are the best part of the property, and the mosquitoes agree.
- Sunscreen. Fall sun is lower but the afternoons are still bright, especially out on Old Hickory Lake, which is less than 5 minutes from us.
- A Tennessee fishing license if you plan to fish. You can buy one online before you leave home.
- A refillable water bottle and a daypack for state park days.
What you can leave at home
Both units have a full kitchen, so skip the camp stove and the paper plates. There is a propane grill and a fire pit out back for cool evenings. Both units have fast Wi-Fi and a dedicated work desk, so bring the laptop and leave the worry. The Private Escape (downstairs) also has an in-unit washer and dryer, which means you can pack for three or four days and wash mid-week instead of packing for seven.
Each unit has a coffee station, but bring your own favorite pods or grounds if you are particular about your morning cup. Both units have smart TVs, so bring your streaming logins for the rainy afternoon that always shows up once a week.
The small stuff people forget
- Phone charger and a car charger for the drive to Nashville.
- Marshmallow supplies for the fire pit. You will use it.
- A light blanket for the deck. The chairs are comfortable, the air gets cool.
- Your keyless entry code, which we send before check-in. No key handoff, no waiting on anyone.
Pick your dates
October weekends fill first, so it is worth looking early. You can see live availability and instant pricing for both units at dugginhomes.com/book. Booking direct means no third-party service fees, and you deal with us, the owners, from the first message to checkout.