Tennessee is one of the hottest go-to destinations these days. Nash Vegas has become a term that is commonly used to describe Nashville’s Music City USA. But Nashville is just one portion of this great state.
I was fortunate enough to live in Franklin Tennessee from 1988-1996. When we moved to Franklin it was a small, charming town with only about 17,000 residents. Todays it is home to many music stars and has become a destination place for visitors to come, hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite music celebrities. But besides music, it is also a very historical part of Tennessee where the battle of Franklin took place. The beautiful Carnton Mansion Plantation stands as a reminder of the battle that took place during the civil war. You can take tours of the mansion and the grounds including the old slaves’ quarters. Ticket and Tour Information here: https://boft.org/carnton
Besides the Carnton Mansion there is also the Carter House and Lotz House nearby. You can take a tour as a package and learn the history of this area.
Besides the obvious civil war history, there is Music City USA which is a prime destination for tourists. Broadway has become a colorful array of attractions that will set your senses ablaze. Also known as Honkey Tonk Row or Lower Broad this is the heartbeat of the city. You can hop on the downtown trolley or stroll from bar to bar listening to some of the best music in the world. There is so much talent here if you’ve never been it will blow your mind how many amazing artists are out there yet to be discovered.
There is so much to see in Nashville and the surrounding areas that I will mention a few top places and the rest will be left to you to explore. Take a tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame, no visit to Nashville would be complete without seeing the history of every artist that has left his or her mark in the music industry. And no visit would be complete without a visit to the Grand ole’ Opry. Catch a concert at the Ryman Auditorium, visit the iconic Bluebird Cafe, or enjoy music and drinks at Tootsies Orchid lounge. Hear singers and writers performing their songs at the Listening Room Cafe or tour RCA Studio B. Stop by and see the Parthenon or spend a day at Arrington Vineyards. Like I said, the things to see and do are endless.
Grand Ole Opry Tickets and Information here: https://www.opry.com/
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Ticket and tour Information here: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/select-your-experience
Ryman Auditorium Ticket and tour Information here: https://www.ryman.com/tours
Bluebird Cafe Reservations here: https://bluebirdcafe.com/reservations/
If you want to explore the state, then Memphis needs to be a part of your itinerary. Memphis is the home of Elvis Presley and where Rock and roll got its start. Here a visit to Graceland should be at the top of your list, but there is a lot to see and do in this great city as well. Sun Studio founded by Sam Phillips became the birthplace of rock and roll with artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and so many others. Besides Sun Studios there was also Stax Records which became synonymous with the soulful sounds of Rythm and Blues producing hits from artists like Otis Redding, Isaac Hays and Booker T.
Graceland Ticket and tour Information here: https://www.graceland.com/ticket-information
Memphis also has its famous Beale Street. Lined with clubs and juke joints legendary performers like B.B. King, Louis Armstrong and others honed their craft to create the sounds that have gone down in history as their groundbreaking music was shared with the world. And we can’t forget a visit to the famous Peabody hotel to see the iconic Duck March which began back in the 1930s by Frank Schutt, the Peabody manager at that time, after returning from a hunting trip, he had a little too much Tennessee Jack Daniels and let their live duck decoys swim in the Peabody fountain. The rest is history.
Our next stop is the beautiful Smokey Mountains in East Tennessee bordering North Carolina. Here you can spend time in nature enjoying hiking, camping, fishing, or river rafting and if you’re looking for tourist activities you have come to the right place. There is Dollywood Amusement park, a country themed park with shows and entertainment, coasters, rides, arts, crafts and good southern food.
If you plan a visit to Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Area there are adventure parks, Alpine Coasters, aquariums, Museums,
dinner shows and plenty of variety and music shows for your entertainment. Plus, you may just get a chance to see some of the famous black bear that stroll right through town and often create a stir by going into some of the shops downtown. Keep your distance if you do, they are wild animals and no matter how cute they are they can be very dangerous.
Dollywood Tickets and hours of operation here: https://www.dollywood.com/
Our next stop is Chattanooga. Ride the incline railway up to lookout mountain where you can view seven states at once, or visit Ruby Falls home to the tallest underground falls open to the public in the U.S.
There are over ten thousand known caves in Tennessee and deep within Lookout Mountain is home to Ruby Falls.
You’ll descend 260 feet by glass front elevator into the cave exploring the scenic cavern trail on a guided walking tour through the stalagmites, stalactites and more, until you finally reach the falls which are lit up in a colorful light display creating a breathtakingly beautiful sight.
Ruby Falls Tickets and information here: https://www.rubyfalls.com/ticketing/
Another fun thing to do is take a tour of the famous Tennessee Jack Daniels Distillery. And be sure and make a reservation at Miss Mary Bobos Restaurant, some of the best southern dining you will ever put in your mouth, without a reservation you won’t get in.
Jack Daniels Distillery Tours and Information here: https://www.jackdaniels.com/visit-us/tours
Enjoy your visit to Tennessee, if you go once you will want to return again and again.
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