Foster Falls at South Cumberland State Park in Marion, TN

Tennessee Adventures Before Heading Back to School

Soak up the last moments of summer with a Tennessee vacation.

Amanda Burton

As summer winds down and school bells are ready to ring, soak in the last precious moments of the season with these summer vacation spots in Tennessee. Hike through strikingly beautiful scenery; camp in a luxury tree house; and meet some of the world’s most iconic artists. Family memories are just waiting to be made in Tennessee.

Indoor Fun in Tennessee

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Children's Museum of Memphis - Memphis

Children's Museum of Memphis in Memphis TN
Kids will love exploring this museum.
Photo Credit: @jennifer.saltsman
  • Young kids will love exploring and learning in the fun, interactive Children's Museum of Memphis, one of the best summer vacation spots for families.
  • Dig up bones in the Dinosaur Dig. Explore how an earthquake and tornadoes are formed.
  • Let them try their hook shot and learn about trigonometry at Bankshot Basketball.
  • Climb the Skyscraper, a 22-foot tall vertical maze, and have a strength test on the rock climbing wall on the mountain range.
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Maple Hall - Knoxville

Boutique bowling at Maple Hall in Knoxville
  • Summer trips with kids can be intimidating, but enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and let your competitive side show at the boutique Maple Hall.
  • This 11-lane bowling alley has leather couches to unwind in and serves small plates like chicken tenders, burgers, hot chicken and mac and cheese.
  • Have a family-friendly game - or several - of bowling until 9 p.m.
  • A two-lane private room is available as well as plenty of areas to lounge and watch the one of many surrounding HD TVs.
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Madame Tussauds - Nashville

Madame Tussauds at Opry Mills in Nashville TN
Snap a photo with your favorite artist.
Photo Credit: Kay + Si Miller
  • The world-renowned wax attraction Madame Tussauds, which has been producing life-size, life-like wax figures for 250 years, has put roots down at Opry Mills in Nashville, the city’s No. 1 shopping destination.
  • Madame Tussauds is known for its interactive wax experience where guests can take photos with their favorite celebrities, and is a great stop on summer trips for families.
  • Madame Tussauds Nashville plays hosts to guests’ favorite musicians including Justin Timberlake, Minnie Pearl, Bruno Mars and Johnny Cash among many others.
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Tennessee Aquarium - Chattanooga

Tennessee Aquarium and the  views behind, including mist rolling off the mountains
Photo Credit: Tennessee Aquarium
  • Chattanooga one of the most incredible vacation spots in the US and is North America’s first National Park City, sparking wonder and amazement from riverfront to mountaintops.
  • Begin in downtown Chattanooga, where your eyes will be drawn to the iconic peaks of the nationally recognized Tennessee Aquarium, featuring freshwater and saltwater buildings, plus an IMAX theater.
  • With more than 13,000 animals across 700+ species, you and your family can marvel at the colorful fish (big and small), river otters, penguins, sharks, turtles, and so much more.
  • The Aquarium has daily programs and hands-on experiences, like touching a Stingray or Lake Sturgeon, all while learning about the importance of water and wildlife in a fun and unforgettable way.
  • Discover why Chattanooga is the best answer for trading textbooks for Aquarium fish and carpool lines for riverfront strolls. 

Outdoor Excursions in Tennessee

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Cumberland Caverns - McMinnville

A person wearing a blue jacket and a yellow caving helmet with a headlamp explores a narrow, rugged cave passage, illuminated by their light and showing rough, textured rock formations.
Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, Tennessee
Photo Credit: @cumberlandcaverns
  • Journey underground for a caving adventure featuring the new cinematic showcase at Cumberland Caverns.
  • Take the Discovery Walking Tour to see Cumberland Caverns' story unfold in an immersive show utilizing light and sound.
  • Visiting the cave is perfect for your end of summer activities list because of its 59 degrees Fahrenheit year-round climate -- a great way to beat the heat.
  • The nature-focused walking cave tour is considered moderately strenuous, featuring more than 350 natural stone stairs and steep hills.
  • Cumberland Caverns also offers a Cardwell Mountain History Walking Tour, which is the easiest and shortest hike offered.
  • To see the cave how early explorers experienced it, sign up for the Lanterns & Legends Walking Tour where you'll find your way by lantern light as spooky tales are shared along the way.
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The Lost Sea - Sweetwater

