The natural beauty, rich history, and music and cultural sites of Tennessee make it a terrific state to visit. Here are our 7 favorite things to do during your trip.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Straddling the border between North Caroline and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the U.S. Known for its mist-covered mountains, the park offers fun hiking trails, glorious waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. We also covered this park in our 7 Sensational Things to See in North Carolina post, but here are a few highlights on the Tennessee side of the park.
Drive, bike or hike through the popular 11-mile Cades Cove loop featuring great mountain views, historical sites, and abundant wildlife. Take the Abrams Falls Trail (5 mile round-trip) to see a majestic waterfall. Other great hikes include the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (5.5 mile loop) and the Chimney Tops Trail (3.3 mile round-trip). And don’t miss climbing the steep half-mile trail up Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome), the highest point in the Smokies. From Kuwohi’s observation deck on clear days you can see more than 100 miles!
If hiking is not for you, you can take a scenic drive to Newfound Gap Overlook, the lowest drivable point through the Smokies. There’s also the Foothills Parkway offering unparalleled views of the mountains. And make sure to stop by Elkmont Historic District to explore a Daisy Town, a logging camp turned vacation destination and now a ghost town.
Nearby Gatlinburg is known as the gateway to the Smoky Mountains. It’s filled with great shops, family friendly attractions, and terrific restaurants. It’s a great place to stay if you aren’t interested in camping in the park. There are several great places to stay in Gatlinburg, and there are other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Dollywood (Pigeon Forge)
While you are in the Smoky Mountains, you should visit Dollywood. Dolly Parton’s theme park has something for everyone. There’s amazing rides for the thrill seekers, live entertainment for music lovers, incredible eats for foodies, and a lot of Southern culture for everyone.
Dollywood has many rides for everyone, from the very daring to those who prefer a more gentle option. From innovative and record breaking coasters to highly themed attractions, you will find options that appeal to you. If you aren’t into rides at all, you will still find plenty to keep you busy. The Dolly Parton Experience takes you on a journey through Dolly’s life through interactive exhibits. And there are amazing shows and live entertainment that changes seasonally.
Dollywood offers delicious eats, too. Not only will you find standard theme park fare, you will also find an assortment of Southern comfort food like fried chicken and BBQ. There’s also great shopping. You can even see artisans creating authentic Appalachian crafts.
You can stay in a resort or cabin at Dollywood. here are many great places to stay in Pigeon Forge. And there are plenty of other things to do nearby!
Memphis
Any music lover visiting Tennessee must spend some time exploring Memphis. The city is considered THE epicenter of American music. The musical genres of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll were born here. There are many ways to explore this musical tradition. Take a tour of Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home. Here you will see how Elvis lived in retro style, get a chance to see his iconic jumpsuits, admire his gold records, and pay your respects at his grave. Then take a guided tour of Sun Studio where Elvis and other famous artists like Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and B.B. King recorded their first hits. End your music homage with a walk down Beale Street and a visit the many live music venues lining the street.
Definitely take some time during your visit to Memphis to explore the role of the city in the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated here. You can pay tribute to him at the National Civil Rights Museum located at the Lorraine Motel where he was killed. There are also many other sites along the Civil Rights Trail you can visit.
The Mississippi River runs through the city providing several fun recreational activities. You can take a riverboat cruise, enjoy views from the Riverfront, and walk along the half-mile Skybridge to Mud Island River Park.
Memphis is famous for BBQ, especially dry-rubbed ribs and pulled pork. Make sure to visit at least one of these highly rated BBQ joints! Also seek out some Southern comfort soul food like fried catfish, mac ‘n’ cheese, and banana pudding. Yum!
There are many great places to stay in Memphis, and there’s a ton of fun things to see and do there.
Chattanooga
Known as “Scenic City,” Chattanooga is located on the Tennessee and Georgia border. As implied by it’s moniker, there’s no shortage of delightful scenery surrounding the city. Make the most of it by visiting Lookout Mountain. Journey inside the mountain to tour the 145-foot Ruby Falls waterfall. Then take the historic Incline Railway to the top of the mountain. You can also visit Rock City featuring unique rock formations, a walking trail complete with swinging bridges, caves filled with whimsical fairy tale dioramas, and a view of seven states on clear days.
