2025-26 Tennessee Group Travel Planner

Group Travel Planner

WELCOME TO TENNESSEE!

here’s no place quite like Tennessee. Whether your group is large or small, we’re ready to welcome you with open arms — and plenty of motorcoach-friendly itineraries — to make your visit as seamless as possible with the Tennessee Group Travel Planner. Tennessee isn’t just a destination; it’s a state of mind. Glimpse our rich history and vibrant culture, from the powerful stories at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis to the deep roots of American music at iconic venues like Bristol’s Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, which celebrated 100 years in 2025.

Explore beyond the beaten path and discover our world-renowned Southern hospitality in charming towns like Franklin, Granville, Jackson and Union City. Experience Tennessee’s natural beauty, from the majestic Great Smoky Mountains to the mighty Mississippi River, and explore 59 stunning state parks in between. And of course, no visit to Tennessee is complete without indulging in our culinary delights. Whether it’s our diverse food scene, craft breweries, or celebrated whiskey and wine trails, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

From the heart-pounding excitement of Dollywood to the soulful rhythms of Beale Street, Tennessee truly "sounds perfect" for group travel. We look forward to welcoming you and your group to experience the best our state has to offer.

WARM REGARDS,

MARK EZELL COMMISSIONER, TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT

seven sounds tennessee �� 

There’s just something about Tennessee that seems to inspire a song. And, perhaps in this state more than any other, that tune could emerge as a chart-topping country, blues or soul ballad or an award-winning rock, bluegrass or gospel anthem.

BY ROBIN ROENKER

In fact, nearly every genre of American music has been shaped and elevated by industry legends who called Tennessee home — either by birth or by choice — from Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Tina Turner to Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Garth Brooks and beyond.

A road trip to Tennessee’s iconic music destinations offers groups a chance to dive deep into the state’s rich contributions to music history. It’s also a ticket to witness, firsthand, how communities there, both large and small, continue to embrace and propel today’s top music talents.

ROCKABILLY

Influenced by country, gospel and the blues, rockabilly personifies the mix of musical flavors that pulsed through Memphis’ rock scene in the early- to mid-1950s. Propelled to fame by Sam Phillips’ Sun Records — and through the star power of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash — rockabilly came to define an era, forever shaping rock ’n’ roll’s trajectory. Groups can book a tour of Sun Studio in Memphis to experience the historic site and even stand on the very spot where Elvis first recorded. While tickets are usually available only on a day-of, first-come, first-served basis, private, reserved tours are available for groups of 20 or more.

Carl Perkins’ electric guitar, a Harmony Stratotone, is just one of the pieces on display at the Legends of Tennessee Music Museum in Jackson, where Perkins lived later in life. Housed in Jackson’s Carnegie Center for Arts and History, the museum includes the world’s largest exhibit dedicated to Perkins, plus interactive exhibits devoted to other leading regional musicians like Sonny Boy Williamson and Eddy Arnold. Museum docents can guide groups and share insights into the lives and careers of the showcased musical innovators.

PICKIN' A WINNER

Chattanooga is the new home of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass event, featuring a convention, an awards show and a two-day live music festival with top bluegrass artists worldwide.

COUNTRY

In Bristol, fans can discover country music’s roots at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, which shares stories behind the famed 1927 Bristol Sessions. Lauded as the spark that rocketed country into mainstream American music, the influential recording sessions captured so-called “hillbilly music” and launched the careers of future country icons Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. Through the museum’s interactive displays and frequent festivals and live music events, visitors can explore the beginning roots and continuing evolution of country music as a quintessential American art form. For groups, the museum offers customized guided tours and special add-on experiences, like catered meals and access to after-hours museum events.

Of course, no place is more hallowed in country music than Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. The iconic stage has hosted generations of the genre’s top stars, and it continues to delight crowds with weekly performances by country’s biggest names. Beyond live shows, groups can enjoy either a daytime or post-show backstage tour, both featuring access to exhibits of Opry memorabilia, a WSM Radio studio tour and the chance to take a photo from the legendary Opry stage. A self-guided or guided tour at the historic downtown Ryman Auditorium, which was home to the Opry from 1943 to 1974, offers groups yet another way to learn more about the Opry’s early roots.

ROCK

’N’

ROLL

Elvis remains one of rock music’s biggest icons nearly 50 years after his death. A tour of Graceland, his iconic home in Memphis, provides an intimate glimpse into the personal life of the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll” and the man he was away from the spotlight. Groups can experience the property through an interactive iPad tour featuring commentary and stories by both Elvis and his late daughter, Lisa Marie. Across the street, Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex includes exhibits highlighting marquee pieces from Graceland’s 1.5 million-item Elvis collection, from bedazzled jumpsuits and gold and platinum records to his collection of extravagant cars.

