10 Amazing Places to Visit in Tennessee

When it comes to spending some vacation time in the United States, the state of Tennessee isn’t always high up on the list of places to visit. That’s probably partly because many tourists prefer to venture across coastal areas like New York, Florida, or California.

Still, that doesn’t mean Tennessee doesn’t have anything to offer. In fact, the state is packed with lots of historical points of interest, entertainment venues to visit, and let’s not forget all the interesting and welcoming folks you’ll come across during your travels!

Our family has loved all of the time we’ve been able to visit Tennessee. We love the food, culture, music, and vibe. Let’s take a look at some great cities you may want to add to your bucket list.

If you’ve never been to Tennessee before, the following are ten (of many) fantastic places to visit in the state, in no particular order:

1. Nashville

No trip to the state of Tennessee is ever complete without spending some time in Nashville, the state capital and the biggest city in the state! Nashville plays an essential role in the music industry, in particular country music.

Even if you’re not a fan of country music, you’ll still enjoy the positive vibe that envelopes you wherever you go in the city. There’s plenty to see and do in the city, including many historical points of interest like Fort Negley, which played a vital role in the Civil War.

2. Pigeon Forge

Another fantastic place to visit is Pigeon Forge. Firstly, it’s home to Dollywood - country singer Dolly Parton’s family amusement park. There’s plenty for all the family to see and do in Dollywood, so be sure to dedicate a whole day to visit the attraction.

Of course, that’s just one of the many best attractions to see in Pigeon Forge. The city is right by the Smoky Mountains National Park. You could also visit the Hollywood Wax Museum and visit other places in the city by riding on the Fun Time Trolley.

You can learn more about Pigeon Forge and the Great Smokey Mountains in our podcast episode with Ash from Dirt in My Shoes where she shares her 5 Favorite National Parks to visit with kids.

3. Knoxville

If you fly into Tennessee, Knoxville is most likely the city where you’d end up. Should that be the case, it makes sense to start your vacation by visiting the sights that Knoxville has to offer.

Knoxville is also another city close to the Smoky Mountains, but if you’d prefer to stay within the city limits, there’s a ton of places you can check out. Some examples include the Candy Factory, the Old City, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, and Volunteer Landing.

4. Memphis

Memphis is another city in Tennessee with a musical association, especially blues music. The city is the second-largest in Tennessee, and one of its more recent claims to fame is that it’s home to Graceland, the mansion home of Elvis Presley during the latter years of his life.

If you wish to experience the very essence of blues music, take a trip down Beale Street, especially in the evening, where you can watch some live performances. Other musical points of interest include the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum and the Sun Studio.

5. Chattanooga

Chattanooga is perhaps best known for the Chattanooga Choo Choo; a former railroad station now converted into a hotel and entertainment complex. Chattanooga is also famous for other things, such as Ruby Falls and Rock City.

Other points of interest in Chattanooga include the Tennessee Aquarium, the Tivoli Theater, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and Ross's Landing, a site of significant cultural relevance to both Cherokee Indians and Chattanooga history.

6. Gatlinburg

A visit to Gatlinburg should also be a part of your itinerary. It’s another city close to the Smoky Mountains, but it focuses more on modern resort attractions and less on nature. That said, it’s a place where you can enjoy some breathtaking views.

For example, the Gatlinburg Sky Lift boasts panoramic views of Crockett Mountain. And there’s the Gatlinburg Space Needle, an observation tower. But if you don’t have a head for heights, you could always visit attractions like the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum.

7. Johnson City

If you or one of your party wants some retail therapy, Johnson City is arguably the best part of Tennessee to do that! The city is home to many national and international brand stores along with independent names.

When you’ve finished shopping, don’t forget to check out the city’s points of interest. For instance, the Rocky Mount Museum allows you to step back in time and experience what Tennessee was like when the state first got founded.

8. Greeneville

Greeneville is a town in Eastern Tennessee. It has a few claims to fame, such as the place where former U.S. president Andrew Johnson launched his political career. It was also the capital of the short-lived State of Franklin in the 18th century.

If you visit Greeneville, be sure to check out the Appalachian Caverns, the Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park, and the Greeneville Greene County Museum. There’s also the City Garage Car Museum if you’re an automotive fan and enjoy admiring classic cars.

9. Lebanon

The city of Lebanon in Tennessee is named so because of the area’s abundance of cedar trees. If you want to visit a place with a botanical connection, the state park in Lebanon is the place for you! Of course, there are other reasons why you should see the city of Lebanon.

For example, you could immerse yourself in the area’s history by visiting the Fiddlers Grove museum. There’s also the Lebanon Antique Mall if you wish to buy some vintage memorabilia of your visit. And you could also visit the LEGO-inspired Music City Bricks store.

10. South Pittsburg

Finally, you should add South Pittsburg to your list of places to visit in Tennessee. There are plenty of places to check out in the area, like the Bridgeport Railroad Depot Museum. It’s packed full of memorabilia dating back to the pre-Civil War era.

And if you fancy doing something both fun and exhilarating, the Adventure Off-Road Park could be the destination for you! In a nutshell, it’s a 500-acre venue dedicated to providing ultimate off-road experiences for anyone with a passion for driving and the great outdoors.