13 Tennessee Things Everyone Should Do Before They Leave The State
Great adventures rarely begin with a long plan. Sometimes all it takes is a free afternoon, a scenic road, and the curiosity to see where it leads.
Tennessee is full of experiences that stick in your memory long after the day ends. A mountain view that makes you pause.
A lively street filled with music and laughter. A small-town stop that turns into the highlight of the trip.
The Volunteer State rewards anyone willing to wander a little. Before leaving Tennessee behind, there are a few unforgettable things that deserve a spot on every traveler’s personal checklist.
1. Walk Across The Walnut Street Bridge, Chattanooga
Stretching more than 2,376 feet across the Tennessee River, the Walnut Street Bridge in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the entire world, and walking it feels like stepping into a postcard.
Built in 1891, this iron truss bridge once carried cars and trolleys before being converted into a beloved pedestrian crossing in 1993. Today, it connects the downtown area to the North Shore neighborhood, and both ends are lined with parks, coffee shops, and river views that make lingering feel completely natural.
The best time to cross is either early morning or just before sunset, when the light turns the river into something that looks almost painted. You can watch kayakers below, spot the city skyline above the treeline, and feel the gentle sway of foot traffic around you.
Locals jog across it, couples stroll it hand in hand, and visitors always stop halfway to take photos. It is free, it is beautiful, and it is one of those rare experiences that feels both historic and alive at the same time.
Disclaimer: The Walnut Street Bridge is currently closed to pedestrians and cyclists due to a major renovation project. The closure began on March 17, 2025, as the city started an extensive restoration aimed at improving safety and preserving the historic structure.
The renovation is expected to take about 18 months, with the bridge scheduled to reopen in September 2026 once all improvements are completed. During this period, visitors can still cross the Tennessee River using nearby routes such as the Market Street Bridge or Veterans Bridge.
2. Watch The Sunrise From Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
At 6,643 feet above sea level, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in Tennessee and the highest point along the entire Appalachian Trail, and the views from its futuristic concrete observation tower are nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Getting there for sunrise means waking up before most people even consider setting an alarm. The half-mile trail from the parking area is steep, but every labored step is erased the moment you reach the top and see layers upon layers of blue ridges fading into the horizon like a painting that never ends.
On clear mornings, visibility can stretch up to 100 miles, giving you a perspective that makes the rest of the world feel very small and very quiet. The park sits on the Tennessee and North Carolina border, so you are technically standing at the edge of two states at once.
Dress warmly even in summer, because the temperature at the summit can be 10 to 20 degrees cooler than in the valleys below. This is one sunrise you will not stop talking about for years.
3. Hear Live Music On Broadway, Nashville
Broadway in Nashville is not just a street. It is a living, breathing soundtrack that plays around the clock, seven days a week, fueled by the kind of raw musical talent that makes you stop mid-step and just listen.
The honky-tonk bars that line this famous stretch of downtown Nashville have been the launching pad for countless country music careers. On any given afternoon, you might catch a performer who is one recording contract away from stardom, playing their heart out on a small stage just feet from your bar stool.
What makes Broadway so special is that the music is free. You simply walk in, find a spot, and let the sound wash over you.
The energy shifts throughout the day, starting with a laid-back afternoon vibe and building into a full-on electric atmosphere by evening.
Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Legends Corner, and Robert’s Western World are just a few of the legendary spots worth stopping into. Come hungry for music, because Broadway will absolutely feed that appetite in ways you did not expect.
4. Eat Memphis-Style Barbecue, Memphis
Memphis takes its barbecue so seriously that the city hosts one of the largest barbecue cooking competitions in the world every year, drawing teams from across the country who come to prove their smoke game is the real deal.
Unlike other regional styles, Memphis barbecue is all about the dry rub. A carefully blended mix of spices is pressed into the meat before it slow-cooks over hickory wood for hours, building a crust of flavor that needs absolutely no sauce to be extraordinary.
Pulled pork sandwiches and spareribs are the stars of the show here.
Central BBQ, Rendezvous, and The Bar-B-Q Shop are just a few of the spots locals swear by, and each one has its own loyal following and slightly different take on the craft. Choosing between them is honestly the best kind of problem to have.
Eating Memphis barbecue is not just a meal. It is a cultural experience rooted in generations of tradition, smoke, and pride that you can taste in every single bite.
