Tennessee Sounds Perfect: Music, Mountains and Memorable Journeys
Tennessee offers clients a compelling mix of legendary music, dramatic landscapes, and powerful stories, all within an easy-to-combine itinerary. From Memphis blues and Nashville country to the Great Smoky Mountains, historic landmarks and distinctive Southern flavours, the state offers experiences shaped by creativity, culture and character.
Itineraries can combine music history, waterfall hikes, Civil Rights and Appalachian heritage, barbecue, Tennessee whiskey and scenic road trips, giving clients plenty of ways to experience the state. Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville can be linked with welcoming small towns and mountain communities to create varied, memorable journeys for a range of trips.
Find exactly what you’re looking for via the links below – or keep scrolling to discover the delights of Tennessee for yourself:
Tennessee touring & holiday ideas: 7-Day Tunes, Tastes & Tales Of Tennessee Self-Drive | 12-Day Deep South Discovery Self-Drive | 15-Day Tennessee Uncovered Self-Drive
Tennessee interactive map: Follow the Music, Mountains and Stories
Tennessee always finds a way to surprise: Where Every Road Has a Soundtrack | Into the Wild Heart of Tennessee | Stand Where American Stories Changed Course | Come Hungry and Leave Wanting More
Explore Tennessee by road: Cities, Small Towns and Scenic Byways
Visiting Tennessee throughout the year: Seasonal Rhythms and Mountain Escapes
Blog: Get to Know the American South: The People, Places and Traditions Behind the Icons
Tennessee Touring & Holiday Ideas
From music-led road trips and mountain escapes to scenic drives and multi-centre journeys across America’s South, Tennessee gives clients plenty of ways to explore beyond one destination. Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville can be paired with small towns, the Great Smoky Mountains and neighbouring Southern states to build itineraries around music, history, food and outdoor adventure.
7-Day Tunes, Tastes & Tales
Memphis, Nashville and the Great Smoky Mountains come together in a Tennessee journey shaped by music, Civil Rights history, Southern food and outdoor scenery. Museums, legendary venues, Graceland, Dollywood and mountain experiences create a varied route with strong appeal across culture and nature.
From £1,429pp
Including flights
Operated by Gold Medal
- Memphis sets the tone with Beale Street, celebrated barbecue and a music story rooted in blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll, creating a strong first introduction to Tennessee’s cultural identity
- The National Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studio and STAX Museum add important historical and musical depth, before Graceland explores the life and legacy of Elvis Presley in one of the state’s best-known attractions
- Nashville brings a different side of Tennessee’s music heritage, with the Country Music Hall of Fame, Studio B and National Museum of African American Music placing major genres and recording history in context
- Ryman Auditorium, Lower Broadway and the Grand Ole Opry showcase Nashville’s living music scene, while East Nashville adds independent shops, bars, cafés and restaurants away from the better-known downtown attractions
- The General Jackson Showboat introduces another Nashville experience, combining the Cumberland River with live entertainment before the route leaves the city and turns towards the Great Smoky Mountains
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park shifts the focus to scenery and outdoor activity, with extensive hiking trails, cycling, horseback riding and mountain landscapes providing a strong contrast to the music-led cities
- Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg add Dollywood, The Island and Anakeesta, bringing together Appalachian culture, live entertainment, family attractions, mountain views and outdoor experiences within the Smokies portion of the trip
- Sevierville completes the Tennessee section with shopping and additional Smoky Mountain character before the drive continues to Atlanta for the onward departure flight
- 6 nights accommodation on a Room Only basis
- Alamo car hire for the full duration featuring Skip the Counter and one additional driver
- All mandatory taxes and fees. Advertised price includes local £38pp fee approx. payable in resort
- Return international flights from London Heathrow to Memphis and return from Atlanta
- ABTA & ATOL protected
12-Day Deep South Discovery
A Deep South self-drive places Tennessee at the heart of the journey, linking Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis through music, Civil Rights history and signature attractions. Atlanta, Vicksburg, New Orleans, Mobile and Birmingham add further depth, creating a broad overview of Southern culture too.
