Music and Cultural Icons (1-20)Tennessee’s musical legacy is legendary, with Nashville as the epicenter of country music and Memphis as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and blues.
- Catch a live show at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville – the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history.
- Tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville to dive into the stories behind the stars.
- Visit the Ryman Auditorium, the “Mother Church of Country Music,” for a historic concert or guided tour.
- Stroll down Lower Broadway in Nashville for honky-tonk hopping and live music at spots like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.
- Explore Graceland in Memphis, Elvis Presley’s iconic mansion and final resting place.
- Record your own track at Sun Studio in Memphis, where legends like Johnny Cash and Elvis got their start.
- Walk Beale Street in Memphis for blues clubs, street performers, and vibrant nightlife.
- Attend a performance at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, a beautifully restored vaudeville palace.
- Visit the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville to see artifacts from the Man in Black’s life.
- Tour the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville honoring session players and producers.
- Experience the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis for a poignant history lesson.
- See the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis, celebrating Otis Redding and Booker T. & the M.G.’s.
- Join a guided music history tour in Nashville’s Printer’s Alley for hidden gems and stories.
- Visit the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville for exhibits on the state’s cultural evolution.
- Catch the Duck March at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis – a quirky daily tradition since the 1930s.
- Explore the Museum of African American Music in Nashville for insights into Black musical contributions.
- Attend the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival near Manchester for world-class acts and camping vibes.
- Visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol to learn about the 1927 Bristol Sessions.
- Tour Historic RCA Studio B in Nashville, where hits by Elvis and Dolly Parton were recorded.
- Experience the Rossini Opera Festival in Knoxville for a taste of classical music in an unexpected setting.
Outdoor Adventures and Natural Wonders (21-50)With the Appalachian Mountains, rivers, and parks galore, Tennessee is an outdoor paradise.
- Hike to Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for panoramic views.
- Drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Gatlinburg for waterfalls and wildlife sightings.
- Watch synchronous fireflies light up the night in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Raft the Ocoee River for thrilling whitewater adventures near Chattanooga.
- Explore Cades Cove in the Smokies for historic cabins, biking, and bear spotting.
- Hike to Laurel Falls, an easy trail with a stunning 80-foot waterfall in the Smokies.
- Zipline through the treetops at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg for aerial views.
- Kayak or paddleboard on the Cumberland River in Nashville.
- Visit Cummins Falls State Park for swimming in a gorge waterfall near Cookeville.
- Bike the Shelby Bottoms Greenway in Nashville for urban nature trails.
- Go caving at Tuckaleechee Caverns in Townsend, one of the largest cave systems in the East.
- Hike the Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte in the Smokies for epic vistas.
- Fish for trout in the tailwaters of the Tennessee River.
- Birdwatch at Reelfoot Lake State Park, a unique earthquake-formed wetland.
- Horseback ride through Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
- Camp under the stars at Fall Creek Falls State Park, home to Tennessee’s tallest waterfall.
- Parasail over Dale Hollow Lake for breathtaking aerial perspectives.
- Rock climb at Obed Wild and Scenic River near Crossville.
- Stroll the Big River Crossing pedestrian bridge in Memphis for Mississippi River views.
- Explore the Wolf River for canoeing and sandy beaches near Memphis.
- Hike to Rainbow Falls in the Smokies, a 5.4-mile trail with a colorful cascade.
- Go hang gliding at Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga.
- Visit Burgess Falls State Park for a series of dramatic waterfalls.
- Mountain bike the trails at Raccoon Mountain near Chattanooga.
- Swim in the natural pools at Rock Island State Park.
- Observe wildlife at Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, feeding zebras from your car.
- Paddle the Harpeth River Scenic Float near Nashville.
- Hike the Fiery Gizzard Trail in South Cumberland State Park for rugged beauty.
- Stargaze at Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, a dark-sky preserve.
- Go spelunking in the Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater, America’s largest underground lake.
Historical and Educational Sites (51-65)Delve into Tennessee’s rich past, from Civil War battlefields to presidential homes.
- Tour The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s plantation home near Nashville.
- Visit Shiloh National Military Park for Civil War history and reenactments.
- Explore Fort Donelson National Battlefield near Dover.
- See the Parthenon replica in Nashville’s Centennial Park, a full-scale Athenian wonder.
- Tour Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville for bourbon history and horse farms.
- Visit the James White’s Fort in Knoxville, the city’s founding site.
- Explore the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge with interactive exhibits.
- Walk the grounds of Carnton Plantation in Franklin, site of a major Civil War battle.
- Visit the Lotz House Museum in Franklin for Civil War artifacts.
- Tour the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville.
- See the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga for vintage train rides.
- Explore the Casey Jones Village and Museum in Jackson, honoring the legendary railroad engineer.
- Visit the Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton for civil rights history.
- Tour the Blount Mansion in Knoxville, home of Tennessee’s territorial governor.
- Learn at the East Tennessee History Center in Knoxville.
Food, Drink, and Festivals (66-80)Savor Tennessee’s BBQ, whiskey, and seasonal celebrations.
- Taste Memphis-style dry-rub BBQ at Central BBQ or Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous.
- Tour the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg for whiskey sampling (dry county, so no drinks on site).
- Sample hot chicken at Prince’s or Hattie B’s in Nashville.
- Attend the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg.
- Sip moonshine at Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg.
- Eat farm-to-table at Husk in Nashville.
- Join the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in Memphis.
- Tour George Dickel Distillery in Tullahoma.
- Indulge in Goo Goo Clusters at their Nashville shop.
- Attend the CMA Music Festival in Nashville for country stars and fan events.
- Sample craft beers at Yazoo Brewery in Nashville.
- Eat soul food at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in Memphis.
- Visit the Chattanooga Market for local produce and artisan goods.
- Try Tennessee whiskey trail stops like Prichard’s Distillery.
- Attend the Tomato Art Fest in Nashville’s East Side.
Family-Friendly and Theme Park Fun (81-90)Perfect for kids and the young at heart.
- Ride roller coasters at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Dolly Parton’s theme park.
- Visit the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere for animal encounters and playgrounds.
- Explore Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg.
- Play at the Children’s Museum of Memphis.
- Ride the coasters at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
- Visit the Adventure Science Center in Nashville for interactive exhibits.
- See penguins at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.
- Explore the Knoxville Zoo.
- Play mini-golf and go-karts in Pigeon Forge.
- Visit the Memphis Botanic Garden for family-friendly gardens and play areas.
Unique and Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences (91-100)For those seeking something extraordinary.
- See the Parthenon at night in Nashville for illuminated Greek architecture.
- Explore the Crystal Shrine Grotto in Memphis, a man-made cave with biblical scenes.
- Visit the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Gatlinburg, a quirky collection of over 20,000 items.
- Tour the Bell Witch Cave in Adams for haunted folklore.
- See the Sunsphere in Knoxville, a remnant of the 1982 World’s Fair.
- Explore the Underground Nashville art scene in abandoned tunnels.
- Visit the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park for pioneer history.
- Attend a drive-in movie at the Stardust in Watertown.
- Explore the Forbidden Caverns in Sevierville for underground wonders.
- Watch a sunset baseball game with the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park.
Tennessee’s blend of urban excitement and natural serenity makes it a must-visit destination. Plan your trip around these highlights, and don’t forget to check local updates for seasonal events. Safe travels!