Tennessee makes its living calling people from all over the world to come here, stay awhile, soak in all the experiences the state has to offer and feel at home.
It goes deeper than country music, but that’s not a bad place to start.
Time spent in the state has served as inspiration to hits such as Dolly Parton’s “Tennessee Homesick Blues,” Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” and Alabama’s “Dixieland Delight.” The state’s country music legacy attracts millions of tourists from around the globe aiming to witness Tennessee’s thriving entertainment industry. In 2024, a record-breaking 146.7 million tourists flocked to the state.
These visitors set their sights on iconic destinations found from the Cumberland Plateau to the Mississippi River. Nashville and Memphis remain at the top of millions of itineraries as music lovers and foodies alike seek an authentic Tennessee experience. From Broadway to Beale Street, these legendary downtown strips come to life daily to fill the atmosphere with genres of music the state knows best, in addition to hosting annual music festivals like CMA Fest and the Beale Street Music Festival.
Outside of these big cities, history buffs will find Tennessee’s small towns lay claim to one-of-a-kind historical music sights and museums. Finding these hidden gems has been simplified through Tennessee Music Pathways—covering bluegrass, blues, country, gospel, rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly and soul genres—which have pinpointed historical locations such as music venues, restaurants, museums and homes for visitors to explore.
“Music and food are what bring people to Tennessee,” said Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell. “What often surprises travelers is the depth of experiences you’ll find once you get here, including our stunning outdoor landscapes.”
Tennessee’s lakes, rivers and waterways provide diverse conditions for activities like kayaking and whitewater rafting.
Photo courtesy of Michael Tedesco/ Tennessee Tourism
A Natural Escape
Tennessee’s allure stems deeper than its claim to Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and some smooth Jack Daniel’s, as its geographical landscape supports a variety of ways to connect with nature. The nation’s most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, remains a key destination for scenic hikes, river rafting, camping, biking and wildlife watching. Those outdoor recreational activities are far from concentrated in only East Tennessee, as the state is home to more than 140 state parks and natural areas.
For adrenaline junkies into rock climbing or bouldering, locations such as Sunset Rock or Stone Fort in Chattanooga, Savage Gulf State Park in Beersheba Springs and the Laurel-Snow State Natural Area in Dayton offer scenic climbs at varying levels of difficulty. There are also plenty of waterways, lakes and waterfalls to be found by foot, paddle or pedal. The Ocoee River Corridor and the Pigeon River provide conditions for what Ezell noted to be “Olympic-worthy” whitewater rafting, while locations such as Watauga Lake, Collins River and Wolf River supply a smoother ride to slow down.
The state launched its own statewide road cycling initiative dubbed “Bike Tennessee” in 2024, which now offers 89 curated routes and can be found mapped out on a Ride with GPS application. The network offers over 1,800 miles of trails across Tennessee’s diverse terrain, spanning 50 counties featuring paths through mountains, along river valleys, lush backroads and more settings fit to any rider’s taste.
“In addition to our initial rollout last year of 52 road bike trails with Ride with GPS, this April we rolled out 37 unique gravel routes giving Tennessee a top 10 statewide biking program in the U.S.,” said Ezell. “There is growing demand for outdoor experiences, and this is a place where Tennessee can compete in a big way.”
The expansion of Bike Tennessee offers visitors and residents a new way to interact with rural communities and explore sections of the state they may not have otherwise discovered. Ezell observes that it’s an interactive way to connect people to local communities, small businesses and experiences along these routes and perfect for a family or solo outing.
What’s To Come
Throughout 2026, the state is unveiling a suite of new attractions encompassing fresh exhibits, experiences, hotels, restaurants, music venues, distilleries and more.
In Gatlinburg, visitors will find a reimagined Firefly Village and expanded Treetop Skywalk. At Dollywood, a new NightFlight Expedition will introduce an all-indoor roller coaster in Pigeon Forge. Chattanooga, now home to the nation’s first National Park City, features a new baseball stadium and the recently opened Erlanger Park. The new Ocoee River State Park in Delano expands access to whitewater rafting and other outdoor experiences for families. In Clarksville, the Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum welcomes the nation’s second largest Army museum, while a new Memphis Art Museum is slated to open doors in December 2026.
“This growth is happening statewide,” Ezell said, “from our biggest cities to our rural communities, giving visitors new reasons to explore all 95 counties.”
That includes crafting new ways to dine, drink and stay in the state. From the new WYLDSTAY Smoky Mountains luxury retreat in Jefferson County to Dolly Parton’s new SongTeller Hotel in Nashville to Gatlinburg’s new boutique-style Scoundrel Hotel, travelers will find fresh spaces to unwind. Exploration of the state’s food and beverage scene can serve as its own curated trip, and Clarksville’s Leatherwood Distillery, Fayetteville’s Revolutionary Tavern and Tullahoma’s Ole Shed Brewing Company are a few ways Tennessee cities are enhancing a downtown experience.
“What’s exciting is the growing interest in going beyond the expected, pairing our iconic destinations with small towns and lesser-known communities that offer a different lens on Tennessee and help drive economic impact across the state,” Ezell said.
Historic attractions in the state also welcome renovated or reimagined experiences. In Memphis, the National Civil Rights Museum opened its Legacy Building in early 2026, featuring exhibitions that create an immersive way to learn about life during civil and human rights movements. In addition, the city’s Metal Museum moved to a brand-new location in Overton Park. In Chattanooga, the city is revitalizing its Tivoli Theatre to open a new 190-seat cinema and studio, featuring an expanded lobby, a restaurant, bars, event space and a modernized marquee.
“Our incredible gems are a big part of our strategy,” Ezell said, “helping visitors go deeper, stay longer and experience more of what makes Tennessee unique.”
Tennessee’s Lasting Impact
Based on the latest Tourism Economics study, tourism in Tennessee generates more than $31 billion in visitor spending and $2 billion annually in state sales and use taxes. This represents a 36% increase since 2018, more than double the national average. In addition, Hospitality & Leisure is currently the state’s second-leading industry for employment, supporting 376,000 jobs.
Tennessee’s diverse culinary scene delivers everything from Southern comfort food favorites to upscale Michelin experiences.
Photo courtesy of Tennessee Tourism
“What’s important to note is that Tennessee is the second fastest-growing state in the country for visitor spending over the last seven years, and that means visitor tax dollar growth for Tennessee residents is over $700 million annually,” Ezell said. “We are also beating the national trend for international travel with our new direct flights to Ireland and Iceland.”
As communities across the state sharpen unique tourism experiences, Tennessee’s top attractions aren’t going anywhere.
The state’s music exhibits such as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the National Museum of African American Music and Elvis Presley’s Graceland remain key hotspots for music lovers. Tennessee’s story can also take the curious along 17 stops of the state’s U.S. Civil Rights Trail, showcasing iconic locations including the Clayborn Temple, the WDIA Radio station, the Woolworth Theatre and Fisk University.
Outside of history, Tennessee’s roster of family-friendly attractions offers an array of amusement parks, zoos, aquariums and water parks to keep the whole group entertained.
“Whether it’s live music in a cave, a one-star Michelin meal or exploring our scenic beauty from caves to rivers and fishing to climbing, Tennessee offers opportunities to connect with authentic experiences in a very personal way,” Ezell said.
