What to do in Tennessee

Activities, attractions and tours
Tennessee

Tennessee Attractions

If you're ready to explore Tennessee, join a few of the top tours & day trips on offer, and have a friendly expert show you the most popular sites. Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our top {290 fun activities in Tennessee fun activities in Tennessee} are also worth looking into.



Tennessee must see attractions

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The beauty and diversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park explain why it is the most visited of the U.S. national parks. Enjoy nature, wildlife and the quiet peace of endless forests.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park featuring tranquil scenes, a house and forest scenes

2. Dollywood

From adrenalin-pumping roller coasters to kiddie rides, seasonal festivals to live music , museums and historic buildings, find boundless fun for the entire family at the Dollywood theme park. Opened in 1986 by legendary country singer Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the highlight of the trip to Pigeon Forge for many people. It attracts over 2 million visitors per year.
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Dollywood which includes signage and rides

3. Grand Ole Opry

Beginning in 1925 as a "barn dance," the Grand Ole Opry is the longest running radio show in American history. The two-hour program is broadcast live on Friday and Saturday nights, and on Tuesday nights March through December. Each show features a number of artists, from country music legends to budding artists, performing bluegrass, gospel, folk and country.
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Grand Ole Opry featuring autumn leaves

4. Beale Street

Spanning several city blocks in the heart of downtown Memphis, Beale Street is a hub of music, entertainment and history. Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, Elvis Presley and Johny Cash all played here at various times, helping to develop the musical style known as the “Memphis Blues.” Today Beale Street is packed with nightclubs, concert venues, restaurants and galleries, making it a great place to wander.
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Beale Street which includes nightlife, street scenes and a city

5. Broadway

There’s never a quiet moment on Nashville’s Broadway, whose famous bars and cultural institutions keep the party going all day and all night. Affectionately referred to as the Honky Tonk Highway, the bars and clubs here are defined by the presence of live music, long hours, and a lack of cover charges. With a musical culture that encourages big stars and unknown acts alike to hit the stage, no matter how small, that means that bar-hopping is the way to go. There’s more than parties though, with the Frist Art Museum and other places offering respite from crowds and noise.
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Nashville Broadway showing night scenes, nightlife and street scenes

6. Music City Center

Opened in 2013, the Music City Center aims to be one of the most convenient convention centers in the United States. Created by an Atlanta-based firm, TVS design, in partnership with the Nashville-based Tuck Hinton Architects, the center harkens to the classic Nashville look while being thoroughly modern and definitely eco-friendly. Stop by its central location, in an area that was, until the 1950s, nicknamed Black Bottom for its periodic floods, just to appreciate the sheer size of the building. Spreading out over 2.1 million square feet (195,000 square meters), it is no surprise it has quickly become the city’s biggest spot for conventions and celebrations of all sorts.
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Music City Center showing modern architecture and a city

What to do in Tennessee

Free Things to Do in Tennessee

There's no need to dig deep into your pockets in Tennessee. The following won't even cost a dollar.

Shelbyville Recreation Center - Cultivate your green thumb and explore the wide range of plants on display.

Things to Do in Tennessee with Kids

There are lots of incredible experiences in Tennessee that the entire gang will enjoy. These are a few of the most popular family friendly experiences in the area.


 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Tennessee? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 


 

Read travel guides and advice on visiting Tennessee

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Tennessee on a sunny day?
Soak up the great weather (and give your legs a stretch at the same time) with one or two of these fun activities:


What to do in Tennessee on a rainy day?
There’s no need to splish and splash your way through a rainy day when there are so many wonderful indoor activities to try:


What is Tennessee famous for?
Decisions, decisions — there are lots to make in Tennessee, like which of these notable attractions to drop by first:

  • Grand Ole Opry
  • Graceland
  • Dollywood

What should I not miss in Tennessee?
Put these attractions at the top of your must-do list to make the most of your trip:

  • Vanderbilt University
  • Nissan Stadium
  • Ryman Auditorium
  • Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Are there cheap things to do in Tennessee?
What can you do in Tennessee for free?
Your trip to Tennessee needn’t send you broke with free attractions like these to explore:

  • Vanderbilt University
  • Tennessee State Capitol
  • Sunsphere Tower
  • Ijams Nature Center


Popular places to visit

Explore areas of Tennessee

Day trip destinations from Tennessee