For many travelers planning a trip to Tennessee, the itinerary often includes familiar destinations like Graceland, Nashville, and Dollywood.

Women from across the country are discovering another side of the Volunteer State—one that highlights the unique charm of Robertson, Sumner, and Cheatham counties—through opportunities offered by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD).

The Wanderful Women in Travel Creator Summit, hosted this year in Chattanooga, is the world's largest gathering of women in professional travel. Following the summit, TDTD invited a select group of creators to extend their stay and experience a different side of Tennessee.

When Sarah Warren, Assistant Director for Robertson County's Economic Development Center, prepared to pitch the area as one of those destinations, she knew exactly what made it stand out.

"When I think of Robertson County, immediately, it is our agritourism and so many strong women who are the faces behind these assets."

Selected by the state, Sarah partnered with neighboring Visit Sumner and Discover Cheatham to host an action-packed, three-day familiarization tour for eight travel bloggers and content creators from Tennessee, Alabama, Ohio, California, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania.

Representing a variety of ages, backgrounds, and travel niches, the creators brought fresh perspectives on what northern Middle Tennessee has to offer visitors.

Each day focused on a different county, highlighting Robertson County's farm-to-table experiences, Sumner County's rich history and Memorial Day concert, and Cheatham County's scenic outdoor beauty through local pottery experiences.

For Sacramento-based travel blogger Stacie Sturm, Robertson County offered exactly what she loves sharing with her audience—a slower pace and a sense of nostalgia.

With content centered around small-town destinations and agritourism, she said the trip delivered everything she hoped for.

"I think together the three counties offered an authentic experience that really goes beyond what most travelers expect when they think of Tennessee."

While the attractions themselves left lasting impressions, the heart of the experience was the people behind each stop.

Nearly every business introduced the group to a woman with a story—whether it was a family legacy passed down through generations or a dream transformed into a successful business.

Those conversations, shared among women in different seasons of life and business, created an unexpected sense of sisterhood that encouraged both personal and professional growth.

As Sarah explained, "Part of your ability to be resilient is also having some support and feedback from your network of people."

Throughout the 72-hour tour, conversations ranged from content creation and entrepreneurship to traveling with family, all while showcasing the qualities that make Robertson County a destination worth exploring.

The region itself played an important role in fostering the sense of community so often experienced by local residents and extending that feeling to visitors from across the country.

Those authentic connections help strengthen the area's reputation, encourage return visits, and provide an economic boost to local communities.

Looking ahead, increasing awareness of the region as a travel destination remains a key goal.

Stacie hopes her content will encourage travelers to look beyond Tennessee's biggest attractions and discover the communities that often go unnoticed. After all, a short drive from the big city leads to towns filled with history, tradition, and unforgettable experiences that offer a different perspective on the state.

Through the stories she heard during the tour, Stacie found herself reminded of memories from her own grandparents' garden—a reminder that some of Tennessee's most meaningful destinations are defined not by famous attractions, but by the people and communities that make them special.

Photo Credits: Elizabeth Williams