Chattanooga also has one of the best aquariums in the U.S. The Tennessee Aquarium spans across two separate buildings and has an overarching exhibit “From the Mountains to the Sea.” The River Journey building focuses on fish and animals from both local and international rivers. The Ocean Journey building features both land and sea creatures from oceans around the world. There’s also an IMAX theater featuring nature documentaries and major feature films. The aquarium is located on the Chattanooga Riverfront where you can also find walking trails, places to eat, and green spaces.
And of course you must visit the Chattanooga Choo Choo when you are in town! This historical train station is now a entertainment complex. Here you will find restaurants, shops, and special events. You can even stay inside a restored train carriage!
Other than your very own train carriage, there are many great places to stay in Chattanooga. And there are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Jack Daniel Distillery (Lynchburg)
Lynchburg is home to the Jack Daniel Distillery, one of the world’s most famous whiskeys established in 1866. Take a tour to learn not only how the whiskey is made, but also all about the brand’s founder. If you are just interested in tasting, you can do that as well.
You may come for the whiskey, but you want to stay to explore more of Lynchburg. Enjoy strolling through the charming town square lined with historic buildings, boutiques, and plenty friendly locals. Visit the Moore County Old Jail Museum – admission is only $1! And meander through the grounds of the Moore County Courthouse to see war memorials and even an eagle carved by a chainsaw. Make sure to stop by the nostalgic Lynchburg Hardware and General Store to pick up a unique souvenir from your visit.
When you get hungry, enjoy a meal of Southern comfort food at Miss Mary’s Bobo’s Boarding House. Or try the fare at two highly rated BBQ joints, Barrel House and Caboose Cafe. And when in Lynchburg, one must stop the Whiskey Waffle for a waffles and ice cream topped with whisky caramel sauce.
There are many great places to stay in Lynchburg. And there are other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Franklin
One of my favorite places in Tennessee is Franklin. Located just south of Nashville, the town exudes Southern charm. It is popular for it’s upscale yet relaxed vibe and is a great place to spend a long weekend. You will want to budget plenty of time to spend on historic Main Street browsing through the many antique shops and art galleries and relaxing at a sidewalk cafe.
Franklin was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The Battle of Franklin Trust maintains three historic homes in the town and offers tours of the houses and battlefield. There are also several special tours. One focuses on slavery and the specific people enslaved in the area. Another provides a Christian perspective on the Civil War.
Just outside the town are beautiful rolling hills, horse farms, and plenty of amazing landscapes. Take one of the remarkable scenic drives to enjoy the scenery. If you get thirsty, stop at one of the distilleries, wineries or breweries along the way. And get up close and personal with animals at one of the many farm experiences available.
Back in town, end your evening with a live performance or movie at Franklin Theater. Established in 1937, this theater declined over time and was closed in 2007. But locals rallied, raised funds, and renovated it back to its former glory.
There are several great places to stay in Franklin. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Nashville
And of course, no list of the best things to do in Tennessee would be complete without Nashville. And if you are visiting Franklin anyway, might as well take the short drive north to see the big city! There’s a ton to see and do there. Here are some highlights.
Visit the Ryman Auditorium, home to the original Grand Ole Opry radio show where countless country music stars started their careers. Take one of the many self-guided or guided tours of the auditorium’s stage. Even better, attend a live show to experience the auditorium’s amazing acoustics. Next door, visit the the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum to see costumes, instruments, and memorabilia from your favorite musical artists.
Why visit Greece when you can get a little taste of it in Nashville? The Parthenon located in Centennial Park is a full-size replica of Athens’ Parthenon. Inside are temporary and permanent art exhibits. Listen to the free Architecture Audio Tour, and make sure to plan your visit around the daily Art Cart program from 1-1:30 p.m. While you are there, take some time to enjoy Centennial Park‘s beautiful grounds.
History buffs will enjoy touring the Tennessee State Capitol and adjacent Bicentennial Park. Also visit the Hermitage, home of the 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Tour his mansion, explore the grounds, and sign up for one of several specialty tours.
No matter how you spend your days in Nashville, your evenings should be spent exploring the city’s many honky tonks, dance halls, and other live music venues. My recommendation is the Bluebird Cafe. But you need to plan ahead and make a ticket reservation in advance.
There are many great places to stay in Nashville. And there are other fun things to see and do while in the area.
What’s on your Tennessee trip itinerary?
These are just 7 of the sensational sites to see in Tennessee. But the state is full of many more incredible destinations that are worth exploring. Tell us below where you plan to visit!
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