Sometimes the most unforgettable moments on a road trip are the ones you didn’t see coming. They’re not always marked with flashing signs or featured in glossy travel guides. Instead, they hide in plain sight — curious, offbeat, and wholly enchanting. Let your sense of adventure guide you as you take the scenic route to some of the most weird roadside attractions and unique places to visit in Tennessee.
Must See Attractions!
What to know before you go to The Lost Sea
Beneath the rolling hills of East Tennessee lies one of the most unique places to visit in the U.S. It's a surreal world of stillness and wonder: America’s largest underground lake. Step into the cool, mysterious caverns of The Lost Sea and board a glass-bottom boat that glides across crystal-clear waters deep beneath the Earth’s surface. It’s not just a tour, it’s a journey into a hidden realm that feels like something out of a fantasy novel.
Things to know:
- Located in historic Craighead Caverns
- The tour is a three-quarter mile round-trip that lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Glass-bottom boat ride across an underground lake
- Designated U.S. Registered National Landmark
- Getting there:
- Operational hours: Vary seasonally; generally open daily
- Parking: Free on-site parking
- Accessibility: Limited; cave paths include uneven terrain and stairs
- Tickets: Required for guided tours; priced by age
Things to know about Sweetwater Valley Farm
In the rolling hills outside Philadelphia, Tennessee, dairy dreams come to life. Mayfield Dairy’s Sweetwater Valley Farm blends high-tech innovation with old-fashioned Southern charm. Tour the farm, meet the cows, and savor handcrafted cheeses, all while learning how technology and tradition can work hand-in-hand to create something truly delicious.
More Information:
- Working dairy farm using automated systems to tend to the more than 500 cows, allowing the cows to be cared for on their own terms
- Farm store offering more than a dozen cheese varieties
- Café serving grilled cheese, ice cream and fresh milkshakes
- Family-friendly tours and farm experiences available
- Located near The Lost Sea, making a perfect two-stop day
- Getting there:
- Operational hours: Generally open daily during daytime hours
- Parking: Free on-site parking
- Accessibility: Main shop and café accessible; farm grounds vary
- Tickets: No admission fee; purchases optional
Things to know before going to the Lodge Cast Iron Museum
Photo Credit: @lodgemuseum
In the birthplace of America’s most beloved skillets, a one-of-a-kind museum celebrates the art, science and legacy of cast iron in South Pittsburg. Explore the heritage of Lodge Cast Iron, from its humble beginnings in 1896 to its current status as a Southern kitchen staple. The Lodge Cast Iron Museum is equal parts history lesson and love letter to cookware that stands the test of time.
More Information:
- Interactive exhibits chronicling the history of Lodge
- Displays of antique and modern cast iron cookware
- 18-foot-wide cast iron skillet replica
- Located next to the Lodge Factory Store
- Getting there:
- Operational hours: Daily, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Parking: Free parking onsite
- Accessibility: All areas of the store, museum and restaurant follow ADA standards
- Tickets: $10 + tax; free for children under 5
Important information for Zorbing at Outdoor Gravity Park
Photo Credit: Andrew Saucier
Get ready to laugh, scream and roll your way down the hills of Pigeon Forge at Outdoor Gravity Park — in a giant inflatable ball. Zorbing, one of the most unique things to do, is a New Zealand invention brought stateside. And it is as wild as it sounds. Water, speed and gravity join forces to create a thrilling tumble you won’t forget. It’s quirky, splashy and absolutely unforgettable.
Things to know:
- Only zorbing park in the United States
- Ride inside an 11-foot inflatable sphere filled with water
- Three custom tracks with different twists and turns
- Ages 5 and up welcome to participate
- Operational hours: Typically late morning–afternoon
- Parking: Free onsite parking
- Accessibility: Limited due to outdoor terrain and activity requirements
- Tickets: Required; priced per ride. Walk-ins welcome, but advanced booking recommended
What to know before you go to Tennessee Safari Park
Photo Credit: TNECD
Roll down your windows and roll through the wild. At Tennessee Safari Park, the animals aren’t behind glass, they’re right beside you. Feed a llama, wave to a zebra, or make eye contact with a giraffe as you cruise through open fields in your own car. This unexpected adventure through West Tennessee brings the magic of the savanna right to your car door.
Things to know:
- More than 60 species from six continents
- 7.5-mile drive-thru safari through open fields
- Walk-through zoo with lemurs, kangaroos and exotic birds
- Getting there:
- Operational hours: Open daily; hours vary by season
- Parking: Drive-through experience uses personal vehicle
- Accessibility: Drive-through safari accessible; walk areas vary
- Tickets: Required; purchased on-site
Things to know about The Mindfield
Photo Credit: Tennessee Tourism
A towering maze of welded steel and artistic spirit rises above Brownsville like a monument to imagination. Created by artist Billy Tripp, The Mindfield is a lifelong tribute to memory, introspection and the human experience. It’s equal parts sculpture, diary and dreamscape — a place where the mind can roam just as freely as the road.
More Information:
- Created and maintained by Tennessee artist Billy Tripp
- Constructed entirely from salvaged steel
- Continues to evolve over time as a living installation
- Towering structure visible from the highway
- Getting there:
- Operational hours: Vary; generally daytime hours
- Parking: Free street parking nearby
- Accessibility: Limited
- Tickets: Free
Things to know before visiting the World’s Largest Cedar Bucket
This iconic roadside landmark in Murfreesboro's Cannonsburgh Village is an oversized homage to Tennessee’s cedar craftsmanship. Originally built in the 1880s, the current bucket is a faithful reconstruction of the original — and a must-stop selfie spot for travelers with a soft spot for the peculiar.
Things to know:
- Stands more than 6 feet tall
- It is 6 feet wide at the base and 9 feet at the top
- Holds more than 1,500 gallons
- Rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original in 2005
- Located within Cannonsburgh Village, a replica pioneer town
- Getting there:
- Operational hours: Cannonsburgh Village hours vary by season
- Parking: Free on-site parking
- Accessibility: Outdoor site; uneven ground in places
- Tickets: Free to visit and open during village hours
Important information for the Whiskey Decanter Museum
Photo Credit: TN Tourism
A celebration of kitsch, craftsmanship and collectible Americana, this Granville gem features one of the largest collections of whiskey decanters in the South. What began as a modest collection has grown into a museum of over 5,000 decanters, some shaped like Elvis, others like vintage trucks. It’s whimsical, nostalgic and uniquely Tennessee.
Things to know:
- Features more than 5,000 decanters
- Showcases rare and novelty designs
- Located in the historic Sutton General Store
- Getting there:
- Operational hours: Limited weekly hours; typically Wed–Sat
- Parking: Free street parking
- Accessibility: Small indoor museum; limited space
- Tickets: Free with admission to the Town Tour Ticket
Tennessee’s quirky roadside attractions offer more than novelty, they offer memory-making magic. They’re the unexpected moments that make a road trip legendary. So, the next time you hit the highway, don’t rush past the signs that make you do a double take. Pull over. Take a photo. Ask a question. You just might stumble into something unforgettable.
