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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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
Outdoor concert at Historic Rock Castle in Hendersonville TN

Outdoor Music Venues

Outdoor Music Venues
A patron holds up a jelly-filled pink donut with brown sugar crumbles on top in front of the Five Daughters Bakery in Nashville TN

Vegan Restaurants

Vegan Restaurants
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 pair of cyclists bike through the Upper Sequatchie Valley. As they pedal, the mountains of the Sequatchie Valley rise up in the distance. The road is quiet, peaceful. A slight breeze rustles the leaves of a nearby tree, its branches that overhang above the road, providing brief shade.

Cycling Trip in East Tennessee

Cycling Trip in East Tennessee
Museum exhibit room with displays and mannequins; wall panels, benches, and a large Carl Perkins display on the right. Sponsored

Experience History

Experience History
At a scenic overlook at Cherohala Skyway at Turkey Creek. A specialized viewfinder poised on a pedestal beckons those with color visual deficiency to gaze anew at the splendor of a simple magnificent Tennessee landscape. Out on the edge of discovery. Feel the open air on your skin, hear the serenity of nature’s natural sounds. Be at peace. Written about Cherohala Skyway at Turkey Creek Overlook in Tellico Plains, Tennessee.

Experience Tennessee's vibrant colors

Experience Tennessee's vibrant colors
Port Royal State Historic Park in Adams, TN

Fall Hikes Near Nashville

Fall Hikes Near Nashville
Business street scene with storefronts under an elevated walkway; plants, parked cars, and a striped awning. Sponsored

Day Trip to Morristown

Day Trip to Morristown