18 Best Places to Visit in Tennessee (2025 Fun)

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collage image of Tenneseee with text overlay. Experience the best places to visit in Tennessee with Kids & Teens. Homeschool, Travel & Learn with www.CaptivatingCompass.com

Things to do in Tennessee

Are you looking for the perfect family adventure? You’re in luck! Tennessee offers a variety of attractions and activities for children and teenagers of all ages. From thrilling amusement parks to the latest museums, Tennessee has something to offer for the whole family. You’re going to love the best places to visit in Tennessee and the resources you need to help you homeschool, travel, and learn using the world as your classroom.

Let this article guide you to the best places for a memorable family vacation

Best Places to Visit in Tennessee: Awesome Adventures

Tennessee is full of amazing places to visit with kids and teens! Whether it’s hiking along the Appalachian Trail, exploring the best places in the United States, road-tripping to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or simply having an awesome adventure. Here are some of the best places to visit in Tennessee for kids and teens.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, making it a great place to explore with family or friends. With over 800 miles of trails and campsites, this park offers plenty of opportunities for exploration. Kids can enjoy activities such as visiting waterfalls, wildlife watching, and checking out historical structures from pioneer days. Teens will also love partaking in outdoor activities like horseback riding and rock climbing.

Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge is another great spot for families looking for a kid-friendly experience. This city has attractions such as theme parks, zip lines, go-kart arenas, indoor skydiving, miniature golf courses, and more! With this much fun available everyone is sure to find something they enjoy doing while staying here.

Knoxville

Knoxville is another exciting spot to explore with your family, especially during the festival season! Check out local shows like Rhythm N’ Blooms music festival or Waltz on Woodruff concert series that feature cool bands and delicious food trucks – all while you are surrounded by beautiful scenery at World’s Fair Park.

Tennessee is a great state to visit with kids and teens since there are so many different adventures that can be had here – from outdoor activities to cultural events – it’s guaranteed those who come will have an unforgettable time!

Tennessee is such a unique state. A mix of deep woods, amazing music, and history everywhere. Tennessee with kids and teens is a beautiful place to visit. Your family will be captivated by all of the history and exciting places to explore and learn about. These Tennessee family travel destinations are great places to add for an exciting family travel itinerary of the United States. If you are wanting to road trip or learn virtually, keep reading because you can explore and have awesome adventures in Tennessee with kids and teens.

Best Places to Visit in Tennessee: Road Trip

Are you looking for places to visit in Tennessee with kids and teens that can be done in the comfort of your own car? Look no further! Tennessee has countless road trips filled with family-friendly activities that will make for a great day of exploration.

One popular route is the scenic drive along the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile (715km) stretch of road winding through three states—Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. Along this picturesque drive are numerous recreational areas perfect for picnics and hikes.

Beale Street in Memphis

Beale Street in Memphis is an iconic landmark known as “the home of the blues,” where you can explore music history with your family. The nearby Pigeon Forge offers plenty of outdoor fun, from ziplining to white water rafting to miniature golf. If you’re feeling brave, try America’s longest swinging bridge at Gatlinburg SkyPark.

Chattanooga’s Lookout Mountain

For another unique experience, head to Chattanooga’s Lookout Mountain recreation area where you can ride vintage trains on a steep journey up the mountainside for great views and wildlife sightings. Take time to explore Ruby Falls (a 145-foot-high underground waterfall located inside Lookout Mountain) before ending your day in Nashville with a good night’s rest.

With so many options available there’s something for everyone on a Tennessee road trip!

You’d be surprised how many people would jump at the chance for a road trip through Tennessee. Nashville, Memphis, and the Great Smoky Mountains all in one go. That’s the great thing about road trips (and GPS) you can wander where ever you like. Road-tripping can be such an adventure and a great way to learn.

In our family, road-tripping is a series of car journeys from one destination to another to do a field trip. A 5-day road trip usually means at least three of those days will be filled with activities and attractions. But if you live locally or regionally, you may decide to take that road trip in smaller chunks and plan several field trips around the great state of Tennessee. Below are all the resources you need. Included are super fun ideas that will also super-size your child’s learning about US History, Geography, and famous people & places. So have fun using the world as your classroom with intentional family travel. Let’s explore the historical sites in Tennessee!

Best Places to Visit in Tennessee: Historical Sites & Parks

Tennessee offers a bounty of captivating destinations and experiences the whole family will enjoy. Beyond the fascinating history, vibrant culture, and natural wonders of the state, there is a range of diverse parks, historical sites, and attractions to explore that provide education and entertainment for kids and teens.

When visiting Tennessee’s historic sites, one of the best places to start is its famous rivers. Hop aboard an invigorating riverboat cruise or tour on the mighty Tennessee River for a close-up view of nature along with spectacular views in every direction. Along these banks you’ll find whiskey distilleries, loads of wildlife (including beavers!), plus nature preserves sure to excite outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure. 