From £2,749pp
Including flights
Operated by Premier Holidays
- Chattanooga introduces Tennessee through its revitalised riverfront, historic rail heritage and compact downtown, with the Chattanooga Choo Choo providing a distinctive link to the city’s transport and music story
- Lookout Mountain adds scenic and geological interest through the Incline Railway and Ruby Falls, while nearby viewpoints and attractions create a natural transition between Chattanooga and the road towards Nashville
- Nashville brings together main music landmarks including the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and RCA Studio B, with Lower Broadway adding live music, dining and evening atmosphere
- A second Nashville stay allows more time for recording history, neighbourhoods, restaurants and honky-tonks, giving the itinerary greater depth beyond the city’s best-known attractions and venues
- Memphis shifts the musical focus to blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll, with Beale Street, Sun Studio, the Stax Museum and Graceland illustrating the artists, studios and venues behind its global influence and character
- The National Civil Rights Museum adds important historical context in Memphis before the route continues south through Mississippi to Vicksburg and its wider Civil War heritage
- New Orleans broadens the journey with the French Quarter, Jackson Square, Royal Street, jazz venues, Creole cuisine and Mississippi River experiences, adding a contrasting Louisiana identity and cultural depth
- Mobile and Birmingham complete the wider Deep South route, combining historic districts and regional food with major Civil Rights landmarks before the journey returns to Atlanta for departure
- 2 nights stay at 4* Candler Hotel, Atlanta on a Room Only basis
- 1 night stay at 4* The Chattanoogan, Chattanooga on a Room Only basis
- 2 night stay at 4* The Fairlane, Nashville on a Room Only basis
- 2 nights stay at 4* ARRIVE, Memphis on a Room Only basis
- 1 night stay at 3* Hampton Inn & Suites, Vicksburg on a Bed & Breakfast basis
- 2 nights stay at 3* Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter on a Room Only basis
- 1 night stay at 3* Hampton Inn & Suites, Mobile on a Bed & Breakfast basis
- 1 night stay at 3* Redmont Hotel, Birmingham on a Room Only basis
- Price payable to Premier £2729 with an additional £20 mandatory fees payable locally in $US
- 13 days compact 4 door car hire with fully inclusive insurance
- Return International flights
- ABTA & ATOL protected
15-Day Tennessee Uncovered
Tennessee’s musical story leads this self-drive from Nashville and Memphis to Muscle Shoals, Chattanooga and the Smokies. Country, blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll landmarks are joined by legendary studios, live venues and mountain scenery, creating a richly varied journey through the South and beyond.
From £3,155pp
Including flights
Operated by North America Travel Service
- Nashville opens the route near Broadway, the Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame and National Museum of African American Music, bringing the city’s country, gospel and Black music traditions together
- RCA Studio B and the Grand Ole Opry add depth to Nashville’s music story, pairing landmark recording history with a live stage that still connects country legends, current stars and emerging performers
- Memphis shifts the soundtrack to blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll, with Beale Street, Sun Studio and the Stax Museum tracing the venues, studios and artists behind some of America’s most influential music
- Graceland adds another major Memphis chapter, with Elvis Presley’s mansion, aircraft, collections and exhibits exploring his career, while the National Civil Rights Museum places the city’s wider history in context
- Florence and Muscle Shoals extend the journey into Alabama, where FAME Recording Studios, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame reveal a recording legacy with global influence
- Chattanooga changes the pace with its Tennessee River setting, while downtown, the Bluff View Art District and Lookout Mountain add culture, views and historic interest between the major music stops
- Dollywood brings music back to the foreground in the Smokies, combining live entertainment, Appalachian traditions, crafts and Southern food with Pigeon Forge and mountain touring and local music
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides a contrasting finale of scenic drives, walking trails, wildlife and Cades Cove, balancing the route’s strong musical identity with East Tennessee scenery
- 4 nights stay at Tempo by Hilton, Downtown, Nashville on a Room Only basis
- 3 nights stay at Hyatt Centric Beale Street, Memphis on a Room Only basis
- 2 nights stay at Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa. Florence/Muscle Shoals on a Room Only basis
- 2 nights stay at The Chattanoogan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, Chattanooga on a Room Only basis
- 3 nights stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa, Pigeon Forge on a Room Only basis
- Mandatory taxes and fees
- Intermediate 4-door car hire including insurances
- Return international flights
- ATOL protected
Tennessee Interactive Map: Follow the Music, Mountains and Stories
From iconic music landmarks and Civil Rights history to dramatic waterfalls, mountain scenery and distinctive cultural attractions, Tennessee offers plenty for clients to explore. Use our interactive map to identify standout experiences across the state and help shape itineraries around the sights, stories and destinations most relevant to each journey.
Cities, Towns & Areas
Food, Drink & Distilling
Family Attractions & Discovery
History & Heritage
Music, Arts & Culture
Nature & Outdoor Adventure
Tennessee Always Finds a Way to Surprise
From legendary music and dramatic mountain landscapes to powerful history and distinctive Southern flavours, Tennessee is a destination rich in character. These pillars reveal the many sides of the state — where iconic cities, outdoor adventure, cultural heritage and memorable food and drink come together in one unforgettable journey.
Where Every Road Has a Soundtrack
From Memphis blues and Nashville country to bluegrass, gospel, soul and rock ’n’ roll, Tennessee offers one of America’s richest musical journeys. Legendary studios, museums and stages bring the state’s music heritage to life, while today’s artists and songwriters continue that story in venues that range from intimate clubs to internationally known stages across the state.
