Not sure what to do on your next vacation? Check out this list of the top 11 activities in Tennessee, USA that you won’t want to miss! From strolling around and exploring parks, all the way up through sightseeing tours and historical landmarks – we’ve got something for everyone. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
The Best Thing To Do in Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Address: United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.9 (46478)
- Phone: +1 865-436-1200
- Website: Link
5 Replies to THE 11 BEST Things to Do in Tennessee – 2023 (with Photos)
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Top 11 Things To Do Tennessee, USA

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
- Address: 88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (34212)
- Phone: +1 865-430-8808
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PMSunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Reviews:
We loved this place! Definitely worth the trip! They have a large play area for the kids and their gift shop is great opportunity to pick up some souvenirs and things for yourself! Ha ha
They have a couple of interactive things to do and their penguin encounter is very informative. If you get a chance, don’t miss the mermaids! So graceful! My only complaint (this does not reflect on the establishment) is some forget basic manners. Let’s all be courteous people.By Jessica Sunshine “JSHINE” Casillas (5 months ago)My kids had so much fun!!! The drive was long but overall great experience. Their bathrooms need to be checked on more often. They have a really nice changing table for my younger one great play areas for my 5 year old just wish it was more toddler friendly here. Prices are a bit up there but overall friendly staff just wish the interacting with their customers more. The update features of the building are nice just wish I caught one of the shows to have a full experience. But no major complaints would definitely go again.By Kaiya walker (6 months ago)My kids had a wonderful time here. (4yrs and 6 yrs) The aquiarim is very well designed and run. The exhibits are up to date and nothing is broken or out of order. Although, it’s all interconnected and you can explore freely, the museum is designed, so that if you just keep walking forward, you will see it all and can walk straight out through the gift shop without the use of a map. Also, it is a great indoor activity if you need an escape from the weather.There are so many things to see and the exhibits are beautifully executed. My kids went back to revisit their favorites before we left. I believe that the museum is designed to view entirely in 2-3 hours, but we spent about 5 hours and only left because we had dinner reservations. This attraction is well worth the price of admission. I recommend it.
By Fernando Orrego (5 months ago)Loved it! A beautiful and captivating place to spend a couple hours. So many different fish and sea creatures to view and be taken aback by. Everything from sharks to jelly fish can be found here. The atmosphere that they’ve created here is also amazing. The lighting, the sounds and the music all adds to the experience and makes this place feel almost magical. If you visit you have to go through the tunnel underneath the large, main fish tank that has all the sharks. That was truly the best part, getting the see the sharks and larger fish up close while going through the tunnel was amazing. Some of them swim right over your head or ever lay down and rest on the top of the tunnel itself. So cool!By Steven Fann (3 months ago)I loved every single detail of this aquarium. I loved the quiet places for moms and anyone with sensory sensitivities. Everything was very clean. Super informative. And some areas actually made us emotional with the beauty. Could have spent all day here. Loved the kids playground as well… was a nice added break for the kids after walking through town!By Nichole Rozyle-Williams (5 months ago)
Graceland
- Address: Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (18844)
- Phone: +1 901-332-3322
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMSunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Reviews:
Amazing experience. Went to the tour after seeing the Elvis movie and I was not disappointed. There was so much to see and the entry was easily worth it. Spent over 5 hours here and that was without reading everything. From the mansion, car museum, records, awards, costumes I was amazed with every step. Best museum I’ve been to hands down.By Claudio Timis (7 months ago)Elvis is my mothers favorite person, even more so than my father! So I’m shocked it took me over 40 years to come say hi. I took a million pictures here and I’m so sad I can only post 50 so you’ll have to go to see the rest! This place is amazing! I felt so many emotions walking through this home and then through all the museums across the street. I felt like every aspect was so well thought out, creating an emotional response in me. From the good to bad to sad, you get it all. I highly recommend the VIP experience, too. You get to see rooms others don’t get to, plus depending on your level of VIP you either get a tour guided group or a headset. Granted, it’s a little costly, but I think it was worth it. If you find yourself in Memphis, I can’t say enough great things about Graceland. Make sure to stay at the Guesthouse, too!By kat (5 months ago)What a fantastic day at Graceland. Wanted to visit for ages. Was definitely worth the wait. Visiting the mansion was interesting and sad, when seeing Elvis’s last resting place. The museum was brilliant, especially his clothes. Definitely try and visit of you can.By Melanie King (3 months ago)You definitely could easily spend an entire day here.Places to eat. It was amazing to see especially the older style/memorabilia. Also the home video footage on several screens throughout the tour of the mansion, was neat to be looking at or standing right next to that area where it was taken. The planes were very neat, to see what he traveled in was awesome. Overall wonderful trip!By Ashley Persinger (a year ago)OMG what can I say. I have been an Elvis fan all my life and finally crossed this off my bucket list which surpassed expectations! Easy to get to, shuttle across the street was simple. The house is better than what you have seen in pix. His style was so cool. The living rooms, kitchen, jungle room were so incredible. We went with mom on a wheelchair and she was able to see most (she was moved from stairs around back, very smooth). Backyard with horses was gorgeous. Seeing the pool and to the meditation garden where he and family are laid to rest was somber. Awesome to be able to pay respects to the king of rock n roll!!!
We did the experience tour included the plane. Honestly don’t know the difference between VIP and lower your. If cash is an issue go with least expensive option since seems like u see all there is. The plane was very cool and the interactive items after the tour were a lot of fun.
Definitely recommend this to all fansBy Mike Azran (9 months ago)
TITANIC Museum Attraction
- Address: 2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (15791)
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Address: 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (13123)
Adventure Science Center
- Address: 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (4809)
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
- Address: 4580 Rachels Ln, Hermitage, TN 37076, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (4159)
Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
- Address: 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (2581)
Tennessee State Museum
- Address: 1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (2550)
Lotz House Museum
- Address: 1111 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (747)
Visitor Information Center – Tennessee’s South Cumberland
- Address: 115 Depot St, Tracy City, TN 37387, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating:
That’s it for our list of the best things to do in Tennessee! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers too!
This amazing park is home to a thousand black bears. In winter when I went the bears were hibernating, so ducks, deer and elk were the wildlife we saw. Winter here makes the park as beautiful as in other seasons but with completely different and unexpected views of nature and the landscape. Amazing!
We had a great time here. Stopped at the gift shop, Hiked a couple trails and drove through and saw alot of the park. Very cool place!
This is an amazing park with so much to do. It’s no wonder the park is packed in the summer.
We were here in the spring, mid-April, and it was amazing. The green undergrowth was amazing and provided an assuredly different view than if we’d gone in summer or fall.
The park staff was amazing at each encounter, especially the volunteers. Every hike we did provided different experiences and views to enjoy. And best of all, despite all we did there was so much we didn’t do and look forward to future returns to tick those things off.
If you’re planning a visit, be sure to pick up the guide pamphlets for $1 or so each, the wealth of information is amazing in helping to plan your experience. There are also plenty of picnic areas to choose from, so packing a lunch to enjoy at them is a great idea.
We can’t wait to go back.
I loved the little pull offs & all the amazing views. We walked down to the creeks & fished (appropriate licenses must be bought). Bought tubes & floated down the creeks a few times… didn’t see any big wild life this time but have seen elk & bears in the past… relaxing little get away
What can one say about a National Park?
More than I can type here. Everywhere we went was kept very clean and had no issues.
The hiking trails are generally well kept and safe.
The rest areas have clean bathrooms and the roads are excellent.
We enjoyed our time in the southern part of the park very much and will be back again.
Be ready to use your brakes and steering wheel a lot while traveling the mountainous roads!