Tennessee Holidays

From smoky mountain peaks to sizzling BBQ streets, Tennessee’s got a playlist of epic experiences – whether you’re a nature nut, culture vulture, or just here for the deep-fried pies.

Highlights

• 🌄 The Great Smoky Mountains, aka nature’s answer to a stress ball – hiking, waterfalls, misty mornings and black bears (friendly ones… probably)

• 🎸 Two music cities, two totally different moods – Memphis for bluesy soul and rock 'n' roll swagger, Nashville for chart-topping country charm

• 🥃 Whiskey trails and moonshine tastings, including the legendary Jack Daniel’s distillery in Lynchburg

• 🎢 Theme parks, caves, and quirky roadside stops – because nothing says Tennessee like a rollercoaster followed by a visit to a haunted salt mine

Getting around

Tennessee is bigger than most people think – and full of scenic drives that make the journey just as fun as the destination (especially with a bluegrass playlist on loop). If you're sticking to the cities, public transport, Ubers, and buses do the job, but to really explore the state properly, a car is your golden ticket. Interstate highways connect key spots like Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, and the backroads? They're where the magic happens – think diners, vintage signs, and the occasional Elvis shrine. Major airports are in Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville, so you can fly in, pick up your rental, and hit the road with your sunnies on and snacks at the ready.

Things to do for families in Tennessee

Tennessee’s got good ol’ family fun down to a fine art. For big thrills, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is a rollercoaster-riding, cinnamon-bread-scoffing wonderland with Dolly Parton charm sprinkled on top. Outdoorsy crews can head to Great Smoky Mountains National Park for forest adventures, wildlife spotting and free entry (bonus!). In Chattanooga, kids will love the Tennessee Aquarium and Lookout Mountain’s Ruby Falls, where you get a real waterfall inside a cave – yes, really. Over in Memphis, the Children’s Museum and Memphis Zoo are full of hands-on exhibits and animal antics. And wherever you go, there’s always a roadside stop promising weird attractions, oversized milkshakes and endless photo ops. Perfect family fodder.

Things to do for couples in Tennessee

Looking for a loved-up long weekend or a full-on romantic escape? Tennessee brings the Southern charm in spades. In the east, the Smokies serve up cabin cuddles, mountaintop views and starry skies – perfect for slow mornings and log fire evenings. Head to Gatlinburg or Wears Valley for cosy stays and scenic wine trails. If you like your love story with a little drama, Graceland in Memphis offers a whirlwind of Elvis-inspired romance (sequins optional). Prefer something more sophisticated? Chattanooga’s riverside views, artsy cafés and romantic riverboat cruises tick all the boxes. Oh, and sunset whiskey tastings in Lynchburg? Just sayin’ – nothing says "I fancy you" like sipping Tennessee’s finest while the sky turns peach.

Things to do for groups in Tennessee

Big crew, big plans? Tennessee is group trip gold. Start with a live music crawl through Memphis’ Beale Street or a bluegrass barn dance in the Smokies – because bonding over banjos is highly underrated. For adventure-seekers, white-water rafting on the Ocoee River, ziplining in the Smokies, or tackling the Rock City gardens are guaranteed to get the adrenaline (and the group chat) buzzing. Road trip across the state with pit stops at quirky diners, roadside attractions and distillery tours – the Tennessee Whiskey Trail is a crowd-pleaser. For more organised chaos, Knoxville’s Market Square is packed with live entertainment, local eats and open-air vibes, while Pigeon Forge serves up kitschy fun with mini golf, go-karts and museums that are anything but boring. Think Titanic replica, crime museum, upside-down house… Tennessee doesn’t do dull.

Things to do for foodies in Tennessee

Tennessee’s food scene is so good, you’ll consider moving just for the biscuits. Every city and small town has its own speciality, and no one leaves hungry. In Memphis, it’s all about slow-cooked ribs and smoky dry rubs – best enjoyed with sticky fingers and a side of blues. Nashville’s hot chicken is fiery, crispy, and not for the faint of tastebud. Eastern Tennessee leans into mountain cooking, with apple fritters, skillet cornbread and pot pie that warms the soul. Throughout the state, meat-and-threes, buttermilk biscuits, and fried green tomatoes reign supreme – humble, hearty, and full of flavour. But it’s not just Southern comfort food – Chattanooga and Knoxville boast trendy food halls, vegan joints and creative cocktails for those who like their dining with a modern twist. Don’t forget dessert – moon pies, banana pudding and fried pies are practically a rite of passage.