Do not even think about skipping this one.
5. Paddle Through Reelfoot Lake’s Cypress Forest, Reelfoot Lake State Park
Reelfoot Lake in northwestern Tennessee was born from one of the most powerful earthquake sequences ever recorded in North America. In the winter of 1811 and 1812, the New Madrid earthquakes shook the land so violently that the Mississippi River reportedly ran backward, flooding a sunken forest and creating this hauntingly beautiful lake.
What you paddle through today is the legacy of that event. Ancient bald cypress trees rise straight out of the water like sentinels, their knobby roots called knees poking above the surface all around you.
The effect is equal parts mysterious and magical, especially on a calm morning when the water is perfectly still.
Reelfoot is also one of the best spots in the country for eagle watching. Bald eagles winter here in impressive numbers, and guided tours are available for those who want expert eyes on the treetops.
Kayak and canoe rentals are available near the park entrance.
Few places in Tennessee feel this untouched and otherworldly. Paddling through Reelfoot is the kind of experience that makes you feel genuinely small in the most wonderful way possible.
6. Drive The Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains
Some roads are just roads. The Cherohala Skyway is a completely different category of experience.
Running from Tellico Plains to Robbinsville, North Carolina, this 43-mile scenic byway climbs high into the Unicoi Mountains and delivers overlooks so dramatic they feel almost unfair.
The road reaches elevations above 5,400 feet, putting you above the treeline in places where the sky feels close enough to touch. Unlike the more crowded Foothills Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway sees far fewer visitors, which means you often have those sweeping mountain views almost entirely to yourself.
Fall is when this drive becomes truly legendary. The hardwood forests ignite in shades of amber, crimson, and gold from mid-October through early November, turning every bend in the road into a new reason to pull over and stare.
Motorcyclists and sports car drivers consider this one of the best driving roads in the Southeast.
Pack a picnic and plan to stop at every overlook, because rushing through the Cherohala Skyway would be like skipping dessert. Take your time, breathe the mountain air, and let the scenery do what it does best.
7. Explore Ruby Falls Underground Waterfall, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga
About 1,120 feet below the surface of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, a 145-foot waterfall crashes into a cavern that most people never even knew existed until 1928, when a local cave explorer named Leo Lambert discovered it while drilling an elevator shaft.
He named it Ruby Falls after his wife, Ruby, and it has been welcoming visitors ever since. The descent by elevator already builds anticipation, but nothing quite prepares you for the moment the cavern opens up and the waterfall comes into view, lit dramatically by colorful lights that make the whole scene feel theatrical and surreal.
The cave itself is just as fascinating as the waterfall. Stalactites and stalagmites fill the passageways with formations that took thousands of years to build, and the guided tour does a wonderful job of explaining how it all came together.
Ruby Falls is one of the most visited caves in the United States, and it is easy to understand why once you are standing there, soaking in the sound and the spectacle. It is genuinely one of Tennessee’s most unforgettable underground adventures.
8. Visit Graceland, Memphis
There is a moment when you walk through the front door of Graceland in Memphis and realize you are standing inside one of the most famous private homes in American history, and that feeling never quite goes away for the rest of the tour.
Elvis Presley bought this estate in 1957 when he was just 22 years old, and it remained his home until his passing in 1977. Today, Graceland draws more than 600,000 visitors every year, making it one of the most toured private homes in the entire United States, second only to the White House.
The mansion tour takes you through rooms that Elvis designed himself, including the jungle room with its wild green shag carpet and the trophy building packed with gold records, jumpsuits, and personal memorabilia. The attention to detail in each exhibit is remarkable.
Even if you are not a die-hard Elvis fan walking in, you will likely leave with a deep appreciation for his impact on music and American culture. Graceland has a way of turning casual visitors into true believers by the time they reach the exit.
9. Wander Through The Old Mill District, Pigeon Forge
Right in the middle of Pigeon Forge, just a short drive from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Old Mill District feels like a place where time decided to slow down and stay awhile.
The centerpiece is a working gristmill that has been grinding corn and grains on the banks of the Little Pigeon River since 1830. You can actually watch the millstone in action and buy freshly milled grits, cornmeal, and flour to take home, which makes for one of the most delicious souvenirs imaginable.
