Tennessee is a beautiful state that has something to offer for everyone. Whether you’re an adventurer, history and art lover, water sports enthusiast, or food lover- this state is full of picturesque landscapes, rich culture and heritage landmarks, and entertainment hubs. You won’t regret spending your next vacation in Tennessee. But, to have the best experience, you must know what to do and what places to visit. Here are the ten most entertaining things to do in Tennessee.
Grand Ole Opry — Nashville
Nashville is the heart of country music, and Grand Ole Opry is a haven for live music. If you and your family are music lovers, you can’t miss the variety of live shows, tour options, and much more entertainment this place has to offer. You can check their website for a list of the shows and plan your visit accordingly. The stage has featured performances by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and many more. It also offers theater tours to have an interactive experience to meet artists and explore its building, including backstage.
The Comedy Barn – Pigeon Forge
Celebrating 28 years of success, The Comedy Barn is one of the longest-running comedy theaters globally. It’s the place where families and friends enjoy clean comedy and can share laughs and memories. When you visit this theater for shows in Pigeon Forge, you can expect to have unlimited fun while singing, dancing, juggling, etc. It is a must-visit place for comedy lovers and provides quality family-friendly entertainment.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a treasure trove for nature lovers and adventurers. It is full of dense forests, picturesque landscape, wild flora, cascading waterfalls, majestic mountains, and pristine streams. If you are interested in taking a break from city life and spending some time in lush green nature, this place is your calling. You can enjoy outdoor beauty with numerous fun activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, photography, and much more. You can also rent a cabin or campy in the open. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of Tennessee’s most popular and visited sites because of the recreational options scenic views available.
Forbidden Caverns — Sevierville
The Forbidden Caverns, one of the top places to explore in Tennessee, is a mesmerizing cave system located near the Smoky Mountains. This breathtaking place took thousands of years to form, and it gives a rare site to visitors. You can learn about the caverns’ history, watch a presentation, and explore the caves with guided tours.
Ijams Nature Center — Knoxville
The Ijams Nature Center, located in Knoxville, is a nature preserve filled with lush greenery and glimmering water. It offers rental facilities to the visitors to have fun and spend time in the breathtaking landscape. A variety of fun-filled activities make this place more entertaining. It offers swimming in pristine waters, hiking in the scenic trails, biking in the forest, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, stand-up paddle-boarding, and many other options.
Foster Falls — Sequatchie
While visiting Tennessee, be sure to include the Foster Falls recreation area in your list. It is a beautiful site with a 60-foot waterfall. If you plan to unwind and take in some fresh air in nature away from the big city hustle and bustle, you must go to the Foster Falls recreation area. You can have fun with family and friends while camping, hiking, picnic while grilling burgers and other feasts, and sharing stories.
The Island — Pigeon Forge
Do you like to enjoy rides along with your family members? Try the rides of the amusement park of the Island in Pigeon Forge. It is full of attractions for kids and adults, featuring rides, shops, restaurants. Your family would love to take thrilling rides, listen to live music, see dancing fountains, and enjoy shopping and fun games. The Island has rides for every age group, for example, a Ferris wheel, roller coasters, mirror maze, bumper cars, carousel, drop towers, and many more. You can also have fun while playing mini-golf, bowling, go-karting, skydiving, splashing in a water park, and gaming at an arcade.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum — Nashville
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is one of the largest museums of country music, founded in 1961. You can explore the richness of country music while visiting this museum. It features 500 musical instruments, a collection of 1,900 items of stage wear, and so much more. You can spend a couple of hours in this museum while visiting several galleries and exploring displays of the greatest country music singers of all time.
Titanic Museum — Pigeon Forge
If you’ve heard of the Titanic, you would want to add this to your itinerary. Dedicated to one of our history’s most famous tragedies, the Titanic Museum is home to artifacts and other memorabilia from the ship’s wreckage. Opened in 2010, the Titanic museum resembles the ship itself. The museum is the largest museum of its kind. You can visit more than twenty galleries of artifacts and trace the history of the tragedy. The museum also offers guided tours to give information about the tragic incident, its passengers, and the various memorabilia.
Tennessee Aquarium — Chattanooga
The Tennessee Aquarium, located in Chattanooga, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. Several visitors from across the country visit this aquarium to discover and explore the beauty of sea life. It is easily accessible and closely located to many other attractions, including hotels, restaurants, and shopping districts. You can see and get information about 12000 animals and 800 species at this aquarium. While visiting this site, you can also watch movies about nature.
Conclusion
The US is a vast country, and every state has unique attractions for people of all ages. So if you’re planning your next vacation, consider journeying across Tennessee. This article mentions several locations that should be part of your itinerary. Some of them are worth coming back to a second time.
