When you think of history tours, you most likely don't put "cemetery tour" right on the top of your list. You may think of historic downtowns and main streets, perhaps a few buildings or museums. In Memphis, Tennessee, however, one of the best ways to experience the history and weight in the city is to spend a bit of time with the city's dead at the Elmwood Cemetery.
It made its name as one of the first ever rural garden cemeteries in the American south. It's distinguished by its park-like setting and shady knolls for resting, as well as the gorgeous monuments that pepper the grounds.
There are roughly 1,000 Confederate soldiers and veterans buried on the grounds, including a handful of generals and Tennessee's former governor, Thomas Battle Turley.
The cemetery itself offers quite a few tours and events throughout the year so that locals and tourists will be able to learn about and experience the cemetery in its entirety.
One of the eeriest aspects of the cemetery is perhaps the 2,500 victims of the Yellow Fever that are interred in Elmwood. You'll find doctors, ministers, travelers, nuns and even prostitutes who perished of the disease while looking to tend to the dying.
Pumpkins, apples, fall foliage, and fall festivals in Tennessee! Autumn is upon us and it's time to switch gears from the dog days of summer to the crisp air of fall. With the changing of leaves, there is a shift in get-togethers and events which gives us Tennesseans a great excuse to once again meet our wonderful neighbors. From farm festivals to city-wide events, we know how to put on a good seasonal celebration, leaving many of us wondering “Where are the best fall festivals near me?” Well, friends, wonder no more, because I've put together a list of the 10 best fall festivals in Tennessee:
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1. Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, Gatlinburg - Mid September through late November
Just take a look at that picture for a second -- that's why the Smokies are one of the best places to go in the fall in Tennessee! The little town of Gatlinburg is nestled right into the mountains and it made the list because they really know how to embrace the fall season. This isn’t just one event; rather, fall in Gatlinburg is a city-wide celebration to welcome in the changing of leaves with events and special offerings across three months! Every business is doing something different and participates in their own unique way and the best way to experience it is to go and see for yourself. Oh and while you're at it, do yourself a favor and explore the Smoky Mountains in all their fall glory. For more information, please visit the town of Gatlinburg website.
2. Cheekwood Harvest, Nashville - Mid September till the end of October
When it comes to stunning decor and seasonal displays, Cheekwood might simply be the best in the state. So it should come as no surprise that they also put on one of the best pumpkin celebrations too. If you can only make it to one fall festival near Nashville, make sure it is this one. This is a must-see out of all the Tennessee fall festivals for those who are located anywhere near Music City. Taking place for several weeks, expect live music, food trucks, and many other festive treats. Their ever-popular pumpkin village will make its return this year along with a scarecrow walk and many other beautiful places to explore. For more information, please make sure you check out the Cheekwood website.
3. Fall Family Fun Festival, Eagleville - September through October
Nothing says “It’s fall Y’all” like going to a farm here in Tennessee. If you are looking for fall events near Nashville or just looking to get out of the city, this is a great place to go -- especially if you have little kids. Lucky Ladd Farms is designed to be just as much a working farm as it is a fun park for families. There is a petting zoo, corn maze, pick your own pumpkins, and so much more. Make sure to head to the Lucky Ladd Farms website for a full schedule of events for this year's super fun celebration.
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4. Dollywood Harvest Festival, Pigeon Forge - September through October
Dollywood is viewed by many as the top theme park in Tennessee and I would have to agree with the masses on this one. It also has gained the honor of holding the “Most Beautiful Park in the World” award for a couple of years now. Alongside your standard theme park offerings like big thrill rides, kiddie sections, and live entertainment, Dollywood goes through a dramatic makeover for each season. In the fall, you will find pumpkin decorations and autumn decor everywhere you look. A massive pumpkin tree, a giant pumpkin guitar, and so much more will be on display with unique seasonal fare and live music. This is one of the longest celebrations on this list, but you can attend any given day to be blown away by the immense decorations and enjoy everything this theme park already excels at. For more information, please visit the Dollywood Harvest Festival website.
5. Jonesborough Pumpkin Fest, Jonesborough - September
The charming and friendly town of Jonesborough gets transformed when fall rolls around. The town is decorated with scarecrows, pumpkins, and corn stalks and serves as a picture-perfect backdrop for an autumn celebration. The Jonesborough Pumpkin Fest hosts several local vendors that make specific fall festive dishes to sample. You can walk up and down downtown and try a wide assortment of baked goods, unique treats, and wild fall fusions that are truly one-of-a-kind.
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6. Autumn in the Smokies, Pigeon Forge - Starting in September
When you are looking to do a little leaf peeping in Tennessee, there is no better place than the Great Smoky Mountains. And when you'd like to partake in some fall events near the Smokies, make sure to head on over to The Island. The whole place is filled with classic Appalachian fall decor and is the perfect place for a fun fall photo ops. While you visit, make sure you also peruse the seasonal selections offered at each of the restaurants and stores for a taste of autumnal goodness. For more information, please visit The Island website.
Things start to get a little spooky around this river city come fall. The whole city gets in on the fun for some creative and fun events all throughout town. You can take a fall hike on Lookout Mountain, take a ghost tour, or go on a kid-friendly Halloween train ride. There is so much to do and see throughout the whole month of October, you are bound to find a perfect fit for you.