In West Tennessee, Tina Turner emerged from humble beginnings to pursue a musical trajectory that reshaped rock history. The Tina Turner Museum in Brownsville tells the story of her incomparable life and career, including how she leveraged powerhouse vocals and legendary stage delivery to become one of the genre’s top-recording artists of all time. Set in the former one-room schoolhouse that Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock) attended, the museum displays collections of the singer’s stunning costumes, gold records and personal memorabilia.

seven sounds tennessee itinerary

Day 1

• Arrive in Memphis

• Take Memphis Mojo Tour by Backbeat Tours

• Lunch at Central BBQ

• Tour Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum

• Tour Blues Hall of Fame

• Dinner at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

• Overnight at The Guest House at Graceland

Day 2

• Breakfast at hotel

• Tour Graceland

• Lunch at Vernon’s Steakhouse

• Depart for Nashville (3 hour, 12 min drive)

• Dinner at Opry Mills

• Grand Ole Opry show

• Overnight at Gaylord Opryland Resort

Day 3

• Breakfast at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen

• Tour The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

• Tour RCA Studio B

• Lunch and line dancing at Category 10

• Tour The Ryman

• Tour the Christian & Gospel Music Museum

• Dinner at Assembly Food Hall

• Overnight at Tempo by Hilton

By Zoe Rain, courtesy Tennessee

BLUEGRASS

Open Wednesdays through Saturdays, the T.B. Sutton General Store is well worth a visit based on its charm alone. A landmark in historic Granville since the 1800s, it’s the perfect spot to shop for unique gifts and handmade items or enjoy scratch-made breakfast or lunch. But the destination really comes to life on Saturday nights, when it hosts the Sutton Ole Time Music Hour, a popular live bluegrass radio show. Reservations are required, but once placed, groups can anticipate a meal of Southern comfort foods, served family style, topped by a toe-tapping, live performance from a rotating lineup of the region’s top bluegrass bands.

Bluegrass music has always been closely linked with the Appalachian experience, and the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton honors that fact with a dedicated, in-house bluegrass band that performs a live concert with every enhanced group tour package. Groups can choose to enjoy a meal of Southern staples for breakfast, lunch or dinner, all accompanied by a medley of live bluegrass standards. Tickets also include full self-guided access to the property’s grist mill, blacksmith shop, pioneer schoolhouse and other historic structures. The museum’s frequent barn dances and live music-pickin’ parties deliver even more opportunities to enjoy top bluegrass talents.

SOUL

At the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis, groups can trace the evolution of soul. The museum includes a reassembled 1906 Mississippi Delta church, in honor of the genre’s roots in Southern gospel. Additional exhibits follow soul’s rise to prominence in the 1950s through 1970s, driven by Stax Records recording stars like Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Isaac Hayes and Sam & Dave.

Of course, Memphis played a key role not only in the evolution of early American rock music, but also soul — a fact spotlighted in the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum. Exhibits endeavor to tell “the complete Memphis music story,” including the ways that pioneers of both genres pushed against racial and socioeconomic barriers in bringing their sounds mainstream. Displays showcase how rural and urban influences combined to create the Memphis sound and outline the pivotal contributions of Sun, Stax and Hi Records, Memphis’ legendary recording labels. Available audio headset tours provide detailed context for displayed memorabilia, including the original lyrics for Elvis’ “Heartbreak Hotel,” Ike Turner’s first piano and a Sun Studio playback speaker. For groups, the museum offers an engaging, accessible way to explore Memphis’ profoundly rich musical legacy.

TBLUES

he nightclubs along Memphis’ renowned Beale Street have long been a hotbed of blues talent, playing host to everyone from early legends like W. C. Handy and B.B. King to today’s up-and-coming stars. The Blues Hall of Fame Museum, located just blocks from Beale Street, features memorabilia and stories from more than 400 inductees — both the widely known and the lesser so — who have shaped not only Memphis’ blues scene, but also the genre as a whole. The museum’s immersive listening booths and its cutting-edge, interactive hologram featuring the likeness of blues musician Taj Mahal effectively bring the sounds and history of the blues to life.

Known as the “Empress of the Blues,” Bessie Smith was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s and early 1930s, charting hits that would go on to influence not only later blues singers, but rock and jazz performers as well. Smith’s life and career are showcased through displays of her personal memorabilia at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in her hometown of Chattanooga. Groups headed through Eastern Tennessee can explore the center, which also operates as a museum of Chattanooga’s African American history and explores aspects of the Black experience in Chattanooga more broadly.

GOSPEL

Tennessee has also served as fertile ground for generations of gospel talents, and the genre holds a sacred space in the story of the state’s musical heritage, both on its own merits and as inspiration for artists best known for other styles. Though he’s known as the King of Rock, Elvis, for example, earned each of his three Grammys for gospel recordings, including his rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” The newly opened Museum of Christian & Gospel Music, located just steps from the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, spotlights the ways gospel has evolved and thrived, thanks to trailblazers of the genre both past and present. The museum also includes a robust calendar of live performances by top talents of the genre, including artist-in-residence Russ Taff, a three-time Gospel Hall of Fame inductee.

Manchester, Tennessee, is home to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, an annual, four-day festival held on a 700-acre farm.

MAKE YOUR GROUP GETAWAY

tep into the extraordinary life of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis is a vacation experience unlike any other. You’ll see it all – classic cars, custom jets and the world-famous mansion where Elvis lived like a legend.

Turn your visit into a true rockstar retreat with an overnight stay at The Guest House at Graceland, our AAA Four Diamondawarded resort hotel, where Southern hospitality meets Elvis’ one-of-a-kind style. Enjoy great dining, live music and all the comforts of a hotel fit for the king.

