Tennessee is well-known for being the home, and even the origin of country and blues music, but its natural beauty is just as diverse as its musical landscape. Each unique places to visit in Tennessee’s geographic region has its corresponding musical tradition, and the majestic, forest-covered Great Smoky Mountains feel like a world apart from the lush green valleys and scorching plains that can be found throughout the unique things to do in nashville tennessee state.
best places to visit in tennessee
1. Nashville
Nashville is the state’s capital and the global center of country music. As such, there are a ton of amazing live music venues and museums honoring legendary figures like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash for you to explore. Nashville has various facets and is currently a hub of culture and business in the Unique places to visit in Tennessee area despite being dubbed “Music City, USA.”
You may explore some amazing historic sites and old buildings, and its lively neighborhoods are full of hip bars, interesting boutiques, welcoming coffee shops, and loads of green parks.
However, the unique things to do in nashville, music is the primary draw for visitors. Seeing a performance at the famed Ryman Auditorium or attending a live broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry radio program are two experiences that are uniquely Nashville. Furthermore, a trip to the city would only be complete with a tour of the outstanding Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
2. Franklin
Franklin is a tiny city over 30 kilometers from Nashville, straddling the Harpeth River. Its unhurried downtown has a beautifully carefree vibe, offering many shops, restaurants, and drinking establishments to pick from.
However, the primary draws for tourists are the area’s battlefields and historical landmarks, connected to the brutal and deadly Battle of Franklin, fought here in 1864 during the American Civil War.
Carter House, Lotz House, and Carnton Plantation are all excellent places to visit if you want to learn more about the historical events in this area. Franklin, which has a charming small-town atmosphere, is worth visiting for a day trip from things to see near nashville and is easily paired with a trip to the neighboring town of Arrington, which has a wonderful vineyard and sells some excellent regional wines.
3. Lakes National Recreation Area
Nestled between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, the aptly titled Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area will enchant outdoor enthusiasts and fans of the great outdoors with its breathtaking landscape. Home to diverse environments, hikers and cyclists can traverse stunning forests and marshes and expansive expanses of spectacular coastline.
Much of the recreation area has a beautifully natural air, with some of the greatest pristine and untamed woodland in the east of the United States. Its borders are home to a diverse range of fauna and birds.
There are plenty of chances for swimming, boating, and watersports as the two elongated lakes surround the leisure area. However, many people prefer to Spend the night camping in the park.
4. Gatlinburg
Situated at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains and the magnificent national park bearing its name, the resort town of Gatlinburg is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and mountains.
Because of the abundance of outdoor activities available, a lot of people come here. Popular activities include hiking the Appalachian Trail and visiting Ober Gatlinburg, the state’s lone ski resort, which is crowded with visitors during the winter.Special attractions like Hollywood and the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers have several Star Cars Museum locations.
Gatlinburg has its charms, even though the majority of the town is very flashy and kitsch in appearance. If you want to view all the handcrafted goods made in Tennessee and discover more about its rich past, the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is a terrific place to visit.
5. Knoxville
If you like food and drink, Tennessee’s third-largest city and former capital is well worth a visit. A ton of fantastic restaurants, pubs, and breweries have opened up in recent years, making it a popular tourist destination.
the things to see in knoxville tn streets have a vibrant, youthful vibe because it is also home to the University of Tennessee. College football game nights are a big deal in the city, drawing crowds of up to 102,000 fans into Neyland Stadium.
Furthermore, Knoxville’s cultural and artistic scenes are thriving, and the city hosts numerous music performances, art festivals, and cultural events all year. Therefore, the city is a terrific base if you want to go through the park’s many trails and return every evening for mouthwatering regional cuisine and decadent artisan brews.
6. Cummins Falls State Park
Cummins Falls State Park, so named for the stunning cascade at its center, boasts an abundance of breathtakingly gorgeous landscapes. A clean, unspoiled environment surrounds the river and canyon that traverse the park. The state park has an extremely untamed and raw atmosphere; hiking through its streams, stones, and winding wooded paths to reach the waterfall is magnificent.
The actual Cummins Falls is the unquestionable centerpiece, aside from the picturesque gorge and forest. When water flows over the rock face and into the pool below, the cascades appear incredibly spectacular. Swimming in the cool waters or having a picnic is a beautiful thing to do here.
7. Chattanooga
Chattanooga, which shares a border with Georgia and is situated on the banks of the Tennessee River, has long been a significant railroad hub. The well-known song “Chattanooga Choo Choo” by Glenn Miller has made it famous worldwide.
A major and strategically significant shipping hub, Chattanooga saw heavy fighting during the American Civil War. As a result, the town is home to several fascinating battlegrounds and historical sites that you should see.
These days, meanwhile, the city’s incredible array of outdoor activities is the primary draw for tourists. These stunning natural features are ideal for mountain riding, hiking, rock climbing, and various aquatic activities.
To top it all off, Chattanooga’s downtown area is full of vibrant old brick buildings that house many fantastic eateries, bars, and breweries.
8. Pigeon Forge
The mountain resort town of Pigeon Forge, most renowned for being the location of Dollywood, is a pleasant and entertaining place to visit, with activities suitable for all family members. There’s much to see and do, with souvenir shops, shopping centers, and amusement parks everywhere. Exciting museums featuring exhibits on everything from Hollywood Legends and the Titanic to Alcatraz and Southern Gospel music are available.
The town’s primary draw is the Dolly Parton theme park, which boasts many exciting rides for you to try. However, country music fans, in particular, will like all the musical theaters and museums devoted to the genre. Pigeon Forge is also a fantastic starting point for exploring the great outdoors because of its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can return to the town in the evening, worn out but content, to see a performance or a magic show.
9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. It is filled with amazing natural views and stunning landscapes that change dramatically with the seasons. After seeing it, it is simple to understand why it is the most popular national park in the United States. The magnificent Appalachian Trail winds through the dense underbrush of the Great Smoky Mountains, nearly completely covered in lush woods.
As a result, you have many amazing outdoor activities to choose from, including fly fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. Camping overnight is a great option to see as much of the national park as possible. Get up early to explore some of its many historical sites, cultural icons, and stunning landscapes.
10. Memphis
Memphis‘ soul is filled with music, which should be no surprise given that it is regarded as the birthplace of blues music. There are numerous vibrant bars and clubs on Beale Street, all of which have excellent live music that you should check out.
The most well-known of the many monuments and museums honoring different singers in the area is Graceland, the former residence of Elvis Presley.
Memphis, which borders Arkansas and is located along the Mississippi River, is a vibrant destination that draws tourists and music enthusiasts worldwide. Yet visiting Memphis would only be complete with sampling some of its delectable and well-known barbecue meals.
