Tennessee welcomes visitors with a rhythm that shifts from Appalachian mountain towns to Memphis blues clubs, all while telling stories that have shaped the American experience. In East Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, known for its mist-covered peaks, preserved log cabins, and seasonal displays of wildflowers and fireflies. The town of Gatlinburg serves as the main gateway, offering scenic drives like Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and a mix of crafts, distilleries, and family-friendly attractions tucked into the foothills.

In the center of the state, Nashville lives up to its nickname, “Music City,” but there's more to it than country twang. Visitors can tour RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley recorded more than 200 songs, or catch emerging talent at a songwriter's round in the city’s smaller venues. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum dives deep into American music history, while the nearby National Museum of African American Music broadens the story with exhibits that span gospel, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. Nashville also surprises guests with its food scene from hot chicken joints like Prince’s to James Beard-recognized restaurants along the city’s East Side.