For an on-demand look at gospel talent in action, groups can also turn to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. The Kingdom Heirs, the theme park’s award-winning Southern gospel group, perform multiple shows weekly that are included in the price of admission. Each fall, the park also attracts top gospel talents to its performance stages as part of its annual Harvest Festival.

Plan your legendary group getaway at Graceland.com/Groups.

mountain magic

BY ROBIN ROENKER

There’s no shortage of outdoor excitement in Tennessee. The only challenge may be deciding where to start. Whether you’re planning a getaway to enjoy the state’s rich natural beauty, a whirlwind zoo and aquarium road trip, or a day in the sun at an iconic attraction or inviting urban park, you’re sure to find fun — and make great memories — during your visit to Tennessee.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN

Located just minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain provides the perfect getaway destination, with three iconic Tennessee attractions to explore. Start with a descent of nearly 300 feet below ground to view Ruby Falls, the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the country. Specialty tours focusing on the history and geology of the site are available.

Afterward, grab lunch in Ruby Falls’ historic limestone castle, built in 1929. Next, head to Rock City for a self-guided tour of its trails and gardens, many offering breathtaking, seven-state views. Cap off the day with a ride on the Incline Railway, one of the steepest rail journeys in the world. Designated as both a National Historic Site and a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the one-mile trek up the mountain has wowed visitors since 1895. While in the area, make time for a visit to the Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal Station, a historic train station turned entertainment complex and hotel. Named after the famous 1940s-era Big Band song, the Choo Choo features a mix of restaurants, bars and boutique shops, making it an ideal spot to cap off an evening.

GOING UNDERGROUND

Tennessee has more caves than any other state with an estimated 9,200 caves and caverns. It’s also home to the world’s largest underground lake.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

Each year, more than 12 million visitors flock to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it the most visited national park in the country. Spend a day there, and it’s easy to see why: It’s a place with its own kind of magic, where misty mountain skylines, lush, tree-covered hills and meandering creek bed waterfalls combine to make time feel just a little slower.

Groups can surround themselves in the area’s mountain beauty on one of the park’s many hiking or driving trails. One of the most popular driv ing itineraries, the 11-mile, one-way, Cades Cove Loop near Townsend, of fers a chance to view wildlife and visit historic homesteads within a scenic mountain valley.

Just outside the park, there’s plenty to explore as well. Along its historic strip, Gatlinburg has shopping, dining and attractions for every taste. To view the city from above, take the iconic Gatlinburg tram to the top of Ober Mountain. There, enjoy ice skating, rock climbing, zip lining and zooming down a mountain coaster or go skiing, tubing and snowboard ing during winter months. Not far away, Gatlinburg’s Anakeesta adven ture park offers more mountaintop fun, with access to zip lines, a treetop skywalk, an alpine coaster and the soaring AnaVista observation tower, offering picture-perfect panoramic views of the Smokies.

In nearby Pigeon Forge, Dollywood includes a range of attractions, from world-class roller coasters to live musical entertainment and artisan demon strations of glassblowing, metalsmithing and other crafts. The park’s many seasonal festivals — like the spring Flower & Food Festival or fall Harvest Festival — add extra flair to its always beautiful grounds. Pigeon Forge is also home to a brand-new attraction: Wildside, opened by the owners of Anakeesta, is an adventure park offering biking trails, off-roading and zip lining. It’s also home to the country’s longest zip line.

mountain magic itinerary

Day 1

• Arrive in Chattanooga

• Visit The Tennessee Aquarium

• Lunch at Puckett’s

• Take the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

• Tour Point Park Battlefield

• Dinner at The Smokey Gnome

• Tour Rock City

• Overnight at Chattanooga Marriott Downtown

Day 2

• Breakfast at hotel

• Tour Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center

• Drive to Sevierville (2 hour, 27 min drive)

• Lunch at Shoney’s – Sevierville

• Walking tour of of Historic Downtown Sevierville

• Tour Mountain Cut Distillery

• Visit The Apple Barn

• Dinner at Applewood Farmhouse Grill

• Overnight at Cambria Hotel Pigeon Forge

Day 3

• Breakfast at hotel

• Drive to Pigeon Forge (17 min drive)

• Visit The Island in Pigeon Forge

• Ride SkyFly: Soar America

• Lunch at Front Porch Café in Dollywood

• Visit Dollywood

• Dinner at Dolly Parton’s Stampede

• Overnight at Drury Plaza Hotel Pigeon Forge

URBAN PARKS

By Conner

T& AQUARIUMS

ennessee’s many zoos and aquariums specialize in animal fun for all ages while delivering valuable lessons about the importance of species protection and ecosystem conservation. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere features more than 350 species of animals, including colobus monkeys, Masai giraffes and endangered Amur leopards, part of the zoo’s new, immersive Leopard Forest exhibit.

Tennessee’s urban centers feature so much to explore, from museums, performing arts centers and fine dining to thrilling professional sports and entertainment venues. While enjoying top city attractions, don’t dismiss the allure of urban parks. These serene, sometimes overlooked spaces promise an unfiltered snapshot of a city’s authentic character. They’re also simply fun spaces to spend an hour or two.

