Discover Tennessee: Sounds Perfect!

Reconnect with nature. Set out on a culinary tour. See your favorite artists perform at a summer festival or live show. As temperatures heat up, here are some of the top things to do in Tennessee.

Music Experiences

From iconic music venues to summer festivals like the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, there’s always a show going on in Tennessee. For country music buffs, there’s nothing quite like walking through the legendary Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. There are countless other venues for live music throughout the city, but be sure to walk down Honky Tonk Highway on Lower Broadway for an unforgettable evening.
If you’re wanting an off-the-beaten-path concert experience, check out The Caverns in Pelham – it’s a concert venue that’s inside of the caves with an underground stage.
Graceland and Stax Museums are absolute must-visits for anyone in the Memphis area. And when you’re done there, be sure to catch one of 50+ free live shows at Overton Park Shell’s outdoor amphitheater.

Dining Out

Tennessee has tons of outdoor dining near ideal summer vacation spots. In East Nashville, The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden serves tasty burgers and wursts with a dog-friendly patio. Make sure to also check out Bastion, a local favorite with multi-course dinners that recently earned a Michelin Star in 2025.

If you’re in the mountains in Chattanooga, Café 7, located within Rock City Gardens, serves up delicious Southern cuisine with a modern twist and spectacular views. Later, stop by Clumpies Ice Cream Co. for frozen treats with unique flavors like Firecracker and French Silk.

CliffTop Restaurant at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg features modern American cuisine from steaks and burgers to house-made desserts that are all served with a side of sweeping views of Mt. LeConte and the Smokies.

To taste some of the South’s best barbecue, Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is a must visit for anyone in Memphis. If you’re in the Nashville area, stop by Edley’s Bar-B-Que and Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint for two different approaches to slow smoking greatness.

Outdoor Adventures

Get the perfect start—or end—to your day with a uniquely timed hike at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Located an hour south of Cookeville, the park hosts sunrise and sunset guided hikes, where you can get a new perspective on some of nature’s most iconic backdrops.

If you need to catch up on a little R&R, escape to Blue Bank Resort on the picturesque Reelfoot Lake. As you set out over this shallow lake, you can see hundreds of bald cypress tree trunks rising out of the water, creating a one-of-a-kind view.

Experience some of the state’s most beautiful scenery at Rock Island State Park, just north of McMinnville. While you’re hiking down the trails, don’t miss the stunning views of the 30-foot cascading Great Falls and the breathtaking Twin Falls. For more epic hiking – and fishing, birding, and swimming – visit Cumberland Mountain State Park.

If you’re looking for a water escape, the Pigeon, Ocoee and Nolichucky Rivers are widely recognized as some of the best places to raft Class III to IV rapids. They feature a wide range of rafting levels, tubing trips, fishing excursions, and more.

To make a splash, visit Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Adventure Park in Pigeon Forge. Its 35 acres are packed full of things to do, including a 1,500-foot lazy river and Tennessee’s tallest twin speed slides.

If you’re looking for more ways to break free from your typical summer break, you can find more Tennessee trip ideas at tnvacation.com •