A Statewide Guide to Exploring the Best of Tennessee
Smoky Mountain sunsets, Lower Broadway’s honky-tonks, and Beale Street’s neon glow are just a few sensations that make the scenic route worth taking all the way through Tennessee. This star-studded state spans 400 miles from east to west, leading visitors from the foggy peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the hollows of Appalachia to the rolling waters of the Mississippi River.
Each region — East, Middle, and West — claims a bustling homebase steeped in music history and culinary tradition, making the Volunteer State both delightful and logistically convenient to explore. From iconic landmarks to incredible outdoor adventures, set out on your own Tennessee discovery tour with our statewide guide.
Homebase: Knoxville. Centered around a vibrant downtown filled with arts and culture, this East Tennessee hub is the big-city gateway to the Smokies and the Cumberland Plateau. Mountains rise beyond the skyline in multiple directions, providing plenty of outdoor adventure in and around their weatherworn peaks. You’ll find family fun and off-grid expeditions in this section of the Volunteer State made for the nature lover.
Attractions
Dollywood – Spend the day riding the rollercoasters and waterslides at Dollywood before settling into a rustic Tennessee cabin. The best theme park in the US according to TripAdvisor, Dolly Parton’s namesake attraction is beloved by families looking for a full day of mountain fun.
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg – Both national park towns, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg come loaded with activities. Highlights include Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park & Ski Area, and guided outings with Pink Adventure Tours.
The Tennessee Theatre – The twinkling lights of the Tennessee Theatre have brought the stars out in downtown Knoxville since 1908. Now home to the Knoxville Opera and Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, this beautiful monument to a bygone age hosts regular concerts, touring shows, and a summer movie series.
Outdoor Activities and Adventure
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Hike, bike, fish, and glimpse wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The nation’s most visited national park is also one of the best places to spot black bears in the summertime and see brilliant autumn foliage come October and November.
Lookout Mountain – Head two hours south of Knoxville to watch the sun set over Chattanooga at Sunset Rock or ride the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway to the top for a spectacular scene. Up here you’ll find Rock City Gardens, a natural wonderland of wild rock formations and 400 native plant species (plus trails, caverns, and a gift shop). Located a breath away from the Georgia state line, this landmark of Americana is a must-see when visiting East Tennessee.
Ruby Falls – Explore an underground world full of light and sound at Ruby Falls, the country’s tallest underground waterfall open to the public. This Tennessee wonder is one you’ll remember long after the visit is over.
Destinations
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park – Riders can take the SkyLift 500 feet up to cross the Sky Bridge — the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. Stop at the midpoint to glimpse the view below through glass floor panels.
Sunsphere – Built for the 1982 World’s Fair, the 266-foot Sunsphere is home to one of the state’s most scenic observation decks. Make the trip up to the fourth level to get a glimpse for yourself.
Bijou Theatre – Take in a show in a former vaudeville staple: the Bijou Theatre. This property traces its history all the way back to Andrew Jackson’s administration, when the building operated as a hotel. Today, the Bijou hosts acts from Mavis Staples to Dawes and features a seven-day-a-week bistro.
Knoxville Ice Bears – From October to March, Knoxville’s minor league hockey franchise, the Ice Bears, serves up family entertainment on the doorstep of the Tennessee River at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum.
Homebase: Nashville, aka “Music City.” The state capital played a massive role in the development of country music — storied honky-tonks still line the downtown streets in the shadow of glass skyscrapers and a modern entertainment scene. Beyond the city limits, you’ll find winding cycle routes, hiking retreats, kayaking oases, and more.
Attractions
Lower Broadway – Head to Lower Broadway to find the historic heart of Music City. While the area has shapeshifted over the years, haunts like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Robert’s Western World, and Acme Feed & Seed still serve up a foot-tappin’ good time.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – Trace the history of country music’s biggest stars back to their beginnings at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. This monument to twang runs the gamut from Hank Williams to Ray Charles and sits within arm’s reach of the honky-tonks of Broadway.
The Parthenon – Nashville is also known as the “Athens of the South.” Built for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, this life-size replica of the most famous building in Greece — featuring a to-scale statue of Athena — is as close as you can get to the Mediterranean without crossing an ocean.
