Tennessee Vacation Rentals and Travel Guide
Down in Memphis, at a mere 178 feet above sea level, a bluesman plays guitar and croons in a smoky bar while the biggest river in the country flows on by. Way up on Clingman’s Dome, at 6,643 feet above sea level, a hiker huffs and puffs after climbing to the highest peak in Tennessee, which also happens to be one of the highest peaks in the Eastern U.S.
From the Mississippi River to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Tennessee vacation cabins dwell among impressive natural beauty and rich historical stature. This state is many things to many people, and once you visit, you will see why.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to be one of the most recognized destinations in the state, which is no coincidence considering it’s the most visited national park in the country. The Smoky Mountains are some of the biggest, highest and wildest in all of Appalachia. Within the park boundaries lie approximately 900 miles of trails, a staggering number that has inspired the “900 Miler Club.” At the time this was written, only 218 members had claimed to have walked every mile.
One need not walk a single mile, however, to enjoy the beauty and splendor of this region. The scenic drive over Newfound Gap bisects the park, starting way down in Gatlinburg, cresting at 5,046 feet, and then dropping down to Cherokee, North Carolina. Waterfalls, overlooks and interpretive signs grace the route, which passes through so many different ecosystems that naturalists liken it to driving from Georgia to Maine.
The towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge also have many things to do. Begin a day in Gatlinburg by loading up on flapjacks at the Log Cabin Pancake House. Next, stroll around the stores in the shopping district. Gatlinburg attractions include the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, the Mysterious Mansion, and the Guinness World of Records. The most fun activity has to be the Alpine Slide at Ober Gatlinburg: ride up a chairlift to the top of a mountain, and then speed down the 1800-foot chutes on a wheeled sled with brake
.A day in Pigeon Forge can include a trip to Dollywood, the Smoky Mountain Speed Park, Flyaway Indoor Skydiving and dozens of other fun parks. Old Mill Square has a bakery and restaurants, and the shops sell unique Appalachian arts and crafts. Fewer towns offer a better selection of quilts.
The Smokies aren’t the only mountains in Tennessee. In East Tennessee, the Appalachian Mountains become a series of long ridges and valleys, and then taper off with the summits and gorges of the Cumberland Plateau. These hills aren’t as popular as the national park, and that’s the way many people like it.
A luxury vacation rental in this area will provide visitors with easy access to every outdoors activity imaginable. Fishing, wakeboarding and other watersports are popular on Dale Hollow Lake, Watauga Lake and other large impoundments. Cherokee National Forest and the Tennessee state parks have plenty of hiking and horseback riding trails. Ski areas in North Carolina lie within short drive.
Several metropolitan areas offer urban amenities, too. Chattanooga and Knoxville both have vibrant arts scenes, interesting downtown districts, shopping centers and restaurants. Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City form a “tri-city” area in the northeastern corner of the state. This area is also located near two important historical sites: Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park and the Andrew Johnson National Historical Site and National Cemetery.
The Country Music Capital, Nashville, sits in the middle of the state, surrounded by the big lakes of the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. Many people visit the city to catch some music at the Grand Ole Opry or one of the local music bars. Others want to catch a glimpse of a rhinestone cowboy or cowgirl, or at least see the country music star mansions. Some vacationers prefer nearby attractions such as the Jack Daniels Distillery, the Stones River National Battlefield and Cemetery, and the Carter House, home of the Carter musical family.
Over in West Tennessee, the musical adventure continues. Memphis has a long musical heritage that includes Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, B.B. King and others. Places such as Graceland to Beale Street still honor that tradition. Sample the delicious barbecue, take in some new music and explore the surrounding area. Historical tourism includes the Casey Jones Home and Railroad Museum, the National Civil Rights Museum and the Mississippi River Museum. Just across the state line, in Tunica County, Mississippi, gamblers can test their luck and take in a show at one of the casinos.
Tennessee's Top Ten Things to Do or See
1-Newfound Gap Road - Great Smoky Mountains National Park2-Dollywood
3-Alpine Slide at Ober Gatlinburg
4-Hike on the Appalachian Trail
5-Pigeon River whitewater rafting
6-Beale Street Music Festival
7-Graceland
8-Jack Daniels Distillery
9-National Civil Rights Museum
10-Casey Jones Home and Railroad Museum
