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.

Choose Category

Area
Category
Clear Filters
A two-story white brick building with a crenellated roofline sits on a gravel yard; a flagpole with the US flag stands to the right.

Meet Tennessee's Ghosts

Meet Tennessee's Ghosts
Elegant hotel lobby with central fountain bouquet, red carpet, and seating around marble floor; chandelier lighting and arches in background.

Explore These 13 Historic Getaways

Explore These 13 Historic Getaways
Knoxville's Strong Alley on Market Square features a vibrant Dolly Parton mural, perfect for taking photos next to.

Travel Like Dolly Parton

Travel Like Dolly Parton
A cerulean warbler sitting in the trees in Tennessee. The bird is strikingly beautiful with a white throat, blue plumage with black accents on its wings and tail.

2026 Tennessee Birding Events

2026 Tennessee Birding Events
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
Pin oaks line the streets, people stroll by, Welcome in’s call out from open store doors. Find cool shade in the awnings and blue in the sky, Linden, Tennessee is what you’ve been looking for. Written about Linden, Tennessee.

10 Small Towns Close to Nashville

10 Small Towns Close to Nashville
Sunset view of a historic graveyard at Carnton in Franklin, TN

Old Tennessee

Old Tennessee
A heavily wooded area surrounding the Jack Daniel barrel house, with the sun lighting up the sky behind it.

Beyond the Barrels

Beyond the Barrels
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.

Roadside Attractions in Tennessee

Roadside Attractions in Tennessee