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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Two people in a blue raft race down a white-water river with others in the background; paddling through green, forested canyon.

Rapids to Railroads: Adventure Through the Tanasi Trail

Rapids to Railroads: Adventure Through the Tanasi Trail
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
Blueberry pancakes with a blueberry syrup being drizzled over warm pancakes at Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg, TN

Pancake Houses in the Smokies

Pancake Houses in the Smokies
a cyclist overlooks a valley that has a river flowing through it. Lots of green trees decorate the sides of the hills.

Mountain Biking in Tennessee

Mountain Biking 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
A girl smiles at the camera while completing the indoor ropes course at WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge TN

Indoor Winter Activities

Indoor Winter Activities
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
A variety of barbecue from Nashville's Martin's Bar-B-Que

Made Tennessee Bucket List Barbecue Spots

Made Tennessee Bucket List Barbecue Spots
Milky Way over Center Hill Lake in Edgar Evins State Park, TN

12 Stargazing Places

12 Stargazing Places