Tennessee, the birthplace of iconic music legends like Dolly Parton, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin, is a vibrant state rich in music, cuisine, festivals, and outdoor adventures. Gather friends or family for a road trip or fly-drive getaway, where each stop is a wonder to discover. In Tennessee, the next adventure is yours to uncover.
Step Back in Time
History in Tennessee is alive and immersive, with re-enactments, museums, and sites that tell the story of its past. Tennessee’s Civil War Trails provide a closer look at the state’s Civil War legacy. The 15 stops is on the Civil Rights trail - featuring fifteen stops honouring the men and women who shaped the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Follow in their footsteps from Memphis to Nashville, ending in Clinton to learn about Tennessee’s significant role in the Civil Rights movement. Follow in their footsteps from Memphis to Nashville, ending in Clinton to learn about Tennessee’s significant role in the movement. In Nashville, the Tennessee State Museum offers a deep dive into the state’s history and free admission, while the Abraham Lincoln Library & Museum in Harrogate provides a rich look at Tennessee’s broader historical impact on both state and American history.
Music and Festivals
Experience the sound of Tennessee’s legendary music scene, where today’s greats and tomorrow’s legends take the stage. From the iconic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to the Graceland Soundstage at Elvis Presley’s Memphis Museum, music history comes alive in every performance. Annual music festivals include Big Ears in Knoxville which takes place in March and CaveJam in the Caverns in Pelham in May . For another unforgettable experience, visit the Tina Turner Museum in Brownsville, dedicated to the legendary artist’s incredible life and legacy - a brilliant experience for all ages. Discover the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol.
Outdoor Adventure
Tennessee’s great outdoors is filled with stunning landscapes and unforgettable experiences. Explore the state's fifty-two cycling routes, such as the Rock Island Loop or the scenic Cummins Falls route, ideal for nature enthusiasts and cyclists alike. For thrill-seekers, whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River offers unbeatable rapids just a few hours from Knoxville. Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee’s largest city-owned park, provides family-friendly fun with hiking trails, animal habitats, and even a ropes course with a 300-foot zipline. Tennessee’s natural wonders promise lasting memories.
Road Trips
Take a road trip across Tennessee to uncover hidden gems and must-see spots in the state’s counties. The Promised Land Trail offers scenic drives through quaint small towns and rural communities filled with wineries, local restaurants, and outdoor activities throughout Nashville. For music lovers, the Cotton Junction Trail in West Tennessee blends music heritage, history, and nature for an unforgettable road trip experience through Memphis. Explore the Waterfalls and Other Secrets of the Cumberland Plateau during a Tennessee summer, where you will find beautiful overlooks, classic swimming holes, cool coves, and secret hikes. Alternatively explore East Tennessee through Chattanooga and Knoxville where you will come across gorges and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Tennessee’s sports culture is electrifying, from NFL games to minor league baseball. Catch the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville from August through December, feel the intensity of the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena from October to April, or cheer on the Memphis Grizzlies in NBA action at FedExForum, also from October to April. Catch the exitements of a Volunteers college football game in Knoxville. Racing fans won’t want to miss Bristol Motor Speedway, renowned for its thrilling NASCAR short track and action-packed events all year round.
Tennessee Whiskey
No visit to Tennessee is complete without savouring its iconic whiskey. The Tennessee Whiskey Trail leads you through the state’s distilleries, where you can experience authentic Tennessee flavours. Start at Short Mountain Distillery in Woodbury for traditional Tennessee Whiskey and Moonshine, then head to Lynchburg, home of the world-renowned Jack Daniel’s distillery. In Shelbyville, visit Nearest Green Distillery to taste Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, which honours Nearest Green, the first-known African American master distiller.
Plan your Tennessee adventure with America As You Like It today. Call 020 8742 8299 to start your journey!