Tennessee is a great place to visit, and these states offer some pretty spectacular scenery. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park gives you access to trailside lodges, mountainous vistas, and rushing waterfalls. Cross the state line into North Carolina for horseback riding along the Blue Ridge Parkway, or explore Nashville’s legendary music scene.
It’s not unusual to see deer and other wildlife running through an open field or meandering through the woods on your trip. While Tennessee is known for its beautiful scenery and historical landmarks, you should also consider visiting some of its famous cities, such as Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville.
In Tennessee, you can enjoy world-class museums, incredible hiking trails, and quiet springtime waterfalls. Plus, the great outdoors offers a chance to appreciate the natural beauty of this state.
There are many things to see and do when you visit Tennessee, from the Great Smoky Mountains to Nashville. Discover some of Tennessee’s best attractions below.
There are so many things to see and do, that it can be hard to decide what to see first. Read on to discover all the most attractive places in Tennessee!
List of Most Attracted Places To Visit In Tennessee
Tennessee has a lot of attractions and it is also a beautiful state. You can visit the various places in Tennessee by selecting the most attractive places and these are listed below. Here’s a list of some of the most popular tourist destinations in Tennessee, so you can plan your weekend!
Nashville
In addition to being the state capital, Nashville is the country music capital of the world. Consequently, there are plenty of fantastic live music venues for you to visit, as well as museums dedicated to illustrious names like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.
Despite being known as “Music City, USA”, Nashville has many different sides and is now a center of culture and commerce in the region.
There are some wonderful old buildings and historic landmarks dotted around for you to discover, while its vibrant neighborhoods are packed with unique boutiques, trendy bars, and cozy cafes, with plenty of leafy parks.
However, the main reason people visit us is for their music. Going to see the Grand Ole Opry radio show live or catching a concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium is the quintessential Nashville experience.
Plus, no visit to the city is complete without strolling through the glittering Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Smoky Mountains National Park
Great to visit at any time of the year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is awash in the stunning scenery and stunning natural sights that change before your eyes as the seasons change.
It is the most visited national park in all of the US Once you visit it, it is easy to see. The majestic Great Smoky Mountains are almost entirely covered in verdant forests with a myriad of trails and scenic trails – like the Appalachians – winding their way through the undergrowth.
As such, there are plenty of outdoor activities for you to try, with hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing all very popular.
A wonderful way to see as much of the national park as possible is to camp overnight and get up early to see some of the many historic sights, cultural monuments, and breathtaking views that lie within its boundaries.
Memphis
As it’s widely considered the birthplace of blues music, it’s no surprise that music permeates the soul of Memphis.
Along Beale Street, you’ll find dozens of lively bars and clubs that have fantastic live music for you to enjoy. Throughout the city, there are many museums and monuments dedicated to various musicians, with Graceland – the former home of Elvis Presley – is the most popular.
Lying along the Mississippi River that borders Arkansas, Memphis is a lively place to visit, attracting music lovers from all over the world, and there’s certainly plenty of fun to be had.
Although it used to be very run down, many bars, restaurants, shops, and breweries have sprung up in recent years, and you can’t visit Memphis without trying some of its famously delicious barbecue dishes.
Gatlinburg
Located right at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains and the wonderful national park that bears its name, the resort town of Gatlinburg is situated in a beautiful setting, with magnificent nature and mountains all around.
As such, many people visit it for the wealth of outdoor activities it has to offer. Hiking the Appalachian Trail is a particularly popular pastime, while in winter, the state’s only ski area, Ober Gatlinburg, is packed with people having fun.
Since there’s quite a tourist vibe and look at Gatlinburg, don’t be surprised to see plenty of arcades, miniature golf courses, souvenir shops, and go-kart courses around town. Unique attractions like the Salt and Pepper Shakers Museum and the Hollywood Star Cars Museum are also dotted here and there.
Although much of Gatlinburg is quite flashy and kitsch-looking, the city does have its charms. The Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about Tennessee’s rich history and see all the local crafts being created.
Cummins Falls State Park
Named after the beautiful waterfall that sits at its heart, Cummins Falls State Park is home to a wealth of beautiful, unspoiled scenery and pristine nature that surround the gorge and river that runs through the park.
With a very wild and rugged vibe, the state park offers fantastic hikes as you navigate creeks, boulders, and woven forest paths to reach the waterfall.
The waterfalls look absolutely majestic as streams of water over the rocky wall of the pool below. A lovely thing to do here is to go swimming in the refreshing waters or enjoy a picnic.
Pigeon Forge
Best known for being the home of Dollywood, the mountain town of Pigeon Forge is a fun and friendly place to visit that has something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
With plenty of souvenir shops, malls, and amusement parks dotted around the city, there is plenty to see and do.
While fans of country music, in particular, will love all the musical theaters and music-related museums and venues, the city’s main attraction is, of course, the Dolly Parton Theme Park, which has plenty of fun attractions for you to try.
Due to its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is also a great base from which to enjoy the great outdoors. You can return to the city tired but happy at night and see a magic show or performance.