8. Unicoi Apple Festival, Erwin - October 4-5, 2024
This annual event isn't just a great kickoff to the fall season, it's a tried-and-true tradition in East Tennessee. Taking place in the quiet little town of Erwin, the whole place is completely covered with vendors, music, food, and games for a great two-day celebration. And yes, there will be apples... lots and lots of apples! For more information, please visit the Unicoi Apple Festival website.
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9. Hatchie Fall Fest, Brownville - October 19, 2024
Hatchie Fall Fest is a highly anticipated annual event to celebrate all things fall! Taking place in Brownsville, this fall event near Memphis allows visitors to enjoy a small-town gathering over this one-day festival. Guests can expect to see plenty of vendors, delicious food, tons of kids' activities, excellent live music, and much more! For more information, please visit the Hatchie Fall Fest website.
This highly anticipated annual event near Nashville just radiates good, old-fashioned fall fun. Not only is this small town filled with autumn decor, but the air is abuzz with sensational seasonal joy! There will be a plethora of vendors, tasty food, and live music. There is also a custom contest where people go all out each year trying to win the gold. If adorable families dressing up in themed costumes wasn’t enough for you, make sure to stick around to see the cutest doggies dressing up in their Halloween finest. For more information, please visit the Pumpkinfest website.
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From west to east, these are some of the best fall festivals in Tennessee. How many of them have you been to and which ones are your favorites? One thing is sure we will have plenty to do while we wait for the leaves to change colors. One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to strap on my hiking shoes and take off into the mountains. We have so many great places to visit in the fall in Tennessee, so I would recommend getting my favorite hiking app that I use; AllTrails. You can save a whole list of hikes you want to do in the fall so when you get a free day just pick one and hit the trails!
For more "Fall-spiration" check out this OnlyInYourState video to see more breathtaking autumn places to travel to.
Now that Independence Day is just around the corner you may be wondering “where to watch fireworks near me?” It is a fair question because we all want to see a great fireworks display. When it comes to celebrating our freedom we want to see the most spectacular explosions around. So let freedom ring and take a trip to any one of these great shows when July 4th rolls around this year. ‘Merica!
If you live in Memphis or the surrounding area then you will want to make your way to Municipal Park in Germantown for an incredible firework display. Not only will there be wonderful colored explosions in the air but the event will also have live music, crafts for kids, and vendors, making it a party worth celebrating. Please visit the Germantown Fireworks Extravaganza event page for more information.
You should expect one of the greatest fireworks displays to be located in Nashville. We have alot of American pride in Tennessee and it will be on full display in the capital city this year. Let Freedom Sing! Is the event that will give you one of the best fireworks shows not only in the state, but in the country. With expert pyrotechnicians on site and ready to go, this is said to be one of the biggest fireworks displays in the country. The whole thing will be synced in time with the performance of the live Nashville Symphony. Would you expect anything else in the music capital of our nation? Expect to see vendors, fun and games, a massive kids' area, live performances, and so much more.
Chattanooga is a city that likes to celebrate, so you will find many 4th of July events all throughout town. However, one event you will not want to miss is Pops On The River, located in Coolidge Park. Get to the park early for some live performances, food, drinks, and stake out a great spot on the lawn. Make sure to bring a blanket or lawn chairs for the event and get ready for a great fireworks display as they are lit off in the Renaissance Park across the river. So guests can expect a close-up and spectacular view of the show.
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4. Festival On The Fourth - Knoxville, TN
If you live in Knoxville and are curious about where to watch fireworks near me, the Festival On The Fourth is one of the best places to see fireworks this year. Located in the Worlds Fair Park you can expect to find more than just colorful explosions. The schedule leading up to the grand nighttime finale will include water wars, paddle boats, axe throwing, and mini golf. Guests will also be treated to live performances all before the big booms happening in the sky with the Sunsphere as the backdrop.
Patriot Festival is located appropriately enough in Patriot Park for its annual Independence Day celebration. This fireworks display has been revered as one of the best shows in the country and I would have to agree. Everything that is done in Pigeon Forge is worth doing big so you should expect nothing less when it comes to celebrating our nation's birthday. The event starts long before the fireworks start with a kids' area, food vendors, and live performances. The fireworks display is best viewed from the park, but visible from multiple places around town like The Island and the Pigeon Forge KOA (if you are lucky enough to be camping during the celebration).
6. Gatlinburg Fireworks and Drone Finale - Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg is home to the famous Gatlinburg 4th of July Parade which is a huge Independence Day celebration starting at midnight every year. With a small town that goes this big for the 4th of July, you should know the fireworks show is going to be just as awesome. The fireworks are lit off on top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle so everyone in the area will have a great show at seeing these fireworks. However, one of the best places to view the show is from the Gatlinburg SkyPark. Not only will guests be treated to an excellent display, but they will also be treated to a glorious drone show beforehand! This is one event you won’t want to miss. Make sure to check out the Gatlinburg website for all the up-to-date details.
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7. The Altar Fellowship’s Annual 4th of July Celebration - Johnson City, TN
The Altar Fellowship’s Annual 4th of July Celebration is located at Providence Academy in Johnson City and is said to be the best firework display in the Tri-Cities area. I can personally attest to that and if you are looking for a great family-friendly festival, this one is for you. There will be family activities, lawn games, and fun surprises all throughout the evening. Come as a stranger and be treated like family -- then get ready for one epic firework show to end the night!
So now no matter where you call home in Tennessee you will be able to answer the question where to watch fireworks near me this year. I hope everyone has an amazing 4th of July this year as we celebrate this great country we all call home.
