Do you reside in Tennessee and are thinking of taking a local holiday with the family? Or maybe Tennessee is not your home but are you thinking of heading there for a vacation? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, you will not be disappointed with your destination of choice. Here are seven places to stop by while in The Volunteer State.
Dollywood
Located in Pigeon Forge, Dollywood is a themed amusement park. Here you can enjoy live shows or ride on the unparalleled rollercoasters like the Fire Chaser Express, which is a dual launch machine that thrusts both backward and forwards, or the Lightning Rod, which is the world’s fastest rollercoaster. If you love water, Splash Country is the place for you with its many water slides and rides. Leave the little ones who cannot ride at either of the two playgrounds. Apart from this, there are numerous shows and festivals and, get this, Dolly Parton herself is a Grand Marshal at the local parade once a year. You will definitely want to visit this theme park. Plan a vacation to Pigeon Forge.
The Adventure Science Centre
Though it is tailored for children between the ages of 3 to 11 years, The Adventure Science Centre has the power to captivate people of all ages. The Centre has six main areas: Earth Science, Creativity & Innovation, Sound & Light, Air & Space, Health, and Energy. These are all found as you climb the interactive Adventure Tower. If you like space exploration, do not leave before you pass through Space Chase and the state-of-the-art Sudekum Planetarium.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
For those who love hiking, this is the place to visit. Climb your way to the top of Laurell Falls or Grotto Falls (where you can actually get behind the fall without getting wet). Explore the nature trails and enjoy the spectacular views, for example, from Clingmans Dome which is the highest point at 6,643 feet and offers an all-round view of the area. If you are a friend of the great outdoors, take advantage of the 159 campsites and live for a while and spend some time among the wild animals.
Rock City
Chattanooga is the fourth largest city in Tennessee and is the home to Rock City. As its name suggests, when you visit you will find yourself climbing boulders and squeezing through rock formations. Other attractions include the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a 3D IMAX theater. There is also the Creative Discovery Museum and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, where you can get to ride through history in a vintage train. Visit Coolidge Park and enjoy its water fountains and its one-hundred-year old restored carousel. Enjoy the beautiful gardens with the kids and make sure that you walk on the world’s largest pedestrian suspension bridge. Don’t forget to take photos to show that you indeed visited the scenic Chattanooga valley.
Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort
There are two major parks at this lakeside resort. There is the water park for the aquatically inclined. Make sure you choose the summer time for your visit to this place as it is only open during the warm months. Get to ride on the eight large waterslides, swim in giant pools, enjoy the white sandy beaches, and relax on a lazy river. On the other hand, if you prefer hanging in the air more than in water, there is the Treetop Adventure Park. Navigate different obstacle courses such as suspended bridges, giant zip lines, cargo nets, Tarzan swings, and so much more, based on your age and level of skill.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
For music lovers, there is a great opportunity to visit the history of country music in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. This massive museum broadly covers the history of country music. You will be surprised at how the kids (who are probably into something else like a trap) will love it too, especially because of the interactive exhibits. One favorite attraction is the “Discover Your Country” gallery where people participate and end up becoming “Country Certified.”
Nashville Zoo
Located in Grassmere, this two-hundred-acre piece of land is home to more than 2,000 animals. If you are an animal lover, you will definitely want to visit this zoo and get up close with the three hundred and sixty five species of animal life. Take a ride on the Wilderness Express Train, the Wild Animal Carousel, and the Soaring Eagle zipline. Set your kids loose in the huge Jungle Gym playground, explore the different habitats like Spider Monkey and Kangaroo Kickabout, and don’t forget to check out the 19th Century plantation house while you are there.
Conclusion
Make your holiday worthwhile. The myriad of tourist attractions available in Tennessee makes it so hard to not find something that you will enjoy.