The Chattanooga Zoo’s recent Cape of Africa expansion — the largest in the zoo’s history — adds exhibits of Cape porcupines, servals, caracals and Aldabra giant tortoises to the zoo’s already broad repertoire. At the Memphis Zoo, guests can explore exhibits of polar bears, hippos and beyond, or upgrade to special, one-on-one animal encounters with the likes of an aardvark, capybara, red panda or sea lion.

In Memphis, Mud Island River Park presents sweeping views of the Mississippi River and the city skyline. It also delivers a perfect selfie backdrop courtesy of its 50-foot Memphis sign. Groups can access the park via a half-mile pedestrian walking bridge from Front Street in downtown. Paid parking on the island is also available. While there, plan to dine at the park’s Mahogany River Terrace restaurant, where dishes heavy on Southern-Creole fusion are served alongside stunning river views.

River vistas also abound at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga, which sits at the city’s North Shore waterfront along the Tennessee River. Home to an interactive water feature, rock climbing facilities, picnic areas and a beautifully restored 1894 Dentzel carousel, the park serves as a family-friendly getaway in the middle of Chattanooga’s urban center. Nearby, the North Shore neighborhood offers an ideal area to stroll and explore the city, thanks to an array of local restaurants, cafes, galleries and boutiques.

In Nashville, the 132-acre Centennial Park operates not only as the city’s main central green space, but also as home to an exact, fullsize replica of the Parthenon in Athens. Originally built as part of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition — in a nod to Nashville’s nickname as the “Athens of the South” — the replica Parthenon includes a stunning, 42-foot statue of Athena and a fine art museum, the James M. Cowan Collection of American Art. Groups can access a free, web-based audio tour highlighting the architectural history of the Parthenon. Guided group tours of the museum’s art collections are also available.

Adding to the fun, the state’s two major aquariums, the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, specialize in upclose access to many of the world’s most unique aquatic creatures, from fish of all sizes to sharks, sea turtles, otters and penguins. Groups can elevate their visits with a fun add-on experience. The Tennessee Aquarium features a rotating lineup of immersive Imax movies, while the overnight, adults-only Sips and Sharks Sleepover at Ripley’s comes complete with appetizers, drinks and a behind-the-scenes tour.

Barrels bites 

The world’s largest cast iron skillet can be found at the Lodge Cast Iron Museum in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. The skillet measures 18 feet wide and weighs 14,360 pounds. OUT OF THE FRYING PAN

BY ROBIN ROENKER

Travelers come from across the country to sample Tennessee’s revered barbecue, hot chicken, Southern comfort specialties, signature sweets and other chef-made meals. Quite a few also journey here to experience firsthand what goes into crafting the state’s many famed local whiskeys.

For groups, a food and spirits tour of the state reads like a ready-made roadmap for sampling both big-city and small-town culinary delights. Truth be told, no matter where you roam across The Volunteer State, a good meal and a memorable cocktail are never too far away.

TENNESSEE WHISKEY

Not just a hit song, the allure of Tennessee whiskey is, in fact, a source of true pride for the state. From globally known brands like Jack Daniel’s to dozens of prize-winning local distilleries, unique flavors abound along the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. Groups can choose to book tastings at any of roughly 30 official trail destinations, each pouring out its own unique take on Tennessee’s whiskey heritage.

Old Dominick Distillery in Memphis offers tastings and one-hour tours of its state-of-the-art, grain-to-glass distillery. Two brothers opened the distillery in 2017, relaunching an ancestor’s 150-year-old brand. In Nashville, a similar story is at play at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, where a pair of brothers have successfully revitalized their triple-great-grandfather’s time-honored whiskey brand.

At PostModern Spirits, housed in Knoxville’s historic Jackson Terminal building, tours dive deep into the science and craft behind the production of its whiskeys, vodka, gin and flavored liqueurs, offering insights for both whiskey novices and connoisseurs alike.

Roughly 40 miles away in Petros, Brushy Mountain Distillery is crafting whiskeys, vodka and moonshine in one of the state’s most unique settings: the historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. Once a notorious maximum-security prison, the building now houses the distillery and an on-site restaurant and also offers group tours, paranormal investigations and events like concerts and car shows.

For groups more inclined to Tennessee’s other famous spirit, moonshine, Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler in Gatlinburg provides the perfect spot to sample a variety of different flavors and proofs. One-hour distillery tours are available.

SWEETS

By Jeffrey S. Otto, courtesy

From scratch-made pies, cakes and cobblers to melt-in-your-mouth fudge, flavored popcorns and gourmet ice creams, there’s no shortage of Tennessee sweets to cap off a meal — or serve as a between-meal treat.

Few confections are as synonymous with the state as the Goo Goo Cluster, the perfectly blended caramel, marshmallow, peanut and chocolate delight that originated in Nashville in 1912. At Goo Goo Chocolate Co. on Nashville’s Third Avenue, visitors can stock up on the sweets, shop branded merchandise and even design their own custom candy bar at interactive kiosks — and then watch as on-site chocolatiers bring it to life. For an even more hands-on experience, groups can book one of several custom classes, including a make-your-own-candy session or a wine and bon bon pairing.

Explore the story of another famous Tennessee-born chocolate treat, the MoonPie, at the MoonPie General Store in Chattanooga. Sample the original chocolate, graham cracker and marshmallow confection or try one of the many new spin-off flavors. While there, make time to peruse the store’s eclectic collection of T-shirts, nostalgic toys, candles, gifts and more.

