Tennessee is best known for its diverse music scene, with venues that appeal to every taste, but the music is only the beginning. The Union's 16th state has a wealth of historic architecture, landmarks and nature, including forests, fields, mountains and rivers across its 42,146-square-mile stretch. Whatever you wish to see or experience, there’s an attraction: Civil War sites, the mighty Mississippi River, distilleries, outdoor adventure, amusement parks … even Graceland.
Tennessee Highlights
Don't leave without tasting...
- Memphis Barbeque at Neely’s, Rendezvous, Cozy Corner, A&R
- Biscuits at Loveless Café in Nashville
- Moonshine at the Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg.
Put these events on your calendar
- Commemoration of the Battle of Shiloh, Shiloh (April): a re-enactment of the Civil War battle
- Dogwood Arts Festival, Knoxville (spring): miles of trails feature some of the most spectacular dogwood trees
- Memphis in May International Festival: events include Beale Street Music Festival and World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
- Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester (June): a 100-acre village brings together the best performers in rock ’n’ roll, jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica and more
- CMA Music Festival, Nashville (June): ‘Country Music’s Biggest Party’
- Smithville’s Fiddler’s Jamboree & Crafts Festival, Smithville (July)
- Elvis Week, Memphis (August): a celebration of Elvis Presley, including a candlelight vigil
- National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough (October).
Breathtaking scenery
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the U.S.
Want to stay up late?
Tennessee is all about music; music from the heart and from the gut—blues, soul, rock, hiphop, country, bluegrass, gospel, classical. In Nashville, honky tonks on Lower Broadway will keep you entertained with the best of Music City, or see who’s playing at Ryman Auditorium, the mother church of country music. And in Memphis, Beale Street is the place to hear the Blues.
Your child will always remember...
A day filled with adventure in Chattanooga, including a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, iconic attractions like Rock City and Ruby Falls, and a boat ride into the Tennessee River Gorge.
Don't overlook this...
The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis tells the story of the Civil Rights struggle in the U.S. and honours those who helped pave the way for Civil Rights throughout the world, including (and especially) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Famous people from our state
- Elvis Presley: you can visit Graceland, his home in Memphis
- Dolly Parton: her theme park, Dollywood, is in Pigeon Forge
- Presidents Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and James K. Polk: tour their homes in Nashville, Greeneville and Columbia, respectively.
History happened here
The U.S. Congress designated the entire state of Tennessee a Civil War National Heritage Area. Tennessee has five national Civil War sites, including four battlefields—Shiloh (in Shiloh), Stones River (in Murfreesboro), Chickamauga/Chattanooga (in Chattanooga) and Fort Donelson (in Dover)—and Andrew Johnson’s home in Greeneville.
Made in our state
Jack Daniel’s Whiskey—distillery tours are free year-round in the small town of Lynchburg.
Outdoor excitement
- Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee, Nolichucky, Little Pigeon and Hiwassee Rivers
- Hang-gliding off Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga
- Houseboating on Dale Hollow Lake, one of the most pristine lakes in the U.S
- Hiking, canoeing, camping and mountain biking in any one of Tennessee’s 53 state parks or one of the state’s national recreation areas.
Trip Ideas in Tennessee
