10 Best Places To Travel To In Tennessee
Vacations help people ditch their everyday routine for a while and forget their worries. No wonder 75% of Americans planned a vacation last year. So, where are you planning to go this year?
When it comes to planning a vacation, you won’t find an option better than the Volunteer State, i.e., the state of Tennessee. This Appalachian wasteland has a few tourist hotspots sprouting like flowers in a desert.
Must-see attractions in Tennessee
In 2018, almost 120 million tourists visited the state of Tennessee. In 2021, tourism generated over $24 billion in income for the Volunteer State. Known as the birthplace of Mountain Dew and Cotton Candy, tourists flock to Tennessee for its caves, trails, mountains, and culture. This landlocked state has the most neighbors among all states (along with Missouri). If you’re a person who loves adventures, mountaineering, kayaking, white-water rafting, nature hiking, and other superb stuff, visiting Tennessee is a must-do for you. So, grab your stuff, book a ticket, and head to the following ten places in the Volunteer State:
- Gatlinburg
Its beauty, seclusion, and natural settings make Gatlinburg the most important tourist destination in all of Tennessee. Before discovering its amazing attractions, search for Gatlinburg TN cabins to stay comfortably after returning from a busy day of exploration. From Ober Mountain to Space Needle – there are different interesting things to look at for people of all ages. You can shop around the town, sip some tasty moonshine, and visit its museums. And it’s just outside the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, so you’ll have plenty more to explore.
- Pigeon Forge
The second best place to visit in Tennessee is the small town of Pigeon Forge. While some people may know it because of Dolly Parton’s Dollywood, Pigeon Forge has a lot of other attractions to offer. You can attend several dinner shows, musical theatres, and museums (one for Titanic, one for criminal justice, and one for Hollywoodcelebrities). You may find shopping malls in a place called The Island. Also, you can enjoy a hearty meal in the Old Mill, a fun-filled adventure for all your family members.
- Knoxville
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t visit the former state capital. Its restaurants and breweries are always welcoming foodies to come and have a nice dinner in the city. The University of Knoxville and the equally famous Neyland Stadium are some of the most popular attractions in the city. As a pedestrian-friendly destination, it beckons tourists to enjoy its zoos, museums, and cultural centers. It’s a great cultural metropolis that has bars, cafes, and college-football game nights.
- Chattanooga
This amazing location borders Georgia State and lies beside the River Tennessee. While well-known as the namesake of Glenn Miller’s famous song, Chattanooga offers many outdoor activities for tourists to indulge in, e.g., hiking, rock climbing, and water sports. The scenic city has a decent reputation for its valleys and ridges. Then there are your usual museums and aquariums along with its thriving food scene, which some people describe as a “culinary renaissance.”
- Memphis
Music lovers never forget to visit the mecca of blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s the home of many rock ‘n’ roll artists from the 20th century, and you can find Elvis’ actual residence in Graceland. Also, Beale Street is the most important location within Memphis, along with its popular theaters. An amazing attraction involves Sun Studio from the 1950s and the museum it contains. If you’re a food-lover, then Memphis has great BBQ options, decent bars, and a busy nightlife.
- The Great Smokies
With 14+ million visitors, a CNN report calls the Great Smokies the second-most visited national park in the United States. Established over ninety years ago, this 500,000+ acre national park isn’t only an amazing wildfire sanctuary but also a scenic location filled with falls, cavers, streams, and several hiking trails. From its always-blooming wildflowers to misty mountain tops – visiting this national park should be at the top of your Tennessee itinerary for hiking, biking, and even motorcycle riding.
- Sevierville
As one of the premium, but less crowded locations in Tennessee, Sevierville provides great shopping places for tourists. This city’s famous for its galleries, boutiques, and flea markets. You can catch some of its annual cultural events if you arrive in the city at the right time. Other attractions include the following: Corvette Expo, Douglas Dam, Forbidden Caverns, Smokies Stadium, and different places. So, after you’re done with Pigeon Forge, travel north to wander around Sevierville’s shopping malls.
- Rock City
Tennessee State government has created this tourist attraction on Lookout Mountain. Located on the corners of Georgia, Alamaba, and Tennessee, it’s a must-see mountain for those visiting Chattanooga. Lookout is pretty famous as a center of American-Cherokee skirmishes and an 1863 Civil War battle. When you reach the summit of this historic mountain, it’s said you can get a glimpse into seven states. Also, some well-known places on Lookout include Ruby Falls, Incline Railway, and Fairyland Caverns, besides Rock City.
- Franklin
Located thirty kilometers south of Nashville, Franklin attracts 1.8+ million tourists each year because of the history associated with the battlefields in the region. But besides all the Civil War-era houses that still stand today, e.g., Lozt and Carter houses, Franklin is also famous for its bars, parks, and cultural festivities. These events include Pumpkinfest, Main Street Festival, and Kevin Griffin’s well-known Pilgrimage.
- Nashville
This city’s not just the state capital, but it is also goes by the music center of the entire world. But music isn’t the only thing Nashville is known for; its fine dining and several museums also attract tourists from all over the US. You can find museums dedicated to talented musicians such as Cash and Nelson. Visit Lynchburg, the city known for Jack Daniel’s famous distillery.
Conclusion
So, what are some of Tennessee’s most memorable places to visit? In a nutshell, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are the three must-see areas in the state. Similarly, Franklin, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are some other amazing places you should see in the Volunteer State. Don’t forget to visit Memphis, Nashville, and Sevierville whenever you get a chance to do so in 2023.