Experience Tennessee’s legendary sounds:
- Beale Street Historic District – One of America’s most famous music streets, Beale Street brings Memphis blues heritage together with historic clubs, venues, neon signs and street performers. Its atmosphere and musical legacy make it an easy inclusion in stays focused on the city’s sound and character
- Elvis Presley’s Graceland – Graceland offers a vivid look at the life and legacy of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. The mansion, costumes, cars and personal collections are joined by exhibitions placing Elvis Presley’s music, career and global influence in context
- Sun Studio – This Memphis studio holds an outsized place in music history. Stories of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and other pioneers show how sessions at Sun helped shape rock ’n’ roll and secured the studio’s place in Tennessee’s music story
- Grand Ole Opry – A Nashville institution and celebrated country stage, the Grand Ole Opry brings together legends, current stars and newer talent. Live shows continue a broadcasting tradition spanning generations, keeping the Opry central to Nashville’s music identity
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – Landmark recordings, stage costumes, instruments and exhibitions provide a broad introduction to country music and the people behind it. Its Nashville location makes the museum easy to combine with other music attractions in the city
Into the Wild Heart of Tennessee
From mist-covered mountains and cascading waterfalls to peaceful lakes, winding rivers and dramatic underground landscapes, Tennessee offers exceptional outdoor variety. Scenic drives, hiking, whitewater, wildlife and panoramic viewpoints can be combined into journeys ranging from relaxed escapes to more active adventures with options available across the state year round.
Explore Tennessee’s great outdoors:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Forest-covered peaks, scenic drives, tumbling waterfalls and extensive trails make this one of America’s most celebrated mountain landscapes. Wildlife, historic buildings and seasonal colour add further depth to stays across the Smokies
- Fall Creek Falls State Park – Deep gorges, woodland trails and scenic overlooks surround Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee’s highest waterfall. The park works well for active touring itineraries, with viewpoints, longer trails and quieter waterside stops adding variety to the stay
- Ocoee River – One of the Southeast’s best-known whitewater rivers, the Ocoee adds an adventurous edge to Tennessee itineraries. Guided rafting combines rushing rapids and forested scenery, with options suited to first-timers and experienced rafters alike
- Reelfoot Lake State Park – This shallow natural lake, formed by powerful earthquakes in the early 1800s, offers a distinctive Tennessee landscape. Flooded cypress trees, quiet waterways and abundant birdlife create an atmospheric setting for paddling, fishing and wildlife watching
- Rock City Gardens and Ruby Falls – Two signature Lookout Mountain attractions add contrasting experiences by Chattanooga. Rock City combines pathways, rock formations and panoramic viewpoints, while Ruby Falls heads underground for cavern scenery and a soaring hidden waterfall
Stand Where American Stories Changed Course
Tennessee’s history brings together stories that have shaped the South and the wider United States. Civil Rights landmarks, Indigenous heritage, Civil War sites, Appalachian traditions and the Manhattan Project create a varied historical picture, with museums and preserved places offering real insight into the people, events and ideas that influenced Tennessee and America.
Discover the stories that shaped Tennessee:
- U.S. Civil Rights Trail – Tennessee’s Civil Rights story stretches from Memphis to Nashville and Clinton. The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel and landmarks linked to sit-ins and Freedom Rides bring people and events behind national change into focus
- Shiloh and Civil War history – Shiloh National Military Park preserves the landscape of a key Civil War battle, with monuments and interpretation placing the events of 1862 in context. Tennessee’s wider Civil War Trail links more sites and stories across the state
- Museum of Appalachia – This Clinton living history museum explores Southern Appalachian life through historic cabins, barns and churches, alongside folk art, instruments and everyday objects which reveal the traditions and stories of mountain communities across the region
- Sequoyah Birthplace Museum – This tribally operated museum in Vonore explores Tennessee’s Indigenous heritage through Sequoyah and the creation of the Cherokee syllabary. Exhibits provide insight into Cherokee language, culture, family life and the history of the Trail of Tears
- Manhattan Project National Historical Park – Oak Ridge’s secret wartime role in the Manhattan Project is explored through exhibits and guided visits. The science, innovation, and human stories involved show how this East Tennessee community became part of world-changing history
Come Hungry and Leave Wanting More
Tennessee’s food and drink scene is as distinctive as its music. Memphis barbecue, Nashville hot chicken and Southern favourites sit alongside chef-led restaurants, farm-to-table dining and inventive kitchens, while historic whiskey distilleries, local wineries and food festivals add depth to its culinary identity shaped by place, tradition and creativity across the state.
