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8 of the top places to see
- Dollywood
- Ruby Falls
- Beale Street Historic District
- Country Music Hall of Fame
- Tennessee Aquarium
- Great Smoky Mountains
- The World's Largest Guitar
- Graceland
It's the birthplace of country music. It's the home of Moon Pies. It's the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. It's everything that makes Tennessee, well…Tennessee. A great way to explore the state is by traveling Tennessee's back roads and byways. Visit the Volunteer State to celebrate music history, country idols and the great outdoors. Here are some top spots to check out during your travels.
Family fun at its finest! Country crooner Dolly Parton transformed her hometown of Pigeon Forge into the state's number one attraction. Tucked away in the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is enclosed with a roaring background of rides, water excursions and live entertainment.
New for 2011 is Dollywood's new high-flying ride, Barnstormer. Also, from March 26-May 2, experience Dollywood's Festival of Nations—a celebration of music, dance, food and art—a true feast for all your senses.
For over 75 years the Falls have remained a prime vacation destination. Visit Chattanooga to see a natural wonder like no other. In Lookout Mountain lies a thundering 145-foot underground waterfall. Estimated to be over 30 million years old, Ruby Falls is one of the deepest commercial caves in the world.
Grab your sense of adventure and take a guided tour of the Falls to explore rock formations and geological wonders. Throughout the year, special events shake things up at Ruby Falls. From Racin' @ Ruby—the Falls' salute to NASCAR—to lantern tours available on select dates throughout the year, come see the Falls in a different light.
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3. Beale Street Historic District
With the bright lights, harmonious tunes and rich history, Beale Street beckons visitors year-round. Kick back on a lane where legendary greats have showcased their talents throughout the years. The likes of B.B. King, Rufus Thomas and Isaac Hayes have all made music history along Beale Street.
Downtown Memphis is where you want to be. Stroll along the street that is home to three blocks of pulsating entertainment. There's never a dull moment along Beale Street, which is chockful of restaurants, galleries, specialty shops and nightclubs.
The late, the great—this is where country music history meets its fate. Spend the day browsing the various exhibits. Peruse the historic instruments played by some of your favorite musicians, see the rare lyric sheets and, of course, the memorabilia of today's and yesterday's artists.
The Country Music Hall of Fame is a music legacy displaying iconic country music pieces. The original museum opened on April 1, 1967, and on May 17, 2001, the new $37 million facility opened just a mere 10 blocks away from the original. It's only in Nashville where you can find all your country idols and the evolving history of country music.
Ten thousand animals, a 3-D IMAX movie theater and the River Gorge Explorer all make the Tennessee Aquarium a must-see. Dive into the fun in downtown Chattanooga with butterflies, penguins, beautiful reef fish and even a prehistoric-looking sturgeon. When you've met all the aquarium's residents, sit back and relax in its IMAX theater. This six-story movie arena features clear 3-D images with state-of-the-art sound. Then step outside the aquarium into a true natural habitat. Hop on the River Gorge Explorer for a high-speed ride around Chattanooga. Take in the sights and sounds as an aquarium naturalist points out the local wildlife and nearby points of interest.
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Whether you're an experienced hiker or simply want to explore the sights by foot—over 800 miles of trails welcome visitors at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Camping is extremely popular in the area, as well as fishing, picnicking and viewing the wildlife. Around 1,500 bears live throughout the park, as well as deer and elk. The great thing about the park is it provides a sanctuary for its natural inhabitants to reside protected. And no trip to the park would be complete without taking in the sights of the wildflower diversity. Known as the "Wildflower National Park," over 1,660 kinds of beautiful flowering plants can be found.
Chances are that your Tennessee travels will take you to I-81 in Bristol. The good news is that an instrumental landmark awaits! The World's Largest Guitar once advertised the now-closed Grand Guitar Museum. Today, it stands honoring Bristol as the official Birthplace of Country Music. This 70-foot-long guitar can be seen from I-81. Snap some photos for your travel scrapbook of Roadside Americana at its finest.
A visit to Tennessee wouldn't be complete without exploring the roots of rock and roll. Welcome to Graceland, home to the King.
Elvis Presley's sprawling 13.8-acre estate is open to the public, and Elvis fanatics come from all over the world to see where Elvis called home. Graceland presents a personal tale of one of the most celebrated entertainers in the world—from his humble beginnings to his unparalleled rise. Graceland is the second-most visited home in the nation—behind only the White House.
This spring, explore all the state has to offer—just don't forget your peanut butter and banana sandwiches.