Tennessee is a unique state in that it shares a border with eight states. It is the home of country music, hillbilly music and many other styles. For the more than 5 million people living in this state, the mockingbird is the state bird and the iris is the state flower. Throughout the year it is the location of many national and international festivals, such as the Music Awards in Nashville, the Gatlinburg Rib Festival and the Saddle Up in Pigeon Forge.
More than half of this state is covered in forest and it was this that first attracted the pioneers, of whom Daniel Boone is the most famous. Its history goes much farther back having been explored by the Spanish explorer, Hernando de Soto, in 1540. The fur traders plied the rivers and streams trading with the local natives and in the late 1700's it was called the state of Franklin. It officially attained statehood in 1796.
Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry are on all itineraries to visitors in this state, as Elvis's mansion is in Memphis, Graceland. Memphis is also the barbecue capital with the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest held every May. Visit the city made famous through song - Chattanooga, where you can visit the Hudson Museum of Art and the largest freshwater aquarium in the world. If you want to take a trip into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you can start from either Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
Visit the homes of Davy Crockett, Alex Haley (the author of Roots) and Buford Pusser - the real life legend behind the Walking Tall movies. Shiloh National Park is the burial ground for many soldiers in the Civil War battle that took place here and in Brownsville, the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center has five main buildings housing all kinds of historical exhibits. Visit Dollywood, a major attraction in the state, created by a legend in the music world - Dolly Parton.
Along with touring museums, historic sites and homes, there are many golf courses in Tennessee as well as some of the best fishing and hunting in the country. Although there are four distinct seasons, this state generally has a mild climate all year round.
Tennessee Towns & Cities
Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is located in the central part of the state and is also the Country music capital of the world." Each year, Nashville hosts the CMA Music Festival, which brings thousands of country fans to the city. Another popular event is the Nashville Film Festival, which takes place each year for a week in April. It features hundreds of independent films and is one of the largest film festivals in the South. For something very country, each September, Nashville hosts the Tennessee State Fair at the State Fairgrounds. The State Fair lasts nine days and includes rides, exhibits, rodeos, tractor pulls, and numerous other shows and entertainment. Two popular tourist attractions are Fort Nashborough and Fort Negley. Fort Nashborough is a reconstruction of an early pioneer settlement. Fort Negley is a restored Civil War battle fort. The most impressive site in Nashville is The Parthenon, located in Centennial Park. Built in 1897, it is an exact full-scale replica of the original ancient Greek Parthenon in Athens.
Brentwood is in central Tennessee near Nashville. It is one of the wealthiest parts of the state and has many historical plantation estates. Brentwood is home to many Tennessee celebrities including: Dolly Parton, Vince Young, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Aaron Neville, Carrie Underwood, Niki Taylor, Kix Brooks, and Ronnie Dunn. The town is also known for its extensive park system. The Deerwood Arboretum and Nature Area has a full observation deck, outdoor classrooms, and an amphitheater. The most notable place to eat in Brentwood is Quails Restaurant, with grilled buffalo steak, alligator, cherry stuffed quail, and lobster tacos on the menu.
Columbia is located near Nashville in central Tennessee along the banks of the Duck River. Columbia is famous around the world as the location of Hannah Montana: The Movie. Every April, Columbia throws large a huge celebration for the Mule Day Festival, complete with mule themed fun and games, and of course a lot of mules. The Square Market & Café is a nice little restaurant tucked away in a downtown square. This is a great spot for lunch. Some of their signature dishes are the Cheesy Pasta Bake and the Polk Pear Salad, named after former resident US President James K. Polk. Polk's house is preserved in Columbia and open to visitors.
Clarksville is in northeast Tennessee, about 40 miles northwest of Nashville. The famous Roxy Theater is in downtown Clarksville. The Roxy has been used as for many photo shoots, films, documentaries, music videos and television commercials; including the music video for Sheryl Crow's Grammy-award winning song All I Wanna Do." Clarksville Museum and Cultural Center had exhibits on the history of the city and surrounding region, and is housed in a beautiful historic building built in 1898. Jimi Hendrix lived in Clarksville while he was stationed at Fort Campbell, located to the northwest of the city. The Black Horse Pub & Brewery is one of the most frequented restaurants, with great microbrews, pizza, and pub food. A popular item on the menu is the tortilla chips with beer cheese dip. Logan's Roadhouse Restaurant is a fun family restaurant where dinners eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. They have the best steaks in town.
