How to Spend Autumn in Tennessee

Take a scenic autumn drive along the Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway, a 43-mile route connecting Tellico Plains, Tennessee, and Robbinsville, North Carolina, through the Cherokee and Nantahala national forests. Stop at scenic pull-offs along the route for mountain views or add a hike, picnic or other outdoor activity to your drive.

• Length: 43 miles from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, to Robbinsville, North Carolina.
• Driving time: Plan about two hours one way for the full route, depending on how often you stop at overlooks.
• Visitor information: The Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center at 225 Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains is currently open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers maps and local information.
• Scenic stops: Marked photo opportunities and pull-offs give travelers places to stop and enjoy mountain views.
• Before you drive: Check current conditions through the Cherokee National Forest’s website before heading into the higher elevations, particularly later in the fall.

Learn about Tennessee's music history while enjoying fall scenery along the Americana Music Triangle, also known as the Gold Record Road. The Triangle connects the places and stories that shaped blues, country, gospel, jazz, rock 'n' roll, R&B/soul, bluegrass and other American music genres. Its Memphis-to-Nashville "Beale to Broadway" driving trail follows Interstate 40 and connects music landmarks in the state's two largest music cities.

Make the drive your own by choosing the museums, studios, live music venues and historic landmarks you want to visit along the way. The Americana Music Triangle recommends checking individual attractions and local destination organizations for current operating information because hours and availability can change.

• Route planning: Review your desired stops before leaving and allow extra time for museums, tours and live music.
• Tickets: Admission requirements vary by attraction.
• Parking: Parking arrangements vary from stop to stop.
• Accessibility: Check individual attraction websites for current accessibility information before visiting.

Follow Tennessee's stories on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail through places that played important roles in the fight for equality. Tennessee sites include the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Clark Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, the Green McAdoo Cultural Center and Clinton 12 statues in Clinton and additional landmarks across the state.

The U.S. Civil Rights Trail includes museums, churches, schools, courthouses and other historic landmarks, so hours, admission, parking and accessibility vary by site. Use the trail's Tennessee itinerary to choose stops, then check individual attractions before your trip for the most current visitor information.

Fall color moves across Tennessee as temperatures cool and elevations change. Tennessee State Parks notes that East Tennessee leaves generally begin changing in early October and typically peak around the third week of the month. In Middle and West Tennessee, color change usually begins in mid-October and peaks around Halloween. Timing can vary each year depending on weather conditions.

For an autumn road trip, start with the higher elevations and mountain landscapes of East Tennessee earlier in October, then follow the season west as colors develop across Middle and West Tennessee. Tennessee State Parks are another option for hikes, overlooks, lakes and scenic drives surrounded by changing leaves.

Celebrate Bristol's music heritage during one of the signature fall festivals in Tennessee, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. The annual festival celebrates the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and showcases Appalachian roots music and other genres throughout historic Downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia. The 25th anniversary festival takes place Sept. 11-13, 2026, with performers including Sierra Ferrell, Old Crow Medicine Show, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Los Lobos, The War And Treaty, The Del McCoury Band, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and more.

• 2026 dates: Sept. 11-13, 2026.
• Location: Historic Downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia.
• Tickets: Weekend passes and single-day tickets are available through the festival's official ticket information.
• Parking: Limited free street and public parking is available around State Street and the festival grounds. Paid parking and private lots are also available, and shuttle service operates from several area hotels. Review the festival's planning information before visiting.
• Accessibility: ADA parking, shuttle and other information is available through the festival's ADA guide.

Spend an October weekend surrounded by music and gardens at MEMPHO Music Festival in Memphis. The three-day festival takes place at Radians Amphitheater at Memphis Botanic Garden Oct. 9-11, 2026. This year's lineup spans rock, blues, reggae, electronic music and more with Pretty Lights, Widespread Panic, Spoon, Gary Clark Jr., Ziggy Marley, De La Soul, Sierra Hull, MonoNeon and other artists.

• 2026 dates: Oct. 9-11, 2026.
• Location: Radians Amphitheater at Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road in Memphis.
• Tickets: Single-day and three-day General Admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum tickets are available through the festival's official ticket information.
• Parking: Free general parking is included with General Admission tickets. Premium parking is available as an upgrade, while VIP tickets include a parking pass. Review the festival's parking and visitor information before arriving.
• Accessibility: Accessible viewing areas are available at both festival stages, and accessible restrooms are located near the entrance and stages. Trained service animals are permitted. Find additional information in the festival's accessibility FAQs.