Who said sweets can’t make a meal? Certainly not the folks at Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin in Gatlinburg, where you can start the day right with a plate of cinnamon flapjack fritters, candied bacon twists and whipped cream-laden chocolate chip or sticky bun pancakes. For those with a less-active sweet tooth, there’s no shortage of savory breakfast options, too.

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SOUTHERN COMFORT FOODS

Crispy fried chicken, ham-seasoned green beans, flaky corn bread and buttery mashed potatoes are all staples of a traditional Southern meal. When done right, these Southern comfort foods hearken back to the smells and tastes of grandma’s kitchen, evoking childhood memories of simpler days.

Across the state, groups can stop in at any number of tried-andtrue local spots for a sure-to-please, all-you-can-eat buffet or a “meat and three,” a traditional Southern meal that includes a main meat dish plus three sides. Every Saturday night, T. B. Sutton General Store in Granville welcomes guests for a meat-and-three dinner alongside a live bluegrass music show.

In Jackson, Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store & Restaurant — part of Casey Jones Village — has been dishing up its award-winning Southern staples for 60 years. Enjoy catfish or fried chicken plus filling sides like creamed spinach and baked cinnamon apples, or go lighter with a plate from the restaurant’s extensive salad bar.

Fried chicken, sugar-cured ham, country-fried steak, and chicken and dumplings are among the “Oldtime Farmhouse” specialties at the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant & Grill in Sevierville, where every order comes with complimentary apple fritters and the restaurant’s signature apple butter.

If it’s made-from-scratch biscuits you’re after, The Loveless Cafe in Nashville has you covered. Along with country ham plates, fried chicken and more, the restaurant prepares its famed biscuits fresh daily, using the same trusted recipe since 1951. To the west, Soul Fish Cafe, with multiple locations in Memphis, has perfected Southern-style seafood. Stop in for a variety of hard-to-beat fried catfish or fried crawfish platters, plus shrimp, oyster or catfish po’boy sandwiches.

BARBECUE

Barbecue is its own art form in Tennessee, with masters of the genre perfecting their techniques over years of low-and-slow cooking.

Memphis is home to more than 100 barbecue restaurants and a barbecue trail that showcases its signature style, which is renowned the world over and adopts a paprika-rich dry rub, rather than heavy saucing, to give pork ribs and pulled pork a signature, smoky flavor. A staple of the Memphis barbecue scene since 1948, Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous restaurant helped create the dry-rub approach that put Memphis-style barbecue on the map. Across town, Central BBQ serves up its own award-winning version of Memphis dry ribs, along with smoked hot wings, loaded nachos, and pulled pork and chicken sandwiches.

Nashville also steps up for barbecue know-how, with both Martin’s Bar-BQue Joint and Edley’s Bar-B-Que routinely ranking among the state’s best. Both restaurants offer multiple locations around the city, making it easy to sample their award-winning ribs, brisket, smoked turkey, pulled pork and pulled chicken platters.

Along the Tennessee-Virginia state line, the city of Bristol boasts its own beloved barbecue go-to: Delta Blues BBQ on historic State Street. Serving “Memphis-inspired” barbecue, Delta Blues also doubles as a music venue, with frequent concerts by some of the region’s top blues bands.

HOT CHICKEN

Nashville-style hot chicken, noteworthy for its cayenne pepper-induced heat, has gone mainstream in recent years, with chain locations specializing in the dish popping up across the country. But there’s no substitute for experiencing hot chicken at its source. And for that, you have to head to Prince’s in Nashville.

Opened by Thornton Prince in 1945, Prince’s Hot Chicken is known as the birthplace of Nashville’s namesake chicken dish. Today, the founder’s greatniece still serves the recipe he perfected, dishing up bold, spicy chicken that’s traditionally served on white bread with a side of pickle chips. At Prince’s Nashville locations on Nolensville Pike and in the Assembly Food Hall pavilion on Broadway, you can also choose from delicious Southern sides like seasoned fries, mac and cheese, or “get it girl” greens.

Founded in 2012 and, therefore, newer to the game, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has found its own successful groove when it comes to perfecting the city’s signature dish. Now operating in multiple Nashville locations, including one across Broadway from the Bridgestone Arena, Hattie B’s offers its hot chicken as sandwich-style filets, as tenders or still on the bone. Temper the heat with a side of creamy coleslaw or black-eyed pea salad, or indulge in a boozy frozen lemonade punched up with a mix of Jack Daniel’s and Skyy vodka.

StatesmEn

VOLUNTEER VICTORS

Tennessee got its nickname “The Volunteer State” because of the high number of soldiers who volunteered to fight during the War of 1812. The nickname was officially adopted in 2020.

BY ROBIN ROENKER

Tennessee’s rich culture and history offer countless itinerary options for groups, particularly for those with a passion for connecting to the past. From its robust music heritage to its central role in the Civil Rights Movement, Tennessee embodies a vivid patchwork of stories well worth exploring.

The state's many historic tours specialize in not only preserving this history, but also bringing it to life in a way that’s memorable. When a tour guide does their job just right, the gap between past and present dissolves just a bit.

