Tennessee attractions

Pigeon Forge visitors looking for dinner and a show won't be disappointed with the live musical performances at the Grand Majestic Theater. Choose from three tribute shows, which cover genres ranging from Motown to country, and upgrade your ticket to include an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner before the show.

The permanent collection at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville tells the story of this part of the American South—from prehistoric times to the present day. The main space is split into seven exhibitions, including First Peoples and The Civil War and Reconstruction. Rotating exhibitions have included artwork from Japanese museums, the original Emancipation Proclamation, and photos of Memphis-born Elvis Presley.

Located on the southern end of Mud Island—which is actually a peninsula between the Mississippi River and Wolf River Harbor—Mud Island River Park is a gathering place that is home to a museum, an amphitheater, water features, and outdoor spaces perfect for picnicking and admiring views of the river and the Memphis skyline.

Located in Nashville, the Patsy Cline Museum celebrates the life and career of the country music legend. The museum holds the largest collection of items related to the singer and includes hundreds of never-before-seen artifacts, personal belongings, costumes, furniture, and memorabilia, along with rare video footage.

Known for hosting live music tribute shows, the Main Event Theater is conveniently located on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. At a show you get to rewind through country music history with Conway Twitty covers, blast through rock and roll's past with an Elvis impersonator, and revisit Las Vegas with the music of Neil Diamond and Tom Jones.

Set along the picturesque Cumberland River waterfront, Nashville’s Cumberland Park offers visitors 6.5 acres (2.6 hectares) of outdoor fun and activities, especially for travelers with small children. You can spend an afternoon enjoying the green space and cooling off at the splash pad, or see it as part of a sightseeing tour that covers Nashville monuments and attractions.

Fun for all ages, the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is home to more than 3,700 animals representing upwards of 350 species from across the world—as well as a 4D theater, zip line experience, zoo train, carousel, and playground featuring a 35-foot-tall (10.6-meter-tall) tree house. Visit the habitats and veterinary center or book a behind-the-scenes experience to get up close to your favorite animals, plus tour the grand on-site Grassmere Historic Home.

Uncover a treasure trove at Historic Travellers Rest Plantation & Museum, a storied property with origins as a Native American village and a role in the Civil War. The 1799 home and historic buildings are open for you to stroll the lush grounds and take a guided tour that's rich in Tennessee history.

Visitors to the Red Skelton Tribute Theater can enjoy one of the two long-running shows: Brian Hoffman's Red Skelton tribute, which recreates the beloved comedian’s characters and skits from radio and television, or musician Patty Waszak’s variety show, which includes standards and rock favorites performed on a variety of instruments.

Not for the faint of heart, the Mysterious Mansion takes the idea of a haunted house to the nines—and not just because it’s open year-round. A 3-story Victorian mansion with creaking stairways and secret passages, plus plenty of gore, fog machines, and strobe lights, it’s the live actors delighting in frighting that will truly send a chill down your spine.

Near Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ruby Falls is a series of underground waterfalls deep inside Lookout Mountain. You descend almost 300 feet (90 meters) by a glass-fronted elevator during a trek down into ancient caves to see the waterfall. Tickets for tours often sell out quickly; buy them online if you have a particular day and time you want to visit.

A rolling museum of rail history that gave the world the Chattanooga Choo Choo, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers the chance for families, rail fans, photographers, and history buffs to experience Appalachia in style. Its lovingly restored retro locomotives run local and scenic routes.

Almost as impressive as the original Parthenon in Greece, the Nashville Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the former temple in the center of Centennial Park. Not only is it a Music City hot spot, but inside lies a 42-foot (13-meter) sculpture of the goddess Athena, plus the James M. Cowan Collection of American Art paintings and original Parthenon Marbles from the 1920s.

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the legacy of the musical genres—including blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, and hip-hop—created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. The museum’s six galleries feature artifacts, objects, memorabilia, clothing, and technology that combine to offer visitors a look at how African-American music set the tone for the country’s soundtrack.

Nestled deep in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains lies the beautiful Roaring Fork Motor Trail, a scenic 5.5-mile (8.8-kilometer) loop that winds past cascading waterfalls, historic log cabins, and the Roaring Fork Stream. The quiet and peaceful setting brings people from all walks of life.

