Tennessee. We bet you’ve had it on your bucket list for ages. You’ve probably questioned, over and over, whether or not you should take the drive down to our fair state. Where the waterfalls make their home, where the people are kind and the food is good. Take a look at some must-dos here in this lovely place – we promise they will make your vacation perfect. If you’re looking for something you must do in Tennessee, we’ve got you covered! From caves to concerts, our state has it all.

  1. Hike a waterfall

Mike / Flickr Cummins Falls and Foster Falls lead the ranks as some of the best, but there are hundreds of hikes and swimming holes to float your boat. Check out a few of our favorites on this Tennessee Waterfall Road Trip.

  1. Try the food - more than once

Arnold’s BBQ & Grill-Memphis TN We have the best cooks in the country. Hands down. Read about some of the best restaurants in the country - right here in TN.

  1. Go spelunking

Brent Moore / Flickr We aren’t called Ol’ Rocky Top for nothing. Here are a few of our favorite cave adventures.

  1. Or take in a live show

Thomas Hawk / Flickr Musicians are everywhere! This is one talented state, y’all. One of the most famous music venues in America is here in Nashville.

  1. Break out at Bonnaroo

Deluxe Luxury / Flickr If you have a flower crown, that is. Read more about this iconic festival here.

  1. Cool off at Ruby Falls, Rock City

Valerie Everett / Flickr The kids will go wild when they see this incredible underground waterfall. Read more about this bucket-list worthy destination here.

  1. Hang with the locals

Flickr / Oak Ridge National Laboratory They’re the nicest people around - but hopefully they’ll be able to put up with you touristy folk. Strike up a chat and leave town smarter why dontcha? See what makes Tennesseans so great!

  1. Take in the lights of Music City

Thomas Hawk / Flickr Nashville hasn’t been deemed the “It City” for nothin’, folks. Did you know we have a whole page full of Nashville info?

  1. Enjoy the views from Lookout Mountain

Clint Alley / Flickr Can you SERIOUSLY say no to this view?! You can see seven states from the top!

  1. Stare in awe at the Great Smoky Mountains

Tom Bricker / Flickr East Tennessee really takes the cake when it comes to mountainous views. See why Great Smoky Mountains National Park was named one of the most beautiful places in the country.

  1. Take a swim in a stunning lake

Mike D’Angelo / Flickr There are a million and a half. Okay, maybe not that much - but there are SCADS for you to take your canoe and fall in love. Here are a few of our favorites.

  1. See the bridges of Chattanooga

Frank Kehren / Flickr This river city is something you definitely can’t miss. Read more about why we love this town.

  1. Rock out on Beale Street in Memphis

Flickr / Thomas Hawk Beale Street is the “home of the blues” and a significant landmark in Memphis. Walk the street at night and listen for the music, have a bite to eat, and enjoy! Be sure to read up on the history of this historic spot. Read more about why you’ve got to visit Memphis.

Hey Tennessee – let us know what you think. Have some other ‘musts’ for the out-of-towners? Tell us below!

Mike / Flickr

Cummins Falls and Foster Falls lead the ranks as some of the best, but there are hundreds of hikes and swimming holes to float your boat. Check out a few of our favorites on this Tennessee Waterfall Road Trip.

Arnold’s BBQ & Grill-Memphis TN

We have the best cooks in the country. Hands down. Read about some of the best restaurants in the country - right here in TN.

Brent Moore / Flickr

We aren’t called Ol’ Rocky Top for nothing. Here are a few of our favorite cave adventures.

Thomas Hawk / Flickr

Musicians are everywhere! This is one talented state, y’all. One of the most famous music venues in America is here in Nashville.

Deluxe Luxury / Flickr

If you have a flower crown, that is. Read more about this iconic festival here.

Valerie Everett / Flickr

The kids will go wild when they see this incredible underground waterfall. Read more about this bucket-list worthy destination here.

Flickr / Oak Ridge National Laboratory

They’re the nicest people around - but hopefully they’ll be able to put up with you touristy folk. Strike up a chat and leave town smarter why dontcha? See what makes Tennesseans so great!

Thomas Hawk / Flickr

Nashville hasn’t been deemed the “It City” for nothin’, folks. Did you know we have a whole page full of Nashville info?

Clint Alley / Flickr

Can you SERIOUSLY say no to this view?! You can see seven states from the top!

Tom Bricker / Flickr

East Tennessee really takes the cake when it comes to mountainous views. See why Great Smoky Mountains National Park was named one of the most beautiful places in the country.

