Things to do Today in Tennessee
There is one word that represents the essence of Tennessee is music. That has shaped its history and culture and drives tourism throughout the state. Tennessee is America’s music Mecca.
Music is the Tennessee way of life. The political regions of the state reflect their own unique musical heritages: Bluegrass, Country and Blues.
Most popular attractions in Tennessee found in the dueling music capitals Memphis and Nashville. Interesting attractions in the state include the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, home of Elvis Presley, and the Ruby Falls.
Graceland
Graceland is the massive white-columned mansion that was once the home of Elvis Presley in Memphis. Today the mansion is a museum and a National Historic Place dedicated to preserving the memory and chronicling the life of Elvis Presley. See an impressive collection of Elvis cars, aircraft, and memorabilia. Tour his living quarters, including the music room, TV room, and Jungle Den.
Visitors to the estate can tour the mansion and grounds. View the building, artifacts, and the cemetery where Elvis and several Presley family members laid to rest. Much of the property is the same or restored to as it was in 1977.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park located in Tennessee and North Carolina, is the country’s most visited park. The park covers more than 500,000 acres of land including mountains, rivers, and lakes. Enjoy overnight camping in the park, or book a rustic cabin in the woods for your mountain getaway.
It’s most famous for its long-distance hiking trails with many backcountry camping sites. Hike-in shelters throughout the park. Take the scenic drive to the Top of Old Smoky, 6,643-foot-high Clingmans Dome. walk the short, steep ascent to its Observation Tower with 360-degree views.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is in Nashville, Tennessee. The permanent exhibit tells the story of country music from its roots in the nineteenth century through its vibrant life today. Inside the Museum galleries, exhibitions featuring instruments, stage wear, one-of-a-kind recordings, films, and more.
The exhibition immerses the visitor in the history, sights, and sounds of country music, its many stories, and the lives and voices of its creators. Move between photo archives, listening stations, and engaging films to discover country’s past, present, and future.
Memphis Zoo
The Memphis Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals representing many different species. At the Zoo get nose-to-nose with polar bears and splashed by sea lions in Northwest Passage. Take in the sights and sounds of Yellowstone National Park at the Teton Trek exhibit, featuring grizzly bears, elk, timber wolves, and trumpeter swans.
Explore the Zambezi River Hippo Camp, home to hippos, flamingos, Nile crocodiles, and other animals along the 1,600 miles of Africa’s Zambezi River.
Dollywood
In the city of Pigeon Forge visitors can combine their love of music with their sense of adventure at Dollywood. An amusement park with a musical flair. The park is owned by the famous country music star Dolly Parton. This 160-acre theme park provides family fun with its mix of Smoky Mountains traditions and crafts.
At the park visitors can enjoy thrill rides or visit nearby Dollywood’s Splash Country or the Dixie themed dinner theaters. Dollywood has more than 50 rides nine of them roller coasters, including the popular Tennessee Tornado. The park is also a popular location for concerts and events.
Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls the natural landmark is home to the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. Found by accident after excavators in the early 1900’s Ruby Falls has been a testament to natural beauty throughout the history of Chattanooga.
Descend 26-stories by elevator into the cavern hidden deep within Lookout Mountain. Explore on foot with guided tours along the scenic path. To the breathtaking waterfall and experience the waterfall lightshow.
Anakeesta
Located in the heart of Gatlinburg, Anakeesta is a great family theme park destination. Immerse yourself in nature as you stroll along the 16 bridge Treetop Skywalk with over 800′ of connected bridges hanging 50-60′ in the air. Take your visit to new heights atop AnaVista Tower provides guests with 360⁰ views of the smoky mountains.
Family theme park is known for its panoramic smoky mountain views, thrilling treetop adventures including zipline tours and mountain coaster. dining and shopping. Each season at Anakeesta brings something new to explore with live music in Black Bear Village and family-friendly activities for all to enjoy.
Raccoon Mountain Caverns
Raccoon Mountain Caverns is less than ten minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Caverns consists of over 5.5 miles of underground passageways. Visitors are presented with a cave in its natural state. Crystal Palace Walking Tour allows visitors to view thousands of diverse, stalagmites, delicate soda straws, flowstone, rimstone pools, columns, and natural bridges.
Wild Cave Expeditions are famous tours which visit the deeper, undeveloped sections of the cave. These tours require participants to wear gloves, pads, lights, and helmets all of which are provided for.
Tennessee Aquarium
The Tennessee Aquarium is an aquarium located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Aquarium is home to more than 12,000 animals and almost 800 species. It is consistently recognized as one of the country’s top public aquariums. The Aquarium is the largest in the state.
Visitors discover the story of water through exhibits in both Aquarium buildings. Situated on the banks of the Tennessee River, the aquarium immerses you in two experiences: The River Journey and Ocean Journey. Experience the unseen magic of the Tennessee Aquarium alongside a knowledgeable Aquarium educator as you go on an exclusive guided tour or participate in feeding some of our marine life.
Nashville Parthenon
The Parthenon in Tennessee is actually a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Today it is a museum with full-scale replicas of the statues and monuments. Highlight of touring the Parthenon is seeing the reproduction of the Athena Parthenos statue. 42-foot-tall golden masterpiece that replicates the original.
The permanent display of American paintings from the Cowan Collection. The building houses the city’s permanent art gallery, a collection of works by 19th- and 20th-century American painters, as well as a spectacular 42-foot gold-covered statue of the goddess Athena Parthenos.
Things to Do in Tennessee
Whether you’re headed to Memphis the birthplace of Rock n’ Roll or to the Country music capital of the world Nashville. No trip to Tennessee is complete without enjoying the music.