Day trip to Adams from Springfield
Adams is a 15-minute drive northwest and home to the Bell Witch Cave, one of Tennessee's most famous haunted sites. Add the Bell School and a country lunch and you have a solid half-day.
Entrance sign at the Bell Witch Cave in Adams Tennessee
Bell Witch Cave and the Bell School
Drive Highway 41 northwest from Springfield about 12 miles. The Bell Witch Cave tour costs $22 for adults and $12 for children and runs several times daily May through October, weekends only in the off-season. Tours are about 45 minutes underground plus a walk through the reconstructed log cabin above ground. Book ahead on weekends; groups sell out. Two miles up the road, the historic Bell School serves as a small museum ($5 donation suggested) covering the family and the surrounding farms.
Where to eat and what else to see
Lunch options in Adams itself are limited to a couple of diners; the Bell Witch Cave gift shop cafe does a decent $9 barbecue sandwich. For more, drive fifteen minutes back toward Cedar Hill for country meat-and-three plates. If you have kids, add the Red River Recreational Area for a picnic. Total trip time from Springfield and back with lunch: about five hours. Most of the money goes on cave tickets.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
12 miles or about 15 minutes on Highway 41 northwest. It is the closest tourist stop outside Springfield itself.
The tour is more historical than horror. Small children may find the dark passages uncomfortable but there are no jump scares or actors. Ages six and up handle it fine.
Daily May through October, weekends only November and April, and closed December through March. Confirm by phone before driving out; hours vary with weather.
On weekends in October, yes. On weekdays walk-ups are usually fine. Cash is preferred but they accept cards.
Hotels in Springfield
Hotels we cover across Springfield
- Quality Inn & Suites Joelton Nashville 2★ · 4.7/5
- Hampton Inn Pleasant View TN 2★ · 4.6/5
- Hampton Inn by Hilton Springfield 2★ · 4.4/5
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nashville North Springfield by IHG 2★ · 4.4/5
- Quality Inn Pleasant View 2★ · 3.9/5
- Quality Inn White House 2★ · 3.7/5
- Springfield Inn TN 2★ · 3.2/5
- Charming Springfield Escape with Furnished Deck 3★
- Family friendly Home w Yard: 27 Mi to Nashville 3★
- Comfort Inn White House 2★
- Hampton Inn White House 2★
- Holiday Inn Express White House by IHG 2★
- Motel 6 White House TN 2★
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