Mike D’Angelo / Flickr

There are a million and a half. Okay, maybe not that much - but there are SCADS for you to take your canoe and fall in love. Here are a few of our favorites.

Frank Kehren / Flickr

This river city is something you definitely can’t miss. Read more about why we love this town.

Flickr / Thomas Hawk

Beale Street is the “home of the blues” and a significant landmark in Memphis. Walk the street at night and listen for the music, have a bite to eat, and enjoy! Be sure to read up on the history of this historic spot. Read more about why you’ve got to visit Memphis.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Nashville, TN, USAAddress: Manchester, TN 37355, USAAddress: Rock City, TN 37030, USAAddress: Chattanooga, TN, USAAddress: Great Smoky Mountains, United States

The OIYS Visitor Center

things you must do in Tennessee March 12, 2021 Kim Magaraci What is Tennessee known for? Tennessee is known for a whole lot of things, and the answer you get depends on who you ask! Music buffs will be the first to tell you that Tennesse is known for being the best state in the country for musicians, songwriters, and anyone trying to break onto the production scene. Nature lovers will tell you all about the smoky mountains, the caves, and the lakes. Foodies will be quick to fill you in on the accolades our restaurants receive. Tennessee is quite a well-rounded state! Where is the best place to live in Tennessee? If you love music, there’s no better place in the world than Nashville. Eastern Tennessee is a dreamscape for anyone who loves hiking and getting outdoors. As far as particular towns that are noteworthy, Brentwood is consistently on the top of “Best Places to Live” lists, and Franklin or Chattanooga are never too far behind. What are the most beautiful places in Tennessee? The Great Smoky Mountains are not just the most beautiful place in Tennessee, but many would say they’re the most beautiful place in the country. Every year, millions of people visit our national park and fall in love with the rolling hills, mountains, and caves. If you’re on a short time limit, though, you might want to skip the park and head to Rock City. Lookout Mountain offers the best view in the state, and you can also find a remarkable waterfall here, Ruby Falls.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

things you must do in Tennessee

March 12, 2021

Kim Magaraci

What is Tennessee known for? Tennessee is known for a whole lot of things, and the answer you get depends on who you ask! Music buffs will be the first to tell you that Tennesse is known for being the best state in the country for musicians, songwriters, and anyone trying to break onto the production scene. Nature lovers will tell you all about the smoky mountains, the caves, and the lakes. Foodies will be quick to fill you in on the accolades our restaurants receive. Tennessee is quite a well-rounded state! Where is the best place to live in Tennessee? If you love music, there’s no better place in the world than Nashville. Eastern Tennessee is a dreamscape for anyone who loves hiking and getting outdoors. As far as particular towns that are noteworthy, Brentwood is consistently on the top of “Best Places to Live” lists, and Franklin or Chattanooga are never too far behind. What are the most beautiful places in Tennessee? The Great Smoky Mountains are not just the most beautiful place in Tennessee, but many would say they’re the most beautiful place in the country. Every year, millions of people visit our national park and fall in love with the rolling hills, mountains, and caves. If you’re on a short time limit, though, you might want to skip the park and head to Rock City. Lookout Mountain offers the best view in the state, and you can also find a remarkable waterfall here, Ruby Falls.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Tennessee is known for a whole lot of things, and the answer you get depends on who you ask! Music buffs will be the first to tell you that Tennesse is known for being the best state in the country for musicians, songwriters, and anyone trying to break onto the production scene. Nature lovers will tell you all about the smoky mountains, the caves, and the lakes. Foodies will be quick to fill you in on the accolades our restaurants receive. Tennessee is quite a well-rounded state!

Where is the best place to live in Tennessee?

If you love music, there’s no better place in the world than Nashville. Eastern Tennessee is a dreamscape for anyone who loves hiking and getting outdoors. As far as particular towns that are noteworthy, Brentwood is consistently on the top of “Best Places to Live” lists, and Franklin or Chattanooga are never too far behind.

What are the most beautiful places in Tennessee?

The Great Smoky Mountains are not just the most beautiful place in Tennessee, but many would say they’re the most beautiful place in the country. Every year, millions of people visit our national park and fall in love with the rolling hills, mountains, and caves. If you’re on a short time limit, though, you might want to skip the park and head to Rock City. Lookout Mountain offers the best view in the state, and you can also find a remarkable waterfall here, Ruby Falls.