Whether it’s hiking the Appalachian Trail, conquering the coasters at Dollywood, savoring some Jack Daniels and barbecue, making the pilgrimage to Graceland or paying your respects at the National Civil Rights Museum, it’s hard to beat the variety of things to do in Tennessee. This Southern destination mixes historic and modern in places like Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga. Look for Civil War sites, civil rights monuments and some of music’s most legendary landmarks right alongside world-class cultural venues, trendy food spots and craft distilleries and breweries. 

East Tennessee 

Take any path in East Tennessee. You'll end up someplace memorable. Sing along in Bristol, the Birthplace of Country Music, explore the vacation hot spots near The Great Smoky Mountains, and take a train ride to the Tennessee river. There’s no shortage of southern comfort and adventure around every corner of towns like Chattanooga, Knoxville, and more. 

Tennessee Aquarium / Chattanooga 

Dive into two worlds of wonder and excitement at the top-rated aquarium in America. Begin with the freshwater exhibits in the River Journey building and continue the adventure in the Ocean Journey building. Along the way, you'll have opportunities to come face-to-face with feisty otters, enormous Arapaima giant catfish, and tons of turtles. You can also touch a sturgeon and climb on a life-sized Galapagos Tortoise sculpture or wiggle through a giant Sea Anemone model like Clownfish. 
tnaqua.org 

 

Alcatraz East Crime Museum / Pigeon Forge 

Alcatraz East is a crime museum featuring an in depth look at American Crime History which includes artifacts from Alcatraz, but this is not a Museum dedicated solely to Alcatraz. Explore American History from a different perspective. Five unique galleries burrow deep into the studies of criminal intent, criminal profiles, the penal system, victims, crime prevention, forensic science, law enforcement and the Judiciary Branch of government. Located at the entrance to The Island in Pigeon Forge, the museum is 25,000 square feet spread over two floors and includes over 100 interactives. 
alcatrazeast.com 

 

The Three Rivers Rambler / Knoxville 

Guests aboard the excursion train enjoy a 90 minute trip along the Tennessee River. Beginning the journey in Downtown Knoxville, the Rambler travels past historical sites to the “Three Rivers Trestle” where the French Broad and Holston Rivers join to form the Tennessee River. Along the route, the Three Rivers Rambler passes by beautiful farmland, Knoxville’s first settlement area, and several quarries that were mined to build our nation’s Capital. The uniformed conductor and volunteer staff are well-versed in the local history and welcome questions during the 11-mile trip. 
threeriversrambler.com 

 

Middle Tennessee 

Rich in heritage, culture and scenic beauty, Middle Tennessee provides genuine Southern hospitality and delivers an unparalleled creative music experience. Rolling hills and fertile valleys dot the land around Nashville, Tennessee's capital, and the Upper Cumberland. Middle Tennessee includes the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau, the Nashville Basin and the dramatic Highland Rim landscape.

 

Adventure Science Center / Nashville 

Adventure Science Center is an independent, not-for-profit science and technology center. Perched atop a hill with spectacular views of the city, this 44,000 square foot space features more than 175 hands-on exhibits focused on biology, astronomy, physics, earth science, energy, weather, sound, and space and is home to state-of-the-art Sudekum Planetarium. From learning how to lift a car without breaking a sweat to crawling through a beating heart, the Adventure Tower is a pillar of imagination that ends with our spectacular view of downtown Nashville. 
adventuresci.org 

 

W7thCo Vintage Photo Gallery / Columbia 

The W7thCo Gallery is located in the historic downtown district of Columbia, Tennessee. They are fortunate to have a collection of photos that were taken over more than a hundred years by different photographers that lived and worked in Columbia all the way back to the earliest days of photography in America. The story of the gallery is a part of how these photos came to be together and how they are being preserved for generations to come. 
w7thco.com 

 

The Franklin Theatre / Franklin 

The Franklin Theatre began in the summer of 1937 when the marquee first illuminated Main Street, invited Middle Tennesseans to buy a ticket. Inside the theater walls, moviegoers enjoyed a lifetime of memories. Eventually the doors closed in 2007, and a nonprofit preservation group stepped in to buy and rehabilitate the historic landmark. After three years of work the historic Franklin Theatre re-emerged better than ever. The new Franklin Theatre continues the tradition of showing movies, but also adds live music.
franklintheatre.com 

 

West Tennessee 

Southern and soulful, West Tennessee blends a raw, urban can-do spirit with rural charm, delivering its own rhythm of extraordinary experiences, iconic artists and diverse culture. Gear up for major merrymaking in the city or savor small-town charm. West Tennessee shines in its music mojo, legendary landmarks, tasteworthy traditions and an awesome array of family fun and historical sites. 

Memphis Zoo / Memphis 

What's black and white and cute all over? Giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le at the Memphis Zoo! The Memphis Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 different species. Created in April 1906, the zoo has been a major tenant of Overton Park for more than 100 years. The zoo's animal inhabitants reside in three zones with 19 exhibits, such as Teton Trek, Northwest Passage and China. Bring the whole family and have a wild time that’s sure to become a cherished memory. 
memphiszoo.org 

 

Discovery Park America / Union City 

From dinosaurs to Native American history to space exploration, Discovery Park of America will inspire you and provide a greater understanding of the world – past, present and future.  Located in the beautiful Reelfoot Lake Region of Tennessee, with more than 70,000 sq. feet of galleries and interactive exhibits focused on nature, science, technology, history and art they make learning fun!  Explore their 50-acre heritage park, featuring a Blue Angels plane, our Discovery Garden and a 100-year-old chapel. 
discoveryparkofamerica.com 

Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum / Jackson 

Tour the original home of the world's most famous railroad engineer, Casey Jones, and the 8,000 square foot train museum dedicated to his life and legend and railroad men and women everywhere. Enjoy a short film about the story of Casey Jones, three authentic rail cars, and even an original engine model Casey drove.  Kids of all ages are welcome to climb aboard and ring the bell just like Casey. Civil War enthusiasts will enjoy the permanent exhibit entitled "The Railroads & The Civil War in Tennessee." 
caseyjones.com/museum 

 

There’s so much to see and do in the great state of Tennessee and that’s what makes it a timeless tradition for family vacations. No matter when you plan to visit or for how long, the volunteer state is there to make you feel at home. 

