Tennessee: Travelling Across the Volunteer State
As broad as it is wide, Tennessee takes over 8 non-stop hours to go from East to West but only about 2 hours North to South. The state is so wide and has so much going on that even dividing it into the west, middle and east Tennessee doesn’t begin to cover it. Nearly impossible to narrow down, we have chosen one place to stay, play and explore in each region!
EAST TENNESSEE
Stay
Blackberry Farms, has a reputation that precedes itself. An echelon that almost no one can meet a stay here means a complete and utter submission into culinary and southern life. Set in the serene Walland, the focus – and fun- of the stay is catered around food, drink, and relaxation. Those seeking to incorporate wellness, immerse themselves in food and its creation from growth to the table, and embrace the loveliness of the outdoors will be in heaven. The accommodations and service are next to none. Blackberry Farms has rooms for couples all to homes with multiple bedrooms. Almost anything can be personalized for the guest’s preference. Staying at Blackberry Farms is also playing at Blackberry Farms.
Play
While submerging oneself in the autonomy of a luxury resort is amazing, sometimes getting out and about in a crowd is wonderful. Enter Chattanooga. Famous around Tennessee for the “See Rock City” painted on barns rooves it seems kitsch yet is very much not a thing of the past but an evocation of a time where exploring the tangible, magnificent natural wonders of the world are desired. Chattanooga has it all - hiking and spelunking at places like Ruby Falls and Rock City, underwater wonders at the Tennessee Aquarium, and a fondness for trains with the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel and rides with Tennessee Valley Railroad.
Explore
It's almost impossible to head to East Tennessee without heading into the Smoky Mountains. Great Smoky Mountain National Park is in both Tennessee and the neighboring North Carolina and houses the highest point in Tennessee – Clingman’s Dome at an elevation of over 6,600 feet. For those wanting some claim-to-hiking fame, the infamous Appalachian Trail runs directly through the park and is accessible at multiple points. Take a day or two or three to explore the waterfalls, trails, chimneys, wildlife, and vistas. The Park was created using private funds before it became a public park and even though vast improvement has been made there is still no entrance fee. The single most interesting thing about the park that won’t be found on any expedition is that Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the first settler was a woman.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Stay
What some refer to as the sweet spot. Middle Tennessee is home to the state’s capital and Music City USA, Nashville. A booming city if anyone ever saw one, fun places to stay and see seem to pop up overnight. The tried and true never fail to deliver, in a town of boutiques and small chains, Nashville’s Union Station Hotel is a consistent and storied luxury choice. Set against the railyards, the limestone façade of the hotel is spectacular against the modern backdrop. The lobby opening to a majestic ceiling where guests can grab drinks and lounge fireside while listening to live – and very good – music many nights. The chic and updated rooms allow for space unheard of in a metropolitan area. Allow yourself to be transported back to a time of travel luxury.
Play
Just 25 minutes south of Nashville in Franklin, a lovely suburb set on the heals of history and ready for a party. It’s hard to imagine more things to do in a smaller footprint. The historic Franklin Theater has shows ranging from symphony to world-renowned acts or could simply show a movie. The eateries are local and delectable, Triple Crown Bakery is worth every second in the car for any of their breakfast pastries or mouth-watering dessert and sweet tea service. For those simply wanting to wonder, Main Street is full of well-appointed shops, a bar or two, and around every turn down another block is another wonderful surprise- like Puckett’s – a local resonant - with an open mic night that will blow you away.
Explore
Just a quick drive North of Nashville is Clarksville. Downtown is home to the Roxy Regional Theater, built-in 1931, it has earned prestigious recognition with a marker as a Tennessee Music Pathway. The Customs House and Cultural Center is a striking architectural beauty built in 1898 originally a Federal Post Office is now a large exhibition center with an interactive children’s space and is the second-largest museum in the state. Along the streets of Clarksville, there are statues and murals akin to those in a city. From famed Olympian Wilma Rudolph to University of Tennessee’s Infamous Women’s Basketball Head Coach Pat Summit, the statues and colorful murals are beautiful. Immerse in the art are quite a few Civil War markers for the history buffs passing through. The options to explore in Clarksville abound.
WEST TENNESSEE
Stay
Three things must be done when entering Memphis: walking down Beale Street – for music or BBQ, visiting Elvis at Graceland, and stopping by The Peabody Hotel. In fact, for the most Memphian-like feel, it's best to drop your luggage at the desk and wait for the infamous parade. The Peabody Duck March occurs each day, twice a day, allowing the ducks that live on the rooftop- in marble and glass home- to march through the lobby to the fountain. The march began in the 1930s after a bit too much of that Tennessee Whiskey and soon was so popular it was choreographed by a hotel Bellman and circus trainer- a job he had for 50 years. The Peabody Duck March isn’t the only thing the hotel is famous for; the hotel's décor Is the perfect combination of clean, sleek, and modern with the opulence of tradition. It's cozy and fancy all at the same time.
Play
Finding a place to play in West Tennessee is easy, there are so many exciting things. Just a short drive from Memphis in Union City is Discovery Park America. An indoor and outdoor mecca for kids and adults alike! It's so large and enchanting that it's recommended to take two full days to see it all. There is even a space simulator theater, 48-foot slides, gardens, and even dinosaur bones!
Explore
Located in Northwest Tennessee is Reelfoot Lake. Created by not one - but four - separate earthquakes along the New Madrid fault line in the early 1810s. Folklore – and those in for a good tall tale- suggest the quakes were so intense the Mighty Mississippi River actually flowed backward and created the lake. Shockwaves were even felt in Canada! A natural habitat of bald cypress trees it is a refuge – and a place to see- pairs of bald eagles nesting. The lake and state park are a portion of a large refuge. Exploring Reelfoot Lake and Reelfoot Lake State Park leaves so much for the nature lover to do – hunting, fishing, camping, birding, boating, and much more. Tiptonville, the town Reelfoot sits in, also has an interesting history that is rich with Civil War history and urban legends.
Most people come to Tennessee to visit and quickly find themselves falling in the love with the people and its ability to seem to have it all – cities and small towns, mountains and valleys, upscale dining, and down-home cooking. Very quickly people add more and more of Tennessee’s places and spaces to their travel list – which means one thing- another trip!
LINKS
Blackberryfarm.com
Unionstationhotelnashville.com
Franklintheatre.com
Triplecrownbakery.com
tvrail.com
chattanoogachoochoo.com
tnaqua.org
rubyfalls.com
seerockcity.com
visitclarksvilletn.com
nps.gov
peabodymemphis.com
discoveryparkofamerica.com
