Bibi

We are planning a trip at the end of June and are touring around Tennessee for one week. We would appreciate any ideas for must see places. Also have an interest in seeing the country side and a particular interest in Chicken growing/processing areas. Thanks.

Steve Rushton

I live in Clemson SC which is several hours away by auto.. however Clemson University is a land grant university specializing in agriculture. Also of interest is the livestock areas. By taking the Blue Ridge Parkway through the state of North Carolina you could arrive here the scenery along this route is unparalleled in the southeast.( we are located 20 miles or so from the North Carolina state line and also about the same from the state line of Georgia).From Nashville Tennessee it takes about 5 hours by car to arrive here.
Not knowing where you will be in Tennessee makes things a little difficult. but if you will drive from Nashville Tenn. north into Kentucky towards the town of Louisville Kentucky, you will pass through another very agricultural area. the grass in this area takes on a bluish hue and is worth seeing.( a word of caution... the folks in kentucky talk of only two things...their horses and American basketball you will find many farms in this area and the folks are very hospitable !!
In Tennessee, I would think that the area around Memphis would be of particular interest. The Mississippi
river runs nearby and agricultural areas abound. Lots of cotton still grown in these areas. You would want to take a paddleboat (they now have casinos on board) ride down the Mississippi
river. During the American pioneer days, this was the preferred method of travel.
Tell me where you are interested, and maybe i know someone who may be of help..

steve

Ellie

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a very scenic drive. Great for picnics and mt views. But you have to get off the parkway for lodging if I remember correctly. You can go through the Great Smokey Mountains to get to it. The Smokeys are the best of Tennessee. The park has great hiking and lots of wildlife. On the north side of the park, Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge are very touristy. Townsend is more quiet. On the south side (North Carolina) Cherokee is very touristy, but other towns - Bryson City, Fontana Village are much more quiet. Lodging of all kinds can be found around the park. Dale Hollow lake is very popular for boaters and swimmers.

jo

Cades Cove near Townsend is very interesting and a beautiful valley in the mountains. Founded in the 1800's and deserted in the 1920's. The drive over the Smokey mountains is beautiful.

Paul Rabe

If you're into country music, head for Nashville. Check out the Country Music Hall of Fame, Country Music Row, and (MUST-SEE) the Grand Ole Opry.
If you're into any other kind of American popular music, head for Memphis. Visit the Sun Studios, the Memphis Music Museum, and the duck march at the Peabody Hotel.
If you like hiking, head for Smokey Mountains Nat Park.

BarK

If you're in Nashville head south to the small town of Franklin. Big Civil War town. The Battle of Franklin was the bloodyest four hour fight in the war. Main Street has been restored and won restoration notice; note the town square with the Confederate Soldier high on the pedistal - with his back to the North!!! The three natural divissions of Tennessee are distinctly diferent from each other; see them all!

Dee

Bibi,
Shelbyville is home to the Tennessee Walking Horse..beautiful farmland. Chattanooga is a wonderful small city, with lots of tourist attractions (some junky, some not), a great Aquarium, and some excellent dining spots downtown. Memphis has a good exhibit house, the Pyramid, check on what is scheduled for your visit. Have a wonderful time, but be prepared for heat and humidity!

lisa

If you can make it east into western North Carolina for a day or two, I think the Biltmore Mansion near Asheville, NC is a definite must-see. Plus this is gorgeous country.