Tennessee attractions

Peabody Hotel has some unique permanent guests in the famous "Peabody Ducks," who live on the hotel’s rooftop and perform a march toward the Grand Lobby twice daily. The tradition dates to 1933 when the general manager returned from a hunting trip and placed several live duck decoys in the hotel’s fountain. The guests’ positive response prompted their stay.

Despite its small size, the Johnny Cash Museum manages to hold the world’s largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts, including the singer-songwriter’s Grammy and Country Music Association Awards, guitars and other musical instruments, and stage costumes. In addition to perusing Cash’s personal effects, you can check out interactive exhibits, watch archival footage, and listen to recordings of historic performances at this popular Nashville attraction.

Nashville’s Riverfront Park is one of the city’s most beloved green spaces, set along the scenic banks of the Cumberland River. Just steps from Lower Broadway, it offers a refreshing escape from the high-energy honky-tonk scene, while also hosting concerts and community events throughout the year.

Taking you on a journey from a mountain stream to the sea, the Tennessee Aquarium is spread across two buildings—one focused on rivers and the other on oceans. In both, you can discover an array of exhibits highlighting habitats, native creatures, threats, and conservation strategies. Widely considered as one of the top aquariums in the US, it’s an immersive experience where you can observe alligators, touch a sturgeon, marvel at penguins, and much more.

A veritable icon of music and a Memphis landmark, Sun Studio is known as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. In fact, the very first rock single (“Rocket 88”) was recorded here in 1951, when it was called the Memphis Recording Service. The former recording studio’s musical heritage—made famous thanks to the superstardom of artists such as Elvis and Johnny Cash—and collection of one-of-a-kind memorabilia make it an unforgettable stop in Memphis.

The opulent Orpheum Theater has rocked Memphis since 1928. Opened in 1890 as the Grand Opera House, it once hosted vaudeville performances. The historic theater became the Orpheum in 1928 and received a facelift in the 1980s, expanding its stage and backstage areas that continue to showcase concerts, shows, and special events year-round.

The music of Memphis fills the airwaves around Handy Park, a greenspace in the Memphis Historic District named for W.C. Handy, the local musician many consider the “Father of the Blues.” It’s a favorite gathering place for local musicians, both amateur and professional, and hosts free concerts regularly.

Located just west of downtown Nashville, the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery is a 19th-century thoroughbred horse farm that now functions as a museum and culinary destination. Visit the Greek Revival mansion, which is filled with original furnishings and period antiques, to learn about its history and the Antebellum and Reconstruction eras, or stop by the on-site winery, the oldest in Nashville.

Go behind the scenes at the oldest registered distillery in the United States, Jack Daniel’s, which was founded in 1866. Learn the history behind the distillery that’s emblematic of Southern culture and find out how the legendary old No. 7 whiskey is made, right at the source.

The historic RCA Studio B is where Nashville’s legendary music scene began, making it a must-see for lovers of country music and its history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Tennessee studio is credited as being the epicenter of Music City and the place where the Nashville Sound originated. Visit the studio where thousands of songs—including many platinum hits—were recorded on a tour from the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Nashville might be best known for its country music, but the Schermerhorn Symphony Center holds its own against iconic venues such as the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry. Home to the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony, it’s proof that Nashville’s musical legacy covers all genres.

Located on Memphis’s legendary Beale Street (famous for its melting pot of music genres), Memphis Music Hall of Fame pays tribute to the stars who’ve shaped modern music—including Otis Redding, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, and Elvis Presley. On a visit to the museum, you can see unique memorabilia, rare video performances, and interviews.

With a history dating back to 1879, Hatch Show Print is one of the oldest continually working letterpress print shops in the country. A Nashville icon, Hatch Show Print is known for its distinctive use of bold colors, hand-carved type, and eye-catching imagery, and has produced show and concert posters for performers of all types.

If you've not had any luck when it comes to meeting your favorite musician, a visit to Madame Tussauds Nashville might be the next best thing. Marvel at true-to-life wax likenesses of music legends, interact with the figures, and snap great selfies with celebs such as Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, and Keith Urban.

The Ernest Tubb Record Store has been in business since 1947, when it was founded by Grand Ole Opry star, Ernest Tubb. Visit the one-stop shop to browse or purchase country, bluegrass, and gospel music, records, and memorabilia. The shop in historic downtown Nashville also offers works by contemporary and classic artists.

No trip to Memphis, Tennessee—often called the birthplace of rock and roll—would be complete without learning about its music history, and the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum is just the place. Originally a Smithsonian Institute research project, the collection focuses not only on the music itself, but also the artists and socio-economic and racial struggles that led to its creation.