Head to The Caverns in Pelham for a fall music festival unlike anywhere else in Tennessee. CaveFest returns Oct. 10-11, 2026, with Americana, bluegrass and roots music performed above and below ground. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Peter Rowan & Sam Grisman Project, Rising Appalachia and Keller & The Keels lead the lineup. Beyond the concerts, festivalgoers can explore cave tours, workshops, local craft vendors, food trucks, kids' activities and an open underground jam session.

• 2026 dates: Oct. 10-11, 2026. An optional, separately ticketed CaveFest Kick-Off Party takes place Friday, Oct. 9.
• Location: The Caverns, 555 Charlie Roberts Road in Pelham.
• Tickets: Two-day festival tickets start at $99 plus taxes and fees and include car camping. Additional camping and VIP options are available.
• Camping: General festival admission includes car camping for Saturday and Sunday. Festivalgoers who want to arrive and camp Friday must purchase admission to the CaveFest Kick-Off Party. Check the CaveFest camping information for current arrival details and campground policies.

Pumpkin flavors arrive across Tennessee each fall in doughnuts, fudge, spreads and seasonal spirits. Add a sweet stop or two to your autumn road trip.

• Ole Smoky Pumpkin Spice Cream: Ole Smoky currently offers Pumpkin Spice Cream made with pumpkin, cinnamon, moonshine and a sweet cream finish. Find Ole Smoky locations in Gatlinburg and at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
• Apple Barn Pumpkin Butter: The Apple Barn and Cider Mill in Sevierville offers Pumpkin Butter among its jams, butters and syrups.
• The Old Mill Pumpkin Pie Fudge: The Old Mill Candy Kitchen in Pigeon Forge has offered seasonal Pumpkin Pie Fudge as a fall favorite. They also sell Pumpkin Spice Syrup and Pumpkin Butter as part of their seasonal lineup.
• Ellie's Old-Fashioned Doughnuts: Ellie's Old-Fashioned Doughnuts in Franklin offers seasonal treats like glazed pumpkin doughnuts.
• Ralph's Donut Shop: Ralph's Donut Shop in Cookeville remains a longtime destination for doughnuts and serves seasonal doughnuts as part of its fall menu.

Relax among the foothills of the Smoky Mountains at Oak Haven Resort & Spa in Sevierville. The resort's custom cabins and lodges include full kitchens, hot tubs, fireplaces and private wooded porches, while on-site amenities include nature trails, a catch-and-release fishing lake and The Spa at Oak Haven.

The Spa at Oak Haven's fall specials are offered Sept. 1-Nov. 30. The seasonal menu includes a Pumpkin Spice Manicure and Pedicure featuring a homemade pumpkin scrub, warm-stone hand or foot massage and a pumpkin latte. A Honey Marshmallow Head to Toe treatment is also part of the current fall menu.

• Fall spa specials: Available Sept. 1-Nov. 30.
• Appointments: Spa appointments can be scheduled directly through The Spa at Oak Haven.
• Cabin reservations: Browse lodging information through Oak Haven Resort & Spa.
• Location: 1947 Old Knoxville Highway in Sevierville.

Refresh your fall wardrobe or find a Tennessee-made keepsake at boutiques and specialty shops across the state. From clothing and accessories to home goods, gifts and handcrafted leather, these shopping stops give you another reason to explore Tennessee's downtowns and small towns this fall.

• Belle Rive Boutique, Chattanooga: Browse a curated mix of women's clothing, shoes, accessories and gifts at this boutique on Frazier Avenue in Chattanooga's Northshore neighborhood.
• Barn Door Boutique, Ooltewah: Shop women's clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, gifts and home décor at this boutique in Cambridge Square.
• White's Mercantile, Nashville and Franklin: Singer-songwriter Holly Williams' modern-day general store offers a curated collection spanning apparel, home goods, apothecary products, gifts and other finds. Tennessee locations include Nashville's 12 South, Green Hills and Belle Meade neighborhoods as well as downtown Franklin.
• Colonel Littleton, Lynnville: Head to downtown Lynnville for full-grain leather bags, briefcases, journals, wallets and other goods handcrafted in Tennessee from American-sourced and locally tanned leather.
• Stock & Belle, Memphis: This lifestyle boutique in Memphis' South Main Arts District brings together apparel, furniture, art and gifts in one downtown shop.
• Mam'selle, Jackson: Browse women's clothing, shoes and accessories at this longtime Jackson boutique, which has served generations of shoppers.