The surrounding district is filled with old-fashioned candy shops, pottery studios, a country store, and a restaurant that serves Southern comfort food made from the mill’s own products. Everything feels intentionally unhurried, and that is very much the point.
Strolling the riverside walkway while watching ducks paddle past and hearing the water rush under the old bridge is the kind of simple pleasure that sticks with you long after you have left. The Old Mill District proves that not every great Tennessee experience needs to be loud or flashy to be absolutely worth your while.
10. Attend A Show At The Grand Ole Opry, Nashville
Since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville has been the heartbeat of country music, and attending a live show there is less like going to a concert and more like becoming part of a century-long tradition that shaped American music.
The current Opry House opened in 1974, but it carries the spirit of its predecessor, the Ryman Auditorium, in the most literal way possible. A circle of wood from the Ryman’s original stage floor is embedded right in the center of the Opry stage, connecting every performer who steps on it to the legends who came before them.
Shows typically feature a rotating lineup of established country stars, rising artists, and beloved Opry members, which means no two nights are ever quite the same. The format is old-school and charming, with live radio-style hosting between performances that gives the whole evening a warm, classic feel.
Tickets sell out regularly, so booking in advance is strongly recommended. Sitting in that audience, watching the stage light up with music that has meant so much to so many people for so long, is a genuinely moving experience that country fans and newcomers alike will treasure.
11. Hike To Burgess Falls, Burgess Falls State Park
Burgess Falls State Park near Sparta is one of those places that outdoor enthusiasts quietly pass around like a well-kept secret, even though it absolutely deserves a much bigger spotlight.
The main trail runs about 2 miles round trip and follows the Falling Water River through a forested gorge, passing three smaller waterfalls before arriving at the grand finale. Burgess Falls itself drops more than 130 feet straight into a rocky pool below, and the viewing platform puts you close enough to feel the mist and hear the roar fill the entire gorge.
The trail is rated moderate, making it accessible for most fitness levels while still feeling like a genuine hike rather than a casual walk. Spring is especially rewarding, when the river runs high and the surrounding forest is bright with new growth and wildflowers.
Swimming at the base of the falls is permitted in designated areas during certain seasons, which adds a refreshing bonus to an already excellent outing. Burgess Falls is proof that some of Tennessee’s most spectacular scenery does not come with a long drive or a difficult trail.
12. Walk Through Historic Franklin, Franklin
About 20 miles south of Nashville, Franklin is the kind of small town that makes you immediately start wondering what it would cost to move there. Its downtown square is beautifully preserved, with brick sidewalks, 19th-century storefronts, and an energy that manages to feel both historic and completely alive.
Franklin carries deep Civil War history. The Battle of Franklin in November 1864 was one of the most intense and costly engagements of the entire war, fought right here in and around what is now the town center.
Sites like Carnton Plantation and the Carter House offer powerful, well-interpreted glimpses into that history.
Beyond the history, Franklin’s Main Street is lined with independently owned boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants that draw foodies and shoppers from across the region. The dining scene in particular has developed a reputation for creative Southern cuisine that punches well above its small-town weight class.
Weekend farmers markets, seasonal festivals, and a genuinely walkable layout make Franklin easy to spend an entire day exploring at a relaxed pace. It is the kind of town that rewards slow walking and curiosity around every corner.
13. Watch Fireflies Glow In The Smokies, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
For about two weeks every summer, something remarkable happens deep inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Thousands of synchronous fireflies, a species called Photinus carolinus, begin flashing in perfect unison, creating a natural light show that has no equal anywhere else in North America.
Unlike the random blinking of common fireflies, these insects synchronize their flashes in rhythmic waves that pulse through the forest like a slow, living heartbeat. Scientists believe the males flash together to attract females, but the effect on human observers is something closer to pure wonder.
The event typically occurs in late May or early June, and the National Park Service manages access through a ticketed shuttle system to protect both the fireflies and the forest habitat. Spots fill up weeks in advance, so planning early is absolutely essential.
Visitors gather at Elkmont Campground in the park, where the display is most concentrated, and watch in near-total darkness as the forest comes alive with light. It is one of those experiences that people describe as genuinely life-changing, and after seeing it once, it is very easy to understand exactly why they feel that way.