The Museum of the Cherokee People is home to vibrant displays that tell the story of the Cherokees, from their paleo ancestry to their current lifestyles. Far more than an exhibit of artifacts, the museum keeps the tribe’s culture alive through education, events, and traditional gatherings.

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 in Williamson County south of Nashville, Arrington Vineyards hosts wine tasting experiences amid 95 acres (38 hectares) of classic Tennessee countryside. Centered around rolling vineyards, the winery offers visitors food-and-wine pairings, live music, a wine shop, picnic tables, and more.

Tucked away in the Tennessee portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the valley of Cades Cove is one of the park’s most-loved destinations thanks to its scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and plentiful wildlife. Once a Cherokee hunting ground, the area is home to white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, and wild turkeys.

One of the most popular family attractions in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is home to more than 10,000 sea creatures across 350 individual species. Different oceanic habitats, a 340-foot (104-meter) underwater tunnel, interactive features, and live shows make it one of the top-rated aquariums in the country.

Found in Pigeon Forge, one of the US’ most family-friendly destinations, the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster is one of the longest coasters in East Tennessee. It takes you on a 9-minute ride past stunning Smoky Mountain scenery, with 360-degree turns and tunnels along the way. It’s a thrilling experience for ages three and older.

It’s all about the photos you’ll take at the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center Pigeon Forge, which is one of the only wax museums featuring just celebrities. From George Clooney, Tom Hanks, and Michael Jackson to Maryin Monroe, Sandra Bullock, and, of course, Smoky Mountain’s own Dolly Parton, use provided photo props to snap your pics with the A-list wax figures during a self-guided experience.

Rising high above the Gatlinburg skyline, the Space Needle offers 360-degree views of the city and surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. Soak in the scenery as you ride a glass elevator to the 407-foot (124-metre) high observation deck to take panoramic photos and explore educational exhibits about Gatlinburg history.

Hilo’s Rainbow Falls is a real-life Hawaiian postcard. This waterfall sits at the top of the Wailuku River on the Big Island of Hawaii. As it cascades down, the mist and sun create rainbows near it at certain times of the day. Unlike other Hawaiian paradises, the paved trail up to it makes it accessible to almost anyone.

Resembling a large golden disco ball perched on a giant scaffold, the Sunsphere is one of the more popular attractions in Knoxville, famed for its 360-degree views stretching out to the Great Smoky Mountains. This 26-story structure was built for the 1982 World’s Fair and has been the quirkiest feature of Knoxville’s skyline ever since.

The coaster at Goats on the Roof takes riders through the Tennessee forest at 30 mph (50 kmph). But since you’re the one who gets to pull the brake—the carts only fit one or two people—you get to decide your speed. At just a foot or so off the ground, the coaster traces the hillsides, offering fast-paced, up-close views of Smoky Mountain nature you can’t get anywhere else.

One of the most popular historic attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont Ghost Town gives you a taste of what life was like in the Appalachian Mountains more than a century ago. See how the area transformed from a logging camp to a resort town for Knoxville’s elite, plus visit the fully restored clubhouse and eclectic 20th-century cabins that are still standing today.

The Foothills Parkway stretches for 72 miles (115 kilometers) through Tennessee, but less than a third of it is actually open to the public—only 22.5 miles (36 kilometers) are driveable, and the rest has been under construction since 1944. As expected, the three finished segments have far fewer visitors than other roadways, making the Foothills Parkway a quieter, more relaxed route through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

When the rain or snow hits Gatlinburg, there’s one place to head: Wild Bear Falls Water Park. A heated indoor attraction—though the roof is retractable for warm, sunny days—this splashy locale is fun for the whole family, with mountain-themed thrills, spills, and falls taking over 60,000 square feet (5,600 square meters). Think waterslides, a lazy river, hot tubs, and more.

Located in the quaint village of Lynnville (population 287) one hour south of Nashville by car, this small-batch distillery (formerly known as Tenn South Distillery) gives visitors behind-the-scenes looks at aged whiskey production. Discover quirky specialties like Peach Pie Moonshine and browse the on-site gift shop featuring spirits and local treats. Expect a warm welcome and complimentary tastings.