Actively engaging in a historic tour makes the people and places of the past seem present again. It’s an opportunity to walk in their footsteps and see what they saw. In the process, you’ll come away with insights beyond what’s possible from reading a history book.

CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL SITES

Tennessee is rich in Civil Rights history, featuring 15 sites on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. The Lorraine Motel in Memphis, site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, now operates as the National Civil Rights Museum. There, exhibits provide a lasting reminder of the heroism and bravery of those who fought for racial equality in America.

A Tour of Possibilities, operated by Carolyn Michael-Banks, offers African American history tours of Memphis. In addition to visiting the National Civil Rights Museum, other stops include the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Beale Street and the historic Mason Temple, where Dr. King delivered his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech the day before his death.

“The tour explores Memphis through an African American historical lens,” Michael-Banks said. “It is dedicated to sharing powerful stories of resilience, struggle and triumph that are often left untold.”

Participants in United Street Tours’ Civil Rights Tour of Nashville also get to explore landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement firsthand, including the Woolworth on Fifth Avenue, one of the sites of the city’s influential lunch counter sit-ins. For additional information on Nashville’s Civil Rights history, groups can peruse the Nashville Public Library’s online collection, which contains a large archive of photographs and recordings related to the movement.

PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY

The Tennessee Presidential Trail includes the homes of former U.S. Presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson, the seventh, 11th, and 17th U.S. heads of state, respectively. Guided tours of the homes offer insights into not just who those men were as political figures, but also how they lived their personal lives — both before and after office.

The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s elaborate mansion in Nashville, is preserved to look much as it would have when he owned the property from 1804 until his death in 1845. In fact, more than 80% of the artifacts and decor on display are original, making it one of the most well-preserved presidential homes in America.

Tours of the President James K. Polk Home & Museum in Columbia include access to the historic Federal-style home, which is outfitted with the Polk family’s original furniture, paintings and White House china.

In Greeneville, the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site comprises multiple locations across town, including the National Cemetery where he is buried. View an interpretive film and Presidential Library holdings at the Visitor Center and explore Johnson’s early home on East Depot Street. Then head to The Homestead on South Main Street, where Johnson resided both before and after his presidency.

By Wolfgang Streitborger, courtesy Tennessee

stories, Spirits Statesmen itinerary

Day 1

• Arrive in Nashville

• Tour Belle Meade Historic Site

• Take the United Street Tour

• Lunch at Prince’s Hot Chicken

• Tour the National Museum of African American Music

• Depart for Columbia (1 hour drive)

• Tour the James K. Polk Home and Museum

• Overnight at Hampton Inn Columbia

Day 2

• Breakfast at hotel

• Depart for Petros (3 hour, 7 min drive)

• Tour Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

• Lunch at Warden’s Table

• Depart for Clinton (38 min drive)

• Tour Green McAdoo Cultural Center

• Depart for Knoxville (30 min drive)

• Dinner in Market Square

• Overnight at The Graduate Hotel

Day 3

• Breakfast at Saloon 16

• Depart for Jonesborough (2 hour, 11 min drive)

• Tour International Storytelling Center

• Depart for Bristol (46 min drive)

• Lunch and tour at Tennessee Hills Distillery

• Tour Birthplace of Country Music Museum

• Dinner at Birthplace of country Music Museum

• Overnight at Fairfield Inn

CIVIL WAR TOURS

Tennessee played a pivotal role in the Civil War, thanks to its strategic geographic importance to both sides. From the Battle of Shiloh in 1862, one of the war’s bloodiest early battles, to the battles of Franklin and Nashville in 1864, near the war’s end, both sides fought bitterly over control of Tennessee throughout the conflict.

At the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, ranger-led tours provide a deep dive into the history and military tactics behind two critical 1863 battles over control of Chattanooga.

Ranger-led group tours are also available at the Fort Defiance Civil War Park & Interpretive Center in Clarksville, site of Civil War-era earthwork fortifications built by Confederate troops to defend against advancing Union forces.

In Nashville, the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery offers traditional tours of its 1853 Greek Revival mansion as well as a one-hour Battle at Belle Meade walking tour, which follows in the footsteps of Union and Confederate soldiers who clashed on the property in 1864.

Thirty minutes south of Nashville, groups can tour three historic homes that played a role in a brutal 1864 Civil War conflict dubbed the Battle of Franklin. While the battle lasted only a few hours, it forever changed the lives of families living nearby. The Carter House, built in 1830, was overtaken by Union soldiers, while the Carnton House, an 1826 mansion, became a field hospital. The nearby Lotz House also saw its share of the battle. Available tours at the restored properties offer a unique, personal lens from which to view the war’s difficult aftermath.

PARANORMAL

For those who don’t mind their history on the scary side, paranormal tours provide a fun means to explore historic sites — with the added possibility of experiencing the unexplained.

Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros offers paranormal tours of its imposing grounds, which once housed as many as 1,200 inmates. Dubbed the “End of the Line” for its notorious reputation, the high-security prison housed several infamous inmates, including James Earl Ray, Martin Luther King’s assassin. Both nightly and overnight paranormal tours are available.

