Welcome to Tennessee

Tennessee is a state that stays with you long after you’ve left. From electrifying musical performances to monumental Civil War sites to rolling mountains shrouded in mesmerizing haze, the Volunteer State will awaken your soul with some of the South’s most precious attractions.

State Flower: Iris. Getty Images

Year-round Fishing

Beyond the Smoky Mountains, anglers can hit the jackpot in Dale Hollow Lake, one of America’s top bass fisheries. Pickwick Lake is another local favorite, with opportunities to catch every type of bass. If you’re ready to snag a big one, drop your line in the monster bass-filled waters of Chickamauga Lake. After you’ve caught your fill, trade your rod for a paddle and raft down Cleveland’s Ocoee River or take a relaxing river-boat cruise on the Mississippi in Memphis.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There’s plenty of outdoor thrills to be experienced in the nation’s most-visited national park. Hike 150 trails, including a 70-mile stretch of the famous Appalachian Trail. Climb to the top of Clingmans Dome to savor captivating vistas from the park’s highest peak. Explore the park’s 90 historic structures, one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern U.S. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the park’s most famous resident, the American black bear.

Cities Pulsing With Music 

Nashville is the world’s country music capital. Tap into the city’s deep music roots at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash Museum and Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. You’ll also want to catch a riveting performance at “country’s most famous stage,” the Grand Ole Opry. In Memphis, sing along to the sweet sounds of the Memphis Blues at countless venues along Beale Street and stop by Elvis Presley’s Graceland to pay homage to the king of rock ’n’ roll.

Natural Wonders on Lookout Mountain

A trip to Chattanooga’s starts with a ride up on the steep Incline Railway. At the top, head underground to see Ruby Falls and take a stroll through Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. Don’t leave without venturing into Rock City, a natural wonderland famed for its ancient rock formations and panoramic views that unveil seven states at once. Excellent hiking routes are peppered throughout the mountain with the Big Daddy Loop and Lula Lake Land Trust trails being some of the most popular.

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