Top Tennessee Travel Destinations
Tennessee travel destinations are almost too numerous to list. Many are well-known, like Gatlinburg, the Great Smoky Mountains, Opry Mills, and Ober Mountain. However, Tennessee has some hidden gems like the Blue Bird Cafe Nashville, the Market Square Knoxville, and the many mountain towns that can only be reached by winding two lanes.
Follow along for the top ten travel destinations in Tennessee.
1). Gatlinburg
It’s arguably the most-visited town in the entire American South! Gatlinburg is a major travel destination, and one can see why.
A gateway community to the Great Smoky Mountains and home to shops, boutiques, restaurants, theme parks, outdoor excursions, and recreation sites where the whole family can have fun, Gatlinburg combines urban comforts with proximity to the East Tennessee wilderness.
2). Great Smoky Mountains National Park
One can’t mention Gatlinburg without also mentioning Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As the National Park Service puts it: “Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park.”
3). Ocoee River and Lake Ocoee
Famous for some of the best white water rafting opportunities in North America, the Ocoee River in the Cherokee National Forest draws visitors from all across the country to take guided rafting tours down the river.
The Ocoee is 93 miles long, flowing northwestward from the Appalachian mountains in Tennessee down to the foothills and lowlands to the west. Also located in the Cherokee National Forest, Lake Ocoee offers a range of fun outdoor water activities. From rafting to lakeside cabin rentals, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, and houseboat summer living, Lake Ocoee has everything that the southern-bound lake and river enthusiast could ask for.
4). Opry Mills and the Grand Ole Opry
Opry Mills and the Grand Ole Opry combine to make the state’s largest music venue and shopping center.
Historic and iconic in every way, this center for music, entertainment, dining, and shopping is a big part of what built Nashville into the international city it is today.
5). Bluebird Café Nashville
Welcome to the Bluebird Cafe, one of the most well-known spots in Nashville where you can grab a bite to eat and listen to great music.
The restaurant offers a fantastic menu selection, and the cozy cafe hosts live music and other entertainment events. The Bluebird Cafe has a particular niche for featuring songwriters. The cafe gives the writers behind the nation’s greatest songs a chance to come forward and make their voices heard.
6). The Zoo Nashville
People don’t typically think of the zoo when they think of Nashville, and that’s part of what makes the Nashville Zoo a hidden gem.
The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is a zoological garden and historic plantation farmhouse six miles southeast of Downtown Nashville. As of 2014, the zoo was middle Tennessee’s top-paid attraction and contained 6,230 individual animals, encompassing 339 species.
7). Market Square Knoxville
Home to incredibly popular markets, restaurants, and shops, Market Square Knoxville boasts a vibrant environment with a variety of unique entertainment, shopping, and dining options in and around the Square.
Its ever-changing landscape is home to outdoor concerts, festivals, and more, making it a top destination for Tennessee travelers.
8). Mountain Towns in Tennessee
One of the best mountain towns in Tennessee is Pigeon Forge. Just 20 minutes from Gatlinburg, it’s a must-see for anyone traveling in east Tennessee. According to the locals who run the city’s travel bureau, “At Pigeon Forge, a moment can last a lifetime. For generations, visitors have returned to explore our little mountain town in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. As a year-round family-friendly vacation destination, Pigeon Forge is filled with fun activities. From thrilling attractions and award-winning shows to countless options for dining, shopping and places to stay, it’s easy to see why so many consider Pigeon Forge their home away from home.”
9). Cummins Falls State Park, One of the Best Places to Visit in Tennessee
One of the most-visited attractions in Tennessee, Cummins Falls State Park features a beautiful, intricate waterfall system and river.
The large waterfall pours over terraced rock faces, finally spilling into a deep pool below. A must-see in the summertime, visitors from all across Tennessee and the surrounding states travel to the park to hike down to the falls and swim in its warm, clear waters.
10). Broadway, One of the Best Things to Do in Nashville, Tennessee
The list, of course, won’t be complete without mentioning Broadway! While Broadway offers incredible sights and sounds at all hours of the day or night, this iconic Nashville street is best experienced at sunset.
Check out the honkey tonks, get some great food, beverages, and apparel, and sing along to your favorite tunes!
So Many Great Places to Visit in Tennessee
One could spend an entire summer traveling and never leave the state of Tennessee while still seeing a cool new place each day. Many of these travel destinations are out of this world, even underground! For example, Tennessee is home to Ruby Falls, the tallest underground waterfall in the U.S., which stands at 145 feet. The state also houses the country’s largest underground lake, known as the Lost Sea, and Tennessee features more than 9,200 caves and caverns, more than any other state.
Above ground, Tennessee has world-class live music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences in every major town and city, charming communities, and innovative and classic culinary creations in Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and beyond. Tennessee also has renowned scenic beauty and outdoor adventure, centered at the crossroads of rich history and the unrivaled hospitality known worldwide as “Southern Charm.”
Tennessee has been home to Anderson Design Group since 1993, and much of our poster art, vintage art, retro designs, and original illustrations reflect our love for Tennessee. Check out our American Travel, Spirit of Nashville, Knoxville, and Southern Delight collections to find the perfect souvenir for your trip!
Here’s to a great summer of Tennessee vacations and travel destinations!
-Ren Brabenec
Anderson Design Group Staff Writer
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