More Tennessee to Enjoy

Heaven in the South

Jefferson County, Tennessee is nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and is the ideal place to be for any reason and during any season. Enjoy the ease and security of a small town with convenient proximity to larger metropolitan areas. Take a step back into history and southern hospitality. Imagine yourself relaxing lakeside and gazing at the mountains or taking a quiet walk through one of the historic towns or challenging yourself with a hike in the Great Smoky Mountains.
jeffersoncountytennessee.com

Welcome to the home of Soul!

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music initially found its roots in Southern Gospel music and visitors will be swept away upon entering the museum’s real,circa-1906 Mississippi Delta church, meticulously reassembled inside the building. Vintage episodes of Soul Train encourage visitors to take a swing on the dance floor, or guests can walk though a replica of the original Stax movie theater-turned-studio, where legends like Otis Redding, cut their first records. Don’t miss the chance to see Isaac Hayes’ custom Cadillac El Dorado, with unique amenities like mini-bar, television and 24-carat gold trim exterior.
staxmuseum.com

Sweet on Sumner

Filled with historic sites, entertainment and more, Sumner County is a fantastic destination for your next getaway. The meticulously preserved mansions of the area hold rare treasures and the Wyn-newood State Historic Site, once a mineral spring resort, is one of the largest log cabins still standing in the Volunteer State. The Sumner County Museum contains artifacts from Native Americans and pioneers, and the elaborate Palace Theater is the only former silent movie theater still in operation in Tennessee. Whether it’s history, entertainment or delicious local cuisine, Sumner County has it all.
visitsumnertn.com

Ready, Set, Snow!

The snow is always ready at America’s first year round indoor snow park. No matter the temperature outside, the real snow here never melts. Including multiple tubing hills and a huge Snow Play area, there is fun to be had for the whole family! Us-ing a patented process, the snow here is made from 100% pure water, plus the temperature indoors is always between 60-70 de-grees there is no need to bring a winter coat. The first attraction of its kind in the country, Pigeon Forge Snow is a unique adven-ture everyone will love!
pigeonforgesnow.com

Real. Southern. Renaissance.

Looking to experience a true American Main Street? Then look no further than Columbia, TN. Located just 45 miles south of Nashville, the vibrant and historic town square of Columbia of-fer great shopping, cool restaurants and a lively music scene. Adjacent to downtown is the Columbia Arts Center where locals captivate with funky and creative pieces. Also known as “Mule Town” for its annual Mule Day celebration spanning back to the 1930’s, Columbia is a classic southern town with a kick.
columbiatn.com

Flavors of Fayetteville

Home to the Jack Daniels Visitor Center, Prichard’s Distillery and Southern Pride Distillery, Fayetteville Lincoln is the perfect place to sip in the flavors of Tennessee. The Lincoln County Museum and Event Center, located in the 1927-built Borden Milk Plant, is the only public location containing artifacts from local history. Charming Downtown Fayetteville is an antique lover’s dream with shops and malls containing yet to be discovered treasures and some seriously good eats, like at Local Café, or follow Floyd’s Farm Food Truck throughout the area.
fayettevillelincolncountychamber.com

A Glorious Gallery and Gardens

Over the years through the generosity of patrons and their be-quests, the Dixon art collection includes over 2,000 fine art and decorative arts pieces. Beginning with 26 paintings from the Dix-on family, the gallery’s permanent collection now houses 18th century German Porcelain, pewter, paintings and sculptures. Ex-hibits for the year include Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman, celebrating the legacy of one of the 20th-century’s most influen-tial black female artist and her work as an educator and activist for the Harlem community.
dixon.org

Berry Lovable

Only a short drive from the Metro Nashville area, Portland is a bustling town full of history, entertainment, shopping, and deli-cious food. This charming town has long been known for its rich agricultural history, most notably, strawberries. And they cel-ebrate this crimson fruit every year with its annual Middle Ten-nessee Strawberry Festival. Portland is a quaint and charming Southern destination, with its close proximity to Nashville, its dynamic attractions and Southern hospitality, a trip here is sure to be berry pleasurable.
portlandcofc.com

Experience Monroe County

Situated in southeast Tennessee, Monroe County is the type of place that makes you feel at home the very first time you visit. From relaxing on the Tellico Lake or enjoying a round of golf in Vonore to hiking in the Cherokee National Forest in Tellico Plains, sightseeing on the Cherohala Skyway National Scenic By-way, discovering history in Madisonville and shopping in Sweet-water’s nationally recognized Main Street, there is something for everyone to experience! With all that Monroe County has to offer, why haven’t you visited them yet?
monroecountytourism.com

The ‘Disney World’ of the Smokies

Tucked in the hills of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood is a popular place to celebrate any time of year. Dollywood offers you the chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains and the incredible spirit of its people, all at a place fun for all ages. Taste award-winning recipes, experience heart-pounding thrills and witness incredible performances sure to become memories you’ll treasure always.
dollywood.com