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 girl interacting with an exhibit at National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN

Explore the U.S. Civil Rights Trail

Explore the U.S. Civil Rights Trail
A variety of barbecue from Nashville's Martin's Bar-B-Que

Made Tennessee Bucket List Barbecue Spots

Made Tennessee Bucket List Barbecue Spots
Historic train depot in Monterey, TN Sponsored

Explore Monterey

Explore Monterey
Howl with the pack among the thick trees, Become one with nature in East Tennessee, Fly into space past Jupiter and Mars, Open the gateway that leads to the stars. Written about the Wolves at Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Outdoor Marvels and Local Eats Experience Kingsport Tennessee

Outdoor Marvels and Local Eats Experience Kingsport Tennessee
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
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.

Ghost Towns Tennessee

Ghost Towns Tennessee
Eating through Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Area

Best Restaurants Food Tennessee Upper Cumberland

Best Restaurants Food Tennessee Upper Cumberland
Nighttime street view of the historic Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, its illuminated red marquee and vertical sign glowing above the entrance, with cars parked along the quiet, rain-slicked downtown street.

New Experiences in 2026

New Experiences in 2026
A lakeside view from a room at The Retreat at Center Hill Lake

Smithville: Day Trip from Nashville

Smithville: Day Trip from Nashville