Madison is a suburb of Nashville. Visitors can put their hands & feet in the footprints of Nashville stars and take pictures with more than fifty wax figures at Madison's Music Valley Wax Museum and Walkway of the Stars. Each May, Madison hosts the Bluegrass Festival which attracts thousands of visitors to enjoy the music, food, and entertainment. Woody's is a family owned restaurant which has been in Madison for 63 years. They have live piano music, excellent hand-cut steaks, homemade warm yeast rolls, and fresh salads. It is always crowded on Wednesdays for their 2-for-1 $20 filet mignon deal.
Paris is in northeast Tennessee, 86 miles west of Nashville. The most prominent attraction is a 60-foot scale model of the Eiffel Tower. It was constructed by Christian Brothers University in the early 1990s and is located in Memorial Park. Memorial Park also has tennis courts, a public Olympic-sized swimming pool, soccer fields, two walking trails, a children's playground with pavilions, and a newly constructed Frisbee golf course. On the weekend of the last full week of April each year, Paris hosts the World's Biggest Fish Fry" festival. Paris gets the largest catfish available and fries it up. There is also a parade, an art and craft fair, a rodeo and a fun fair.
Antioch is a neighborhood near Nashville. The Hickory Hollow Mall is a one million square foot shopping complex with over 150 stores. The Starwood Amphitheater is an outdoor music venue that hosts performances in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. The Bourbon Street Café has excellent Cajun style light fare. For drinks and classic Tennessee style barbeque, Cantina and BBQ is the place to go.
Sweetwater is located near Antioch in central Tennessee. The most interesting thing to do in Sweetwater is to take an amazing cave tour and boat ride at The Lost Sea, America's largest underground lake. It is a completely bizarre subterranean experience that will make you feel like you're taking a journey to the center of the earth. Sweetwater has some railcars and antiques, but nothing even comes close to the underground lake. There is nothing like it in the world. Bradley's Pit Bar-B-Q and Grill is a mom-and-pop restaurant with mouth-watering barbecue, fantastic service, and a $20 all you can eat rib deal that can't be beat. You choose between hot, sweet, or vinegar based sauces, or you can try all of them. The potatoes and slaw are made perfectly.
Lebanon is located in central Tennessee, east of Nashville. It is sometimes called "Cedar-City, referencing the abundance of cedar trees in the Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Art collectors may find a treasure at the McCullough's Art Gallery. The gallery is located in the heart of Lebanon's historic public square offering a wide selection of oils and prints by well-established and promising new artists. Race fans will enjoy the Nashville Superspeedway, located in Lebanon. It has a 1.33-mile concrete track that features two NASCAR Busch Series races, IRL Racing, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and more. Modeled after the 1900-era country store, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store serves hearty Tennessee meals of such comfort foods as meatloaf, homemade chicken & dumplings, and biscuits made from scratch. The retail store features 2,700 gift items.
True to its name, the city of Centerville is located in central Tennessee, not far from Nashville. There is a rich musical history to the city, which is celebrated every Saturday morning from 10:00-11:00 on the Square in Centerville. Nature lovers will enjoy Centerville, as around 80% of the land is forest area. Visitors can take a tour of Grinders Switch Winery, and enjoy some locally produced wines. For food with your entertainment, the Clay Harris Dinner Theatre is a popular draw for tourists and locals alike.
Franklin , named after Benjamin Franklin, is an affluent city near Nashville in central Tennessee. The Franklin on Foot Tour Company offers a Haunted Franklin walking tour and a Murder and Mayhem tour. Each year, Franklin's Main Street Festival brings together more than 200 artisans & crafters, four stages, two carnivals, and two food courts to the historic Franklin Square and Downtown District. In September, Arrington Vineyards holds a free concert and wine tasting. Franklin's most famous food is the Redneck Taco" at Martin's Barbeque. There are also some famous residents, among them: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Chesney, Sheryl Crow, Alan Jackson, Leanne Rimes, and Nick Carter.
Murfreesboro is a fast growing city in central Tennessee, southeast of Nashville. Murfreesboro hosts several music events annually, including the Main Street Jazzfest, presented by MTSU's School of Music. Another festival is the annual Uncle Dave Macon Days. The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring has an interactive gallery of exhibits and an environmental center. It is a good museum to bring children to. In December, the Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm has a spectacular Christmas setup. Customers choose and cut a White Pine from their fields. There have a Christmas Cabin where visitors, can enjoy a free cup of hot-spiced cider or hot cocoa. There are plenty of gifts, ornaments, stocking stuffer, fresh wreaths, and garland.
