If you’re a true Tennessean, then you’ve probably found yourself wondering at how you can really, fully and completely, fall head over heels in love with your state again. We live here, so sometimes we find ourselves taking the beauty of the east and the music of the west for granted. That’s why we’ve put together a solid 17 things that YOU need to do whilst you’re living in the Volunteer State – every single one of them vetted and true.
- Take in the beauty of the state at Lookout Mountain.
framechaser - Flickr The Chattanooga location doesn’t compare to anywhere else when it comes to Tennessee views. Plus, research the history of the site - it’s truly humbling.
- Visit the Cumberland Caverns.
Kyle Jones - Flickr If you haven’t already done it as a field trip in fifth grade. (Half of y’all should be sheepishly raising your hand…)
- Visit the Bluebird Café.
Karen Miller - Flickr It’s the maker of great country music artists, after all.
- Try to hike all 150 trails in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Tim Lumley - Flickr Did you even know there were that many?
- Find a neighborhood coffee shop and shoot the breeze.
Muletown Coffee - Facebook We’d like to recommend Headquarters in Nashville and Muletown Coffee Roasters in Columbia.
- Visit the Hermitage.
Rennett Stowe - Flickr As home of Tennessee native Andrew Jackson, you don’t want to miss out on our former president’s home.
- Scare the heck out of your folks at the Bell Witch Cave.
Cameron Daigle - Flickr The Tennessee legend has stayed alive through the wiles of history and continues to spook folks to this day.
- Fall in love with Watauga Lake.
Adam Sonett - Flickr Pretty much the most beautiful and secluded place you could be in Tennessee. Also - did you know that a replica Watauga Lake sits in the middle of Nashville’s Centennial Park? True stuff.
- Visit Ober Gatlinburg.
James Thompson - Filckr Our one well-known ski spot, this east Tennessee amusement area is definitely a must if you have little ones.
- Walk Broadway in Nashville.
Thomas Hawk - Flickr Probably just once. Or twice if you have to go to a bachelor party…but it’s quite the experience.
- Find your own local spot.
Larry Darling - Flickr Can we recommend Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse in Pottsville? Good people, good food, good conversation.
- Visit the Parthenon in Centennial Park.
Celeste Lindell - Flickr Known as ‘The Athens of the South,’ Nashville has its own to-scale replica of the Parthenon.
- Walk the bridges in Chattanooga.
Bryce Edwards - Flickr Because they’re beautiful and iconic and deserve to be walked, and often.
- Take a tour of the Civil War battlefields.
Allan Gatham - Flickr Tennessee has a solid investment in Civil War history, and we’re proud of our heritage. Take some time to learn about our country and the war between the states.
- Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
Rachael H - TripAdvisor Unless you’re scared of heights. In that case…just don’t.
- Try the biscuits from the Loveless Café.
Kurman Communications - Flickr THEY ARE ICONIC TENNESSEE. Okay, we’ll stop yelling now…but really. You can’t get more authentic than this.
- Reflect on the beauty of the state in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Jade Leetz - Flickr Take a hike, take a drive. Take some time to yourself and enjoy a few moments surrounded by the great Tennessee wilderness. It’s a privilege not many have.
Oh, Tennessee. We’ll forever be in love with you. Plus (BONUS) – check out the greatest places in Tennessee if you hate crowds.
framechaser - Flickr
The Chattanooga location doesn’t compare to anywhere else when it comes to Tennessee views. Plus, research the history of the site - it’s truly humbling.
Kyle Jones - Flickr
If you haven’t already done it as a field trip in fifth grade. (Half of y’all should be sheepishly raising your hand…)
Karen Miller - Flickr
It’s the maker of great country music artists, after all.
Tim Lumley - Flickr
Did you even know there were that many?
Muletown Coffee - Facebook
We’d like to recommend Headquarters in Nashville and Muletown Coffee Roasters in Columbia.
Rennett Stowe - Flickr
As home of Tennessee native Andrew Jackson, you don’t want to miss out on our former president’s home.
Cameron Daigle - Flickr
The Tennessee legend has stayed alive through the wiles of history and continues to spook folks to this day.
Adam Sonett - Flickr
Pretty much the most beautiful and secluded place you could be in Tennessee. Also - did you know that a replica Watauga Lake sits in the middle of Nashville’s Centennial Park? True stuff.
James Thompson - Filckr
Our one well-known ski spot, this east Tennessee amusement area is definitely a must if you have little ones.
Thomas Hawk - Flickr
Probably just once. Or twice if you have to go to a bachelor party…but it’s quite the experience.
Larry Darling - Flickr
Can we recommend Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse in Pottsville? Good people, good food, good conversation.
Celeste Lindell - Flickr
Known as ‘The Athens of the South,’ Nashville has its own to-scale replica of the Parthenon.
Bryce Edwards - Flickr
Because they’re beautiful and iconic and deserve to be walked, and often.
Allan Gatham - Flickr
Tennessee has a solid investment in Civil War history, and we’re proud of our heritage. Take some time to learn about our country and the war between the states.
Rachael H - TripAdvisor
Unless you’re scared of heights. In that case…just don’t.
Kurman Communications - Flickr
THEY ARE ICONIC TENNESSEE. Okay, we’ll stop yelling now…but really. You can’t get more authentic than this.
Jade Leetz - Flickr
Take a hike, take a drive. Take some time to yourself and enjoy a few moments surrounded by the great Tennessee wilderness. It’s a privilege not many have.
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