A scenic view of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at dawn, featuring rolling layers of blue and purple ridgelines sloping down into a green valley under a vibrant orange and pink sky.

rewriting what vacation planning means for
blind communities

For millions of blind and visually impaired people, image descriptions — known as “alt text” — are how they experience the world online. But too often it fails them, offering cold, generic or sometimes even no descriptions at all.

To paint a vivid picture of the beauty of Tennessee for visually impaired travelers, we worked with world-renowned songwriters to create lyrical, sensory-driven photo descriptions.

tennessee through the lyrics of iconic songwriters

Butterfly on a blood root wildflower blanket on the hill, The gentle Smoky mountains smile on the valley serene and still, A warm breeze welcomes springtime goodbye winter chill, Can’t you hear them calling? Always have, always will. Written about the Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Butterfly on a blood root wildflower blanket on the hill,  
The gentle Smoky Mountains smile on the valley serene and still, 
A warm breeze welcomes springtime, goodbye winter chill, 
Can’t you hear them calling? Always have, always will.

Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana 

Old worn pews, stained glass windows shine bright, Tradition and songs on a Saturday night, Shoulder to shoulder, hearts pound in the crowd, The magic of music is alive in the house. Written about The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tennessee

Old worn pews, stained glass windows shine bright, 
Tradition and songs on a Saturday night, 
Shoulder to shoulder, hearts pound in the crowd, 
The magic of music is alive in the house.

Songwriters: Hilary Williams, David Tolliver, Billy Montana 

Golden hour orange watercolor clouds, Floating over rows of lush green vines, grapes hanging down, Side by side marching up a gently rising hill, While the leaves on the trees rest silent and still. Written about Arrington Vineyards in Arrington, Tennessee.
Arrington Vineyards – Arrington, Tennessee

Golden hour orange watercolor clouds,  
Floating over rows of lush green vines, 
Grapes hanging down,  
Side by side marching up a gently rising hill, 
While the leaves on the trees rest silent and still. 

Songwriters: Kix Brooks, David Tolliver, Billy Montana  

The roar of the river over the rocks, The scent of pine and hemlock, The spray of the mist touches your skin, Carried on a waterfall wind. Written about a waterfall at Fiery Gizzard Trail in South Cumberland State Park in Tracy, Tennessee.
Sycamore Falls at South Cumberland State Park – Monteagle, Tennessee

The roar of the river over the rocks,  
The scent of pine and hemlock,  
The spray of the mist touches your skin,  
Carried on a waterfall wind, 
Feel the rush of being so small, 
Standing next to a waterfall.

Songwriters: Thomas Edwards, David Tolliver, Billy Montana  

There’s blues singing off the strings of Lucille, Ringing down the black top and side walks of Beale, The soul of BB king is present and real, them songs seem to find you and know how you feel. Written about a performer at King’s Palace Cafe on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee.
King's Palace Cafe – Memphis, Tennessee

There’s blues singing off the strings of Lucille,  
Ringing down the black top and sidewalks of Beale,  
The soul of B.B. King is present and real,  
The songs seem to find you and know how you feel. 

Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana 

Raise up a cold one in the hot sun, Cool condensation on the glass, The taste of Tennessee summers in the tap room, The marriage of hops and the barley in the mash. Written about the Hot Springs Beer Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Hop Springs Beer Park – Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Raise up a cold one in the hot sun, 
Cool condensation on the glass, 
The taste of Tennessee summers in the tap room, 
The marriage of hops and the barley in the mash. 

Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana 

Cool morning mist resting peacefully in the valleys, The dawn drinking in a pink lemonade sky, Waves of tree covered Mountain peaks like a wrinkled up blanket, Mockingbirds sing to a sailor’s sunrise, In my Tennessee mountain home, Crickets are singing in the fields near by. Written about The Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Cool morning mist resting peacefully in the valleys, 
The dawn drinking in a pink lemonade sky,
Waves of tree-covered mountain peaks like a wrinkled-up blanket,
Mockingbirds sing to a sailor’s sunrise,
In my Tennessee mountain home,
Crickets are singing in the fields nearby.

