Your Backstage Pass to
Tennessee's Highlights
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| Cascade Cove in the Smokies. Photo: Tennessee Tourism Department. |
Nashville is known as “Music City, U.S.A.” Memphis is called the “Birthplace of the Blues.” And Bristol is referred to as the “Birthplace of Country Music.” It’s no stretch to say that the essence of music is infused throughout the state of Tennessee.
Culture and the arts fill the air in Tennessee’s diverse setting. And it is this rich diversity that stretches throughout the state and into all facets of life. A single stop in Tennessee will not do the state justice. Luckily, there are ample driving trails and byways that enable residents and visitors alike to see the state in an entirely new way. The various trails lead you to local hotspots, around great tourist destinations, and through the beautiful scenery of the state. It doesn’t matter what region you are in, there is a trail designed to take you exactly where you want to be with a new adventure to encounter. From the Ring of Fire Trail in Nashville to the White Lightning Trail in the Knoxville area, there are ample attractions, panoramic views and your new favorite city waiting to be found. Here are just a few of the paths where the trails may lead....
From the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, regardless of your location, there are always unique scenic sights and sounds to take in throughout Tennessee. The state is known for its hospitable weather and beautiful scenery, making it ideal to appreciate Tennessee’s natural wonders.
It isn’t every day that you can take a guided nature walk past waterfalls and into underground caverns. Venture to Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga and you will be in for a real treat—Ruby Falls, America’s deepest commercial cave. Take the plunge 1,120 feet beneath the surface and you will be able to view a true marvel, a 145-foot-high underground waterfall.
Get back to nature along the Sunnyside Trail at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and explore all that the great outdoors has to offer. Take a hike through the picturesque back country. Or climb aboard a four-legged friend and take advantage of the hundreds of miles of horseback riding trails. Don’t forget to pack the sandwiches and watermelon, as picnic pavilions dot the park and are a great way to enjoy spectacular views.
For some forbidden fun, visit Sevierville and explore the Forbidden Caverns. Open seasonally, visitors can see amazing formations created by Mother Nature thousand of years ago.
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| Penquin's Rock at Tennessee Aquarium. Photo: Tennessee Aquarium/Todd Stanley. |
Tune your Tennessee experience to fun. Then tap your feet in tempo with the fast-paced excitement that awaits throughout the region’s abounding attractions. Best of all, as always, AAA members receive great savings on attraction tickets throughout the state.
Nothing says Tennessee like Elvis Presley. Trace The King’s footprints in time along the Proud Mary Trail and visit his Graceland mansion in Memphis. See Elvis artifacts, like his famous Vegas jumpsuits, awards and records, as well as his car collection—including his pink Cadillac—and his two planes, the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II.
To get your aquatic fill, visit the largest freshwater aquarium in the world—Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. Dive into an exciting day with 10,000 animals and a new IMAX 3-D movie theater boasting a screen six stories high. You will also have the opportunity to take a ride on the River Gorge Explorer, a riverboat cruise and tour where you can view wildlife in its natural habitat.
Host to a new festival every season, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge makes for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. The Queen of Country Music, Tennessee’s own Dolly Parton co-owns the theme park. In addition to thrilling amusement park rides, the park also features a sky-high zipline, water excursions and themed shops. Dollywood celebrates the traditional crafts and music of its Smoky Mountain region.
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| Country Music Hall of Fame Rotunda. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. |
Tennessee is known for a lot of things. It’s where Jack Daniels developed his famous whiskey. It’s where Moon Pies have been produced since 1917. And it’s referred to as the Volunteer State thanks to the large number of volunteers during the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Gulf War. Throughout the state there are countless things to discover and a wide variance between the regions.
To the west, Memphis reigns as the home of Elvis, the Blues and Beale Street. Historic Beale Street roars with the sounds of jazz, blues, rock and roll, and country. Music legends like B.B. King, W.C. Handy and Isaac Hayes have all graced the stage and performed along Beale Street. Crowding its lively three blocks are clubs, restaurants, dive bars and shops. When in town, be sure to try the local favorites: barbecue ribs and Cajun gumbo.
There’s something to be said about a city that is everything music—365 days a year. Nashville, better known as “Music City, U.S.A.,” is a nonstop city of sights, culture and, of course, sounds. It is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, an experience that will bring you face-to-face with the country music legends’ history and memorabilia. As a music icon in Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry enables visitors to truly experience the music as it honors the greats of country music and creates a lasting note in country music history.
Along the eastern border of the state, tucked in the Smoky Mountains, lies a thriving city. Gatlinburg blends small-town appeal with contemporary charm to create a city waiting to be explored. Take advantage of the scenery with a white water rafting trip through the Smokies, or see the sights by air aboard the aerial tramway, a 120-passenger tram that takes you to an elevation of 2,700 feet.
Regardless of your tastes in travel itineraries—or musical genres for that matter—Tennessee has something for everyone. And surely one visit to the region will not be enough to explore all the Volunteer State has to offer. So next time you’re in for an adventure, pack the kids, car and CD player and explore Tennessee by way of its trails and byways. You’ll be in for a truly unique experience.