Goodlettsville is in north Tennessee, adjacent to Nashville. Historic Mansker's Station Frontier Life Center is a fort built in 1779. The staff wears period costumes, give tours, and tell stories of the history of the region's earliest settlement. Goodlettsville's Music City Raceway is a fun place for the family to watch drag car races. Twelve Stones Crossing is a challenging golf course in Goodlettsville, designed by Bill Bergen and playing 6922 yards for a par of 72. Kabuto Japanese Steak House is a fun dining experience, great for groups and birthdays. The staff is entertaining and the food is high quality.
Hendersonville is a quiet resort town northeast of Nashville. There are many activities held in downtown Hendersonville throughout the year, including art shows, an antique show, car shows, and parades. Rock Castle is a historic home, open to visitors. It was the first stone house built in Tennessee, and sits on beautiful lakefront acreage overlooking Old Hickory Lake. Another historical home is Monthaven, which served as a hospital during the Civil War. The Coppage Creek Golf Center has a driving range and mini-golf course. It is fun for the family and a good place to warm up before 18-holes at the championship level Country Hills Golf Course. For some authentic southern soul food, Black Eye Pea Restaurant of Hendersonville will not disappoint with their large portions and extensive menu.
Camden is located on Cypress Creek, in west central Tennessee. The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm features a mini-theater, a museum and a pearl jewelry showroom. Admission is free of charge and visitors can learn about the history of American pearl farming. The Tennessee River is a destination for visitors to Camden to enjoy fishing and boating year-round. Camden became well known after Patsy Cline died in a plane crash here.
Lexington is in west Tennessee, located midway between Memphis and Nashville. Lexington's Beech, Pine, Sycamore, Dogwood, and Redbud Lakes and their surrounding lands are ideal destinations for fishing, swimming, hunting, boating, hiking and outdoor activities. The Beech River Cultural Center & Museum chronicles the history of Henderson County, and has displays on geology, native inhabitants, early settlers and wars. There is also a reconstructed log cabin inside. The Grecian Family Restaurant is classic small town establishment with great service and a full buffet. Rafferty's is a great bar and grill, and one of the few restaurants with outdoor deck seating. The marinated steak and salmon are the most popular entrees on the menu, and they also have excellent salads.
Memphis , the largest city in the state, is located in southwest Tennessee. It is one of the most fun cities in the world to visit, and definitely one of the best cities in America. Beale Street is a fun pedestrian street with lots of great bars and restaurants. There are plenty of performers and Elvis Presley impersonators to entertain visitors. One Memphis street performer, named Silk, can throw a bicycle wheel about 25 feet in the air and catch it in his mouth. Memphis barbecue is some of the most delicious around, so you will have no problem finding a place with ribs that slide right off the bone. The Beale Street Music Festival is a premiere annual event that draws top acts and attracts visitors from all over the world. Over 600,000 Elvis fans make pilgrimages to Graceland year each to see the Elvis's home, cars, motorcycles, and private airplanes. For something a little more high-culture, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, founded in 1916, is the oldest and largest fine art museum in the state of Tennessee. The Brooks' permanent collection includes works from the Italian Renaissance and Baroque eras to British, French Impressionists, and 20th-century artists. The Memphis Zoo, which is located right in midtown Memphis, has mammals, birds, fish, and amphibians from all over the world, including two Pandas. The Zoo leads all American zoos in births, so there are many cute baby animals to see.
Ripley is north of Memphis in west Tennessee. Each July, downtown Ripley hosts the Lauderdale County Tomato Festival," with lots of tomatoes, foods with tomatoes, crafts, entertainment, contests, and fun. The Lauderdale County Museum showcases items on the history of Lauderdale County, and is housed in the historic Sugar Hill Mansion, built in 1842. Unless you have some family ties to Lauderdale County or want to bore yourself to death, you might want to forget you ever heard of it and spend the afternoon drinking and gorging yourself on smoked meats at the Washington Street Bar Bq. There is a lot more to learn about Tennessee through a rack of their ribs then there in a chamber of commerce museum. For a quick bite, Sneaky Pete's Chicago Hotdogs is a nice family owned spot that specializes in Chicago style Vienna Beef hotdogs. Nothing fancy, but it definitely hits the mark for a good dog at a good price.
Lakeland is a suburb of Memphis in southwest Tennessee. For some war games excitement, Lakeland's Paintball Park has a full line of paintball equipment to rent and qualified instructors to teach participants how to use it. They have seven playing fields with villages, trenches and bunkers, over the hundred-acre area. The Lakeland Factory Outlet Mall is a shoppers dream, with most items around 75% off their original list prices. Anchor stores include VF Factory Outlet and Old Time Pottery. The Stonebridge Golf Course is an 18-hole public golf course designed by George Cobb in 1979 and open year-round.
