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 sunny street scene in front of a large historic beige building with a cupola; three women walk together near the corner while a fourth woman walks past in the foreground. Sponsored

Discover Springfield

Discover Springfield
Shop in local boutiques in downtown Cookeville, TN

6 Tennessee Boutiques

6 Tennessee Boutiques
A woman wearing sunglasses holds a beagle puppy in front of a brick planter; a large mural sculpture of a dog sits nearby.

Dog-Friendly Knoxville Weekend

Dog-Friendly Knoxville Weekend
Family posing for a picture at Dickens of a Christmas in Franklin, TN

Places to Take Family Photos

Places to Take Family Photos
A who's who of music has lit up the stages, From hip hop to folk to country and blues, Bonnaroo is a place of all places, No worries, no problem, no shirt and no shoes. Written about the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

Music Festivals and Concerts 2026

Music Festivals and Concerts 2026
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
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
Street downtown at night with brick buildings, festive lights, clock, and pedestrians walking along a snow-dusted sidewalk.

Choose Middle Tennessee Winter Vacation

Choose Middle Tennessee Winter Vacation
Exterior view of a distillery building at dusk with a bright neon “Dominick Distillery” sign featuring a rooster logo on top. Sponsored

Visit Old Dominick Distillery

Visit Old Dominick Distillery