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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A wooden deck with a metal railing overlooks a vast, forested valley and distant mountains under a dramatic cloudy sky at sunset. Sponsored

Find Your Peace in the Smokies

Dense green forest arch over a winding road; a natural rock arch forms a tunnel; yellow warning sign on right.

Drive Along the Sunny Side Trail

Big Bear mountain Coaster roars ahead, the hiss and the whistle - all aboard the Dollywood Express, people as sweet as the cinnamon bread, leave it to Dolly to do it the best. Written about the Dollywood Big Bear Mountain Coaster in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Amusement and Theme Parks

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

People raft down a foamy river rapid, navigating whitewater near rocky banks with trees along the shore. Sponsored

America’s Favorite Whitewater

Multiple thin waterfalls streaming down a wide layered rock face, surrounded by lush green summer forest canopy.

Secret Waterfalls

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

A rendering of Anakeesta's Firefly Experience, a new immersive component of the park coming in 2026 which will replicate the magical glow of the iconic Smokies' synchronous fireflies in Gatlinburg

New Experiences in 2026

The Tennessee Aquarium Sponsored

Explore an underwater rainforest at the Tennessee Aquarium

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