10 Things That Belong On Everyone’s Tennessee Summer Bucket List

When it comes to things to do in the summer in Tennessee, there is so much fun to have you will need a lifetime of summers to experience it all! If you are running low on ideas, time to get out your pen and paper because we have a few more things to add to your summer bucket list this year.

1. Lounge around by the lake.

Ah, lazy days by the lake are the things that summer is made of. We have plenty of great lakes here in Tennessee so we don’t need the beach to get a tropical experience. No, we Tennesseeans prefer to have the clean and warm freshwater of a lake preferably with mountains in the background. So find your favorite body of water from Watauga to Reelfoot and get ready for a day of fun in the sun.

2. Glow Kayaking.

We all love getting out into the water and allowing the current to gently propel us forward as we glide along glass-like mirrored water, but this one has quite a twist. As the sun is setting launch out into the water and as the hues of fiery colors fade in the sky to the blanket of stars above your transparent craft will start to glow. Then you can enjoy the rest of your paddling paradise amidst the light illumination of the glow kayak. The best place to do this is with the outfit called Get Up And Go Kayaking.

3. Take a sunset cruise on a kayak to see hundreds of bats (!) fly out of a cave.

I know I just mentioned taking a vessel out over the water, but this one is just too good to not mention. In this once-in-a-lifetime type voyage, you will go out with a guided team on the Nickajack Lake during the sunset. Watch the brilliant colors of the sunset amidst the train cars and rugged cliffside shoreline. Then as the last light starts to fade the historic Nickajack cave which is home to hundreds of bats, starts to come alive with activity. Watch as these furry creatures squeak and fly around to feed for the night. There is nothing quite like it and if you want a discounted rate check out our friends at Viator for this kayaking bat cave adventure.

4. Waterparks!

When the heat of the summer gets to be just too much to bear then a waterpark is just the thing to fix that. Take the family to any one of our amazing waterparks to splash, slide, and have some serious fun in the water. Big experiences like Nashville Shores, or Dollywood’s Splash Country are great options as well as Soaky Mountain with many unique options you won't anywhere else, like the kaleidoscope lazy river.

5. Swimming holes.

A favorite Tennessee pastime is to find a body of water and just jump in! When you think about fun places to swim, it makes perfect sense: why float around in a boring pool when you can feel the rush of the cool mountain water with a beautiful waterfall in the background? Cummins Falls State Park is always a crowd pleaser but other places like Greeter Falls in salvage Gulf State Park or Cane Creek Cascades in Fall Creek Falls State Park are great options too. I have learned that just about anywhere in Tennessee there is a good local swimming hole not too far away, so find your favorite or try a new one this summer.

6. Go underground.

Stepping away from water activities, I wanted to showcase another great way to cool off this summer. Did you know we have more caves in Tennessee than any other state? That leaves us with plenty of options when it comes to spelunking. No matter the weather, most caves hover around cool 50 degrees year-round, making them the perfect summer destination. They all have unique stories, history, and formations to look at so if you are looking to see the largest underground waterfall in our country, head to Ruby Falls. How about the largest underground lake? The Lost Sea Adventure has you covered. You can even spend the night underground if you want with Cumberland Caverns. The possibilities are seemingly endless.

7. Get educated at a new museum.

There are many great museums all around the state, from hands-on children's experiences like the Discovery Park of America in Union City to niche small-town museums dedicated to things like model trains. Depending on your passions you are sure to find a good place dedicated to preserving and showcasing items and information that is bound to wow and amaze you. This is also a great option on a budget because you can find plenty of free museums in Tennessee too.

8. Dig into the history of Tennessee.

Similarly to discovering new museums is digging into the story of what made Tennessee what it is today. There are so many great ways to do that from visiting historical towns like Jonesborough to taking a trip through Cades Cove to explore all of the old buildings and churches. I find taking a step back in time to the early days of the over-mountain men and the Lost State of Franklin to be extremely interesting. So why not dedicate some time to take a trip back in time to appreciate where we are now?

9. Take a trip to the big city.

Many of our big cities are the perfect size. Even in places like Nashville, which is our biggest city, you can be out into the countryside in minutes. But with all the fun the cities have to offer you should book a trip and stay right in the heart and close to all the action. You can spend a weekend exploring unique spots in Memphis, take an outdoor-centered getaway to Knoxville, or soak up the sights with a trip to Nashville. Choose a city and enjoy all there is to do and they all have alot to offer.

10. A good, old-fashioned road trip.

I saved the best for last because nothing beats a good old-fashioned road trip. As the rubber meets the road, roll down the windows, and blast your favorite tunes, I dare say there isn’t a better summertime feeling than that. I like to pick a little bit from each category above and see how much we can squeeze into a short amount of time. If you are in need of a good road trip then make sure to browse our list of some of the best road trips in Tennessee, at least that will get you started in the right direction.

You shouldn’t have a hard time finding things to do in the summer in Tennessee, the only problem is fitting it all into a few short months. It is ok if we don’t hit it all in one summer though, with a state this good we plan on being here for a long long time. If you are looking to spend some time camping this summer you should know there are plenty of great campgrounds in Tennessee too. If you need a camper to make your trip more enjoyable then make sure to visit our friends over at RV Share to rent one for an epic outdoor getaway.