Chattanooga
Located on the banks of the Tennessee River, on the border with Georgia, Chattanooga has long been an important railroad station. She is internationally known for the famous song ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’ by Glenn Miller.
Due to its important and strategic use as a transportation hub, Chattanooga was hotly contested during the American Civil War. As such, there are a number of interesting battlefields and historical sights to visit in the city.
Today, however, the main reason people visit the city is for the fantastic variety of outdoor activities. It is not without reason that Chattanooga is known as the “Scenic City”, as beautiful ridges, valleys, and mountains stretch all around it.
These natural wonders lend themselves perfectly to mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing, with a wide variety of water sports also on offer.
To top it off, downtown Chattanooga has a very lively atmosphere, with many restaurants, bars, and breweries to be found among its beautiful old brick buildings.
Franklin Tennessee
On the banks of the Harpeth River, the small town of Franklin is just over 30 kilometers from Nashville. Its laid-back city center has a wonderfully laid-back vibe, with plenty of boutiques, restaurants, and bars for you to choose from.
The main reason people visit, however, is for its battlefields and historic sites that are related to the fierce and bloody Battle of Franklin that took place here in 1864 during the Civil War.
For visitors interested in gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of the historical events that occurred here, the Carter House, Lotz House, and Carnton Plantation are all very informative to visit.
With a small-town feel, Franklin is well worth a day trip from Nashville and can easily be combined with a visit to nearby Arrington, which is home to a fantastic vineyard selling delicious local wines.
Knoxville
An increasingly popular tourist destination, Tennessee’s third-largest city, and its former capital is well worth a visit if you’re into food and drink, as a plethora of restaurants, bars, and breweries have sprung up in recent years.
As it is also home to the University of Tennessee, its streets are very lively and youthful. College football nights are a massive event in the city, as fans flock to Neyland Stadium, which can hold up to 102,000 people.
Additionally, Knoxville’s arts and culture scenes are flourishing, and many cultural events, art festivals, and musical performances take place here throughout the year.
With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park also close by, the city is an excellent base if you want to explore the park’s myriad trails while returning each night to sample delicious local and craft beers.
National Land Between the Lakes
Situated between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, the aptly named Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area will delight nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike with its stunning scenery.
Home to a wide range of different landscapes and habitats, visitors can hike or cycle through beautiful forests and wetlands, with vast stretches of gorgeous coastline also exposed.
With some of the largest tracts of intact, undeveloped forest in the eastern United States, there is the wilderness that feels like too much of a recreation area.
Many different types of birds and wildlife reside within its boundaries. As the two elongated lakes border the recreation area, there are also ample opportunities for swimming, boating, and water sports, while many people choose to camp overnight in the park.
FAQs
What Is The Most Visited City In Tennessee?
Nashville is the most visited city in Tennessee. In 2017, it was the second-most visited city in the state with 2,907,809 hotel guests and 815,347 Airbnb guests visiting. Nashville also had the most nights booked (223), the most Airbnb hosts (663), and the highest average Airbnb house price ($900 per night).
Then Chattanooga has a population of 171,000. It is clearly the most visited city in Tennessee, with about half a million visitors each year. The most popular attractions include the historical sites at Fort Lookout State Park and Fort McHenry National Monument.
Other cities are Memphis and Knoxville.
What Is The Most Beautiful Part Of Tennessee?
The most beautiful part of Tennessee is the Great Smoky Mountains. The region’s blue-green mountain lakes, rolling hills, and pastoral vistas look like something you might have seen in a painting by Claude Monet. Thousands of acres of protected land ensure that it will always be a park preserve.
What Is The Number of Top Attraction In Tennessee?
The most attractive part of Tennessee is the mountains, lakes, and rivers. The most beautiful attraction of Tennessee is the Smoky Mountains. There’s no place like it. It’s also where you may find the most gorgeous wildlife: bears, elk, and a wide variety of birds.
What Are The Best Tourist Attractions In Nashville?
For families, one of Nashville’s best tourist attractions is the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. The zoo continues to grow and expand, but the animals are in vast, natural habitats, and the guides are friendly and knowledgeable.
What Fun Things Can You Do In Nashville, Tennessee?
But even if country music isn’t your thing, Nashville honky tonks are some of the most exciting and fun things to do in Nashville. Popular bars include Rippy’s, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Robert’s Western World, Legends Corner, Honky Tonk Central, and The Stage.
What Are Some Of The Most Famous Landmarks In Nashville, Tennessee?
Nashville’s two most significant landmarks are the Tennessee State Capitol building and the Parthenon, the former offering great views of the Nashville skyline and the latter a unique reproduction of the famous Athenian temple. In keeping with Nashville’s reputation as a musical haven,
Is Nashville A Good Place To Visit?
Nashville is famous as the birthplace of country music and has an excellent variety of musical and artistic cultural attractions. Music lovers can visit Bridgestone Arena, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and TPAC, the Tennessee Center for the Performing Arts, to hear some of the best music in the state
