Tennessee is a landlocked state in the U.S. South. Its capital, centrally located Nashville, is the heart of the country-music scene, with the long-running Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and a legendary stretch of honky-tonks and dance halls. Memphis, in the far southwest, is the home of Elvis Presley’s Graceland, rock-and-roll pioneering Sun Studio and the blues clubs of Beale Street. ― Google
Nickname: The Volunteer State
Known for: Music, mountains, whiskey, and Southern hospitality
Spring (March–May): Mild weather and blooming wildflowers in the Smokies—great for festivals and hikes.
Fall (September–November): Vibrant foliage in the mountains and harvest celebrations.
Summer (June–August): Lively music festivals and outdoor fun, though humid and warm.
Winter (December–February): Snow in the Smokies, fewer crowds in cities, and cozy indoor attractions.
By Air:
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Memphis International Airport (MEM)
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) – near Knoxville and Great Smoky Mountains
By Car:
Major highways: I-40, I-65, I-24, I-75, and I-81.
Scenic drives: Natchez Trace Parkway, Cherohala Skyway, and Great Smoky Mountains Byway
By Train:
Amtrak only stops in Memphis (City of New Orleans line).
Nashville:
Country Music Hall of Fame
Ryman Auditorium
Broadway Street (live music bars)
Grand Ole Opry
Memphis:
Graceland (Elvis Presley’s home)
Beale Street (live blues and barbecue)
National Civil Rights Museum (at the Lorraine Motel)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
America’s most-visited national park; hiking, waterfalls, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives.
Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge:
Family attractions like Dollywood, Ripley’s Aquarium, and SkyLift Park.
Chattanooga:
Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, and Tennessee Aquarium
Lynchburg:
Jack Daniel’s Distillery tour (yes, it's in a dry county!)
Live music: Country in Nashville, blues in Memphis, and bluegrass in the mountains.
Hiking: Great Smoky Mountains, Fall Creek Falls, and Cumberland Plateau trails.
Scenic drives: Especially during fall foliage in East Tennessee.
Cave tours: The Lost Sea, Ruby Falls, and Tuckaleechee Caverns.
River fun: Whitewater rafting, kayaking, and paddleboarding on the Tennessee and Ocoee Rivers.
Whiskey & wine tasting: Along the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.
Festivals: Bonnaroo, CMA Fest, Memphis in May, and Dollywood’s Harvest Festival.
Luxury:
The Hermitage Hotel (Nashville)
River Inn of Harbor Town (Memphis)
Blackberry Farm (Walland) – upscale mountain retreat
Mid-range:
Chains and boutique hotels in downtown Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga.
Cabins and lodges in Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Wears Valley.
Budget:
Motels and budget inns across the state.
Campgrounds and RV parks in state and national parks.
Unique:
Cabin stays in the Smokies
Treehouses and glamping sites
Music-themed Airbnbs in Nashville
Must-Try Tennessee Foods:
Hot chicken (Nashville specialty)
Memphis-style barbecue (dry-rub ribs and pulled pork)
Catfish and hushpuppies
Southern biscuits and gravy
Goo Goo Clusters (Tennessee-born candy)
Meat & three diners
Notable Restaurants:
Hattie B’s (Nashville): Legendary hot chicken.
Central BBQ (Memphis): Award-winning ribs.
The Loveless Café (Nashville): Country breakfast & biscuits.
Blue Plate (Chattanooga): Farm-to-table Southern cuisine.
Music heritage: From Elvis to Dolly Parton to Taylor Swift—music is in Tennessee’s DNA.
Southern hospitality: Friendly locals and a welcoming vibe, especially in small towns.
Whiskey traditions: Birthplace of Tennessee whiskey and moonshine culture.
Civil Rights history: Memphis played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Craftsmanship: Appalachian arts, quilting, and bluegrass traditions are strong in East Tennessee.