Tennessee is a beautiful state, we all know that – we have our luscious farmlands to the west, the buzz of our urban cities and the sweet scent of the country that weaves itself throughout. When it comes to natural beauty and kind people, we have the whole thing down flat. The question, of course, lies in whether or not we’re “one of a kind.” Are we a place you can only experience once, are we interchangeable with our states to the north and south? Of course WE know the answer to that question – but it’s about to time to show you exactly why Tennessee is the gem of the south.
- See the source of all Jack Daniel’s whiskey.
Domi Art Photography - Flickr Lynchburg, Tennessee is home to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, and it is one of the most popular places to visit in the state. Jack Daniel’s gave Tennessee a name worldwide, and continues to attract customers on a regular basis.
- You can visit the synchronized fireflies in the mountains of the east.
VisitMySmokies There are nineteen species of fireflies that live in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, but synchronous fireflies make quite a show of themselves. They are actually able to synchronize their light flashing patterns, which means once a year you can find yourself enveloped in a fantasyland. This year the firefly shuttle ran from May 30th to June 6th, so you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled in the early summertime.
- Enjoy a moment at the Bluegrass Underground.
Eli Christman - Flickr The cavernous maw of Cumberland Caverns is amazing and mind-blowing, a true experience of what lies beneath the surface of the Volunteer State. You can watch a show at the Bluegrass Underground, a concert held far beyond the reaches of the sun.
- Visit the largest underground lake in the United States.
Brent Moore - Flickr The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the United States, and is listed as one of the largest in the entire WORLD. It was discovered by a young teenager, and has since served to enthrall tourists and locals alike. You can take a glass-bottomed boat tour and traverse the lake yourself, if you’re so inclined.
- And the MOST visited National Park.
Michael Hicks - Flickr The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is actually the most visited national park in the United States - how insane is that?! Partially due to its central location, it is also popular for its stunning autumnal colors and striking natural vistas.
- Take in a show at the Grand Ole Opry.
Ron Cogswell - Flickr If you’re a country fan, then the Grand Ole Opry is on your list. The longest running radio show in American history, this experience is one for the record books. There are shows daily so you just have to keep up on their calendar and find an event to truly experience.
- Or the historic Ryman!
Rikki - Flickr Ah, yes. Ryman Auditorium. The Mother Church. Located downtown and the location of the original Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman is a top notch venue that hosts musicians from every genre. It has the second best acoustics in the nation - just behind the Mormon Tabernacle Choir - and is a bucket list venue for many performing artists.
- Fall in love with the Tennessee River Gorge.
Charlene N Simmons - Flickr The Tennessee River Gorge is known as the Grand Canyon of the South, a deep gash cut into the Cumberland Plateau that skirts the lower half of the state. Beautiful any time of year, you can visit with a hike through Savage Gulf or even on your way through to Georgia.
- Spend at moment with The King at Graceland.
Doran Lower - Flickr Graceland is a Tennessee masterpiece, a marvel of southern architecture and nostalgia. Although Elvis was a Mississippi boy at his core, Memphis was his chosen home. You can visit the space as it once was throughout the year, but we have a special place in our hearts for Christmastime. The true heart of the place comes out in December, you know.
- Perhaps catch a ghost in Adams?
Cameron Daigle - Flickr The famous story of the Bell Witch Cave is a statewide legend, one that you can experience for yourself in the small town of Adams. Learn the story of how the violent poltergeist tore the Bell family apart, and how the state has never been the same since.
- Tour the factory that gave us the first combination candy bar.
Brent Moore - Flickr The GooGoo Cluster is the first recorded combination candy bar in history, which paved the way for our favorite Almond Joy’s and Reese’s and Snicker’s bars. You can tour the factory and indulge in a free sample downtown.
What about you? What should we add to this list? Start a conversation, not a fire in the comments below – we love to learn from you!
Domi Art Photography - Flickr
Lynchburg, Tennessee is home to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, and it is one of the most popular places to visit in the state. Jack Daniel’s gave Tennessee a name worldwide, and continues to attract customers on a regular basis.
VisitMySmokies
There are nineteen species of fireflies that live in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, but synchronous fireflies make quite a show of themselves. They are actually able to synchronize their light flashing patterns, which means once a year you can find yourself enveloped in a fantasyland. This year the firefly shuttle ran from May 30th to June 6th, so you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled in the early summertime.
Eli Christman - Flickr
The cavernous maw of Cumberland Caverns is amazing and mind-blowing, a true experience of what lies beneath the surface of the Volunteer State. You can watch a show at the Bluegrass Underground, a concert held far beyond the reaches of the sun.
Brent Moore - Flickr
The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the United States, and is listed as one of the largest in the entire WORLD. It was discovered by a young teenager, and has since served to enthrall tourists and locals alike. You can take a glass-bottomed boat tour and traverse the lake yourself, if you’re so inclined.
Michael Hicks - Flickr
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is actually the most visited national park in the United States - how insane is that?! Partially due to its central location, it is also popular for its stunning autumnal colors and striking natural vistas.
Ron Cogswell - Flickr
If you’re a country fan, then the Grand Ole Opry is on your list. The longest running radio show in American history, this experience is one for the record books. There are shows daily so you just have to keep up on their calendar and find an event to truly experience.
Rikki - Flickr
Ah, yes. Ryman Auditorium. The Mother Church. Located downtown and the location of the original Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman is a top notch venue that hosts musicians from every genre. It has the second best acoustics in the nation - just behind the Mormon Tabernacle Choir - and is a bucket list venue for many performing artists.
Charlene N Simmons - Flickr
The Tennessee River Gorge is known as the Grand Canyon of the South, a deep gash cut into the Cumberland Plateau that skirts the lower half of the state. Beautiful any time of year, you can visit with a hike through Savage Gulf or even on your way through to Georgia.
Doran Lower - Flickr
Graceland is a Tennessee masterpiece, a marvel of southern architecture and nostalgia. Although Elvis was a Mississippi boy at his core, Memphis was his chosen home. You can visit the space as it once was throughout the year, but we have a special place in our hearts for Christmastime. The true heart of the place comes out in December, you know.
Cameron Daigle - Flickr
The famous story of the Bell Witch Cave is a statewide legend, one that you can experience for yourself in the small town of Adams. Learn the story of how the violent poltergeist tore the Bell family apart, and how the state has never been the same since.
The GooGoo Cluster is the first recorded combination candy bar in history, which paved the way for our favorite Almond Joy’s and Reese’s and Snicker’s bars. You can tour the factory and indulge in a free sample downtown.
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