Tennessee is known for its varied topography and stunning beauty as a state, one of the greenest in the south that boasts a lush forested region and dozens of beautiful small towns. Still, no matter how many times you’ve made your way to the Volunteer State, there’s always something new and beautiful to experience. These eleven gorgeous spots throughout the state are perfect for a day trip, and some of the best for families and couples alike.
- Overton Park
Lauren McConnaughhay At 342-acres, this beautiful Memphis city park boasts everything from a golf course to an art museum, and is even home to the historic music venue where Elvis hosted his first paid show.
- Big Soddy Creek Gulf Trail
All Trails You can hike this 8.2 mile trail near Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, and it’s one of the best local trails for folks of all ages due to its lack of difficulty and dog-friendly rules. Make sure you keep Fido on a leash, though!
- Big Creek Gulf Sink
Michael Hicks - Flickr Located in the South Cumberland State Park, you can wander the Big Creek Gulf Trail and find yourself on a three-waterfall hike through the heart of Tennessee. It’s a beautiful and fairly low-trafficked area, so get your fix in the great outdoors.
- Wears Valley
Kevin Oliver - Flickr Wears Valley is a gorgeous asset to East Tennessee, and is perhaps most famous because of its secret entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We’d recommend a visit for the beautiful views and kind locals.
- Conasauga Falls
junaidro - Flickr You can hike to the falls in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, on an off the beaten path trail that leads to one of the least known waterfalls in the state. At only 1.5 miles round trip, it’s the perfect addition to any natural southern experience.
- Tom Lee Park
Memphis CVB - Flickr This beautiful city park is located not too far from downtown Memphis, and it overlooks a beautiful stretch of the Mississippi River. The 30-acre city park has picnic benches and a walking path for patrons.
- Townsend
Lee Coursey - Flickr There are all sorts of things to do in Townsend, Tenenssee, due to its fantastic location near the Great Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove and the ever-popular Tuckaleechee Caverns. We’d recommend experiencing the tiny town as your home base while visiting the eastern side of the state.
- Raccoon Mountain Caverns
Raccoon Mountain Caverns - Facebook This fun RV park and campground boasts wild cave expeditions and even small family attractions like a go-kart track right outside of Chattanooga. It’s great for locals and folks from Georgia alike, due to the ease of its location.
- Chestnut Top Trail
Chestnut Top Trail - Alltrails At just over ten miles, this gorgeous trail is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is open year round, rife with gorgeous wildflower fields in the summertime and the perfect surroundings for nature trips and trail running.
- Cane Creek Cascades
Tim Lumley - Flickr
- The Blue Hole & Falls
Jimmy Emerson - Flickr Shared by both Tennessee and Alabama, this beautisul space
If you’re still looking for beautiful places to visit, you should check out this gorgeous hike and the treasure at its end.
Lauren McConnaughhay
At 342-acres, this beautiful Memphis city park boasts everything from a golf course to an art museum, and is even home to the historic music venue where Elvis hosted his first paid show.
All Trails
You can hike this 8.2 mile trail near Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, and it’s one of the best local trails for folks of all ages due to its lack of difficulty and dog-friendly rules. Make sure you keep Fido on a leash, though!
Michael Hicks - Flickr
Located in the South Cumberland State Park, you can wander the Big Creek Gulf Trail and find yourself on a three-waterfall hike through the heart of Tennessee. It’s a beautiful and fairly low-trafficked area, so get your fix in the great outdoors.
Kevin Oliver - Flickr
Wears Valley is a gorgeous asset to East Tennessee, and is perhaps most famous because of its secret entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We’d recommend a visit for the beautiful views and kind locals.
junaidro - Flickr
You can hike to the falls in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, on an off the beaten path trail that leads to one of the least known waterfalls in the state. At only 1.5 miles round trip, it’s the perfect addition to any natural southern experience.
Memphis CVB - Flickr
This beautiful city park is located not too far from downtown Memphis, and it overlooks a beautiful stretch of the Mississippi River. The 30-acre city park has picnic benches and a walking path for patrons.
Lee Coursey - Flickr
There are all sorts of things to do in Townsend, Tenenssee, due to its fantastic location near the Great Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove and the ever-popular Tuckaleechee Caverns. We’d recommend experiencing the tiny town as your home base while visiting the eastern side of the state.
Raccoon Mountain Caverns - Facebook
This fun RV park and campground boasts wild cave expeditions and even small family attractions like a go-kart track right outside of Chattanooga. It’s great for locals and folks from Georgia alike, due to the ease of its location.
Chestnut Top Trail - Alltrails
At just over ten miles, this gorgeous trail is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is open year round, rife with gorgeous wildflower fields in the summertime and the perfect surroundings for nature trips and trail running.
Tim Lumley - Flickr
Jimmy Emerson - Flickr
Shared by both Tennessee and Alabama, this beautisul space
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