For those interested in music culture there are plenty of places to visit at no cost! Walk down historic Beale Street in downtown Memphis for an eye-opening look at the music career of Johnny Cash. Try hopping into Sun Records while you’re there. Or, get a VIP tour at Elvis Presley’s Graceland Mansion & Gardens or travel south to Nashville’s Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum. You’ll want to see if they’re offering free admission on days when kids can make their own recordings in state-of-the-art production facilities and get entertaining Music Row walking tours all within one block of lower Broadway.

Nature lovers can take part in some stunning sights by visiting Cades Cove near Gatlinburg. It’s home to ancient oaks, wildflowers, and roaming critters. Or, head off the beaten track with a trip into Obed Wild & Scenic River where waterfalls cascade down steep sandstone walls best seen from a kayak or canoe! Tennessee definitely has something for everyone.

Best Places to Visit in Tennessee: Museums & Galleries 

Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an extended holiday, the best places to visit in Tennessee with children and teens can leave your group with some unforgettable memories. Museums and galleries offer great opportunities to learn more about the state’s rich history, while art studios can provide a creative outlet and a wealth of fun discoveries.

From fun museums like The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to historical attractions such as The National Civil Rights Museum, there are plenty of educational activities for children and teens alike in Tennessee. Music lovers will appreciate stops at the iconic Grand Ole Opry and various studios around Nashville, while country music fans will be delighted by live performances from some of the genre’s biggest stars.

If you’re looking for more far-ranging experiences, explore all that Tennessee has to offer by visiting its many parks, nature trails, and rivers – including the mighty Mississippi River! For boat lovers, there is no shortage of watercraft rentals available throughout the state; meanwhile, history enthusiasts may want to take advantage of guided battlefield tours that feature stories from some of America’s greatest battles.

No matter what your family prefers in terms of entertainment, Tennessee has some amazing experiences in store. With its diverse offerings ranging from outdoor activities to cultural attractions – this state is teeming with unique possibilities – so no matter how long you stay here you can rest assured that your family will experience some exciting moments packed with the best things Tennessee has to offer!

Best Places to Visit in Tennessee: Gardens, Zoo & Aquariums

Tennessee is an excellent destination for families looking for a vacation spot with something special to offer. There are dozens of gardens, zoos, aquariums, and other attractions to check out. Nature lovers will be delighted by its lush forests, rolling hills, and waterways while small-town charm can be found in rural towns throughout the state. All of these make Tennessee a perfect place for families who want to explore some of the most popular places in the Southeast.

One of the top spots to visit in Tennessee is The Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art in Nashville. Established in 1929, it is now a 1,000-acre museum park that overlooks the rolling hills and farmland surrounding downtown Nashville. Explore outdoor trails, outdoor sculptures, and over 14 acres of spectacularly designed gardens or take a tour inside the museum itself for exhibitions on modern art and sculpture from around the world.

A must-see attraction for kids and teens alike is The Tennessee Aquarium located in Chattanooga. This iconic aquarium has exhibits on wildlife from freshwater rivers around America as well as aquariums that house animals like jellyfish, sharks, and otters from saltwater environments all over the world. From interactive experiences with a variety of animals, this is sure to be a memorable part of your trip!

More adventurous family members can explore great outdoor activities like biking or kayaking through Appalachian Trail which provides access to any corner they’d like to visit including waterfalls and mountain views that are amazing especially during the fall season when colors seem more vivid than ever before! With so much beauty spread throughout this state, there truly isn’t any other place quite like it!

Tennessee – Add These To Your Itinerary

Tennessee offers so many exciting things to do! Museums, outdoor activities, and exciting adventures. Are you finding it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting? Luckily, there are great online resources at many of the museums and parks so you can keep learning about Tennessee.

Tennessee Places To Visit For Virtual Travel & Learning

Make the most of learning about Tennessee by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the Tennessee State Study pack into your pre-and post-visit activities. Your kids will enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Add in a good book, some digital activities to learn history and geography, and some super art for easy ways to inspire and educate. It’s all in these US State Study resources.

Tennessee – Use The World As Your Classroom

The Tennessee State Study pack makes it easy for your family to have fun learning about Tennessee at home (virtually) or on the road.

Learn About Tennessee’s Famous People

  • Davy Crockett –  Frontiersman 
  • Aretha Franklin – Singer 
  • Tina Turner – Singer 
  • Elvis Presley – Musician 
  • Alvin York – Military 
  • Sam Davis – Military
  • Andrew Johnson – President
  • James Polk -President

Learn About Tennessee’s Famous Landmarks:

  • Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
  • Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area
  • Fort Donelson National Battlefield
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park 
  • Manhattan Project National Historical Park
  • Shiloh National Military Park

You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 3rd grade to 12th grade.

The Tennessee State Study has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.

Homeschool, Travel & Learn With The Let’s Study The Americas, the Caribbean, Australia & Oceania Bundle

No more cobbling your curriculum together and hoping it works! Everything you need is included in these World Geography bundles!

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Use The World As Your Classroom

Exploring The South Eastern US?

Mississippi, North Carolina & Kentucky are exciting stops for families that love to use the world as their textbook. These posts will help you homeschool, travel, and learn together. Have fun! Below are a few more resources to help you use the world as your classroom.

Explore More!

Going On A Trip? Grab This!

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