Tennessee’s distinctive flavours:
- Memphis barbecue – A local tradition built on slow-smoked pork, dry-rub ribs and generations of pitmaster know-how. Memphis barbecue ranges from old-school neighbourhood joints to famous dining rooms, with each stop offering its own sauces, seasonings and techniques
- Nashville hot chicken – Nashville’s fiery signature dish is a key part of the city’s food culture. Crispy fried chicken is coated with a chilli-rich spice blend and served at heat levels ranging from gently warming to seriously hot, often with white bread and pickles
- Tennessee whiskey – The Tennessee Whiskey Trail links historic distilleries, tours and tasting rooms across the state, placing the craft and heritage of Tennessee whiskey within a broader touring route. Jack Daniel’s in Lynchburg adds an iconic global name alongside a varied mix of producers
- Farm-to-table dining – Contemporary Southern cooking sits alongside Tennessee’s traditional flavours. Restaurants draw on seasonal produce, regional farms and local producers, while chefs use familiar ingredients and modern ideas to create menus with a clear sense of place
- Food, wine and live music – Tennessee’s wineries, tasting rooms, local food festivals and music-filled restaurants allow regional flavours and local pours to sit naturally alongside the state’s music culture, adding another layer to food-led journeys across Tennessee
Explore Tennessee by Road: Cities, Small Towns and Scenic Byways
Tennessee works especially well by road, with varied journeys linking its best-known cities to welcoming small towns, music landmarks, locally owned restaurants and spectacular landscapes. From Memphis and Nashville to Chattanooga, Knoxville and the Smokies, scenic drives reveal more of the state at a relaxed pace, making the journey itself an important part of the overall Tennessee experience.
- Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways – Choose from 16 self-guided driving routes covering around 3,800 miles of scenic roadway. Each journey brings together music, history, food, outdoor recreation and communities beyond the major cities, creating flexible options for road trips built around many different interests
- Link Tennessee’s top cities – Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville can be combined in one journey, moving from legendary music and acclaimed dining to museums, riverfronts and outdoor attractions. Manageable distances make several destinations easy to include within the same holiday
- Find character in small towns – Historic town centres, locally owned restaurants, independent shops and welcoming communities add depth beyond the interstate. Stops in places such as Franklin, Bristol and mountain towns bring local flavour and experiences that sit naturally alongside longer city stays
- Make the scenery part of the journey – Tennessee’s roads pass through mountain landscapes, rolling countryside, river valleys and forested byways, with scenic overlooks adding reasons to slow the pace. Waterfalls, state parks, lakes and the Great Smoky Mountains can all be woven into memorable touring routes
- Build a trip around varied interests – Music landmarks, historic sites, barbecue restaurants, whiskey distilleries and outdoor adventures can be linked within one flexible itinerary. Famous highlights sit comfortably alongside lesser-known discoveries between overnight stops, adding variety throughout
Visiting Tennessee Throughout the Year: Seasonal Rhythms and Mountain Escapes
Tennessee has reliable year-round appeal, with spring wildflowers and autumn colour joined by summer experiences on the water and festive winter escapes. Spring and autumn support road trips, hiking and touring cities and small towns, while summer and winter bring different opportunities to combine the state’s music, landscapes, food, and welcoming communities within flexible seasonal itineraries.
- As Tennessee’s landscapes return to colour, spring brings comfortable conditions for scenic drives, city stays and outdoor touring. The Great Smoky Mountains, waterfalls and state parks work well at this time of year, while Cheekwood in Bloom adds seasonal interest in Nashville. Longer days also make music, food and small-town stops easy to combine within relaxed road trips statewide
- When temperatures rise, summer brings plenty of ways to balance outdoor activity with cooler experiences. Lakes and rivers suit paddling, the Ocoee offers rafting, while waterfalls, caves and the higher elevations of the Smokies provide welcome variety. The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree adds Appalachian music, dancing, craftsmanship and community to the broader seasonal mix
- With cooler days and vivid fall colour spreading across the state, autumn is especially well suited to scenic touring and longer road trips. Mountain drives, hiking routes, historic towns and local restaurants can be combined at an easy, unhurried pace, while Dollywood’s Harvest Festival brings seasonal food, artisans and Great Pumpkin LumiNights to Smoky Mountains itineraries
- As the pace slows and temperatures fall, winter brings a quiet side of Tennessee into focus. Museums, live music venues, restaurants and distilleries remain strong options, while mountain cabins add a cosy base. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas and Pigeon Forge Winterfest bring millions of lights, seasonal entertainment and festive atmosphere across the Smokies and nearby towns
Confessions of a Globetrotter Blog – Get to Know the American South: The People, Places and Traditions Behind the Icons
Get to know the American South through the people, places and traditions behind its icons. From music and food to history and the outdoors, our blog takes a closer look at Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Drifting Away in Tennessee | Sounds Perfect