Songwriters: Dolly Parton, David Tolliver, Billy Montana  

Feet planted firm on the hard granite stone, I wonder how far to the ground, Drop a rock off the edge and then count the seconds, Till it finally makes a sound. Written about a hiker at Virgin Falls State Natural Area in Sparta, Tennessee.
Virgin Falls State Natural Area – Sparta, Tennessee

Feet planted firm on the hard granite stone,  
I wonder how far to the ground,  
Drop a rock off the edge and then count the seconds,  
Till it finally makes a sound. 

Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana 

A little taste of everything your tastebuds wanna try, From butter garlic pasta to Christy’s famous pie, From Calabria Italy to Main Street. near the Square, Welcome to the Alley come in pull up a chair. Written about the Alley on Main in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Alley on Main – Murfreesboro, Tennessee

A little taste of everything your tastebuds wanna try, 
From butter garlic pasta to Christy’s famous pie, 
From Calabria Italy to Main Street, near the Square, 
Welcome to the Alley, come in pull up a chair.

Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana 

The King’s Cadillac all shiny and clean, Remembering days of its glory, It carried the man who lived in Graceland, And drives us through Elvis’ story. Written about the Cadillac at Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee
Graceland – Memphis, Tennessee

The King’s Cadillac all shiny and clean, 
Remembering days of its glory, 
It carried the man who lived in Graceland, 
And drives us through Elvis’ story. 

Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana 

Flip the switches, Fire it up, The electric tubes, Burn off the dust, Roll the tape, Hit record, Legends’ voices, Shook these doors, The king sang here, The man in black, Sun Studio is where you’re at. Written about Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
Sun Studio – Memphis, Tennessee

Flip the switch, Fire it up, 
The electric tubes, Burn off the dust,  
Roll the tape, Hit record, 
Legends’ voices, Shook these doors,  
The king sang here, The man in Black,  
Sun Studio, Is where you’re at.

Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana 

It’s more than just a street, more than a busy four-lane road, More than just a place the shiny new boot tourist goes, It’s where the kid from Minnesota with a big ole dream to chase, Is working on his best new Nashville twang, On the street we call Broadway. Written about Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee
Lower Broadway – Nashville, Tennessee

It’s more than just a street, more than a busy two-lane road, 
More than just a place the shiny new boot tourist goes, 
It’s where the kid from Minnesota with a big ole dream to chase, 
Is working on his best new Nashville twang, 
On the street we call Broadway. 

Songwriters: Michael Farren, Brian Davis, David Tolliver 

A little boy giggles from the Busy Bee ride, His brother holds on, smiles by his side, They whoosh and swoosh, buzzing along Dollywood is where every family belongs.
Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

A little boy giggles from the Busy Bee ride,
His brother holds on, smiles by his side,
They whoosh and swoosh, buzzing along,
Dollywood is where every family belongs.

Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana 

All it takes is a keyboard search, To learn about places you’d like to be, Get a feel for adventures that await, All across the great state of Tennessee. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.
All it takes is a keyboard search, To learn about places you’d like to be, Get a feel for adventures that await, All across the great state of Tennessee. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.

Better Image Descriptions for Better Experiences

Even if you can't get songwriters to help with your alt text descriptions, there are many ways to improve your website for visually impaired visitors. Here are just a few ideas.

Learn More

PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION
 

These enhanced alt text image descriptions are just one way TNvacation.com is becoming more accessible. Across this website, we're continually working to create rich experiences for as many people as possible.

Access the Department of Human Services to learn more about Tennessee State blind and visually impaired resources. 

tennessee for everyone

A museum exhibit room with glass display cases, posters, guitars on the walls, and wooden floors showcasing instruments and artifacts.

Take A Music Journey

At a scenic overlook at Cherohala Skyway at Turkey Creek. A specialized viewfinder poised on a pedestal beckons those with color visual deficiency to gaze anew at the splendor of a simple magnificent Tennessee landscape. Out on the edge of discovery. Feel the open air on your skin, hear the serenity of nature’s natural sounds. Be at peace. Written about Cherohala Skyway at Turkey Creek Overlook in Tellico Plains, Tennessee.

Experience Tennessee's Vibrant Colors

Outdoor rooftop patio at The Mailroom in Clarksville, Tennessee, with diners seated at tables under string lights, overlooking historic downtown buildings at sunset.

Where to Eat in Tennessee