Tennessee Vacation Destinations

Water sport enthusiasts and outdoor lovers need only venture to northeastern Tennessee to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area where 90 miles of the Big South Fork and its tributaries flow through the Cumberland Plateau. Visitors to the region, a former rich logging area, can see many natural geological features, including arches, spires, rock overhangs, sheer bluffs, and pinnacles. The humid climate provides year-round recreation where adventurers can find miles of horse back riding and hiking trails as well as canoeing for all levels from beginner to advanced whitewater canoeing rivers. Outdoor adventurers to this region also enjoy mountain biking, swimming, back country camping, hunting, and fishing.

Chattanooga, on the meandering Tennessee River, boasts the Riverbend Music Festival, fall color foliage tours, and the "Chattanooga Choo Choo." It began in 1815 as a small trading post and was a staging area for the "Trail of Tears" which was the dramatic relocation of the Cherokee. During the Civil War, Chattanooga and its environs were a center for military activities. General William Tecumseh Sherman began his march to Georgia in Chattanooga while the battles of Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge were fought nearby. After Chattanooga visitors tour the battlefields, museums, and mountain caverns, they shop in its malls and along the Chattanooga Riverfront or rest while enjoying train ride on the historic Tennessee Valley Railroad.

Gatlinburg is a charming mountain resort where the main street leads to the entrance of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. It is the handicraft center for the southern highlands where visitors can purchase the work of talented craftspeople or watch them weave and do woodworking or make pottery, furniture, and brooms. In addition to the crafts and outdoor activities in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg has wineries and museums.

Knoxville has been the gateway to the west and offers. Because it was occupied by the North and South during the Civil War, Knoxville has interesting historic areas, gardens, and museums. The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is a popular tourist attraction.

Memphis a destination for music lovers because it is the town where rock 'n roll emerged. Visitors to Memphis pay tribute to rock 'n roll legends at Elvis Presley's Graceland and Sun Studios. They also can visit the Center for Southern Folklore where they can find live entertainment and archives of southern traditions. Tourists, who want to visit other sites, have opportunities to visit children's, archaeological, and historic museums, gardens, and parks. Memphis is also home of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Tour options include riverboat, carriage, and bus, industrial and walking. Overton Park contains the Memphis Zoo as well as a nine-hole golf course, lake, picnic grounds, and walking trails. Memphis visitors can enjoy horseback riding, swimming, boating, camping, hiking, baseball, basketball, and fishing.

Nashville, home of country music, is often called the "Athens of the South" because of the Greek architecture. While many visitors enjoy the fun at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Grand Ole Opry, others enjoy visiting the antebellum plantations, gardens, and museums. Sports fans in Nashville can watch college and professional football, baseball, hockey, NASCAR racing, and basketball. Swimmers have many opportunities to swim in the local reservoirs, Montgomery Bell State Park, and many city swimming pools. Other visitors to Nashville like to boat, canoe, water ski, fish, play tennis, golf, ice skate, and horseback ride.