25 Must Visit Places in Tennessee

Some people tend to think of Tennessee as two big cities - Memphis and Nashville. While those two cities are fantastic getaways, they don't fully encompass the amazing attractions that the state has to offer. We've put together a list of the best places to visit in Tennessee, showing just how much more exploration and fun this state has to offer.

Beale Street is the heartbeat of Memphis. Comprised of three blocks of nightlife, restaurants and shops in downtown, Beale Street brings together all the best of soul, jazz, blues, rock-roll and R&B into a fun and vibrant area. Whether you spend your day or night here, it's sure to be a great time.

Dollywood is a family-friendly amusement park owned by Dolly Parton and the Herschend Foundation. Since 1986, Dollywood brings joy to those who visit the theme park and water park (Dollywood Splash Country) near the Great Smoky Mountains. Take the family, bring some sunscreen and wear your walking shoes because you won't want to leave after you've arrived.

You can't visit Tennessee without paying homage to the King, Elvis Presley. Graceland is Elvis' mansion and it sits on 13.8 acres and offers tours of his most notable rooms, gardens and entertainment complex. After a visit, fans will know so much more about this music legend.

Founded in 1925, the Grand Ole Opry is one of the most significant destinations in country music history and it's located in Nashville, Tennessee. Today, people can tour the Grand Ole Opry or book a ticket and catch a performance at this significant site.

What's more impressive than an underground waterfall? One that's 145 feet high! Ruby Falls is a popular Chattanooga attraction that just so happens to be the tallest and deepest underground waterfall available to the public in the U.S. Visit Ruby Falls to see stunning caverns, zip line or to learn more about this geological natural wonder.

The Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park. It attracts travelers from all over the world for Cades Cove (a notable valley that was home to pioneer settlers), its diverse wildlife, beautiful foliage at different times of the year, hiking trails and historic sites.

Check out one of the world's most extensive collections of music history at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. You'll learn more about the greats like Johnny Cash, explore exhibits, and even have the opportunity to hear live performances.

Tennessee is full of jaw-dropping caverns, and Cumberland Caverns is among the best in the state. It's one of the longest caves in the U.S. and in the world at 32 miles long. You can enjoy daily tours, overnight tours and even concerts in this cool cavernous system.

No, that's not the Greek Parthenon -- it's just an amazing full-scale replica of the Athenian original in Centennial Park in Nashville. This recreation even has a 42-foot statue of Athena. Built in 1897 for Tennessee's Centennial Exposition, it's now Nashville's art museum and one of its most noteworthy attractions.

When news broke that Martin Luther King Jr. had been shot in Memphis' Lorraine Motel, the world mourned. Today, Lorraine Motel has been transformed into the National Civil Rights Museum so as to commemorate MLK's legacy and that of many others who fought for civil rights in the U.S. The National Civil Rights Museum is made up of multiple buildings and exhibits that showcase the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. from the 17th century to today.

The Cherokee National Forest is the largest tract of public land in Tennessee. Made up of north and south sections (it's bisected by the Great Smoky Mountains), Cherokee National Forest is a beautiful place for a scenic drive, hiking, camping, waterfalls, watering holes and white water rafting adventures.

Chattanooga's Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a funicular train that offers scenic views on a mile of track that goes up Lookout Mountain. For over 100 years, this railways has been a fun activity for visitors who start their day at the bottom of the mountain shopping in St. Elmo before making their way up the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway to explore Civil War and military historical sites at the top.

The Rock 'n' Soul Museum is located on Memphis' Beale Street. This museum recognizes and remembers the people who brought rock and soul music to life in Memphis. Meander through the exhibits and listen to some great tunes and watch as you get lost in the sounds of soul and rock and roll.

The Gatlinburg Space Needle rises up from the city of Gatlinburg like a beacon. This 407-foot tower has an observation deck that invites visitors to enjoy panoramic views of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Tennessee has a rich Native American history and you can experience that at the Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park. The Old Stone Fort was built between 1,500-2,000 years ago and while its unclear what the place was built for, it was mistakenly named a "fort." Visit here to camp, learn more about this Native American culture or to hike along the wall of the fort.

They call it the birthplace of rock and roll: it's Sun Studio. This legendary Memphis studio brought some of the first tunes to life of music legends like B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Howlin' Wolf. Now a museum, you can see where the greats recorded their albums, listen to old recordings of those sessions and learn about music history.

A bathroom might seem like a weird place to go when visiting Nashville, Tennessee, but the Hermitage Hotel Men's Bathroom is famous for this very reason. The hotel is itself has beautiful Beaux Arts interior and has hosted celebrities, politicians, leaders and change makers. However, people love the first-floor men's bathroom and its not hard to see why. It features green and black tile to create a very Art Deco style, complete with a shoe shine station, terrazzo floor and working telephone.

A farmer and his family, the Bells, were supposedly haunted in 1817 by a ghost named Kate, who would later be known as the Bell Witch. The family was supposedly tormented for three years. Today, you can visit the Bell Witch Cave on the same farm property in which the Bell Witch haunted the Bells, and see if the rumors are true: Kate might still be haunting the area today.

In Pigeon Forge, there is a two-story museum shaped like the Titanic, and it's called the Titanic Museum Attraction. With 20 galleries and 400 objects, the museum seeks to commemorate the Titanic, crews and passengers through tours, exhibits and events.

Have a true Tennessee experience at the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg. They offer daily tours that provide an inside look at the whiskey-making process in the distillery, the history of the distillery and tastings of this classic Tennessee drink.

Like Memphis has Beale Street, Nashville has Music Row, a collection of businesses and studios in a concentrated area that made Nashville the city of music that it is. You don't want to miss a chance to visit such places like RCA Studio B and Columbia's Historic Quonset Hut, the first recording studio on Music Row.

See Tennessee's highest waterfall at Falls Creek Falls. This waterfall is 256 feet high and sits in the Falls Creek Falls State Park, one of Tennessee's most visited state parks for its multiple waterfalls, great hiking trails and camping opportunities.

The Underground Railroad assisted in helping slaves reach freedom prior to the Civil War. Today, you can visit one of the homes that was a part of the Underground Railroad at the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum in Memphis. The 19th-century home has tunnels and trap doors, and plenty of information on the dangers that abolitionists and runaway slaves faced during this part of U.S. history.

Memphis has many notable music history attractions and you can add Stax Museum to the list, too. Stax Museum commemorates American soul music and shows visitors how soul music started with Southern gospel music and transformed over the decades to become one of the most beloved genres of all time.

The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is one of Knoxville's most prominent attraction, perhaps because it's also home to the world's largest basketball which sits atop the building. Visit the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame to see artifacts and exhibits related to women and basketball history, as well as to shoot some hoops on their indoor courts.