Outdoor Activities and Adventure
Bike the Natchez Trace – Hop on a bike and pedal down a slice of the historic 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway. One of America’s most scenic thoroughfares, the Trace is an ideal place for road cycling set amidst the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee.
Hike Montgomery Bell State Park – Just 40 minutes from downtown Nashville, Montgomery Bell State Park is a popular retreat for hikers close to Music City. Enjoy one of the park’s well-equipped campgrounds or go for a day hike in a leafy deciduous forest for some natural R&R.
Kayak at Harpeth River State Park – From spring to autumn, the typically placid waters of the Harpeth River offer a playground for paddleboarders and kayakers a short drive from Nashville.
Destinations
National Museum of African American Music – Opened in 2021, the National Museum of African American Music pays homage to the Black musicians who created or inspired sounds emanating from studios in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Memphis, Chicago, and Detroit.
Tennessee State Museum – From the Battle of King’s Mountain to Indigenous cultures and the geologic wonders of the Smoky Mountains, get a grip on Tennessee history at the Tennessee State Museum. This robust time capsule of the Volunteer State is an immersive experience for history lovers of any age.
Tennessee Titans – From August to January, the Tennessee Titans take center stage at Nissan Stadium. After catching a game, walk from the stadium to downtown via the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for easy access to Lower Broadway and Nashville’s Arts District.
Homebase: Memphis. The birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and a foundational city in the genres of blues and soul, Memphis is one of America’s true cultural capitals. The city that gave the world B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, and Three 6 Mafia has a rich history that still reverberates from its streets. Stroll its blocks and feel it for yourself.
Attractions
Sun Studio – The room where rock ‘n’ roll began still looks much as it did when Sam Phillips recorded the likes of Ike Turner, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis in the 1950s. The studio offers tours and includes a museum where the first DJ booth to broadcast rock ‘n’ roll music is on display.
Graceland – The home of Elvis Presley from 1957-1977, this suburban Memphis estate is one of the most visited homes in America. The recent additions of the Soundstage at Graceland and the Guest House at Graceland have reinvigorated the experience with live music and an immaculate, Presley-themed place to stay.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music – Home to enough gold records to make even Graceland blush, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music harbors a rebuilt Studio A that replicates the setting in which Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, and Sam & Dave once recorded hits. This must-see Memphis museum pays tribute to the city’s indelible imprint on soul music.
Outdoor Activities and Adventure
Big River Crossing – Stroll across the Mississippi River on the nation’s largest active pedestrian bridge. With expansive views of the Memphis skyline and bustling river barge traffic, the Big River Crossing provides one of the most dramatic views of the Mississippi River in the country.
Reelfoot Lake – Stunning Reelfoot Lake State Park sits 30 minutes from Discovery Park of America. Explore the history of the scenic cypress-lined lake created by earthquakes in the early 1800s, and get up close with local wildlife at the park’s visitor center.
Ghost River – Clear, rippling waters await paddlers on the Ghost River, 45 minutes from downtown Memphis. Day trips here take kayakers through a labyrinth of cypress swamps and lily-lined lakes during spring, summer, and fall.
Destinations
The National Civil Rights Museum – American history was forever changed on April 4, 1968, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in downtown Memphis. Today, the motel is the site of the National Civil Rights Museum, a monument to the American Civil Rights movement that educates on the work of King as well as other leaders.
Earnestine & Hazel’s – The “most haunted bar in America,” Earnestine & Hazel’s has a checkered past as a church, a salon, a brothel, and a nightclub. These days, the music still ricochets out its doors and onto South Main Street for those brave enough to step inside.
Tina Turner Museum – In Brownsville, visit Flagg Grove School and walk in the footsteps of Anna Mae Bullock, her sisters, and her classmates. Anna Mae is better known as world-renowned singer, dancer, actress, and author Tina Turner, and the school houses the only Tina Turner Museum in the world.
Memphis Grizzlies – The NBA’s Grizzlies moved to Memphis in 2001 and never looked back, becoming perennial playoff contenders and one of the hottest teams in the league. Led by superstar point guard Ja Morant, these bears throw weekly parties on Beale Street at FedExForum from November into May each year.