Tennessee's Hidden Gems In & Out of Big Cities

One of the most scenic things to do near Nashville, Harpeth River State Park offers a peaceful escape into nature with river access, hiking trails and panoramic overlooks just outside the city. Canoeing is open to beginner and advanced paddlers with access points located at all sites inside the park (excluding archaeological areas). For those that enjoy fishing, the river has a big variety, such as: mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish, and more. For hikers and nature enthusiasts, the park offers lush forests, majestic bluffs, and blooming wildflower meadows.

• Location: Kingston Springs, TN
• Distance from Nashville: Approximately 28 miles / 35 minutes
• Hours:
  • Mon-Thu: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Fri-Sat: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Sun: 12 - 6 p.m.
• Admission: Free
• Signature Experience: Narrows of the Harpeth trail, kayaking, hiking and scenic bluff views

For a whimsical stop just outside the city, Puffy Cotton Candy is one of the most creative and family-friendly secret spots in Tennessee, transforming a simple treat into edible art. Standing nearly two feet high, Puffy transforms a mountain of fresh cotton candy into magical characters like a rainbow unicorn, cuddly teddy bear, and even popular movie and cartoon characters. 

• Location: Franklin, TN
• Distance from Nashville: Approximately 22 miles / 30 minutes
• Hours: Varies
• Admission: Pay per item
• Signature Experience: Hand-spun cotton candy sculptures
• Quick tip: Puffy’s cotton candy is the perfect treat for those with food allergies; their cotton candy is gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. Be sure to let the staff know of your food allergies before you order.

Steeped in folklore and mystery, the Bell Witch Cave is one of the most intriguing and historic hidden gems in Tennessee. Dating all the way back the early 1800s, the cave is located on property once owned by the Bells, a family haunted by an entity now referred to as the Bell Witch. As the legend goes, the family lived peacefully on their farm in Adams for 13 years but in the summer of 1817, they began seeing strange animals on the farm, catching eerie sounds, and eventually hearing a disembodied voice heard all throughout their cabin. The Bell Witch Cave, located near the site of the old family farm where John Bell mysteriously died and the terrifying encounters with the entity took place, is where many believe the Bell Witch fled and currently resides.

• Location: Adams, TN
• Distance from Nashville: Approximately 43 miles / 50 minutes
• Hours: Seasonal, late spring to mid-November
• Admission: Ticketed tours
• Signature Experience: Historic haunted cave tours

Tucked away near downtown, The Row Kitchen & Pub offers a deeper look into Music City’s history and is one of the more lesser known things to do in Tennessee for those interested in its songwriting legacy. The hangout spot for singers & songwriters who helped shape country music history, The Row is where Brooks & Dunn were introduced, where Earl Bud Lee sold the rights to “Friends in Low Places” for a bar tab, and where song writing legend Harlan Howard held court every afternoon. With distinct Nashville dishes like their famous fried pickles, Nashville hot chicken, a variety of breakfast favorites like Steak & Eggs and Breakfast Mac, delicious burgers, and house-smoked bar-b-que hickory pork, turkey, & brisket, you will discover why the Row is still living up to their namesake, a “True Taste of Nashville”.

• Location: Nashville, TN
• Distance from Nashville: Located in-city
• Hours:
  • Monday - Saturday: 7 a.m. - 12 a.m.
  • Sunday: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Admission: Menu pricing
• Signature Experience: Historic songwriter hangout with live music
• Quick tip: The Row has a dedicated parking lot available for customers at no cost.

A short drive from Nashville, Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, is a charming rural village known for its art galleries, live music and small-town atmosphere. Several restaurants are there, too, so you can grab some authentic Southern fare before or after you walk around town. Just about a mile south from town is Leiper’s Fork Distillery, a small-batch whiskey distillery founded in 2016 whose story spans back generations to the early moonshine running days of the area. As you take the tour and sample a few sips of the locally produced and bottled whiskey, you’ll learn the incredible role that moonshine and whiskey played in Franklin and Tennessee’s past.
 

• Location: Franklin, TN
• Distance from Nashville: Approximately 32 miles / 45 minutes
• Hours: Varies by shop
• Admission: Free to explore
• Signature Experience: Scenic village with shops, galleries and Leiper’s Fork Distillery

Blending vintage glamour with modern dining, Sinatra Bar & Lounge delivers a refined night out and stands out among unique things to do in Tennessee. An homage to Ol’ Blue Eyes, the restaurant serves prime steaks along with some of Sinatra’s favorite Italian recipes. Featured drinks include martinis with three olives, Tom Collinses, Manhattans, and Sinatra’s own drink of choice, Jack Daniel’s Whiskey along with Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select. Sinatra Bar & Lounge is also the first and only restaurant in the world to serve Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Century – the 100-proof bourbon created in 2015 for the centennial of Sinatra’s birth – by the drink, a nod to the legendary singer’s role in elevating the Jack Daniel’s brand.