Jackson is in western Tennessee northeast of Memphis. Casey Jones is buried in Jackson, and the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum is located in Jackson's Casey Jones Village. The exhibits include a Railroad Museum with steam locomotives and the restored home of Casey Jones. West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex is a travel baseball and softball complex which hosts numerous tournaments throughout the year. The annual Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant is held at Jackson's Carl Perkins Civic Center, and attracts many visitors from across the state. Baudo's Restaurant serves delicious Italian food and is a good place to bring the family or for a date. The South Street Comedy Club has some great acts on Friday and Saturday nights.
Oakland is a small town in southwest Tennessee, not far from Memphis. Oakland's most popular event of the year is the Smokin' Oakland" barbecue cookout and contest. This festival celebrates all things great about these succulent meats, with cooking competitions, music, drinks, entertainment, and of course lots of delicious barbecue. Visitors who enjoy a round of golf will appreciate the quality and challenges provided at Oakland's Fair Oaks Golf Club. For some more extreme recreation, make a visit to West Tennessee Skydiving, a private 110-acre airport built specifically for the needs of skydivers. This world-class facility offers skydiving lessons for all levels, from the first-timer to the experienced diver.
Brownsville is in west Tennessee. The most remarkable attraction in the town is a large-scale ongoing art project, The Mindfield," created by Billy Tripp. It is an abstract network of steel structures including a water tower. The town has several museums, among them: The Haywood County Museum, African Roots Museum, and The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. The Brownsville Country Club is a challenging and well maintained course from the tees to the greens. The Back Yard Bar-Be-Cue has the best ribs in town, but f you want a steak, Jimmy's Steakhouse is the place to go.
Covington is in western Tennessee. Covington's Tipton County Museum houses military displays and exhibits from the Civil War history of the county. The museum also has taxidermies of local species and mastodon bone fragments. Golfers will love the 18-hole "Covington" course at the Covington Country Club. It features 6,200 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. Little Porky's Pit Bar-BQ has classic Tennessee style barbeque, including a succulent smoked shoulder and great chicken wings, but some Covington locals might argue that the best wings are at Wingstreet or Wing Basket.
Bristol is in northeast Tennessee on the Virginia boarder, and the twin city of Bristol, Virginia. Bristol is the location of a NASCAR Sprint Cup short track at the Bristol Motor Speedway which sells out the over 160,000 seats twice a year. One of the most popular times of year to visit is during DukesFest, a two-day festival celebrating the Dukes of Hazard television show, complete with the actual cars, races, and celebrity appearances. Bristol is known as the Birthplace of Country Music," because some of the first commercial Country recordings were made here in the 1920's. Bristol is also home to the Bristol White Sox, the Chicago White Sox minor league affiliate. They play their home games at Devault Memorial Stadium.
Butler is on the northeast corner of Tennessee. An interesting piece of history about this town is that it was relocated about 55 miles away in 1948 because the original town was flooded by the creation the Watauga Dam. Each year, Butler holds the Old Butler Days Festival to commemorate the old town. There is an exhibit on the town's history at the Butler Museum. For a real Tennessee experience, be sure to visit Barn Dining & Dancing, for classic food and live music.
Kingsport lies in the foothills of the Smoky and Appalachian Mountains of northeast Tennessee, near the Virginia border northeast of Knoxville. It is America's first Model City", because it was planned out as a garden city when it was re-chartered in 1917. Kingsport's Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium is a 3,500-acre nature preserve with a 40 foot domed planetarium, observatory, educational programs, animal habitats, and hiking trails. Warriors' Path State Park is another of Kingsport's excellent parks, what is unique about Warriors' Path is its disk golf course, and a short trail with interactive exhibits on the story of Aslan, C.S.Lewis's lion from Narnia. An odd piece of history about Kingsport is that in 1916 the town publicly hanged a circus elephant named Mary, after it crushed the head of a resident.
Kingston is located on Watts Bar Lake in the east part of central Tennessee. The most popular attraction is Fort Southwest Point. It is the only fort in Tennessee being reconstructed on its original 18th century foundation. The completed sections of the fort include a barracks, a blockhouse and 250 feet of palisade walls. Admission is free and it is located near to the Southwest Point Golf Course. The Watts Bar Riverboat Company has dinner cruises with live music on Fort Loudoun Lake.
