Tennessee IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Tennessee, Illinois.
1. Grand Ole Opry
ICONIC COUNTRY MUSIC VENUE
The Grand Ole Opry is Nashville's premier country music stage show that has hosted legendary performers since 1925. Visitors can enjoy live performances showcasing both established stars and emerging artists in this historic venue. The show offers an authentic Nashville experience that has earned its reputation as 'the show that made country music famous.'
2. Dollywood
DOLLY PARTON'S THEME PARK
Dollywood is an award-winning theme park owned by country music superstar Dolly Parton located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The park features thrilling rides, traditional crafts, music performances, and seasonal festivals celebrating Appalachian culture. Visitors can experience Southern hospitality, delicious food, and family-friendly entertainment across its beautifully themed areas.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
AMERICA'S MOST VISITED PARK
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America's most visited national park, straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Visitors can explore over 800 miles of hiking trails through ancient forests, cascading waterfalls, and mountain vistas shrouded in the park's namesake mist. The park is renowned for its biodiversity, historic structures, and spectacular seasonal displays of wildflowers and fall foliage.
4. Jack Daniel's Distillery
HISTORIC WHISKEY TOUR
Jack Daniel's Distillery offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the production of America's oldest registered distillery, established in 1866. Tours guide guests through the whiskey-making process, from the natural limestone spring water to the charcoal mellowing that gives Jack Daniel's its distinctive flavor. The historic distillery site combines traditional methods with modern facilities in the charming small town of Lynchburg.
5. Centennial Park
NASHVILLE'S URBAN OASIS
Centennial Park is a 132-acre public recreational area featuring a one-mile walking trail, Lake Watauga, sunken gardens, and numerous amenities for visitors. The park's crown jewel is the full-scale replica of the Parthenon, complete with a 42-foot gold statue of Athena Parthenos inside. Art enthusiasts can explore the permanent gallery showcasing 19th and 20th century American paintings housed within this remarkable recreation of the ancient Greek temple.
6. Tuckaleechee Caverns
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Tuckaleechee Caverns is an impressive underground cave system known as the 'Greatest Site Under the Smokies.' Visitors can marvel at massive formations, underground streams, and chambers with ceilings over 150 feet high during guided tours of this ancient natural wonder. The caverns maintain a constant 58-degree temperature year-round, making it a perfect escape from summer heat or winter chill while exploring its spectacular geological features.
7. Belle Meade Plantation
HISTORIC SOUTHERN ESTATE
Belle Meade Plantation offers guided mansion tours that showcase the elegance of a 19th-century Southern estate once known for its thoroughbred horse breeding. Visitors can explore the Greek Revival mansion, outbuildings, and grounds while learning about the lives of the families and enslaved individuals who lived and worked there. The experience concludes with a complimentary wine tasting featuring varieties from the on-site winery.
8. Titanic Museum
INTERACTIVE HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE
The Titanic Museum is a ship-shaped attraction that houses over 400 artifacts from the famous ocean liner that sank in 1912. Visitors receive boarding passes of actual passengers and crew as they embark on a self-guided tour through galleries filled with full-scale recreations of the Grand Staircase, cabins, and other areas of the ship. The interactive experience allows guests to touch an iceberg, feel the freezing temperature of the North Atlantic, and learn the personal stories behind the historic tragedy.
9. Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud
DINNER AND ENTERTAINMENT SHOW
Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud combines an all-you-can-eat meal with an exciting lumberjack competition show in Pigeon Forge. Audience members cheer on rival logging teams as they compete in axe throwing, log rolling, speed climbing, and other timber sport events demonstrating strength and skill. The family-friendly experience offers both delicious Southern comfort food and high-energy entertainment in a festive atmosphere.
10. East Tennessee Off Road ATV
RUGGED MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES
East Tennessee Off Road ATV offers guided experiences through the beautiful mountain terrain surrounding Pigeon Forge. Visitors can drive all-terrain vehicles along scenic trails that showcase panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains and surrounding wilderness. The tours combine adventure with natural beauty, making it an exhilarating way to experience Tennessee's diverse landscape.
11. Nashville Ghost Tours
HAUNTED HISTORY WALK
Nashville's Dark Secrets walking tour combines true crime stories with ghostly encounters in the historic downtown area. Guides lead visitors through shadowy streets while recounting tales of murder, tragedy, and supernatural phenomena that have shaped the city's darker history. The evening experience offers a unique perspective on Nashville beyond its musical heritage, revealing the haunted locations and infamous events from its past.
12. Memphis Riverboat Cruise
MISSISSIPPI RIVER EXPERIENCE
The Memphis Discovery Tour includes a relaxing riverboat cruise on the mighty Mississippi River with panoramic views of the city skyline. Passengers can enjoy narration about the river's history, importance to commerce, and role in shaping the culture of Memphis and the surrounding region. The authentic paddlewheel experience offers a unique vantage point to appreciate the city while gliding along the same waterway that has transported people and goods for centuries.
13. Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley
FLEXIBLE CITY SIGHTSEEING
The Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour provides a convenient way to explore the city's major attractions at your own pace. Passengers can disembark at any of the stops to visit points of interest, then board a later trolley to continue their journey with unlimited rides throughout the day. Informative guides share interesting facts, stories, and musical history about Music City as the trolley travels between popular destinations.
14. Nashville Food Tours
CULINARY WALKING EXPERIENCE
Nashville Walking Food Tours take culinary adventurers through the city's vibrant neighborhoods to sample signature dishes and local specialties. Participants learn about the history and culture behind Nashville's food scene while enjoying tastings at multiple restaurants, cafes, and food shops. The guided experience combines sightseeing with delicious bites, offering an insider's perspective on the city's evolving culinary identity beyond its famous hot chicken.
15. Homes of the Stars Tour
CELEBRITY RESIDENCE SIGHTSEEING
The Nashville 'Homes Of The Stars' narrated bus tour takes visitors past more than 30 residences of country music legends and contemporary celebrities. Passengers can glimpse the luxurious estates and neighborhoods where famous musicians, actors, and entertainers make their homes in the Nashville area. The comfortable tour provides insider knowledge about the properties and their notable owners, offering a glimpse into the lifestyles of Music City's most successful residents.