Deep inside a cool damp cave, A boat drift ancient lake, Glassy water underground, Silence is the only sound. Written about The Lost Sea in Sweetwater, Tennessee.
The Lost Sea in Sweetwater, Tennessee
Photo Credit: Amanda Stravinsky
  • Explore America’s largest underground lake at The Lost Sea in Sweetwater.
  • Start off with a guided tour of the caverns and learn the fascinating history of the area.
  • Make your way to the bottom of the cave where you’ll board a glass-bottom boat to set sail on the Lost Sea.
  • After the tour, explore the general store, Cavern Kitchen Cafe, gem mine and glassblower.
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Fiery Gizzard State Park - Sequatchie

Foster Falls at South Cumberland State Park in Marion, TN
Foster Falls at South Cumberland State Park in Sequatchie, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Andrew Saucier
  • One of three start parks that was once South Cumberland State Park, Fiery Gizzard State Park stretches across two counties: Grundy and Marion.
  • The other parks include Savage Gulf State Park, established in 2022, and Head of the Crow State Park, Tennessee's newest state park which opened in October 2025.
  • On the last day of summer vacation, take your family on this Tennessee adventure to experience waterfalls, historic locations like Stage Coach Road and the beautiful vistas.
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Tennessee Safari Park - Alamo

Deer at a car at Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo TN
Deer at Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Jeff Adkins/Journal Communications Inc.
  • See exotic animals up close at Tennessee Safari Park, a drive-thru experience where you can safely feed the animals from your car.
  • Point out animals such as zebras, kangaroos, ostrich, Sika deer, Springbok, Tapir, Warthogs, Wildebeast and camels along the 5.5-mile drive.
  • There's even a walk-through zoo where you can see squirrel monkeys, lemurs, Nigerian dwarf goats, cotton-top tamarins and more.

Unique Places to Stay in Tennessee

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Camp LeConte - Gatlinburg

Campers from Camp LeConte in Gatlinburg, TN
Sleep under the stars.
Photo Credit: @janethecamper
  • Make kids’ summer trips dreams come true with a stay in a luxury tree house at Camp LeConte in Gatlinburg.
  • The open air bedroom offers breathtaking views of Mount LeConte and fresh Great Smoky Mountain air.
  • With a queen bed furnished with sheets, blanket and pillow and sleeping loft for two kids with blankets, pillows and sheets, a full private bathroom, covered patio, phone charger outlets and towels, wash cloths, soap, shampoo and lotion provided.
  • It’s the family summer camp out taken to a new level.
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Stillwaters Farm - Henderson

Inside the Airstream at Stillwaters Farm in Henderson, TN
Camping out of an Airstream "Glamper" at Stillwaters Farm in Henderson, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Mikaela Hamilton
  • The Airstream Glamper at Stillwaters Farm in Henderson is, as they say, “for the rustic hippie in us all.”
  • Have a glamping experience in the Airstream which houses a full-sized bed, queen-sized bed and a twin bed at the collapsible dinette booth.
  • It has high-efficiency heat and air conditioning, new laminate floors and access to the outdoor bathhouse.
  • The bathhouse has a composting toilet, clawfoot tub, LED lighting and tankless water heater.
  • Do laundry at the cottage easily as Stillwaters Farm has basic laundry soap made on-site.
  • Linens, dishes, soap, cookware and appliances are also provided.

 

Hike, explore, learn something new and, most importantly, enjoy special family moments together. Explore more family-friendly attractions and destinations in Tennessee.

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