While visiting Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, our tour guide asked where each of us had traveled from. Tourists from Florida, Michigan, and even Canada were there to see the remarkable cave system, which spans 436 miles.

Interestingly, it was less than a two-hour drive from my home in Nashville. I embarked on a day trip to the park in late January, allowing me to partake in both morning and afternoon tours, enjoy lunch at The Lodge at Mammoth Cave, and even make a pit stop at Buc-ee’s, a must-have on all road trips. I arrived at the park around 9:30 a.m. and was back home before 6 p.m.

Day trips can provide a mini-vacation experience, letting you discover your local area—or even further afield—without needing to book an overnight stay. Here are several tips to optimize your day trip adventures.

How to Discover Day Trip Locations Nearby

Begin your search with your favorite search engine. General online queries can assist travelers in locating nearby attractions that are feasible for a day visit, as suggested by AAA travel advisor Laura Hersey.

Tourism offices can also be invaluable resources, and travelers often find recommendations based on personal experiences shared in local social media groups. Other helpful online platforms include AAA’s Trip Canvas.

“You can actually search for ‘day trips’ on Trip Canvas to explore ideas from various cities,” she informed YSL News in an email.

The journey itself can influence your destination choices. “Will the travel be part of the fun, or is the destination the main attraction?” she noted. For instance, travelers on a road trip might prefer scenic routes to enhance their experience.

If you’re struggling to find a destination, travel expert Samantha Brown, host of “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love,” shared another approach.

“I always recommend finding an independent bookstore nearby. It’s likely that you’ll discover other lovely shops, cafes, and eateries in that area. If a town has an independent bookstore, it’s worth visiting,” she advised YSL News last month.

What Activities Are Ideal for Day Trips?

Hersey suggested activities like visiting zoos and aquariums, hiking scenic trails, exploring wineries, enjoying lakes and beaches, or spending time at theme parks—depending on your preferences. For culinary enthusiasts, creating a “foodie road trip” with multiple culinary stops could be exciting.

What Are the Best Ways to Travel on a Day Trip?

“Driving is an excellent choice,” Hersey stated. “It offers the freedom to be spontaneous and explore along the way.”

Yet, travelers can also consider taking the train—though availability can vary across different regions of the U.S.—or even booking round-trip flights. Personally, I’ve traveled from Nashville to New York City and returned in a single day, with each leg taking about two and a half hours. I managed to have lunch, meet a friend, and relax in Bryant Park before heading home.

What to Pack for a Day Trip?

If you’re hitting the road, Hersey suggests bringing “a camera to capture your adventures,” plenty of water or drinks, and either a map or a GPS device. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and a raincoat or umbrella if you’re engaging in outdoor activities, along with some entertainment for kids on the journey.

And of course, the essentials: “Every great road trip should include snacks,” Hersey added.

How to Successfully Organize a Day Trip?

Preparation is crucial.

Get to know your destination, including its available activities, in advance, Hersey advised. Check the weather and traffic conditions before departing, and look into the hours of operation and potential costs for activities.

“Have a set plan, but leave room for spontaneity,” she recommended.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter  based in Nashville.