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Wolfgang Streitbörger
Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
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Adam Jones
View of Thomas Divide in autumn, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina.
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Alisa Kessler
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg takes visitors underwater at Shark Lagoon.
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Photos courtesy of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Cades Cove
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Raphael Tenschert
Old Forge Distillery in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
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Dawn Majors
Hiking near Cades Cove nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains of Townsend, Tennessee.
The beauty of Tennessee is it offers many different types of vacations. For the nature lover, for the thrill seeker, for the history buff, for the country music fan and even the rock ‘n’ roll devotee, this destination is worth exploring. Add the autumn colors of reds and golden yellows, and you’ve got a perfect fall getaway with rolling hills of trees changing colors and mountain views.
The state is full of sights, but it’s also rich in sounds — and not just musical sounds, says Tennessee Department of Tourist Development spokesperson Amanda Stravinsky.
“Tennessee sounds are a cook declaring ‘order’s up’ at a bustling mom-and-pop eatery, the crackling of fried chicken in the skillet at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in Memphis, or the rhythmic swoosh when a fly fisher casts out,” she explains. “The sounds of Tennessee are the laughter of families experiencing Dollywood for the first time and the crunch of leaves underneath a hiker’s boots in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s No. 1 most visited national park, or the sounds of NASCAR at Bristol Motor Speedway.”
For kids, Tennessee is an instant American history lesson.
“Told from river to mountain through preserved battlefields and archaeological sites, Tennessee’s history is known around the world because of places like Shiloh National Battlefield, the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton, the homes of President Andrew Jackson in Nashville, President James K. Polk in Columbia and President Andrew Johnson in Greeneville, and the story of World War I hero Sgt. Alvin C. York in Pall Mall,” Amanda says. “Learn about how a secret city transformed during World War II at the Manhattan Project National Historic Park in Oak Ridge.”
It’s also an outdoors destination where families can unplug at 56 award-winning state parks.
“Cast a line at Norris and Dale Hollow lakes; whitewater raft the Ocoee, America’s top whitewater center; stop for some great Southern cuisine and a tour at Casey Jones Village in Jackson, and don’t miss the expansive Discovery Park of America in Union City,” Amanda says.
Lehigh Acres mom of two Julie Beaird appreciates Tennessee. She not only lived there for more than 12 years, she ventures back annually to Knoxville with her children, Rachel, 16, and Mason, 13, who were both born in this state.
Julie says the change of seasons and the mountains are two of her most-loved attributes of Tennessee.
“The kids love their friends, the change of colors with the leaves and the snow,” she adds. “Tennessee has so much to offer all ages. We loved Knoxville, because it offers so much for the family. It’s a big city with a small-town feel. It is so close to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, but it’s also only an hour and a half to Chattanooga.”
Knoxville
In Knoxville, midway up the east side of the state, Julie recommends visiting the Zoo Knoxville, Victor Ashe Park, Neubert Springs Farm, which belongs to a family friend, and the Cruze Farm Dairy, known for its ice cream and pizza.
“When we went up last March, we found the Cruze Farm Dairy. The ice cream is delicious. I’m sure we’ll make it a tradition to stop by there each visit,” Julie says. “In the winter, there is an outdoor ice skating rink on Market Square in downtown Knoxville. And after Thanksgiving there is the Fantasy of Trees festival.”
You’ll find charm in places like Tennessee Theatre, Market Square and at the WDVX Radio Blue Plate Special, a live performance radio show held at noon every weekday in the Knoxville Visitor Center.
“Enjoy the bustling downtown, Southern farm-to-table dishes at Bistro at the Bijou, hiking at Urban Wilderness (a recreational area that has 1,000 acres of forest along downtown’s south waterfront) and I jams Nature Center, and seeing tigers at the Knoxville zoo,” Amanda recommends. “Experience history and culture at the Knoxville Museum of Art and the East Tennessee History Center. Visit James White’s Fort, the birthplace of Knoxville, or a house museum including Blount Mansion and Crescent Bend House & Gardens.”
Gatlinburg
Julie and her kids have also spent time in the Gatlinburg area in east Tennessee on the west side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In Gatlinburg, they stayed at the Wilderness at the Smokies, a water park resort and family adventure center that features indoor and outdoor water parks.
“My favorite thing was staying there and having a water park right onsite,” Julie says. “One water park is indoors, so even in cold weather, you can have fun. Rachel and Mason loved the Storm Chaser, Indoor Tube Slides and The Great Wave. The outdoor water park is a lot of fun, too. Also onsite is a place to paint your own pottery, if you need a break from the water. The restaurants are good, too. It’s a complete family vacation all in one area.”
Julie says her family loves visiting Dollywood, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge.
Amanda recommends the scenic views at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Anakeesta aerial adventure park, Ober Gatlinburg (an amusement park and ski area) and the Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Crafts Community loop. For Southern cooking, she suggests Pancake Pantry or the Wild Plum Tea Room, or grab a cup of joe at Coffee & Company.
Chattanooga
Another area for families to consider is Chattanooga, which is on the banks of the Tennessee River in the southeast part of the state.
“Chattanooga is filled with world-class attractions. The city is home to the Tennessee Aquarium; the 14-acre Chattanooga Zoo; Ruby Falls, America’s tallest underground waterfall; the Incline Railway, considered ‘America’s Most Amazing Mile,’ and Rock City Gardens, where the ‘See 7 States’ panoramic views, gardens … and ancient rock formations can be experienced,” Amanda describes.
But that is not all this culturally diverse city has to offer. There’s Songbirds Guitar Museum, the Tennessee Valley Rail Road Museum and award-winning restaurants like STIR and Hennen’s Steakhouse.
Nashville
In the middle of the state, Nashville is a family-friendly music haven.
“Music City is home to the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and NHL’s Nashville Predators and NFL’s Tennessee Titans,” Amanda notes. “Nashville has the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and famous Studio B, where hits were made by Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash. Madame Tussauds celebrates iconic musical figures. Plaza Mariachi is a cultural center and marketplace with several eateries, salsa dancing and more. Uncover history and heritage at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.”
Memphis
On the west side of Tennessee, on the shores of the mighty Mississippi River, sits the vibrant city of Memphis, also rich with musical history.
“It’s the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Amanda says. “Walk in the footsteps of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll at Graceland and Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Pay tribute to musicians who shaped the world at the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum or tour Sun Studio.”
The city is also rich in history and nature.
“Here families can trace how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream changed the world at the National Civil Rights Museum,” Amanda says. “Or bike across the Mississippi River on the Big River Crossing, the longest pedestrian bridge in the U.S. Spot hippos, crocodiles and the famous pandas at the Memphis Zoo. Families can see a herd of buffalo, zip line or go horseback riding at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, a 4,500-acre greenspace.”