Tennessee Vacation Ideas
Tennessee is rich with culture, history and nature. If you're considering a vacation there, you'll find no shortage of options. Maybe you want to visit the birthplace of Elvis Presley, go camping for a weekend, or soak in the urban culture of Memphis or Nashville.
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Cities
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Between Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee has several diverse cities--and each has its own identity.
Memphis, located in western Tennessee, has more than 50 famous sites and attractions, including art museums, the Memphis Zoo, world-class shopping, diverse dining options and many venues to take in live music. Memphis is home to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. The city also boasts Shelby Farms, the country's biggest urban park. The city hosts several festivals that attract thousands of visitors from across the world. Memphis in May and the Beale Street Music Festival are two of the city's most popular music festivals.
Nashville, located in the middle of the state, has plenty to offer visitors, too. If you're a fan of country music--or music in general--then Nashville will be heaven. The city is home to the Grande Ole Opry, where you can experience live shows in a world-famous venue. Nashville is also home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to such musical legends as Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. But even if you're not a huge fan of country music, Nashville is sure to please. History buffs will enjoy Nashville's many unique historic sites, including the Lotz House Civil War Museum, the Belle Meade Plantation and Fort Negley, which was built by slaves during the Civil War.
Chattanooga and Knoxville, in the eastern part of the state, have plenty of entertainment as well. Chattanooga, a riverfront city, features the Tennessee Aquarium, museums, outdoor activities and even the world's longest walking bridge. Knoxville, located at the foothills of Great Smokey Mountains National Park, blends Appalachian culture with modern-day amenities and museums.
Parks and Camping
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If you like the outdoors, then you'll love Tennessee. Home to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park as well as portions of the Appalachian trail, the state has countless options for camping, hiking, boating, and fishing.
Great Smokey Mountains National Park, which straddles the mountains between Tennessee and North Carolina, has more than 800 miles of hiking trails and 700 miles of streams for fishing. Additionally, there are thousands of animal species, from bears to elk and deer. Visitors here can pitch a tent and pursue a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, horseback riding, animal watching and bicycling.
The Obed Wild and Scenic River, just over an hour's drive from Knoxville, is the perfect spot to pursue water sports and boating activities. Go paddling in a canoe or kayak, spend an afternoon fishing, climb the rocky banks of the river, or hike along the water. To make a weekend out of it, pitch at tent at the nearby Rock Creek Campground.
Other Attractions
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Aside from its cities and outdoor activities, Tennessee has a number of other attractions. RainForest Adventures, located in Sevierville, is an indoor zoo that features more than 600 tropical and exotic animals, including kangaroos, sloths, alligators and tortoises.
If you want to see animals in a farm setting, then check out Lyon Family Farms in Taft. This family-owned farm features a baby animal petting zoo along with lots of family-friendly activities: hay rides, pumpkin picking, a playground, and a corn maze.
The history lover traveling to Tennessee should be sure to save time to visit the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, an hour and 15 minutes from Knoxville. Here you can take a tour of the home of the nation's 17th president, as well as visit the National Cemetery, where Johnson is buried. The home of another famous president, Andrew Jackson, is also in Tennessee. Jackson, the nation's seventh president, lived at The Hermitage. This estate, in Nashville, includes a mansion complete with gardens, slave quarters and a log cabin. The Hermitage is open to the public for tours.
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