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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Exhibits about desegregation, student support and more show black-and-white photographs of students in Tennessee at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton, Tennessee

Travel the U.S. Civil Rights Trail

Travel the U.S. Civil Rights Trail
The river is rumbling, tumbling down over the rock, Causing a cool mist to rise,  The steady, thundering roar never stops,  Under the Rock Island sky. Written about the Rock Island State Park in Rock Island, Tennessee.

TN Waterfalls That Are Worth The Hike

TN Waterfalls That Are Worth The Hike
Three dancers in colorful outfits perform a ribbon-dance on a stage, with two others in pink, plus a live orchestra in the background.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Nashville

Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Nashville
Street downtown at night with brick buildings, festive lights, clock, and pedestrians walking along a snow-dusted sidewalk.

Choose Middle Tennessee Winter Vacation

Choose Middle Tennessee Winter Vacation
a basket of red-hot fried chicken and crispy kringle fries surrounded by sides and sauces.

Nashville Hot Chicken Spots

Nashville Hot Chicken Spots
A small tour boat carrying passengers glides across the still, dark waters of an underground cave lake, its lantern glow illuminating jagged rock formations and stalactites overhead.

Small Towns Near Big Cities

Small Towns Near Big Cities
Statue of Jack Daniels at the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg

Jack Trail

Jack Trail
Echoes of the empty are the only sound, Voices from the past whisper through the trees, Rustling up the dead leaves drying on the ground, Only oak and hickory growing where a small town used to be. Written about Tennessee’s Ghost Towns.

Guide to Ghost Towns and Haunted Places in Tennessee

Guide to Ghost Towns and Haunted Places in Tennessee
A close-up of a stack of pancakes with a pat of butter on top, being served on a plate in a diner.

Where to Sleep and Eat Smokies

Where to Sleep and Eat Smokies