Tourist Places in Tennessee:
Tennessee, with its beautiful landscapes and rich history, offers many amazing places for tourists to visit and explore. From lively cities to serene natural wonders, there’s something for everyone in the Volunteer State. Here are some of the top tourist places to check out in Tennessee.
Memphis
As Tennessee’s largest city, Memphis is a must-visit destination. It’s known for its music scene – including blues, rock n’ roll, and soul – and food, particularly barbeque. Beale Street is where you’ll find live music clubs and restaurants. The National Civil Rights Museum located here is a sobering look at the struggle for equality. Graceland, Elvis Presley’s estate, offers tours of his mansion, car museum, and more. And don’t miss the Sun Studio where Elvis was first recorded.
Nashville
Nicknamed “Music City,” Nashville boasts the famous Grand Ole Opry and the lively bars along Broadway featuring live country music. The Country Music Hall of Fame delves into this quintessential American music genre. Historic RCA Studio B is where Elvis Presley recorded over 200 songs. The Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens. Other attractions include the governor’s mansion, the State Capitol, and the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Stretching across a large portion of eastern Tennessee and into North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. With miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, historic buildings, and beautiful vistas of forest-covered mountains, you could spend weeks exploring the park. Experience Cades Cove’s historic community and wildlife viewing. Hike portions of the Appalachian Trail. See spectacular waterfalls like Abrams Falls and Laurel Falls. Drive along the scenic Newfound Gap Road across the mountains from Tennessee to North Carolina.
Chattanooga
Situated along the Tennessee River, Chattanooga offers scenic views and historical attractions. Ride the steepest passenger train in the world up Lookout Mountain to see panoramic views and waterfalls. At the Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding School, you can even take hang gliding lessons and go for a ride. Downtown, stroll across the pedestrian bridge over the river. Learn about the American Civil War at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. And be sure to visit the immense Tennessee Aquarium, one of the largest freshwater aquariums in the world.
Dollywood
Both kids and adults will enjoy this theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton. Ride thrilling roller coasters, drop in on shows and concerts, and even watch talented craftspeople make candles, glassblowing, and more at their working craft shops. Take a ride on the Dollywood Express steam train. Splash in Dollywood’s Splash Country water park next door. And young ones will love the Chasing Rainbows Museum dedicated to Dolly. With rides, entertainment, food, and imagination around every corner, Dollywood offers a unique Tennessee experience.
Memphis Zoo
As one of the premier zoos in the country, the Memphis Zoo has much to offer tourists. Get up close to playful pandas, hang out with laidback hippos, roar with lions, and more. Special zoo exhibits include the Northwest Passage with its grizzly bears, the Teton Trek featuring Yellowstone wildlife, and the CHINA exhibit showcasing endangered pandas. Say hello to happy penguins at the zoo’s Penguin Rock. And don’t miss the Zambezi River Hippo Camp with underwater views, or the giraffe feeding station where you can feed a giraffe lettuce leaves.
Cumberland Caverns
Go underground at Cumberland Caverns near McMinnville, TN. These caverns contain speleothems and cave formations over 300 million years old. Visitors can take daily walking tours through the magnificent caverns, staying dry while admiring stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, soda straws, columns, and more. For an extra thrill, adventure tours let you squeeze through tight passages, rappel down drops, crawl through tunnels, and explore beyond where the regular tours go. The caverns stay a steady 58 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, making it a cool escape during hot Tennessee summers.
Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Founded in 1866, the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg allows visitors a glimpse into their whiskey-making process. Join a free distillery tour to see how “Old No. 7” and other Tennessee whiskeys are crafted in their charcoal mellowing process. Take in the aroma inside barrel houses holding over 100,000 barrels of whiskey. Stop by the White Rabbit Bottle Shop to purchase limited-edition bottles to take home. And make sure to visit the iconic Jack Daniel’s Hollow to see the iconic Mr. Jack’s office and home!
Conclusion
From bustling cities to serene natural beauty and everything in between, Tennessee offers a plethora of tourism activities. World-famous music cities Memphis and Nashville, the soaring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, family fun at Dollywood, and tours of the iconic Jack Daniel’s distillery represent the diversity of attractions across the state. When planning your next vacation, be sure to consider the many tourist places in Tennessee that cater to all sorts of travelers and interests. Bring your camera and an adventurous spirit, and you’re sure to have an unforgettable time in Tennessee!
FAQs About Tourist Places in Tennessee
Q: What is Tennessee best known for?
A: Tennessee is best known for music (especially country, blues, and rock n’ roll), whiskey, and scenic mountainous landscapes like the Great Smoky Mountains. Iconic Tennessee attractions include Nashville’s musical venues, Memphis’ Beale Street, Dollywood theme park, and the Jack Daniel’s Distillery.
Q: What are the top 5 places to visit in Tennessee?
A: The top five places in Tennessee are the cities of Memphis and Nashville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood theme park, and the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg.
Q: What is there to do in Tennessee outside of Nashville?
A: From Memphis attractions to natural wonders, Tennessee offers much beyond Nashville. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has hiking and beautiful mountain scenery. Chattanooga features riverfront walks, Lookout Mountain, and the Tennessee Aquarium. Museums and historic sites bring Tennessee history alive. And much more!
Q: What is the most visited tourist attraction in Tennessee?
A: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited attraction in Tennessee. Its miles of forested mountain landscapes, hiking trails, historic structures, and abundant wildlife draw over 11 million visitors per year.
Q: What is the most fun city in Tennessee?
A: Nashville is often considered the most entertaining city in Tennessee. It’s filled with lively honky tonk bars featuring live music on Broadway, the famous Grand Ole Opry, amazing food, vibrant nightlife, and rich music history as the heart of country music.