LynchburgLynchburg , located in south central Tennessee, is best known as the location of the Jack Daniel's distillery. Jack Daniel's is the nation's oldest registered distillery, and the famous whiskey is marketed world-wide as the product of this city with only one traffic light. Free personally guided tours are available to teach how the whiskey is handcrafted and matured in white oak barrels. Despite the operational distillery, in a horrible bit of irony, Lynchburg's home county of Moore is a dry county. The Lynchburg Candy Company has captured the smooth, amber liquid of Tennessee's finest whiskey with its original Tennessee whiskey candy. The Lynchburg Old Jail Museum located off of the Historic Lynchburg Square, was built in 1893 and used as a jail until 1990. It has artifacts on display and exhibits on the history of the jail. Lost & Found Relics is a great place to buy gifts such as Civil War memorabilia, Tennessee T-shirts, Jack Daniels sauces & seasonings, shot glasses, nostalgic signs, John Deere, Coke and Dale Earnhart souvenirs.
Manchester is located in central Tennessee. Since 2002, Manchester has been the host city for the annual Bonnaroo Music Festival. Nearly 100,000 people from all over the world travel to Manchester each year for the four day event of continuous and diverse music. The Old Stone Fort, part of Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, is a popular tourist attraction most likely built between 80 A.D. and 550 A.D. The Old Stone Fort Golf course has some very interesting holes and is less then a mile away. Gasthaus German Restaurant has authentic German food and great imported beer on tap. Their sampler platter is excellent and the portions are generous.
Newport is a city in east Tennessee, situated along the Pigeon River at the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. A fun way to see the area is to purchase the Smoky Mountain Heritage self-guided audio driving tour, rent a car, and travel at your own pace while seeking out landmarks, rich mountain heritage, neighborhood charm and Smoky Mountain history. The tour guide is available online or at local stores. If it you are curious to see how boring a museum can get, then you should definitely visit the Newport-Cocke County Museum has displays on quilts, early home and farm tools, Native American artifacts, and even period room settings. For cold drinks and some smoked juicy meats head to Buddy's Bar-BQ or Shiners Real Pit Bar-B-Que.
Savannah is located in southwest Tennessee. The first stop in Savannah should be a visit to the Worleybird Cafe. Its owned by country music star and American patriot, Darryl Worley and filled with memorabilia from his career. The menu features: Black Angus beef, homemade chicken salad, hand-battered shrimp, fried green tomatoes, and a lunch buffet. If you want to squeeze in a quick 9-holes after lunch, squeeze some balls through the narrow fairways at the Savannah Golf Course, built in 1959 with historical landmarks along the course. Tenn-Tucky Lake Fisherman's One Stop is truly a one stop for all your hunting and fishing needs. They have bait & tackle, licenses, guns, ammunition, calls, scents, tree stands, archery repair, electric bow range and guide services.
Shelbyville is in central Tennessee on Duck River. Tri-Star Vineyards & Winery is a family-owned winery on vineyard property in the heart of Walking Horse Country. They produce grape, berry, and fruit wines, and offer free tours and tasting. Blackberry Ridge is a links-style golf course with well maintained greens and fairways, and some interesting hole features. Uncle Sonny's Bar-B-Que is a barbecue lover's dream come true. The smoked taste and seasonings on the brisket, pulled pork and chicken wings are amazing. The salads are all made fresh and the tater salad" is rich and decadent with ranch dressing and bacon bits.
Townsend is a very small town with about 250 residents, in east Tennessee near Sevierville and Gatlinburg. Townsend is on "The Peaceful Side of the Smokies." Despite the small size, there are a lot of great activities in the area. A visit to Townsend's Tuckaleechee Caverns is a fun way to get out of the sun and see some amazing onyx formations and high waterfalls. It does not get too claustrophobic because the ventilation is good and the tours are conducted along lighted walkways. The Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop produces masterfully handcrafted string instruments, but even people not looking to purchase a banjo should come by for the "Pick'in Porch" Saturdays, at 7:00 PM May through October, to hear some real Tennessee Smokey Mountain Country Music. Go country and catch your own dinner from beautiful spring-fed ponds at the Tuckaleechee Trout Farm & Restaurant, then let an expert chef cook it since you are on vacation.
