129 Best Sights in Tennessee, USA

This picnic area, near the beginning of the Cades Cove Loop, has 81 picnic tables open all year. Its big advantage is that it's near the beautiful Cades Cove valley; the disadvantage is that as many as 2 million people come through this area each year. Also, at only 1,800 feet high, it can be hot and humid in summer. Potable water and flush toilets are available. Bears are fairly common, so closely observe food storage precautions. Several trailheads are at the picnic area. There is a campground store here that sells hot dogs, burgers, ice cream, basic grocery supplies, and firewood; it also rents bikes.

the Casey Jones Home and Railroad Museum contains a diverse assortment of railroad memorabilia. On the grounds is a replica of Old No. 382, Casey's steam engine

In Casey Jones Village. The Casey Jones Village Old Country Store, also in the village, has a restaurant, an 1890s-style ice cream parlor, and gift, souvenir, confectionery, and antiques shops.

Built for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, this popular park is not only home to the Parthenon Museum but is also a pleasant place for walking, relaxing, and participating in outdoor festivals. Craft fairs, festivals, and performances are often held in the 132-acre park, which includes a small lake, picnic areas, a band shell, an arts center, and a dog park.

The historic Cherry Mansion, built in 1830, served as General Grant's headquarters during the Battle of Shiloh. The house is privately owned, but visitors are allowed to walk around the grounds and take pictures.

Chucalissa Archaeological Museum is a reconstruction of a Native American village that existed from AD 1000 to AD 1500. Skilled Choctaw craftspeople fashion jewelry, weapons, and pottery outside the C. H. Nash Museum, which houses historic originals of the same articles.

On the northeast edge of the park, this picnic area has 35 tables in well-tended grassy areas under large poplar trees. Cosby Creek runs through the grounds. A wheelchair-accessible pavilion seats 55 and can be reserved for $25. There's a ranger station, restrooms, trailheads, and horse trails. Cosby has easy access from Interstate 40 via the Foothills Parkway and Tennessee State Route 32.

Relive the days of "King Cotton" in the architectural splendor of the city's cotton trading floor, re-created as it appeared in 1939, when Memphis did a booming business in cotton. Numerous cotton-related artifacts are on display.

This park on the east bank of the Cumberland River at the foot of the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge was designed with kids and families in mind. Sandboxes, a "sprayground" of fountains, an obstacle course, a climbing wall, and trails (one designed to attract butterflies) are among the offerings for kids; there's also a picnic area and 1,200-seat amphitheater. You can also enjoy great views of the river with the Nashville skyline just beyond the bank.

More than a dozen waterslides and thrill rides make up this expansion of Dollywood, including the corkscrew tunnels of the Mountain Scream slide and the 1,500-foot Downbound Float Trip lazy river. There's also the Mountain Waves pool and Little Creek Falls kids' area.

FedEx Forum is the home of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis Men's Basketball.

A beautiful and surreal crystal-clear stream runs through this underworld of grottoes and natural chimneys. This cave was a source of flint for Native American arrowheads and later served as a clandestine site for moonshine production. A stereophonic sound system adds to the experience. Pack a jacket even if it's sweltering outside. Temperatures inside the cavern hold steady year-round at 58 degrees.

This well-organized hospitality center operated by the Visitors Bureau will help you customize an itinerary to make the best use of your time and money in the Gatlinburg area, including info on the best hikes for your fitness level and hours available. Pick up a trolley map, buy a National Park parking pass, and browse the "Made in Gatlinburg" store.

This enormously popular radio show, performed in the Grand Ole Opry House, has been broadcasting country music since 1925. You can see superstars, legends, and up-and-coming stars on this stage. The Opry seats about 4,400 people and is broadcast live on WSM AM 650 every Tuesday (7 pm), Friday (8 pm), and Saturday (6 and 9 pm); buy tickets ($25–$57) well in advance, particularly during CMA Music Festival week in June. Tours of the Grand Ole Opry are also available.