Duck march at Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN
Photo Credit: Ann-Margaret Hedges Photography

The Gift of Travel: Experiential Gifts in Tennessee

Looking for a unique gift? Nothing is more unforgettable than a one-of-a-kind experience. Check out our gift guide for some memories that can only be made in Tennessee.

When the holiday season approaches, consider gifting those you love with a one-of-a-kind experience that makes long-lasting memories. Check out the gift guide below that can only be made in Tennessee.

VIP Graceland Tours - Memphis

If you’re looking for a gift a music fan will love, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the castle of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Graceland is a must-do for any trip to Memphis, and the VIP Graceland Tour makes experiencing Elvis up close truly special.

VIPs skip the crowds and tour Graceland in a small group with their own guide. These Elvis experts can answer any questions about the King and will share never-before-heard stories as they stroll through the mansion — still in its original 1970s glory, just like he left it. VIPs also get access to Elvis’ private jets and can return to the mansion for a self-guided iPad tour as many times as they like throughout the day.

Also included in the tour is a trip to Elvis Presley’s Memphis, the 200,000-square-foot entertainment and exhibit complex, including Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, Presley Motors Automobile Museum and the "Icon: The Influence of Elvis Presley Exhibit." It’s an immersive experience for all things Elvis as you see artifacts and photos from the Graceland Archives, a collection of the King’s signature jumpsuits and his favorite cars.

Peabody Honorary Duck Master - Memphis

Give the gift of a Tennessee tradition by making your loved one an Honorary Duck Master for a day. It‘s an experience that can only be had at The Peabody Hotel in Memphis.

Back in the 1930s, the Peabody Hotel’s General Manager Frank Schutt and friend Chip Barwick returned from a hunting trip and placed their live duck decoys in the Peabody fountain as a joke. In 1940, Peabody Bellman Edward Pembroke, a former circus animal trainer, taught the ducks to march through the lobby to the fountain every day. He became the first Peabody Duckmaster, a role he held for 50 years.

Today, the ducks still march through the lobby at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day. And now, anyone can be a Duckmaster with the Peabody Hotel’s Ducky Day package. A great gift for kids and a unique weekend with the family, this package also includes one night’s accommodation at The Peabody along with the Honorary Duckmaster title, an official brass Duckmaster cane, a reserved table at the duck march, and other duck-themed souvenirs.

Taste of Lynchburg Jack Daniel Tour - Lynchburg

What would a trip to Tennessee be without a taste of Tennessee whiskey? For the whiskey aficionado in your family, the Taste of Lynchburg Jack Daniel's Tour is a great way to drink in one of Tennessee’s most famous whiskey brands.

Tour participants hear the history of Jack Daniel as they walk through the distillery with their storyteller guide. After the tour, they head down to historic Barrelhouse 1-14 and taste whiskey drawn from individual barrels, an exclusive experience that was once reserved for official distillers and tasters. Five different whiskeys are sampled, including several from the Single Barrel Collection and even a few limited editions. From there, they’re treated to a Southern meal at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant, a Lynchburg legend since 1908.

Nashville Total Access Attraction Pass - Nashville

For the family member or friend who wants to do it all, adventure awaits with Nashville's Official Music City Total Access Combination Ticket. Passholders can put together their unique Nashville experience by choosing from a list of over 30 participating attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame, Hatch Show PrintAdventure Science Center and more. For $99, the Total Access Combo Ticket includes entrance into four attractions of their choice, free admission to The Parthenon and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and multiple exclusive discounts. Think of it as the key to Music City.

The Bristol Club at Bristol Motor Speedway - Bristol

Feel the rumble of the engines. Hear the roar of the crowd. For the sports fan on your list, The Bristol Club at Bristol Motor Speedway is a one-of-a-kind race-day experience. Rated the third-largest sports venue in the United States and recognized as “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile,” this speedway is known for its unpredictable races.

Take the heart-racing, engine-revving action of the speedway, add a first-class VIP experience, and you’ve got The Bristol Club. Not only will your NASCAR fan enjoy this luxury suite with theater-style seating, they’ll also get to meet a few NASCAR drivers and other celebrities during their visit. On Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series days, they’ll even get to walk the track before the race starts.

A Stay at Blackberry Mountain - Walland

Gift a luxury stay this holiday season.
Photo Credit: @jacqui.luxury_travel

Give the gift of luxury to those you love by booking accommodations at Blackberry Mountain. Cozy watchman cabins, treehouses, stone cottages and multi-room mountain homes are available to book. Wake up with the sunrise each morning or watch the sunset at the end of a day filled with outdoor adventures and mountain air. When you book, your loved ones will have access to tastings and classes, curated spa experiences, yoga sessions, forest bathing, horseback riding, hiking, biking and Lexus off-roading. It's the perfect gift for the one on your list who loves the finest things in life.

Lookout Mountain’s RiverView Inn - Chattanooga

Book a holiday getaway for a vacation filled with cheer in Chattanooga. Lookout Mountain’s RiverView Inn offers a Holiday Getaway Package that saves you 20% when you book two or more consecutive nights Nov. 18-Dec. 31, 2021; and you'll receive a free gift. The holidays are a magical time on Lookout Mountain. From over a million twinkling lights at Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights to exploring the wonders of breathtaking Ruby Falls, or sipping hot cocoa by the fire at the Inn, Lookout Mountain is teeming with holiday spirit.

Tennessee has an experience for practically everyone on your holiday shopping list. Make your loved ones’ year with the gift of new memories and an unforgettable experience in Tennessee.

Looking for more gift ideas? Browse these gift guides:

Gift These 13 Tennessee Experiences This Holiday Season

14 Tennessee Experiences to Gift This Holiday Season

14 Giftable East Tennessee Experiences

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