Outdoor adventure beckons in Tennessee, from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to a portion of the Appalachian Trail. Both serious and casual explorers can take advantage of this landlocked state’s many outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking, biking, river rafting, and caving. Some of the best indoor things to do in Tennessee include its whiskey trail, complete with 25 stops, and big attractions like Dolly Parton’s Dollywood, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Graceland.
When to visit Tennessee depends on where you’re headed. For the Great Smoky Mountains, late spring and early summer are ideal for exploring America’s most visited national park while experiencing temperate weather and smaller crowds. Memphis is most pleasant in spring, as its summers are often hot and humid. While Nashville comes alive as the days heat up—summer coincides with music festival season.
If you’re planning on road-tripping throughout the Volunteer State, you’ll need private transportation or a rental car. But if you’re basing yourself in a metropolitan area like Memphis (home of Graceland), Knoxville (the closest major city to Dollywood), Chattanooga, or the capital Nashville, then you may be able to get by on public transit systems. You’ll find ride sharing apps in all the cities. For a different perspective, try renting a bike or joining a bike tour.
Take time in Tennessee to try some of the state’s culinary delicacies. Nothing says finger-licking cooking like the grub you’ll get here. Nashville hot chicken, Memphis barbecue, Tennessee whiskey, and the sweet, chocolatey Moon Pie all originate in Tennessee. This is a great place to indulge in all types of Southern home cooking, from fried green tomatoes and sweet tea to a classic “meat and three.” Just be sure to keep those cholesterol levels in check.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone CDT (UTC -6) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 82 | Tours 560 | Reviews 77,106 |
Nashville’s music heritage is on display at Ryman Auditorium, known as the mother church of country music and Tennessee’s number one attraction. Since 1892 the legendary venue has seen performers including Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, and Elvis, and visitors come to catch a live show or tour the music-themed exhibits.
...MoreYes, there’s lots to do in Tennessee. Country tunes play in Nashville honky-tonks, while Graceland and Dollywood are must-sees for music buffs. Nature plays a starring role, too, from the Great Smoky Mountains to outdoorsy Chattanooga. The history-rich Natchez Trace Parkway is a top US road trip.
...MoreBeautiful places abound in Tennessee, but gentle peaks and endless views make Great Smoky Mountains National Park the state’s highlight. It’s among Tennessee’s top attractions and also the most-visited US national park. Trails, cycling, and campgrounds are abundant in a forested landscape straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina.
...MoreTennessee vacations range from Great Smoky Mountains hiking to exploring Nashville’s music scene. Other top vacation ideas in Tennessee include visits to Dollywood and Graceland or touring Civil Rights-era landmarks in Memphis. History buffs can drive the Natchez Trace Parkway past Civil War sites and ancient American Indian mounds.
...MoreTennessee is famous as the home of country music. In Nashville, also known as Music City, budding musicians still vie for stardom in downtown honky-tonks while top performers play historic Ryman Auditorium. Musical heritage, meanwhile, is preserved at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the memorabilia-packed Johnny Cash Museum.
...MoreYes, it’s worth visiting Tennessee. Nashville and Memphis are top US destinations for music lovers, while more outdoorsy types head for rolling peaks and trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Road-tripping the rest of the state, visitors encounter Civil Rights-era landmarks, blues bars, theme parks, and classic roadside attractions.
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