Sevierville , Dolly Parton's hometown, is a Smoky Mountain resort town located on the Little Pigeon River, in east Tennessee. There is a statue of her on the front lawn of the courthouse, so be sure to bring a camera to take a few funny pictures. There are a lot of great activities to keep you entertained for a long time, by land, air, sea, or sometimes in between. Wahoo Ziplines is the longest zipline adventure tour in the United States, soaring through majestic woodlands and revealing some of the most spectacular views in the Smokey Mountains. Walden Creek Stables is a horseback riding family attraction with over 500 acres with 100 horses and 50 riding cowboys keeping the action year-round. Floyd Garrett's Muscle Car Museum has over 90 muscle cars worth over $5 million, factory lightweights, rare engines, super stock cars, and large gift shop with NASCAR memorable. The Smoky Mountain Motocross Express is a top-ranked motocross park with races every weekend. The Tennessee Museum of Aviation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to preserving aviation history, advancing aviation education and honoring those making contributions to aviation and aerospace. It spans 50,000 square feet of museum exhibits, many flyable aircraft, and other aviation entertainment. Gator Point Marina, located on Douglas Lake, is a full-service marina offering pontoon and jet ski rentals, great food, and weekend entertainment. A fun spot to take the kids for a few easy quick catches is Sevierville's "Wishin I Was Fishin Trout & Catfish Pay Pond".
Chattanooga is located in southeast Tennessee on Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake, which are both part of the Tennessee River, near the border of Georgia. Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in Tennessee, after Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville. The most popular attraction is the Tennessee Aquarium. Located along the waterfront, it is one of the top aquariums in the country. It features an IMAX theater, jellyfish, sharks, penguins, and other animals in replica environments from cove forest high in the Appalachian Mountains to a coral reef in the blue depths of the Gulf of Mexico. There are thousands of animals and three living forests. Chattanooga is undergoing an extensive improvement project, including the "21st Century Waterfront Plan", a $120 million redevelopment of the Chattanooga waterfront and downtown area. The historic Walnut Street Bridge was restored, and is the oldest surviving bridge of its kind in the Southeastern United States.
Cookeville is in central Tennessee and is the location of the Virgin Falls. Visitors can take an 8 mile round trip hike and see some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the US, including the spectacular Burgess Falls. Two of the four falls along the trail come out of caves and flow into caves and one of them spills over a 35 foot ledge, back into a large cave area and disappears into the ground. It is a natural wonder that you have to see to believe. There all types of live music acts held spring through fall at the Dogwood Outdoor Performance Pavilion. The Cookeville Drama Center regularly holds performances of Shakespeare in the Park.
Crossville is in central Tennessee, approximately 30 miles east of Cookeville, 70 miles north of Chattanooga, and 70 miles west of Knoxville. Crossville bills itself as "the golf capital of Tennessee" featuring 12 courses: Stonehenge, Heatherhurst Crag, Heatherhurst Brae, Deer Creek, River Run, Four Seasons, The Bear Trace, Dorchester, Mountain Ridge, Renegade, Druid Hills, and Lake Tansi. Crossville use to celebrate the First Amendment with a Free-Speech Zone" outside the courthouse to allow for public sculptures, but it has since been censored because of controversy over a Flying Spaghetti Monster statue. The Beanpot has been a favorite local restaurant for over 50 years. They have classic southern food, a menu full of jokes, great beans dishes, and about 40 flavors of ice cream. Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant has a good happy hour crowd, great tacos, kids eat free on Mondays, and there is live music every Thursday night.
Gatlinburg is a popular vacation resort on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in east Tennessee. There are plenty of interesting attractions in Gatlinburg. The 32-story Gatlinburg Space Needle is 407 feet tall with a 360 degree view of the Great Smoky Mountains and the city of Gatlinburg from the observation deck. Gatlinburg's Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum burned down, but some of the artifacts were saved and are on display in the new museum. There is also a Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies which features exhibits on the Titanic, pirates, and the planet Mars. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski resort in Tennessee and also has an amusement park, but there are only eight ski trails and three chair lifts. It is accessible by a gondola from the city strip. It is easy to get around the city on the Gatlinburg Trolley, a privately-funded public transit system catering to area tourists.
Pigeon Forge is located near Gatlinburg in east Tennessee. The most popular attractions in Pigeon Forge are Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country, both Dolly Parton themed amusement parks. Another popular attraction, which is fun for children and adults, is the Dinosaur Walk Museum. It is filled with a large collection of life-size sculptures of dinosaurs and prehistoric animals, ranging from a two-story high Tyrannosaurus Rex to a tiny 12-inch tall Microraptor. Other exhibits include giant sea lizards, flying reptiles, and replicas of bones, skulls, and skeletons of ancient prehistoric creatures. The museum also has a movie theatre showing high-definition educational films and a dinosaur fossil dig activity for kids.