• Location: Nashville, TN
• Distance from Nashville: Located in-city
• Hours:
  • Evening dining beginning at 4 p.m.
  • Sunday brunch: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Admission: Menu pricing
• Signature Experience: Frank Sinatra-inspired dining and cocktails
• Quick tip: Sinatra Bar & Lounge maintains a business casual dress code; children under 5 are not permitted and it is 21 and up only after 8:30pm.

Hidden beneath the hills of East Tennessee, The Lost Sea is one of the state’s most remarkable natural wonders and a must for those seeking off the beaten path Tennessee experiences. On your guided tour, learn all about the history of the cave and the natural elements and phenomenon surrounding its formation. The walk down to the lake takes you through some breathtaking caverns, with the paths weaving around and across the formations. Electric boats await once you reach the underground 4-acre lagoon which will take you to see the expansive lake’s coolest features. Lost Sea even offers an overnight camping tour, called the Wild Cave Tour, for groups of 12 or more, where you can roll out your sleeping bag and snooze 140 feet below ground level after a privately guided excursion.

• Location: Sweetwater, TN
• Distance from Knoxville: Approximately 53 miles / 55 minutes
• Hours: Year-round tours
• Admission:
  • Adult: $29.95
  • Child: $18.95 (ages 4-12)
  • Senior $28.95
  • Military discounts offered
• Signature Experience: Boat ride on America’s largest underground lake
• Quick tip: The temperature down in the cave is always a pleasant 58 degrees even during the winter, so you can leave your coats in the car; hiking boots or sneakers are recommended.

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Watauga Lake offers a serene outdoor retreat and is one of the most scenic hidden gems in Tennessee. Clear, cool water and lots of space to spread out are highlights, and with pontoon and paddle craft rentals available, you’ll have so much fun out on the water with friends and family. With 106 miles of shoreline, there’s also dedicated beach areas to enjoy.

• Location: Butler, TN
• Distance from Knoxville: Approximately 115 miles / 2 hours 15 minutes
• Hours: Year-round
• Admission: Free (rentals available)
• Signature Experience: Boating, fishing and mountain views
• Quick tip: Whether you’re a resident or a visitor planning to fish, please make sure you have a Tennessee fishing license prior to casting your first line. You can visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s website for further details regarding license requirements.
• Fishing: Recommended by legendary fisherman Bill Dance as part of the Bill Dance Signature Lakes program, you can expect to reel in Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Trout while fishing this extraordinary lake.

Quirky and unexpected, The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Gatlinburg is one of the most unusual attractions in the state. Featuring a collection of over 20,000 salt and pepper shakers, some dating all the way back to the 16th century, there is genuinely something for everyone. The fruits of more than 35 years of collecting by archeologist turned shaker enthusiast Andrea Ludden, the museum exists to show the variety, creativity, and artistry that can be found in salt and pepper shakers from all over the world. The museum’s gift shop even sells new and vintage shakers to help get your own collection started.

• Location: Gatlinburg, TN
• Distance from Gatlinburg: Located in-city
• Hours:
  • Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Sunday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Admission:
  • Adults: $3
  • Children 12 and under: Free
• Signature Experience: 20,000+ shaker collection
• Quick tip: The $3 admission per adult goes towards any salt and pepper shaker purchase in the gift shop.

Nestled in the "peaceful side of the Smokies," the Dancing Bear Lodge’s award-winning Appalachian Bistro highlights the region’s culinary roots and is one of the more refined hidden gems in Tennessee. True to the farm-to-table experience, the restaurant uses fresh produce grown on-site, and sources the highest quality local ingredients, to create renowned dishes that are as inviting to the eye as they are to the palate. The menu offers seafood, steaks, and a variety of appetizers. In a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere, Appalachian Bistro presents familiar Southern dishes prepared with unique flavor twists. Outdoor seating and a full bar are available.

• Location: Townsend, TN
• Distance from Knoxville: Approximately 35 miles / 50 minutes
• Hours:
  • Tuesday - Sunday: 5 - 9 p.m.
  • Sunday Brunch: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Admission: Menu pricing
• Signature Experience: Farm-to-table dining

Visit Fort Dickerson Park, an interactive Civil War fort and lake tucked away within Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Blending history and outdoor adventure, this Knoxville jewel is a unique urban escape and one of the more secret spots in Tennessee. There are two covered shelters for enjoying a picnic after walking the interactive trail around the fort, which includes three authentic replica cannons. Quick tip: A perfect spot to cool off on hot summer days, you can swim in the quarry lake; please follow posted general park rules.

