A collage of various Tennessee attractions and experiences, overlaid with a purple and red gradient.

trip inspiration

When it comes to writing a song, or planning a trip, some of the best ideas seem to appear out of thin air. Or, from articles and itineraries we’ve already built for you.

Compass drawing with purple outline on grid background; shows cardinal directions and needle pointing northeast.

Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. Here are a few trip ideas to help get you going. For better results, sort them by area or category of interest.

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Cyclists at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville

Budget-Friendly Knoxville Spots

Budget-Friendly Knoxville Spots
Museum exhibit room with displays and mannequins; wall panels, benches, and a large Carl Perkins display on the right. Sponsored

Experience History

Experience History
Sprinkled, glazed and frosted donuts in colors of pink, red and orange behind a bakery case at Blackbird Bakery Donuts in Bristol, TN. A girl bends down to see the expansive selection. Tarts, slices of pie and chocolate desserts are lined up in another bakery case to her right.

Must-Visit Donut Shops in Tennessee

Must-Visit Donut Shops in Tennessee
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, a great indoor activity with kids in Gatlinburg. In Shark Lagoon, the moving glidepath brings you face-to-face with sharks, sawfish and sea turtles as they swim overhead.

Rainy Day Activities

Rainy Day Activities
Image displays a family and a caption says: Bleubird : An East Tennessee Roadtrip.

Bleubird: An East Tennessee Roadtrip

Bleubird: An East Tennessee Roadtrip
A Model Ford T with a Christmas wreath in the Leiper's Fork Parade.

Franklin, Tennessee, Christmas Itinerary

Franklin, Tennessee, Christmas Itinerary
Old Country Store & Restaurant: weathered wooden facade with large red sign reading “OLD COUNTRY STORE & RESTAURANT.” Sponsored

Step Back in Time

Step Back in Time
Ober Mountain Aerial Tram soars above the fall canopy of trees, bursting in colors like yellows, reds and orange, as you make your way up Ober Mountain.

Fall Festivals Happening in East Tennessee

Fall Festivals Happening in East Tennessee
Gallatin, Tennessee's town square

Tennessee Getaways and Trips Mom

Tennessee Getaways and Trips Mom