Things to do in Tennessee

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Grand Ole Opry featuring a garden and autumn leaves
Nashville Broadway showing night scenes, nightlife and street scenes
Downtown Nashville featuring night scenes, a bridge and a city
Gatlinburg
Downtown Nashville which includes a city, a sunset and boating

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 {474 fun activities in Tennessee fun activities in Tennessee} are also worth looking into.


  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    One Key members save % or more on select activities, hotels, cars and vacation rentals.

Tennessee must see attractions

1. 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.
Learn more
Dollywood which includes signage and rides

2. 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.
Learn more
Great Smoky Mountains National Park featuring tranquil scenes, a house and forest scenes

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.
Learn more
Grand Ole Opry showing fall colors

4. 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.
Learn more
Nashville Broadway showing night scenes, nightlife and street scenes

5. Graceland

Journey through the life and legacy of one of the most legendary entertainers of all time at Graceland. The former home of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, is a sprawling estate filled with memorabilia charting every aspect of his illustrious career.
Learn more
Graceland showing a house and a pool

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.
Learn more
Music City Center showing modern architecture and a city

7. 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.
Learn more
Beale Street which includes nightlife, street scenes and a city

8. Bridgestone Arena

Bridgestone Arena may just be one of the most convenient urban stadiums in America, sited right near most of Nashville’s biggest attractions. That means it’s easy to slip in a hockey game on a whirlwind tour of the city, or hit the bars of Lower Broad after catching a sold-out stadium concert. Come to see some of the biggest acts in folk and country, like Mumford & Sons or Kasey Musgraves, or get a completely new perspective on the human body with the death-defying feats of Cirque du Soleil.
Learn more
Bridgestone Arena showing modern architecture, street scenes and a city

Black Friday Sale

Limited-time deals: Save up to 50% on select hotels.

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!

 


 


Discover the most popular places to visit in Tennessee

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Tennessee

Downtown Nashville which includes a city, a sunset and boating

Downtown Nashville

4/5(5,801 area reviews)

Sounds of country and honky-tonk resonate around the streets of Music City. Watch a show, attend a hockey match and walk in the footsteps of U.S. presidents.

Downtown Nashville
Gatlinburg showing landscape views and autumn leaves

Downtown Gatlinburg

While visiting Downtown Gatlinburg, you might make a stop by sights like Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg SkyPark.

Downtown Gatlinburg
Music Row which includes street scenes and signage

Music Row

4.5/5(660 area reviews)

Historic district southwest of downtown Nashville, Music Row boasts numerous record labels, studios, and music-related businesses. Explore upscale restaurants and bars along Demonbreun Street, and admire the "Musica" statue at the Music Row Roundabout.

Music Row
Beale Street showing nightlife, night scenes and street scenes

Downtown Memphis

4/5(1,782 area reviews)

Home to the Memphis Redbirds and Grizzlies NBA team, this central business district offers entertainment, dining, and attractions like Beale Street, FedExForum, and AutoZone Park. Easily accessible via major highways and public transit options.

Downtown Memphis
Little #marianlake near our cabin in #sevierville in the #smokymountains.

Wears Valley

Unique features of Wears Valley include the mountain views and parks. Make a stop by Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Walker Sisters Place while you're exploring the area.

Wears Valley
Knoxville featuring markets

Downtown Knoxville

4.5/5(691 area reviews)

Downtown Knoxville boasts a central business district, World's Fair Park, and historical buildings like the Bijou Theatre. Explore the University of Tennessee campus and enjoy the lively Market Square.

Downtown Knoxville

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 


 

Popular day trips from 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

Explore a world of travel with Expedia