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Distance from Knoxville: Approximately 4 miles / 10 minutes
• Hours: Dawn to dusk
• Admission: Free
• Signature Experience: Civil War fort and quarry lake
• Quick tip: A perfect spot to cool off on hot summer days, you can swim in the quarry lake; please follow posted general park rules.

Formed by powerful earthquakes in 1811-1812 that caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards for a short period of time, Reelfoot Lake is one of the most ecologically unique landscapes in the state. As a flooded forest, the park’s ecosystem is unlike any other place in Tennessee. While Majestic Cypress trees rise above the water, below the surface are many submerged Cypress stumps. A variety of aquatic plants and flowers occupy the shoreline and saturate the shallow water.

• Location: Tiptonville, TN
• Distance from Memphis: Approximately 115 miles / 2 hours 15 minutes
• Hours: Year-round
• Admission: No cost
• Signature Experience: Cypress swamp ecosystem and birdwatching, including almost every kind of shore and wading bird as well as golden and American bald eagles
• Fishing: A Bill Dance Signature Lake, Reelfoot is famous for its bluegill and crappie which rank among the best in the state and is personally recommended by Bill Dance for some great fishing opportunities.

Towering over downtown, the Bass Pro Shop Pyramid is one of the most recognizable attractions in Memphis. In addition to an incredible assortment of fishing, boating, hunting and outdoor gear, the mega store includes the 103-room Big Cypress Lodge hotel with treehouse cabins, 600,000 gallons of water teeming with over 1,800 fish, a cypress swamp with alligator pools and duck aviaries, and a breathtaking observation deck at the top of the 32-story steel pyramid with panoramic views of downtown Memphis.

• Location: Memphis, TN
• Distance from Memphis: Located in-city
• Hours:
  • Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • Sunday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Admission: Free entry (paid attractions inside)
• Signature Experience: Retail, hotel and observation deck
• Quick tip: if you visit the observation deck in the evening after the sun goes down, you can catch an awesome light show on the Hernando de Soto Bridge which connects Tennessee to Arkansas over the Mississippi River.

Located on Beale Street, A. Schwab Dry Goods Store captures the spirit of Memphis and remains a must-visit historic storefront. A trip to A. Schwab is a step back in time to the great days of general stores, offering a great selection of everything you need, and many things you might not. Browse through 44 kinds of suspenders, a wall of voodoo love potions and a full kiosk of Elvis souvenirs.

• Location: Memphis, TN
• Distance from Memphis: Located in-city
• Hours: Daily
• Admission: Free, merchandise pricing varies
• Signature Experience: Historic general store with quirky, vintage-inspired merchandise.
• Quick tip: A. Schwab also offers a variety of delicious sweet treats, from gelato in freshly made waffle cones, milkshakes, malts, phosphate sodas with homemade syrups and more.

For craft beer enthusiasts, Wiseacre Brewing Co. offers a lively atmosphere and is a standout among hidden gems in Memphis. With plenty of great outdoor and indoor seating, you’ll enjoy your drinks in a fun and lively atmosphere. Two locations (one Downtown and the other on nearby Broad Street) serve up some of the coldest and refreshing brews around town, which include year-round favorites and a rotation of special seasonal selections. The Downtown location also features Little Bettie, a pizza and snack bar within the taproom that you can use to pair a tasty bite with your beer or cider.

• Location: Memphis, TN
• Distance from Memphis: Located in-city
• Hours: 
  • Monday - Thursday: 4 - 10 p.m.
  • Friday: 1 - 10 p.m.
  • Saturday: 12 - 10 p.m.
  • Sunday: 12 - 8p.m.
• Admission: Free entry
• Signature Experience: Craft brewery experience

Worth the drive, Discovery Park of America combines education and entertainment into one of the most expansive attractions in the state. Interactive and fun experiences await visitors, including a large collection of dinosaurs and a glass-floored observation tower. Outside on the 50-acre heritage park, you’ll find a working gristmill, a turn-of-the-century Train Depot with a full-size engine, passenger cars and caboose, a new permanent agriculture exhibit on farming innovation, transportation gallery with various antique cars and motorcycles, historical exhibits and lush gardens. From the 100,000-square-foot museum to the extensively landscaped park, there is truly something for every member of the family to discover at Discovery Park of America.

• Location: Union City, TN
• Distance from Memphis: Approximately 145 miles / 2 hours 45 minutes
• Hours: Seasonally varies
  • March - July 2026, open daily until 5 p.m.
  • Aug. - Dec. 2026, open Tuesday - Saturday until 4 p.m., closed Monday
• Admission: 
  • Adults: $29.99
  • Children (4-17): $16.99
  • 3 and under: Free
• Signature Experience: Interactive museum and outdoor heritage park