Spring Travel Inspiration in Tennessee

Best time to visit: Mid-May to early June (depending on altitude) 

If you're a music fan, head to Bristol, TN/VA for your East Tennessee spring vacation. The small town that straddles the Tennessee/Virginia state line is the birthplace of country music. Do a music deep dive into the "Big Bang" at The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, snap a photo in front of the iconic Bristol sign and the country music mural downtown and see a live music performance at the Paramount Bristol. Enjoy spring hiking and wildflower viewing in the Cherokee National Forest, do some fishing in the South Holston Lake or experience the rush of adrenaline at The Last Great Colosseum, Bristol Motor Speedway during the Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series April 12, 2026. Take a cave tour in the Bristol Caverns and go on a mountain biking adventure at Steele Creek Park.

Best time to visit: April 

Savor small mountain town feel with a long list of things to do in Johnson City. Shop and explore art vendors, murals and incredible restaurants in Johnson City's downtown district. Take a hike up to Buffalo Mountain for incredible views. Sample local brews at Yee-Haw Brewing Company and hit a spring hiking trail or do some fishing at Watauga Lake. When the sun goes down, explore the 9 wonderous stargazing stops in the area along the accessible Tennessee Night Sky Trail and catch a live music performance at The Down Home.

Best time to visit: March - May 

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and all the small towns among the Great Smoky Mountains make spring break memorable for the whole family featuring wildflower hikes, kid-friendly festivals and more. 

Spring break in Gatlinburg includes many wonderful family-friendly attractions like Anakeesta featuring Birdventure, an aviary-inspired adventure zone with a dozen interactive components, seven slides that wind more than 50 feet down the mountain and more. Walk along the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America at Gatlinburg SkyPark's SkyBridge which celebrates St. Patrick's Day all March-long by illuminating the bridge with festive green lights. Dive into the depths of the ocean at Ripley's Aquarium and race down the Alpine Slide and Tennessee Flyer at Ober Mountain.

In Pigeon Forge, spring break includes Dollywood with their award-winning coasters, performances and food. Celebrate spring at the Flower & Food Festival April-June 2026 featuring larger-than-life Mosaicultures and unique foods. Enjoy expansive views on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island in Pigeon Forge and experience incredible museums like the immersive Titanic Museum Attraction.

Have indoor waterpark fun at Wilderness at the Smokies in Sevierville to float down the Kaleidoscope Kaverns Lazy River, featuring a colorful immersive tunnel where the Great Smoky Mountains surround your senses. Head to The Pines in downtown Sevierville for duckpin bowling, craft pours and more. Squeal with delight over the miniature animals at Skyland Ranch and stay for lasso demonstrations, mountain coaster ride and beautiful views of the Smokies.

Best time to visit: March - June 

Stay curious in Knoxville, where the arts and adventure collide for the best spring break, especially during the annual live art competition on Market Square, Chalk Walk on April 11, 2026 and Dogwood Arts Festival at World's Fair Park April 24-26, 2026 featuring over 100 art vendors, children's activities and performing arts. Find hiking trails, aerial challenges at Navitat, kayaking and mountain biking within a few minutes' drive of downtown. Come back to freshen up at your hotel before setting off to find rich history, amazing art galleries and museums, live music venues and award-winning chefs serving unforgettable cuisine. Visit the Sunsphere to get incredible views of the city and stake out your favorite rooftop to socialize under the stars. Kids of all ages will love family-friendly attractions like Zoo Knoxville, Muse Knoxville and bowling at Maple Hall.

Best time to visit: April - May 

Fill your spring vacation with culture, amazing cuisine and beautiful vistas in Chattanooga. Kick off your spring break with a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium which celebrates the Southeast's biodiversity in two buildings filled with immersive exhibits or head to the internationally acclaimed outdoor museum, Sculpture Fields at Montague Park. More than 50 large-scale and world-class sculptures dot the vast 33 acres of winding trails. Discover the art, cuisine and culture in the Bluff View Arts District. Take the kids for a day of fun to the tallest underground waterfall in the U.S. open to the public Ruby Falls, Creative Discovery Museum and High Point Climbing and Fitness. Cap off your trip with scenic photos in Chattanooga's West Village.

Best time to visit: March - May 

Music and culture lovers should flock to Nashville for spring break. Celebrate warm weather by hitting the spring walking trails during Cheekwood in Bloom March-May 2026 at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. Enjoy live music at venues across the city, tour sites where music history was made like Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry and Historic RCA Studio B. Marvel at the music collection on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, National Museum of African American Music, Musicians Hall of Fame and newly-opened The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music. Try the heat of hot chicken from Prince's Hot Chicken and try a variety of Nashville cuisine at Fifth & Broadway's Assembly Food Hall. See a Broadway or Nashville Ballet performance at Tennessee Performing Arts Center and see traveling art exhibits at Frist Art Museum. Have a fun family day at The Nashville Zoo, Adventure Science Center and The Adventure Park at Nashville or take a day trip out of the city to marvel at wildflowers and roaring waterfalls like at Rock Island State Park.

Best time to visit: April - May 

Plan your spring vacation in the home of blues, soul and rock n' roll, Memphis. Party under the neon lights of Beale Street Historic Entertainment District. Savor perfectly smoked barbecue and immerse in the culture, arts and history of the city. Your music pilgrimage has to include world-famous sites like Elvis Presley's Graceland, Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Blues Hall of Fame and Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Enjoy an outdoor concert at Overton Park Shell and celebrate spring at a variety of festivals like RiverBeat Music Festival May 1-3, 2026; Memphis in May International Festival happening all month-long with major events like World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest May 13-16, 2026 and Great American River Run; and Memphis' barbecue competition SmokeSlam: The World's Ultimate BBQ Showdown May 14-16, 2026.

Stay inspired with even more ways to spend spring break in Tennessee by visiting the Trip Inspiration page.