Tennessee Travel Guide: What NOT to Do
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit the state of Tennessee. While many travel blogs will tell you the best places to visit in Tennessee, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do as you search for the best Tennessee vacation spots.
Don’t Forget About Dry Counties
Even though Tennessee is the home of Jack Daniels whiskey, there are still some places in Tennessee where you can’t buy alcohol. It’s not illegal to have alcohol, but you may have to buy it in another county before you arrive. So, before your trip to Tennessee, check to see the local liquor laws so you can stock up before arriving if needed.
Don’t Think It’s Just Jack Daniels
Jack Daniels is the Tennessee whiskey that everyone knows. But they’re not the only Tennessee whiskey out there. There are lots of other distilleries in Tennessee, including many small-batch producers. If you like whiskey, make sure you visit some of the distilleries in Tennessee.
Don’t Think The State is All the Same
For a somewhat small state, Tennessee is pretty diverse from one area to the next. The Eastern part of Tennessee has the Smoky Mountains, with the tourist towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Central Tennessee, where Nashville is located, consists more of flat plains than mountains. And then Western Tennessee where Memphis is located is formed by the Mississippi River. Each region is unique, so it may take more than one trip to see the best sights of Tennessee. In fact, the three stars on the Tennessee state flag represent the three unique regions of the state.
Don’t Underestimate Driving Times
In square mileage, Tennessee may not be a huge state, but it’s about 440 miles from east to west. It’s almost seven hours to drive from Memphis to Pigeon Forge, so don’t plan on just hopping around the state, expecting to see everything in one trip to Tennessee. And Tennessee straddles two time zones, so if you’re driving east across the state, you’ll lose an hour when you hit around Chattanooga.
Don’t think you’ll have cell service everywhere in the state, either. There are lots of places in the Smoky Mountains where you may lose service, so have a GPS, map, and/or maps downloaded on your phone so you don’t get lost!
Don’t Skip the Scenic Viewpoints
If you’re driving through Eastern Tennessee, there are so many beautiful photo opportunities. It’s tempting to just snap some photos from the car while you pass by, but take advantage of those scenic pullouts along the road. Not only will you get better pictures, but you’ll have a better experience if you slow down and take time to enjoy the scenery. This will also give you a break from the crazy Tennessee drivers!
Don’t Hit Nashville at Rush Hour
Because Nashville is growing so quickly, the infrastructure hasn’t caught up, so traffic can be a nightmare. They are trying to keep up with widening lanes and increasing the infrastructure, but you can still expect to spend a lot of time sitting in traffic. As much as we’d love to say you don’t need a car in Nashville, you really do. Public transportation in Nashville is not useful outside of the main downtown area.
The Best & Worst of Visiting Nashville
Don’t Underestimate Nashville Hot Chicken
Memphis is known for BBQ food and Nashville is known for hot chicken. And we’re not talking temperature hot – it’s spicy hot! Like really, really hot. And it’s a slow burn so the first bite you might think isn’t too bad, but it sneaks up on you! Don’t get me wrong, it’s phenomenal, just ease into it if you’re not big on spicy foods.
Don’t Think Nashville is Just Country Music
Nashville is famous for country music, but that’s not all there is to see and do in Nashville. In recent years, Nashville has become a bit of a hipster haven, so the music scene has really diversified in the last 15 years or so. You’ll hear all kinds of music up and down Broadway. Even if you don’t love country music, the Country Music Hall of Fame is well worth your time.
Don’t Forget to Tip Memphis Street Performers
One of the coolest things you’ll see on Beale Street is the street performers. Don’t take a bunch of photos and videos of them if you aren’t going to tip them. They are out here to earn a buck, so make sure you have some cash on hand to give them a few bucks if you’ve enjoyed their performance.
Don’t Miss Graceland
You don’t have to be a huge Elvis fan to enjoy a day at Graceland. The ticket price may shock you at first, but it’s totally worth it because you get to see a ton of memorabilia and you get to tour the inside of his home, frozen in pure 70s glory. The costumes alone are worth the price of admission.
Don’t Miss the National Civil Rights Museum
Another must-see sight in Tennessee is the National Civil Rights Museum in downtown Memphis. It is located at the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. You will learn so much about the Civil Rights Movement and it’s truly one of the most moving museums in the United States.
Don’t Think All Tennessee BBQ is the Same
Tennessee is known for more than one kind of barbeque. You’ve got dry rub ribs, like those at Rendezvous in Memphis. Central BBQ in Memphis has wet ribs, which are probably my favorite in Memphis. Then there’s the Nashville hot chicken, so don’t skip out on trying different types of barbeque when you visit Tennessee.
Don’t Forget to Book Your Tennessee Accommodation Ahead of Time
Especially if you are visiting the Smoky Mountain towns like Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg or Chattanooga. These are popular destinations for all kinds of travelers, so accommodation can be scarce or expensive if you travel during the peak season of summer and fall.
Don’t Diss Dolly
Dolly Parton is a national treasure, born and raised in Tennessee. She does so much for the local communities in Tennessee, and she’s just an all-around amazing person. If you get a chance, go to the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge. Jack Daniels and Dolly Parton are the two best things to come out of Tennessee!
Don’t Miss the Festivals in Tennessee
Tennessee has some awesome festivals so make sure you check ahead to see what’s happening during your visit. Bonnaroo is a big music festival held each June in Manchester; it’s like a more laidback Coachella featuring jam bands and on-site camping. Memphis has some great food and music festivals, as does Nashville.
Don’t Overlook Tennessee Hospitality
This is the south, after all. So they will feed you until you’re full and then keep feeding you. Don’t say no, just enjoy the hospitality. This is one of the reasons so many people are moving to Tennessee; the people are just really friendly. (There’s also no state income tax, so that’s another big reason people move to Tennessee!)
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Tennessee! It’s a friendly and beautiful state with pretty amazing food and live music. If you love music, whiskey, barbecue or outdoor adventures, you’ll love Tennessee! Want more travel tips for the Southern States? Check out some of our other blog posts: