Tennessee is a state in the Southern U.S and is insanely popular as a tourist destination.
Enjoying year-round pleasant weather and hundreds of attractions and scenic towns, it receives millions of visitors annually, and the numbers have only soared till now despite the COVID pandemic. This is because, while other tourist hotspots had to shut down due to the monotony of what they had to offer, Tennessee’s tourism department thrived due to its multi-purpose and leisure-oriented nature.
So, what makes traveling to Tennessee a step above the rest? The answer is succinctly elaborated in this article, in which we will explore 6 fun things to do on your visit here.
1. Visit the Smoky Mountains
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Smoky Mountains are the crown jewel of Tennessee. Almost every article you’ll find on Tennessee is sure to describe the beauty and magnificence of these peaks.
Nature lover or not, anyone would love strolling through the lush, green expanse that surrounds these mountains.
The crisp, cool air in your lungs, the wind in your hair, and the earthy scent that engulfs the senses. A hundred times better than the stifling, smoky smell wafting from traffic, buildings, and other human encroachments.
Moreover, if you ever find yourself having enough sightseeing, many activities complement your trip to the Smoky Mountains.
With many rivers such as the Little River and Pigeon River flowing by, white water rafting smoky mountains are your great outdoor escape. The area also has zip-lining, hiking, and camping in store, with beautiful cabins available for rent.
2. An adventure in the mountain towns
Tennessee seems to be overflowing with small but majestic mountain towns. Offering serene escapism and adrenaline-pumping theme parks and joyrides, these towns are ideal vacation spots for people of all ages and interests.
The town of Gatlinburg is a sight for sore eyes for travelers seeking gorgeous cabins and vertiginous spots to make the best of their cameras.
The area is also well known for its investment in art and culture, so when you are there, check out its numerous art galleries or grab a souvenir from the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community.
If we’re talking more scream-and-squeal fun, then theme parks like Anakeesta, the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area, and Ripley’s Believe It are wholesome family fun.
Pigeon Forge is another exquisite experience, proven that about 10 million people make this town their travel destination annually. The area never runs out of creative juice with entertaining dinner shows, world-famous roller coaster rides, and festivals.
Every time you visit here, you’ll find that there are still more places to cross out of the list.
While there are many more towns you can explore in Tennessee- the list is exhaustive, we have mentioned two of the most beloved ones and hope they were enough to excite you for the rest.
3. The music scene
The capital of Tennessee, Nashville, is known as the Music City. Along with two other cities, Memphis and Bristol, Tennessee, occupies a significant portion of American Musical History.
With its roots in several genres of music, such as country music and hip hop, you’ll be jamming to its tunes quickly. It is also home to many famous singers who started their musical journey in this place, including Tina Turner, Elvis Presley, and Justin Timberlake, to name a few.
In addition, museums catering to the rich musical history of the place have popped up throughout the state, so if you’re a fan of good music or just curious about its birth in America, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame has plenty to feed the appetite.
4. The flora and fauna
Tennessee has a wildlife sanctuary in the form of the Smoky Mountains National Park. With hundreds of species of plants and animals on the loose, you can enjoy exploring nature untouched and unharmed by man.
While on a stroll, you may be lucky enough to spot a raccoon, the state’s official wild animal. Furry and cute, we think kids would love the Pocahontas reference.
Apart from this, plants like Irises and the Florida Maple will brighten your day with vibrant colors. Also, great spots to take selfies.
5. Shopaholics ahoy
Shopaholics love Tennessee, and why wouldn’t they? The area is positively sprawling with bustling markets and neon-lit streets advertising the latest in fashion and food. So, if you’re looking for a good budget buy, the Nashville Flea market or the Crosstown Concourse in Memphis awaits you, amongst others.
And did we mention the festivals? You’ll find a unique one in every mountain town and city in Tennessee. You’ve got the Festival of Nations in Pigeon Forge that displays the culture and art from around the world, the international biscuit festival offering a taste of hundreds of home-baked goodies, or the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival for the music enthusiast in you.
6. The rich history
We have already mentioned Tennessee’s rich music history, but the area is pretty well round in all the other aspects.
Tennessee was at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Hence, it does not surprise that some landmarks have originated to commemorate the historic event.
The National Civil Rights Museum was constructed in the 1990s and offers a comprehensive history lesson on the movement and its far-fetching impacts on America today.
Carnton is another historical magnum opus well known to the locals. Occupying significant importance in the American Civil War in the 1860s, while the structure has existed since 1826. It was formally inaugurated as a museum in 1973.
From this, you can get an idea of how rich Tennessee’s history is.
Conclusion
Too many places to visit and too little time on our hands– that is what anyone would surely agree to once they get to know about all the places to see in Tennessee on their next trip here.
Hopefully, this article gave you a gist of 6 popular things you must do once you visit the great state of Tennessee.
