Things to Do in Tennessee

Graceland is a mansion in Memphis and the former home of musician Elvis Presley – The “King of Rock and Roll.” It is also the final resting place of Elvis and one of the top attractions in Tennessee. Graceland is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is one of the most popular mansions to visit in the United States.

The site includes a museum that houses artifacts from Elvis' life such as his clothing, records, cars, and planes. The home itself, and its furnishings are a sight to behold. Visitors can tour the mansion using a multimedia iPad to enhance the experience and explain the various exhibits.

3765 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, Phone: 800-238-2000

Ijams Nature Center is a 300-acre natural park and protected wildlife area, and one of the top Tennessee attractions. It is designed for visitors of all ages and has many outdoor activities available such as hiking, biking, paddling, trail walking etc. Jo's Grove is a natural play area for children, and for adult “kids,” Ijams Crag is an adult climbing location.

River Sports Outfitters rents bikes, canoes, and paddleboards for visitors to use as they explore the park. Refreshments and gifts, including locally made crafts, are available for purchase as well. Ijams can be rented for weddings, retreats, or other events and is in a convenient location near the city of Knoxville.

Ijams Nature Center , 2915 Island Home Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37920, Phone: 865-577-4717

Beale Street, a famous street in Memphis, Tennessee, is just under two miles long, running from the Mississippi River to East Street. The blues clubs and restaurants that line the street make it a famous tourist destination. Beale Street blues clubs played an important role in the history of blues music in the United States, and it has been named America's most iconic street by USA Today. Large crowds flock to the festivals and outdoor concerts along Beale Street and the surrounding area.

Beale Street, 203 Beale Street, Suite 300, Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: 901-526-0117

The Parthenon Nashville is a full-scale replica of the original Greek Parthenon in Athens. It is the centerpiece of Centennial Park and was built as a part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897. The Parthenon is listed on the U.S. National Registry of Historic Places.

This impressive monument is complete with a full-scale replica model of the Athena statue, which is the focus of the Parthenon. The Parthenon also houses Nashville's art museum. The museum features 19th and 20th century American art on permanent display as well as a variety of temporary art exhibits.

2500 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203, Phone: 615-862-8431

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in downtown Gatlinburg is among the top rated aquariums in the country. The aquarium's tanks hold 1.4 million gallons of water and are home to more than 100 thousand marine animals.

The underwater tunnel at Ripley's is 340 feet long, making it one of the longest in the world. The tunnel allows visitors to get a close-up look at exotic sea creatures such as sharks, stingrays, and giant sea turtles. The Gatlinburg aquarium is a great option for families with children, as there are activities and exhibits throughout to engage visitors of all ages.

88 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, Phone: 865-430-8808

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

Quite possibly the most famous recording studio anywhere in the world, Sun Studio is a mainstay attraction in Memphis. Founded in 1950 by rock and roll pioneer Sam Phillips, Sun Studio is said to have been the place where the first rock and roll single “Rocket 88” was recorded. Because of this, the location has been called the birthplace of rock and roll.

Nowadays the studio is still recording, and it also offers tours that include a free shuttle to and from Graceland or the Rock N' Soul Museum, making it easy to combine a visit to Sun Studio with other Memphis attractions. In addition to tours, the studio's Rock Shop has a selection of gifts and apparel available for purchase.

706 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: 800-441-6249

The Lotz House Museum is a building and former home in Franklin. Today it is a museum and listed on the U.S. National Registry of Historic Places. The home played a historic role in the Civil War, surviving the Battle of Franklin and also serving as a military field hospital. The Lotz family consisted of artists who produced both fine art and handmade furniture.

Many of these historic furnishings are on display in the museum, including antiques, family heirlooms, fine art, and more. Individual as well as group and student tours are available, and there is a gift shop on premises. The house is located near the Carter house as well as the Franklin Battlefield, which make it an ideal tourist attraction.

1111 Columbia Avenue, Franklin, TN 37064, Phone: 615-790-7190

The National Civil Rights Museum is made up of several museums and historic buildings in Memphis. The exhibits display artifacts related to the history of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, which include numerous multi-media and interactive exhibits.

The centerpiece of the museum is the Lorraine Motel, which was the location of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr's assassination. During the tour, visitors will spend approximately two hours traveling through the various exhibits and buildings as they experience the history of civil rights in the United States. The museum is available to rent for corporate functions, holiday parties, and other events.

450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: 901-521-9699

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Discovery Park of America , located in Union, Tennessee, is a museum, park, and garden with a variety of educational exhibits. The 50-acre park features numerous hands-on exhibits and activities that showcase and teach about Tennessee history, nature, the military, science, and art.

The main attraction at Discovery Park is the more than 100,000 square foot Discovery Center that showcases ten different exhibit areas plus a special exhibit area that changes from time to time. Some of the highlights of the exhibits include a theater earthquake simulator, a 20,000-gallon aquarium, and a 60-foot replica of the human body complete with a slide.

830 Everett Blvd, Union City, TN 38261, Phone: 731-885-5455

The Titanic Museum is a half-scale replica of the famous ship, the RMS Titanic located in Pigeon Forge. It is a two-story museum that holds approximately 400 artifacts in twenty separate galleries and holds the honor of being the world's largest Titanic museum. The museum is built in a pool of water.

As visitors step inside, they enter a story-line experience where they get to experience some of what it was like to be an original passenger on the Titanic's maiden and only voyage. The museum assigns a real passenger name to each ticket, and as visitors pass through, they will learn the individual story of that passenger including whether they survived the Titanic's demise.

2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, Phone: 417-334-9500