In Adams, groups can explore the history and lore surrounding the “Bell Witch,” an entity that tormented the area’s Bell family, allegedly leading to John Bell’s death in 1820. The Bell Witch Cave, the witch’s reputed lair, has been an oft-filmed site for various ghost hunting documentaries and TV series. Tours include time in the cave as well as in a replica cabin, which serves as a museum of Bell family artifacts.

The Appalachian GhostWalk tour in downtown Jonesborough — Tennessee’s oldest town — may be more urban in its setting than some others, but it’s no less goosebump-inducing. The guided downtown walk explores ghost sightings, mysterious sounds of horses and unexplained phenomena near the city’s train tracks. The tour company also offers several ghost tour itineraries in nearby Johnson City, including one on the campus of East Tennessee State University.

NATIVE HERITAGE

Tennessee was once home to the Cherokee and Chickasaw tribes. Today there are plenty of heritage and archaeological sites to visit, including Mound Bottom State Archaeological Area, which has the largest number of Native American ceremonial mounds in the state.

MUSIC HISTORY

Tennessee has a wealth of museums devoted to showcasing its rich music history, and many offer guided tours of their collections. At the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, one-hour, docent-led tours showcase the stories and lore behind the property’s star-studded memorabilia. Beyond the museum, the Hall of Fame’s Historic RCA Studio B Tour, on Nashville’s Music Row, lets groups stand in a recording space once graced by the likes of Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings and more. Also through the Hall, groups can schedule tours and hands-on creative workshops at Hatch Show Print, a working letterpress print shop famous for producing decades of marketing posters for country legends.

The Memphis Mojo Tour by Backbeat Tours offers a 90-minute, whirlwind exploration of the city’s rock, blues and soul heritage, with stops at Sun Studio, Stax Museum, Beale Street and more. Professional Beale Street musicians lead each tour, packaging their history lessons with a mix of live music, comedy and storytelling.

Finally, no musical exploration of Tennessee would be complete without a stop at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills. Guided tours there include access to Lynn’s 1800s-era mansion plus an exact replica of her Butcher Holler Home. The ranch also features self-guided attractions, including a replica coal mine, a Western town and the Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum, home to a rich collection of memorabilia from across Lynn’s career.

An American story everyone should know

BARREL OF FACTS

Distilleries on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail produce more than 250 million barrels of whiskey annually. Go to tnwhiskeytrail.com to learn more.

BY ROBIN ROENKER

While Tennessee’s major urban centers have unmistakable allure, there’s a special kind of magic in discovering the charms of a smaller, off-the-beaten-path destination.

A bit like opening a great book with an unexpected ending, small towns delight in the most surprising ways, from a charming interaction with a local to stumbling on a long-sought vintage find or discovering a new favorite restaurant or cafe.

With their quaint downtowns, historic landmarks, beautiful parks and unique attractions, Tennessee’s small towns provide the perfect getaway.

LYNCHBURG AND SHELBYVILLE

In Lynchburg, groups can visit the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Tours dive into the history of the brand’s founder, as well as the craft and science of the distillation process, before ending with samples of six different Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskeys. Specialty tours focused on bonded whiskeys and on the role of bourbon barrels in shaping a whiskey’s flavor are also available.

Company Distilling recently opened a third location in Lynch burg, so visitors now have the option to visit two sites along the Tennessee Whiskey Trail while in the area. Groups can add on a lunch of Southern staples at Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant, just off the square in downtown Lynchburg, for a full-day experience.

In Shelbyville, roughly 15 miles away, Music City Kartplex wel comes both amateur and competitive go-kart racers to enjoy its state-of-the-art, half-mile track at speeds up to 50 miles per hour. Meanwhile, downtown Shelbyville offers a mix of gift boutiques, antique shops and restaurants to explore, with the steaks, seafood and burgers at Glass Hollow Table & Tavern perennially ranking among locals’ favorites.

About 10 miles northeast of Shelbyville, the historic small town of Bell Buckle draws antiquers, craft lovers and festivalgoers, who flock to the area for its RC Cola-MoonPie Festival each June.

In Tullahoma, just 13 miles from Lynchburg, the Beechcraft Heritage Museum celebrates and preserves the history of the Beechcraft aircraft brand. Groups can tour the museum’s collec tions of rare and unique aircraft, including early Staggerwing, Bonanza and King Air models.

BACKROADS BYWAYS itinerary

Day 1

• Arrive at Jonesborough

• Historic walking tour of the city

• Tour Tennessee Hills Distillery

• Depart for Johnson City (15 min drive)

• Lunch at The Firehouse

• Depart for Clinton (2 hour, 1 min drive)

• Visit the Green McAdoo Cultural Center

• Tour The Museum of Appalachia

• Depart for Granville (2 hour, 7 min drive)

• Dinner at the Lakeside Restaurant

• Overnight at Wildwood Resort and Marina

Day 2

• Breakfast at Holston Cafe

• Tour Sutton Homestead

• Visit the Mayberry - I Love Lucy Museum

• Lunch at the T.B. Sutton General Store

• Tour the Pioneer Village

• Depart for Leiper's Fork (1 hour, 41 min drive)

• Gallery hopping

• Tour the Leiper’s Fork Distillery

• Dinner at Fox & Locke

• Overnight at Hampton Inn & Suites

Franklin Berry Farms

Day 3

• Breakfast at the RedByrd

• Depart for the Bell Buckle (1 hour, 37 min drive)

• Shopping in downtown Bell Buckle

• Lunch at Bell Buckle Cafe

• Depart for Tullahoma (26 min drive)

• Tour Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.