Cleveland is in the southeast corner of Tennessee, west of the Appalachian Mountains and about 15 miles east of Chickamauga Lake. Its location attracts many visitors for whitewater rafting and mountain climbing. The nearby Cherokee National Forest was the site of the 1996 Olympic canoe and kayak events on the scenic Ocoee River. Cleveland is has eight city-owned and maintained recreational parks, including a handicap park and a nature park, along with two community centers, a soccer complex, and a greenway with two miles of walking paths. There are four golf courses in Cleveland: Chatata Valley Golf Club, Cherokee Spring Golf Course, Cleveland Country Club, and Rolling Hills Golf Club. Gypsy Rose Music Hall & Bar is a great venue for live music.
Kimball is a small peaceful town in southern Tennessee and a great place to stay while visiting nearby Chattanooga attractions. Kimball is popular destination for outdoor activities. Hikers will enjoy the numerous miles of trails and a number of primitive campgrounds service the area. Kimball is also excellent for picnicking, swimming, fishing, caving, visiting historic ruins, rock climbing and rappelling, viewing spectacular rock formations, wildlife, and waterfalls. The Lake Winnepesaukah amusement park is a fun place for a family day, with lots of rides and excitement for the kids.
Athens is in southeast Tennessee, near Starr Mountain. Watts Bar Lake is a 39,000-acre recreation area which is great for sailing, water skiing, or fishing. The Tellico River is one of the most scenic trout streams in America. Athens has four top quality area golf courses: Ridgewood Golf Club, Springbrook Golf & Country Club, White Oaks Golf Course and Willow Springs Golf Course. Buddy's Bar-B-Q is a local favorite with a wood fired pit and both dry and wet rub choices on the menu.
Alcoa is on Tennessee's eastern boarder at the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, and the site of a large aluminum smelting plant owned by ALCOA Inc. Alcoa's Smokey Mountain Bicycle tours has knowledgeable guides and high quality equipment. The Green Meadow Country Club is a quick nine-hole course, but for around $20 round, you can't beat it. Murder at the Midnight Hour is a fun murder mystery dinner show. It is geared to adults, but suitable for the whole family.
Knoxville is located on the Tennessee River in the eastern part of the state, northeast of Chattanooga. It was the site of the 1982 World's Fair, which introduced permanent new structures to the city, including the 266-foot steel and gold glass Sunsphere and the Tennessee Amphitheatre. Other popular attractions are the Confederate Memorial Hall, the William Blount Mansion from 1792, a replica of the old fort, and Chisholm's Tavern which was also built in 1792. Knoxville hosts several art festivals, including the 17-day Dogwood Arts Festival in April, featuring art shows, crafts fairs, food and live music. Every Labor Day Knoxville celebrates Boomsday," the largest Labor Day fireworks display in the United States. Knoxville also showcases national and local artists in outdoor concert series at historic Market Square, which has been revitalized with specialty shops and residences.
Clinton is situated along the Clinch River near Knoxville in east Tennessee. Clinton has a beautifully restored historic downtown area with restaurants and over 35 shops. There is a celebration on the first Friday of each month from April through December in downtown Clinton with music, food, special exhibits, dancing under the stars, and various demonstrations. The Museum of Appalachia is affiliated with the Smithsonian and has exhibits of pioneer and frontier life on a 65-acre working rural farm. There are animals, gardens, 30 original cabins and buildings, and over 250,000 artifacts. You can sample authentic pioneer food such as sassafras tea and fried apple pies.
Morristown is a city in east Tennessee, near Knoxville. The movie Evil Dead was filmed in Morristown off of Kidwell's Ridge Road. The cabin featured in the film has since burned down, though the chimney still stands. Another famous cabin is the boyhood home of Davy Crockett. The Crockett Tavern Museum has a reconstruction of the original 1790's John Crockett Tavern. The museum features period furnishings and textiles, a Loom room, Conestoga wagon, and a gift shop. For a weekend of golf, try completing the Davy Crockett Golf Trail." This historic mountain golf trail traces the early footsteps of Tennessee and American hero Davy Crockett, across four of east Tennessee's premier golf courses.
Lake City is a small town in eastern Tennessee, approximately 25 miles north of Knoxville. Water sports and fishing are the top tourist activities in Lake City. Visitors can try parasailing with the Norris Lake Parasailing Company or rent a boat at the Mountain Lake Marina. For non-water attractions, there is a working 18th century mill, the Rice Family Gristmill. Lake City also has a Coal Miner's museum with exhibits on the 1800s Coal Creek War and the third-worst coal mining disaster in U.S. history. The museum has historical artifacts and the Coal Creek Miner's Trail. Lake City's Savage Garden contains over 30 acres of hiking trails, rare flowers, and plants.