Victorian Village, an historic neighborhood once known as Millionaire’s Row, is lined with grand mansions dating back to the mid to late 1800s. Some of these Victorian-era estates, including the Mallory Neely House, James Lee House, and Woodruff-Fontaine House, have been converted into museums, inns, and even a nightlife hot spot.

Step inside one of Pigeon Forge’s standout attractions at the Titanic Museum, where the story and design of the RMS Titanic are on full display. Get a glimpse of first-class life at the full-scale Grand Staircase before exploring more than 400 artifacts recovered from the wreckage. Interactive elements let guests steer the ship, sit in lifeboats, and feel the temperatures of the icy North Atlantic—ultimately understanding the Titanic's final hours in a truly tangible way.

Situated in Nashville’s Riverfront Park, Fort Nashborough was where James Robertson and his band of settlers founded the city back in 1780. While the original fort—built to defend the first families from Native American attacks—is gone, the site currently has a smaller replica of what the original might have looked like.

Court Square, a National Historic Place, is a 2-acre urban plaza in downtown Memphis. It is the only of the city’s four original parks still unchanged. Planned in 1819, the Hebe Fountain was donated in 1876 as the park’s centerpiece. Today, the shady gazebo and benches are still a popular gathering spot for locals.

Located on Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville, Honky Tonk Central is a renowned multilevel live music venue known for its lively atmosphere and regular country music schedule. With three stories of performance space, great drinks, and Southern food specialties such as barbecue sandwiches and fried pickle chips, it draws packed crowds day and night, and is always a fun place to come.

It makes sense that Nashville, often called Music City, is home to a Hard Rock Cafe. Opened in 1994, Hard Rock Cafe Nashville boasts a 378-seat restaurant, open-air terrace, signature Hard Rock shop, and concert venue. Like the other franchise locations, it features loads of music memorabilia and serves up classic American fare.

A. Schwab is a historic general store founded in Memphis in 1874. It’s located on the famous thoroughfare Beale Street and opened its doors 30 years after Beale Street was established. Today, it’s the last remaining original store on Beale Street, acting as one of the oldest existing 19th-century landmarks in the city.

Dollywood® is more than a theme park—it’s a full-on celebration of the Smoky Mountains’ spirit, blending top thrills with Appalachian culture, music, and hospitality. Set against a backdrop of rolling hills, the park pairs adrenaline-pumping rides with live performances and Southern comfort food. Whether you’re chasing big roller coasters, eager to try the cinnamon bread, or curious to learn more about Dolly Parton’s legacy, Dollywood is a must-visit in Pigeon Forge.

For a rejuvenating stroll through manicured gardens, head to Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, a 1930s estate just a stone's throw from downtown Nashville. Enjoy the extensive gardens, and visit the exhibition galleries and contemporary sculptures at this art hub.

Discover the story of soul music at the historic home of Stax Records, now the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The museum lays out the legacy of one of soul music’s top record labels while also unraveling the evolution of soul music in America. Along the way, discover the backstory of artists ranging from Otis Redding to Aretha Franklin.

Music, art, wildlife, and outdoor recreation collide at Overton Park, Memphis’ 342-acre (138-hectare) public park. It draws both locals and visitors looking to relax, explore, picnic, or see where Elvis Presley performed in 1954, in what is considered to be the first ever rock ‘n’ roll show.

Part of what was once Memphis’ Millionaire Row, the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum lies on Adams Avenue, and its inside is even more impressive than its brick-layered French Victorian exterior, complete with high windows. The 5-story mansion was restored to its glory in 1962 with red-carpeted staircases, extravagantly crafted chandeliers, intricate wood carvings, and antique period pieces that make a self-guided visit well worth it.

The Gaylord Opryland Resort, known to many as the Opryland Hotel, is practically a destination all on its own. The grounds of this resort and convention center in the heart of Nashville include nine acres of indoor gardens, climate-controlled glass atriums, and even an indoor river that visitors can navigate on a Delta flatboat.

Billed as an “Odditorium,” this three-story museum—one of 28 “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!” collections worldwide—is dedicated to all things wacky and weird. From a replica of Hogwarts constructed from 6,000 matchsticks to a shark-shaped sculpture crafted from a salvaged jet fuel tank (and most controversially, over 100 Jivaroan shrunken heads, known as tsantsas), you’ll find hundreds of artifacts related to history, art, travel, and pop culture across more than a dozen themed galleries.