• Dinner at Whiskey Trail BBQ & Steakhouse

• Depart for Shelbyville (20 min drive)

• Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Shelbyville

GRANVILLE

An hour east of Nashville, Granville has been dubbed “Tennessee’s Mayberry Town” for its small-town charm. Time may feel just a little slower here — and that’s part of the appeal.

The T.B. Sutton General Store, in the heart of town, is a living relic worth the trip alone. Dating to the 1880s, the store feels like stepping into a time capsule, its creaky wooden floors and shelves lined with vintage signs, nostalgic toys, classic candies and handmade crafts. On Saturdays, groups can enjoy a meal of Southern favorites during the store’s weekly live bluegrass concert, part of its Ole Time Music Hour radio show.

The town’s Mayberry-I Love Lucy Museum features replica sets and memorabilia from both beloved TV series, including Aunt Bee’s glasses, autographed photos and posters, character dolls and more. Nearby, the Whiskey Decanter Museum displays approximately 5,000 unique decanters of all shapes and sizes, from a soaring bald eagle to a series depicting Elvis Presley across various stages of his career. The quaint community boasts at least five other museums to explore, including the Tennessee Quilt & Textile Museum; a Pioneer Village with artisans demonstrating traditional crafts; and the Granville Museum, which has displays about the city’s history. Groups can also explore the Granville Artisans’ Gallery, located on the second floor of the General Store, for locally handmade baskets, brooms, wood crafts, fiber arts, pottery and more.

UNION CITY

There’s fun for all ages in Union City, starting with the expansive exhibits at the city’s Discovery Park of America. Opened in 2013, the museum includes nine interactive exhibit galleries on topics as diverse as Native Ameri can history, military history, science, space, technology, transportation and art.

Highlights include a 20,000-gallon aquarium, life-size dinosaur bone casts, vintage cars, military vehicles and more. In addition to three floors of indoor exhibits, the site also features a 50-acre outdoor heritage park, where groups can explore traditional Japanese and European gardens, five restored train cars and a replica 1800s settlement village.

Nearby Reelfoot Lake and the surrounding Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge provide ample opportunities for outdoor exploration and enjoyment. The area is a particular favorite for fishing, canoeing and bird watching. A roughly 3-mile driving tour through the refuge’s bottomland hardwood forests offers opportunities to spot an array of bird species, including pileated woodpeckers, great blue herons, great egrets, bald eagles and red-shouldered hawks. For a more up-close look at area wildlife, refuge staff offer guided canoe treks and guided bald eagle tours at various points throughout the year.

At Union City’s Dixie Gun Works, groups can explore an expansive collection of historic firearms as well as gunsmithing tools and supplies. Just off the retail space, an Old Car Museum features 36 fully restored automobiles plus an array of vintage farm machinery.

MURFREESBORO

Once the Tennessee state capital before Nashville, Murfreesboro still exudes a sense of sophisticated vibrancy. Today, the city has one of the fastest-growing populations in the state. After one visit, you’ll see why.

The downtown corridor includes a fun mix of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues that cater to Middle Tennessee State University students and full-time residents alike.

History buffs will enjoy spending a day at the area’s Stones River National Battlefield, where ranger-led tours and frequent living history reenactments share insights into the Battle of Stones River, one of the bloodiest of the Civil War. Oaklands Mansion, a 19th-century property near the battlefield, offers self-guided tours of its well-preserved rooms, outfitted with many original furnishings and artifacts. The home served both as an impromptu field hospital for Union soldiers during the war and as a resting point for Confederate President Jefferson Davis during his 1862 visit to the area.

Murfreesboro’s Earth Experience Museum, also known as the Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History, features interactive displays of rocks, fossils, gems and dinosaur bones dating from millions of years ago. More recent history is on display at the city’s Cannonsburgh Village, a replica pioneer village with a grist mill, schoolhouse, general store, blacksmith’s shop and more. Meant to represent the lived experience of Tennesseans from the 1830s to 1930s, the village also displays the world’s largest cedar bucket, which stands more than 70 inches tall.

Straddling the state line that divides Tennessee and Virginia, Bristol is known far and wide as the “Birthplace of Country Music,” thanks to seminal 1927 recording sessions there that helped take country music mainstream. Today, the city still pulses with that same innovative spirit. Its thriving six-block downtown arts and entertainment district is home to eclectic shops and restaurants plus a major annual festival, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, typically held in September.

Of course, NASCAR fans know the city as the home of Bristol Motor Speedway, which hosts the NASCAR Cup Series and other key racing events. Groups can book a track tour, enjoy premium seating and track passes during live racing, or even book deluxe travel packages for marquee race events that include race-day transportation and hotel accommodations. Bristol is also a favorite destination for those who prefer to enjoy their fun outdoors. Bristol Caverns — one of Tennessee’s most beautiful public caves — offers guided walking tours or more extreme adventure tours, which explore the most remote portions of the cave. Nearby South Holston Lake delivers some of Tennessee’s best fishing, and the city’s many trails are a favorite of hikers and mountain bikers.

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