Huntsville is in northeastern Tennessee, about 60 miles from Knoxville. Huntsville succeeded from Confederate Tennessee during the Civil War to remain a part of the Union as the Independent State of Scott. The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is great for many outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, camping, spelunking, kayaking, snorkeling, photography, hunting, and fishing. Cumberland Safari Adventure Tours offers 4x4 off-road vehicle mudding tours of the area. Hole In the Ridge" is a unique rock tunnel that runs the length of a ridge top within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, also known as Needle's eye, a cave-like tunnel carved through a ridge top, it stands more than 100 feel long from entrance to exist and approximately 50 feet tall from floor to ceiling, accessible only by foot, horse, and ATV.
Union City is located in east Tennessee on the north boarder with Kentucky. For a great American Tennessee experience, visit the Dixie Gun Works & Old Car Museum to see some antique Civil War black powder guns and an antique car museum. If you are not interested in cars and guns, check out a performance by the Masquerade Theatre Company, a community theatre group located in the historic Capitol Theatre which produces 32 performances in four shows a year, beginning with a spring musical. Buckets Neighborhood Pub & Grub is under new management and they are doing an excellent job running the place. It is a good place to catch a game, kick back a few beers, or enjoy a classic pub meal. Generations Restaurant is a nice relaxed dining experience. The food is all freshly prepared and made to order.
Oak Ridge is in east Tennessee about 25 miles northwest of Knoxville. Oak Ridge played a crucial part in world history by producing the uranium for the atomic bombs used in World War II. Visitors can learn all about this at Oak Ridge's American Museum of Science and Energy. The exhibits explain how 75,000 people kept the secret of Oak Ridge during World War II and about the Oak Ridge's leading-edge Manhattan Project" technology. Visitors can touch a charged metal orb which will make their hair stand, and see a live demonstration of an atom smasher. The Oak Ridge Marina is considered one of the top five best rowing venues in the US, and Oak Ridge is only one of three cities that have hosted the US Rowing Nationals. Melton Hill Lake is another popular location for many outdoor activities.
Johnson City is located in northeast Tennessee northeast of Knoxville. During the 1920's, the city was known as Little Chicago" because it was an important distribution hub for prohibition-era bootleggers. Al Capone owned a luxury apartment at Montrose Court, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The "Little Chicago Blues Festival" is held annually to commemorate the legends surrounding the speakeasies and railroad glory days of Johnson City. Johnson City also hosts the Blue Plum Festival," a free music and arts festival in June which attracts over fifty thousand visitors. Johnson City made a great contribution to the world when Mountain Dew was first marketing here by Tri-City Beverage in 1955.
Greeneville is in east Tennessee near Morristown and Johnson City. It has an important history which included residents Andrew Jackson and Davy Crockett. Two of the top tourist destinations are the Andrew Johnson National Historic site and Davy Crockett Birthplace. The annual Greene County Fair, held in Greeneville, is recognized as one of the best fairs in the state and attracts thousands of visitors for the food, games, music, and rides. Fatz Café is a family restaurant with continental cuisine popular with locals and tourists alike. For great barbecue and chili, Stan's Bar-BQ is the place to go in Greeneville.
Tennessee is at the crossroads of America, combining the best that both the North and South have to offer. The culture here is fun and the people are friendly, unless you disparage the Tennessee Titans. Football is always very important. There are some unique places in Tennessee that cannot exist anywhere else in the world, but somehow Dollywood and Graceland seem to make perfect sense here and are actually a lot of fun. A vacation to Tennessee is one to remember for the rest of your life, and visitors are sure to have an I wish I was back in Tennessee" moment when eating some lousy barbecue at a massive chain restaurant or airport somewhere. Ask any chef the secret to Tennessee barbecue and they will all tell you it is something different: the marinade, meat selection, the wood, fire pit design, secret sauce, dry rub. Whatever it is it comes together perfectly here. Most of the great joints are established family owned restaurants that have stood the test of time. If the food is not good, the restaurant will not be around too long. While the flashing lights of Nashville can be a little garish at times, The Pantheon is worthy of any great city of the world. Tennessee also owes its allure to nature, with some of the most magnificent waterfalls, mountains, water, and forests on Earth. The Lost Sea is a national treasure and natural world wonder. A visit there will change your view of the world. Plan a nice long trip through Tennessee so you can take your time and enjoy all it has to offer.
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