Places to see in Tennessee vacation sights in Tennessee Explore things to do in Tennessee

Sometimes you just want to get out and explore. We try to strike a good balance of places that you will really enjoy. Finding ideas for family friendly outings, or interesting places to go in Tennessee with your friends, both are at your fingertips here with America Top 10. We aim to give you plenty of ideas without you having to do all the research. That way you can easily decide if you want to explore Tennessee sites or check out the sites in another state.

You have also heard how it is becoming a lot more popular to have staycations (where you stay home instead of going to far off places) and discover new and interesting places in the near vicinity. We try to make that easier for you. Check out the sites in Tennessee that have become local favorites easily with our site.

We hope that we have provided you plenty of choices in Tennessee whether this is a new area for you or your own back yard. Something a little different from the typical amusement park. If you really loved somewhere but don’t see them on our list let us know, we are always looking to improve our lists and we can only do that with your help.

Lakeshore Park

Knoxville, TN

A popular location to runners and walkers, Lakeshore Park provides spectacular vistas of Fort Loudoun Lake and the Smoky Mountains. Results from the City greenway laser counter project proved Lakeshore Greenway to be the most heavily used greenway in Knoxville.

Belle Meade Plantation

Nashville, TN

Founded in 1807 by John Harding, “Belle Meade” translates to mean beautiful meadow in old English and French. The property began with just a single log cabin and 250 acres. The estate quickly grew to become a 5,400 acre thoroughbred horse farm complete with a Greek Revival Mansion, deer park, train station and rock quarry which supported five generations of owners, their servants and enslaved workers. Today Belle Meade Plantation retains 34 acres of its original property and several outbuildings including the Mansion and original homestead. Today’s site functions as an educational resource dedicated to the preservation of Tennessee’s Victorian architecture, history and equestrian history.

International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum

Chattanooga, TN

It all started more than 20 years ago when a group of dedicated towing professionals, the Friends of Towing, decided to recognize outstanding individuals in the towing and recovery industry worldwide, record the industry’s history, collect and display artifacts and memorabilia in a museum setting, and provide information about the industry to the public. The first Hall of Fame class consisted of 27 members and today has grown to include over 300 distinguished towing professionals. The International Towing Museum is the only place in the world that offers a close encounter with a tow truck that is actually fun, positive, and nostalgic.

Earth Experience – Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History

Murfreesboro, TN

The Earth Experience, the Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History, is the first natural history museum in Middle Tennessee. The museum has displays from all over the world but has a very large number of items from Tennessee. See their dinosaurs, fossils, gems, minerals, rocks and archaeological relics.

Kids-N-Play

Clarksville, TN

Kids-N-Play is Clarksville’s Premier Indoor Children’s Entertainment Center offering a clean and safe environment for kids to play that also caters to parents and caregivers. The wide array of activities accommodating children 1-12 years of age. For children under the age of 2 years old, they have an enclosed crawler area specifically designed with colors and shapes that encourage toddlers to explore and develop new skills.

Discovery Center

Murfreesboro, TN

Chartered in 1986 as Children’s Museum Corporation of Rutherford County, the Discovery Center provides hands-on education opportunities for the community. An extensive grassroots campaign orchestrated by young parents led to purchasing a building and creating exhibits and programs. During its first year of operation, over 11,000 visitors came to experience the museum’s exhibits and programs. Now, 30 years after its inception, the Discovery Center serves as a vibrant community and tourism center with over 120,000 children and families exploring the exhibits each year.

Nashville Zoo

Nashville, TN

Nashville Zoo is the home of wildlife animals in the area. You and your family, friends, and love ones will truly appreciate these adorable creatures. The zoo is located in Nashville, Tennessee. On the other hand, Nashville Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums that helps in taking care of endangered animals by educating people the importance of wildlife.

Chattanooga Zoo

Chattanooga, TN

The mission of the Chattanooga Zoo is to engage and inspire our community to better understand and preserve wildlife by creating meaningful connections between people and animals. With the intimate, innovative exhibits, wide-ranging educational offerings and commitment to conservation, their vision is to be a top destination for residents and visitors alike and the pride of the community.

Customs House Museum and Cultural Center

Clarksville, TN

Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is the State’s second largest general museum. With over 35,000 square feet of exhibit space, hands-on activities and special events, people of all ages agree, the Customs House Museum is well worth the stop. Explore an entire city block featuring large gallery spaces filled with fine art, science and history.

Fort Defiance Civil War Park & Interpretive Center

Clarksville, TN

The Fort Defiance site has been a hub of activity for more than two centuries. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, white settlers began arriving in the late 18th Century. The area became a trading center and settlement. During the Civil War, the hilltop was chosen by Confederate troops as a site to construct a fort to defend the river approach to Clarksville. The more than 1,500-square-foot Interpretive Center features exhibits about the surrounding area and the fort during the Civil War era.