Smoky Mountains and Music Legends: Discover Tennessee

The Volunteer State has a rich and unique history. From playing a critical role in the Civil War to being the birthplace of country music, but also the site of Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, Tennessee has endless sights to discover if you’re a history buff. For nature lovers, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an absolute delight. And there’s so much more.

Xplorer Maps hand-illustrated story maps capture the essence of the destinations they represent, bringing out key parts of their past and present. Here, we’ll cover the top sights in Tennessee, from nature-filled days out in the mountains to delving into the rich music history of the state. 

Exploring Nature in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared between Tennessee and North Carolina. It is famous for its gorgeous scenery with misty peaks and unique landmarks. It’s also where you’ll find some of Tennessee’s iconic wildlife.

3 Must-Do Scenic Drives

Whether you’re a hiker, a bird watcher, or simply curious about Tennessee’s nature, here are three thrives that will surely thrill you.

1. Clingmans Dome Road

This is only 7 miles long, following a high ridge to a paved trail, from where you can get to the summit of Tennessee’s highest peak, Clingmans Dome, now known as Kuwohi. It’s worth going early in the morning to enjoy the cool air among the spruce-fir trees, and to marvel at the sunrise from the top. Not a morning person? The sunset is equally amazing, depending on the time of year. Check out Reddit forums for the best advice on when to go for either of them. 

If you’re a keen hiker, you can join the Appalachian Trail here for a journey through some of the most breathtaking scenery. It’s also a technical part of the trail, with lots of rocky terrain and long climbs. 

2. Little River Road

Take this road from Sugarlands Visitor Center (near Gatlinburg) and follow along the Little River for 18 miles to enjoy views of waterfalls, wildflowers, and the cool mountain river. A highlight is the area through Elkmont, where you can witness a unique synchronous firefly show in the middle of June. They’ve been seen from 10 pm every night, with thousands of fireflies going dark at the same time, then lighting up together multiple times before going dark again. See if you can catch them!

3. Lookout Mountain Scenic Parkway

This 93-mile road is a southern explorer’s dream. Stretching from Chattanooga in Tennessee to Gadsden, Alabama, it showcases the best of three states (Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama) winding through canyons, past amazing views, into historic towns and villages, and through the national parks in each state. Of course, the highlight in Tennessee is Lookout Mountain itself - with majestic fall foliage or superb mountain laurel and rhododendrons to delight you, depending on the seasons. 

Take S Broad Street in Chattanooga towards St Elmo, follow signs to Rock City, and take Ochs Highway up Lookout Mountain for a driving treat. Keep following green signs for Lookout Mountain Parkway / Lookout Mountain. Careful though: it is a winding, sometimes steep road, but the views are absolutely worth it. 

Don’t miss: Ruby Falls is the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. You’ll descend in a cave under Lookout Mountain to see it with a guide. Experience multi-colored light shows and a feeling of prehistoric exploration - more details here.

Iconic Tennessee Wildlife

Wherever you find yourself in the Smoky Mountains, don’t forget to look out for some signature Tennessee flora and fauna:

• The mockingbird, the state symbol, will burst into song in forests and in towns, while the redbird (or Northern Cardinal) provides a lively pop of color in urban and more remote settings alike;

• River otters will appear on most rivers, breaking up a fishing trip or simply saying hello. You can also see them up close at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga;

• When out in the woods, look out for the Eastern Red Cedar - abundant in the middle of the state and often used in fence posts and traditional crafts.

Bring Tennessee’s wild side home with our jigsaw puzzle

Making Music Memories

One of Tennessee’s biggest pulls is its strong link to country music. But the state is also the birthplace of six other genres: blues, bluegrass, rock n’roll, rockabilly, gospel, and soul! We love exploring the sound of places we connect with through our hand-illustrated maps, and Tennessee is probably one of the best places in America to do that. 

Elvis’ Memphis & Graceland

You can’t think of Memphis without recalling the image of Elvis, and the best way to learn everything about the King is to visit Graceland. This 13.8-acre estate is where Elvis died and is buried. Today, it is a pilgrimage site and premier tourist destination, where you can peruse his trophies, see the unique car collection, and walk through the Meditation Garden to pay respects in front of Elvis’ and his family’s graves. 

For serious fans, Elvis Week is held annually around the anniversary of the King’s death (August 16). You’ll be able to attend a variety of events, including Elvis Mass at St Paul’s Church - an absolutely unique happening.

We also recommend visiting the Memphis Music Hall of Fame to go further into the music history of the city. You’ll find interactive exhibits and memorabilia linked to BB King, Isaac Hayes, and others. And just next door, make sure to walk into Lansky’s clothing store, where legends like Elvis used to go shopping. 

Send a piece of Tennessee to your loved ones with Xplorer Maps Tennessee Notecards

In the Presence of Giants: the Grand Ole Opry & Nashville

Switching across to country music, Nashville is the place to go - with the Grand Ole Opry a key attraction. The Opry has been showcasing the best and brightest in country, bluegrass, Americana, folk, and gospel music since 1925, when it was founded as the “WSM Barn Dance.” It was instrumental in turning Nashville into the “capital of country music,” and being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry is one of the biggest achievements an act could hope for. 

Start your exploration of country music history at the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. You’ll be able to tour exhibits on Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Elvis, and maybe even see a live show. Then, move over to the Opry’s current location at Opry House, where you can go on daytime backstage tours and some themed visits like the Women of Country Tour. 

In between theaters, you should also make time for the Music Row Walking Tour that takes you along past historic sites like RCA Studios, where many music legends put together the albums we love. And, if you have time to go to a live show while in town, the 3rd & Lindsley is the venue to check out: excellent sounds, great food, and a unique experience await. 

Dollywood

There is quite a lot of (positive!) noise around Dollywood, a thoroughly Southern amusement park that we think is a must-do in Tennessee. It is actually the state’s most visited attraction, with lots of exciting activities if you’re a Dolly Parton fan (for example, Behind the Seams looks at her wardrobe through the years, and you can see a retired tour bus). There are a total of eleven different themed sections, from roller coasters to a water park, resorts, and dinner shows.

What’s even better is that it’s all located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains - so you can either continue on your journey into the national park, or stop here when you’re heading back towards Knoxville or Nashville. 

And there’s so much more to pick from when it comes to historic music-linked destinations:

• Check out the T.B. Sutton General Store in Granville for a live radio bluegrass show and delicious food;

• Visit Loretta Lynch’s Ranch at Hurricane Mills;

• Pop into the Tina Turner Museum in her childhood schoolhouse, the Flagg Grove School in Brownsville… and the list goes on!

Show your Tennessee love with our map stickers!

Uncovering History & Culture

Beyond music and natural beauty, Tennessee has had a fantastically rich historic and cultural role to play in what the United States is today. Here are just a few additional highlights to bear in mind, which connect people and place, as well as history.

Learn About Civil Rights 

Established in Memphis in 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum offers powerful, immersive exhibits under the motto “History Moves Us Forward.” It is an essential place of learning and reflection tracing the history of the civil rights movement. Its location is not haphazard: the Lorraine Motel is the site of the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr in 1968. 

Take a Stroll Down Memphis’ Beale Street

This hub of music and great food in Downtown Memphis is the place to go to immerse yourself in the city’s nightlife. The blues clubs here were the starting point for many legends, from BB King to Memphis Minnie, Howlin’ Wolf, and more. This was an essential center for African American culture and commercial development in the early 20th century. You can see landmarks like the Beale Street Baptist Church - the first Memphis church built for Black people. 

Today, there are three blocks of nightclubs, restaurants, and bars to spend your evenings in, after taking in all the historic buildings and the unique vibe of the place. 

Be practical and stylish in one with the Tennessee Canvas Tote Bag

Explore Military History at Shiloh National Military Park

Stepping further back in time to the Civil War era, you can learn about the Shiloh and Corinth battlefields, preserved in the Shiloh National Military Park just south of Savannah, TN. The Battle of Shiloh was one the first major battles in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. Explore its history and impact here.

Jack Daniel’s, But Not As You’d Expect

Finally, a pilgrimage site for whiskey lovers, but in a very unusual location. The Jack Daniel’s distillery is located in Lynchburg, TN, which is famous for being in a dry county since 1872 (Moore County). Yes, there are drinking tours where you can do some small tastings, but don’t expect this museum and tour to be a raunchy affair. Luckily, the souvenir shop, the White Rabbit, sells rare special editions and commemorative bottles, under the loophole that they can only be purchased here. For “regular” Jack Daniel’s whiskey, you’ll need to head a little farther out. 

Decorate your dining (or drinking!) table with Tennessee natural stone coasters

Tennessee is a state of stories: stories told in the rhythms of country ballads and blues guitar; etched into waterfalls, limestone cliffs, and winding rivers; and preserved in museums, distilleries, and vibrant cities. Start your exploration on our hand-illustrated story map, or keep it as a reminder of a unique journey that’s surely going to have you wanting to return soon.