10 Secret Destinations In Tennessee You Won’t Regret Visiting
Tennessee may seem like an open book, mainly because we locals like to welcome newcomers with open arms and tables full of biscuits and fried chicken. Don’t be fooled though, folks, because there are a few places that we keep tucked away to ourselves. Whether you’re a foodie or looking for a quiet natural place to fall in love with the Volunteer State, then we have a couple of spots you just have to visit. Keep in mind to respect the locals, though – there aren’t many tourists traipsing around these here spots, so be kind to the environment and our home.
This gorgeous natural wonder straddles the border of both Tennessee and Alabama, so depending on the day you'll get conflicting reports of location - but we don't mind sharing! The secluded canyon offers up gorgeous hikes and natural views, which in turn helps you get to know our great state that much better.
The town of Townsend, Tennessee is a beautiful space that offers up cabins for rent and gorgeous pastoral scenes in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Not many folks know the oldest restaurant in Memphis, but we do! The Little Tea Shop just turned 100 years old, and it's well worth a visit to soak up the history and a delicious hometown meal.
This low-key local eatery doesn't get the fanfare it deserves, especially since it serves up Czech Kolaches and all sorts of baked treats, like the cinnamon rolls above. A visit to the unassuming Yeast Nashville is sure to make your tastebuds very, very happy.
This hidden Tennessee lake is located almost on our North Carolina border, and it's one of our favorite spots in the state. We'd recommend finding a local cabin to rent and a couple of friends with a boat, or you can rent all sorts of fun water equipment and pontoon boats in the area. Make sure to find the company that works for you, though! Research is key.
The Sculpture Fields at Montague Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is not only perfect for a dancing photo op but also a jaw-dropping exhibition of sculptural art. The largest of its kinds, we'd recommend wandering the acres upon acres of sculptures to expand the mind and get in touch with your creative side.
Did you know there's a forgotten airpark in Nashville? The Cornelia Fort Airpark is now home to bike-riding hipsters and the every so often event, but it's a stunning place to visit even on your own. Interesting fact? This was the airpark that Patsy Cline was headed to on her doomed flight from Kansas City.
Located in Cross Plains, this historic drugstore will take you straight back in time with its comfortable interior design and fabulous menu rife with old favorites.
Found in Sewanee, Tennessee, this library has a strange and spotted past. It was built by John Templeton, a local philanthropist, and holds one very strange record: it's a library that has never once housed books.
If you stay at the quaint Ledford Bed & Breakfast near Tullahoma, you'll feel as if you've stepped back in time - and you'll have a gorgeous waterfall in your own backyard. The gristmill has been added to the National Registrar of Historic places, so your experience will be full of inter-generational fun.
If you’re hungry after all that adventuring, you should probably check out this East Tennessee pizza place – they have pizzas as big as a tabletop!
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Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
