Tennessee is a top tourist destination in America, with a rich history of country music, whiskey distilleries, and the Great Smokies.
There are many places to tour and things to do in Tennessee, the home of country music greats Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley.
Must Do Activities in Tennessee
From experiencing country music in the decorated auditoriums, and whiskey tasting in the distilleries to visiting Beale Street, the home of the blues, you will love your stay in Tennessee.
Below are the top things to do in Tennessee.
1. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Famed for its smoky morning fog, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park has diverse flora, fauna, and beautiful scenery.
It is the most-visited National Park in the US, covering at least 500,000 acres.
Drive to Gatlinburg, then make your way to the mountain through the Appalachian Trail.
You will experience one of the most exciting hikes with wildflowers, wildlife, and lichen-covered forest rocks and waterfalls.
How to make the most out of your Great Smoky Mountains visit
Pack your picnic and camping supplies to enjoy the wild over a campfire as you share wild stories with your crew.
Don’t forget the binoculars to help you spot black bears and wildflowers. You’ll love the caves, cascades, valleys, natural trails, and waterfalls.
2. The Grand Ole Opry
Tennesse is the home of country music, and The Grand Ole Opry ensures the country music culture stays alive.
The live performance show is several centuries old and brings together country music fans and big stars.
It also allows fans to shop country music merchandise from their favorite bands and artists.
Buy your tickets to be part of the upcoming events at America’s best country music stage.
You may meet famous country music stars like Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.
Music and good food go together, and you can grab a bite at surrounding eateries like Chuy’s, Aquarium Restaurant, and Mission BBQ.
3. Graceland- The Home of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was a beloved singer, actor, and the King of Rock and Roll.
The Graceland in Memphis is referred to as his home and features a 200,000 ft complex consisting of a museum, restaurants, gift shops, wedding chapels, and a mansion.
Make your first stop at the Memphis Mansion to experience a day in the king’s life.
iPads loaded with information will help you learn more about the “I Can Dream” singer and how his mansion was built.
Guides will also take you through the living room, bedroom, and the mythical Jungle room.
Experience the three divisions of the complex, including:
- the Career Museum
- Presley Motors Automobile Museum
- and the Elvis Discovery Exhibits
After the tour, you can cool down and enjoy the heights of Memphis at the nearby Guest House at Graceland, Hyatt Place, Hilton Memphis, and Hernando’s Hide Away.
4. Dollywood Amusement Park
It’s no secret that theme parks are the first places vacationers consider when traveling to a new city.
If you are visiting Tennessee for the first time, you cannot miss a trip to the Dollywood Amusement Park in Pigeon Forge.
Jointly owned by Herschend Family and Dolly Parton, the theme park has been named the number one theme park in America in 2022.
Situated at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountain, the amusement park is a hub for good food, world-class rides, a waterpark, family-friendly lodging, a resort and spa, seasonal celebrations, and more.
Enjoy action-packed days and wind down with a sunset view overlooking the Great Smoky Mountain scenery.
5. Tennessee Aquarium
Would you like to see aquatic life on the shores of the Tennessee river in Chatanooga?
The Tennessee Aquarium is where visitors can connect with nature and the water wildlife.
Take your family and friends to see native aquatic animals in proximity and celebrate the biodiversity of the SouthEast.
Be part of the Holidays Under the Peaks, the River Otter Falls Experience, and watch Avatar, The Way of Water in 3D.
Learn the ways of the river otter, macaroni penguin, alligator snapping turtle, river giants, and more aquatic creatures.
6. The Beale Street Entertainment District- Home of the Blues
Beale Street is where the blues originated with popular acts like Louis Armstrong and B.B. King.
Its iconic landmarks, live music stages, and historic buildings make Beale Street a must-go place in Memphis, Tennessee.
Enjoy the nightlife with your crew as you listen to melodious blues from bars, clubs, and street performances.
Lose yourself in the delta blues, jazz, RnB, and rock and roll as you relive the fantastic culture influenced by legendary live music stars Memphis Minnie and Rufus Thomas.
Although Beale Street consists of a few blocks of restaurants, nightclubs, and shops, the music, beer, and neon lights make it a top tourist attraction in Tennessee.
7. The Parthenon
Paying a visit to The Parthenon is one of the best things in to do in Nashville, Tennessee.
Named after the famous Parthenon in Athens, Greece, the replica was built in 1897. It stands as the central part of Centennial Park.
Take a guided tour as a family, school, or workgroup any day of the week and marvel at the excellent craftsmanship of the building.
The Parthenon Entry Fees
- Adults: $10
- Children (below 17): $8
- Seniors (62+): $8
- Kids below 4 years entry is free
A tour of the Parthenon consists of a gallery exhibition in the Architecture tour, a Centennial Park history tour, and the Museum tour.
8. Ryman Auditorium
Music indeed makes the world a better place, and experiencing your favorite music live from a world-popular auditorium is a good thing off your bucket list.
The Ryman Auditorium allows fans to explore music on a stage that has nurtured artists for over 130 years.
The theatre has seen famous acts like Coldplay assemble their guitars and perform before a national audience.
You can enjoy a self-guided tour of the majestic Rock Hall at Ryman and take souvenir photos with your crew to boast to your friends at home.
Buy special merchandise to remind you of the powerful stage and take-home gifts from the in-house gift shop.
9. The Titanic Museum
Are you a fan of the Titanic film?
Well, you can relive the lives of the ship’s crew and explore the interiors of the famed luxury liner.
Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the tourist attraction allows passengers to experience how it felt to walk in the halls and parlors of the ship.
You will see over 400 artifacts, touch a real iceberg, ascend the Grand Staircase and try to balance posture on the sloping decks.
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Besides the self-guided tours, Titanic Museum volunteers will share passenger stories and show you how to send SOS ship distress calls.
10. Ruby Falls
Exploring Ruby Falls is a fun activity to do in Tennessee.
Choose your adventure and journey through Lookout Mountain to discover the beautiful sights of the underground waterfall that was accidentally discovered in 1928 by Leo Lambart.
Bring your kids to a breathtaking trail as you hold lanterns to illuminate the dim path that leads to one of the most wondrous underground falls in the world.
There are various fun-filled stop-overs as you drive to Ruby Falls, including restaurants like Candle Cafe and candy shops like Candy City to hype your family before or after the waterfall experience.
Conclusion
Now that you know the ideal places to visit and things to do in Tennessee, it’s time to gather your travel supplies and plan a memorable Tennessee trip.
