Tennessee is one of the southern states of the USA and is known for its diverse music. Blues, rock ‘n’ roll (Memphis) and country music (Nashville) all originated in Tennessee. But not only the music makes Tennessee famous, also the legendary whiskey from Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel.
In Tennessee there is also a lot of historical architecture, sights and a beautiful landscape with many forests, fields, mountains and rivers that make Tennessee a perfect vacation experience.
Tennessee is bordered by Missouri to the northwest, Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina to the east, Georgia to the southeast, Alabama and Mississippi to the south, and Arkansas to the southwest.
In 1796, Tennessee became the 16th state to join the Union. Tennessee seceded from the Union in 1861 and rejoined in 1866.
Before the separation, the Tennessee area was part of North Carolina and then the Southwest Territory.
Part of Tennessee lies in Tornado Alley, a tornado-prone area in the American Midwest. The U.S. states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri are entirely within Tornado Alley.
Tennessee covers an area of about 109,151 km² with about 6.4 million inhabitants. The capital of Tennessee is Nashville, where the most famous American country music singer Johnny Cash lived. Other well-known musicians in the state include Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins. Tennessee is also known for its Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.
The name Tennessee comes from Tanasi, the name of a Native American settlement on the Little Tennessee River. Tennessee’s nickname is ” Volunteer State “. It dates from the time of the British-American War, when many citizens of Tennessee fought as volunteers for their country.
Visitors from all over the world come to Tennessee to enjoy the scenic beauty, music, history and hospitality. Come to Tennessee and take some time to explore our cities and countryside.
Attractions in Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee is particularly popular, it is the most visited national park in the USA.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Tennessee National Parks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cities and larger towns in Tennessee
Memphis
Nashville
Knoxville
Chattanooga
Rivers in Tennessee
Mississippi
Cumberland River
Duck River
Holston River
Tennessee River
Tennessee mountains
Appalachian Mountains
Clingman’s Dome
Big Frog Mountain
Lookout Mountain
Lakes and reservoirs in Tennessee
Center Hill Lake
Kentucky Lake
Lake Barkley
Watauga Lake
Place to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cades Cove
One of the most visited mountain attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains NP is Cades Cove. Cades Cove is a wide, green valley surrounded by mountains. It is one of the most popular destinations in Great Smoky National Park. Animal watching is best done here.
Three churches, Cable Mill – a mill, barns, log cabins and many other faithfully restored buildings can be found in Cades Cove. An 11-mile circular route, which can also be driven, takes you through Cades Cove.
Cataloochee
Historical buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries can be seen here. Including two churches, a school and several houses and outbuildings. Cataloochee is surrounded by 6000-foot peaks.
Deep Creek
The Deep Creek area is known for its streams and waterfalls. There are hiking trails to the waterfalls and opportunities for mountain biking.
Clingmans Dome
A steep cobbled path leads to the Clingmans Dome lookout tower. At the park’s highest peak, at an elevation of 6,643 feet, is Clingmans Dome Observation Tower. It offers an impressive view of the Smoky Mountains. It is the highest point in Tennessee and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi River. From December 1st to March 31st the observation tower is closed due to the weather.
Fontana Dam
Fontana Dam is the tallest dam wall east of the Rocky Mountains. The dam dams the small Tennessee River and forms Fontana Lake. Beautiful scenery and a large reservoir for boating await you here.
Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill
Oconaluftee features both a visitor center and a mountain farm museum with a collection of historic log homes from the Smoky Mountains. You get a sense of how families lived in the Smoky Mountains 100 years ago.
Campsites & accommodation
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 8 major campgrounds and several smaller campgrounds and tent sites throughout the park. The campsites are open from mid-April to the end of October. If you don’t want to camp you can stay at LeConte Lodge, the lodge is open from mid-April to late October.
Opening times & admission to the Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, due to weather conditions, some side roads, campsites and other facilities may be closed to visitors. Entry to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free!
Sights in the area
We have put together a few sights near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for you here: Andrew Johnson National Historic Site; Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area; Blueridge Parkway; Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site; Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
Directions & Getting to Great Smoky National Park
In Tennesse there are the following routes to the entrances of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
For the Gatlinburg entrance, take Interstate Highway I-40 to Exit 407 (Sevierville) to TN-66 South. At the Sevierville intersection, continue straight onto US-441 South. Follow US-441 through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge into the park.
For the Townsend entrance, coming from the north, take Interstate Highway I-40 in Knoxville to Exit 386B on US-129 South to Alcoa / Maryville. At Maryville, merge onto US-321 North / TN-73 East through Townsend. Go straight on TN-73 into the park.
From the South, take Interstate Highway I-75 to Exit 376 onto I-140 E toward Oak Ridge/Maryville. Take I-140 E to exit 376B towards Maryville. Take US-129 South (Alcoa Highway) to Exit 11A and head towards Alcoa. Merge onto TN-35 and follow it north to US-321. Follow North-321/TN-73 east through Townsend and into the park.
There is no public transport in the national park, only commercial companies that provide transport.
Address for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Galtinburg, Tennessee 37738
USA
//www.nps.gov/grsm
