Top 6 Spots in Tennessee You Don’t Want to Miss

If you plan to travel to The United States, you must visit Tennessee. The state has a scenic natural beauty, which attracts countless tourists each year. It is easily accessible as it has borders with many other states as well. Moreover, it is home to one of the most visited national parks in The U.S., not to mention Tennessee’s country music, which is one of the most iconic genres. It has produced global stars, from Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash. Tennessee’s popularity is because of its music, beauty, and vast history. Below, we will talk about the best tourist attractions in Tennessee that you don’t want to miss.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular parks in The U.S. The park has some of the highest mountains, which rise along the Tennessee-North Carolina Border. There are a few different entrances to the park, one of which is in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Over here, you can find the park’s most popular area, Ober Gatlinburg, which is an amusement park and a ski resort. You can enjoy many activities here, from indoor rides, such as ice bumper cars, to restaurants and shopping stores. There are also outdoor rides, such as slides, rollercoasters, and a chairlift ride to the top of Mount Harrison. Moreover, near Gatlinburg, you can experience the famous white water rafting Tennessee. It is a fun and safe experience you can enjoy with friends and family. 

Apart from this, you can also enjoy hiking. You can hike along the trails and explore Sugarlands, a valley and one of the most visited sites among hikers. Fishing (specially fly-fishing) is also common in the park’s waters. Horseback riding, bicycling, and water tubing are many of the recreational activities you can enjoy there. 

Graceland: The Elvis Presley Memphis Complex

If you are a fan of rock ‘n’ roll, visiting King Elvis Presley’s home is a must. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the Graceland Mansion was home to Elvis Presley. It is a historic landmark of Memphis and is the third most visited house in The United States. Tourists from different parts of the world come here each year to explore the museum to see a glimpse of Elvis Presley’s life. The Elvis Presley Memphis Complex exhibits his life by displaying his cars, clothes, tombs, and other remembrances. Different tour packages are on offer that include showing different rooms where he spent most of his life, including a meditation garden. There is also a wall where fans can sign their names upon visiting. 

Read also: 10 Low Budget Destinations You Should Consider

Beale Street: Home of the Blues

Visiting Elvis’s home isn’t enough. What will make your visit complete is visiting Beale Street. Over here, Elvis Presley and other legends made their mark in the music industry. Beale Street, also known as Home of the Blues, has iconic tourist attractions, such as the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. It has exhibits of local music, rare recordings, and instruments. It also honors musicians from Memphis for their lifetime accomplishments. 

Another tourist attraction is the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. It is a music museum, which narrates the grave stories of artists. These artists had to overcome racial and socio-economic challenges to make music. Additionally, WC Handy’s House should also be on your itinerary. It is where the Father of the Blues, William Christopher Handy, lived and worked. He also composed various famous songs, and this iconic house is now a museum for many tourists to visit. Apart from musical entertainment, Beale Street has a variety of restaurants that serve delicious Southern food.

Dollywood

Dollywood is a 150-acre theme park owned by and named after country singer Dolly Parton. Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, it is one of the largest and most popular ticketed tourist attractions in that state. The theme park provides more than fifty carnival rides. It also offers traditional folk music and crafts of the Smoky Mountains. Apart from this, the Dollywood Express train ride circles the theme park. It takes you on a 5-mile journey through the Smoky Mountains, where you can adore the scenic beauty. Water parks and the Dollywood DreamMore Resort are more places to enjoy. 

Each year, Dollywood hosts six of the largest festivals through March and December. During these months, millions of people visit, making it the most popular tourist attraction in Tennessee. Dolly Parton performs live in these concerts, along with other local musical performances. 

The Titanic Museum

If you are a fan of reminiscing historical events, this attraction is for you. The world’s largest Titanic Museum is in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, just miles away from Dollywood. The building looks like the Titanic ship due to its magnificent construction and architecture. It has unique galleries with hundreds of Titanic-associated artifacts, which generate the illusion of actually being on the Titanic ship.  

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Ryman Auditorium

Nashville, Tennessee, is home to country music, known as the capital of country music. It is because of the tourist attractions, such as The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It is one of the world’s largest museums, which has a widespread musical collection. The architecture of the building is breathtaking and complements the theme. The windows resemble piano keys, and the whole building looks like a bass. The museum is worth the visit, whether you enjoy country music or not. 

The museum is also near the Ryman Auditorium, a grand concert venue that has formerly broadcasted the Grand Ole Opry show. In the past, the site has brought famous artists of country music on stage. Whereas today, the Ryman Auditorium hosts performances from artists of different genres. Both these places are great tourist attractions, and Nashville, having scenic routes and parks, makes the visit more enjoyable. 

Tennessee is an underrated state, and many people do not visit this state if they travel to the United States. However, the natural beauty, amusement parks, and museums of Tennessee make it worth the visit. Be sure not to miss these six must-visit tourist attractions in Tennessee when you travel.