Tennessee

Tennessee offers a temperate year-round climate and a wealth of outdoor recreation, particularly in the area surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the state’s southeast corner. Music takes center stage in Nashville, with its wealth of downtown spots for live music, Country Music Hall of Fame and the legendary Ryman Auditorium. Head to Memphis’ Beale Street for more great live music. The city along the Mississippi River is also home to Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley and Sun Studios, where Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis got their start.

Rock Island State Park kayaker in Rock Island, Tennessee (photo by Michael D. Tedesco)

Three state parks within easy driving distance from Sparta, Tennessee, offer opportunities to see waterfalls.

Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee (photo by Corinne Krogh)

The 300-plus-acre park in Knoxville, Tennessee, lets families experience nature without leaving the city. 

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (photo courtesy of destination)

This Gatlinburg, Tennessee, favorite is home to more than 100,000 exotic sea creatures representing 350 different species. 

Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (photo courtesy of destination)

This family-friendly museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, shares the behind-the-scenes stories of America’s most notorious villains and artifacts such as a 1963 Harley-Davidson police motorcycle. 

Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater, Tennessee (photo by Trey Sullins)

Explore a beautiful and intricate cave system that leads 140 feet below the surface in Sweetwater, Tennessee.

Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee (photo courtesy of destination)

Once the home of the Grand Ole Opry, this downtown Nashville landmark still hosts live performances and offers tours. 

Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (photo by Steve Markos)

Just short drive from Gatlinburg, this section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina border and offer incredible views. 

The state where country music reigns supreme offers a wealth of ways to connect with live music and legends of the genre, including these destinations in Nashville and Memphis. 

From the place where Harland Sanders perfected his fried chicken to an examination of West Virginia’s famous cryptid, these unusual museums offer a perfect pit stop.

From adorable zoo babies to a national aviary to a historic hotel with VIP ducks, these attractions offer a way to interact with and learn about all kinds of creatures.