Tennessee holds onto its culinary heritage like a treasured family recipe passed down through generations. Across the state, certain restaurants have become more than just places to eat—they’re living museums of Southern comfort food and hospitality. These ten establishments serve meals that taste like memories, where every bite connects you to the traditions, flavors, and…
Most restaurants bring food to your table, but English Mountain Trout Farm in Sevierville flips the script entirely. Here, you grab a fishing pole, catch your own rainbow trout from stocked ponds, and watch as the kitchen transforms your fresh catch into a delicious meal. Families, first-timers, and seasoned anglers alike flock to this hidden…
Tennessee roads take you past more than just scenic views and highway signs. Tucked away from the main routes are incredible places that most travelers never notice, even though they might pass them dozens of times. From mysterious caves to historic parks and quiet trails, these hidden spots offer adventures that feel like your own…
Imagine waking up to gentle waves rocking you to sleep while surrounded by mountains and endless water views. At Hales Bar Marina & Resort in Guild, Tennessee, you can experience exactly that in their charming floating cabins on Nickajack Lake. These unique waterfront getaways offer something special for anyone looking to disconnect from everyday stress…
Tennessee is home to some of the best catfish restaurants in the South, and the most interesting ones don’t need billboards or commercials to stay busy. These hidden gems rely on word-of-mouth, loyal customers, and consistently delicious food to keep their dining rooms full year-round. From small-town favorites to Nashville institutions, these seven catfish shacks…
Tucked away in the mountains of Bluff City, Tennessee, Ridgewood Barbecue has been serving up legendary smoked pork since 1948. This unassuming spot might be hard to find, but once you taste their signature sliced barbecue with homemade blue cheese dip, you’ll understand why people drive hours just to eat here. What started as a…
Tennessee is famous for its big lakes and busy reservoirs, but tucked away in forests, valleys, and state parks are quiet gems that most tourists never discover. These hidden waters offer calm paddling, excellent fishing, and peaceful natural beauty without the crowds you’ll find at more popular spots. Locals have enjoyed these serene lakes for…
Tucked away in Chattanooga, Tennessee, there’s a restaurant that’s been serving up Southern comfort food for over 70 years. Bea’s Restaurant isn’t just a place to grab a bite—it’s a destination where families gather around lazy Susan tables and share platters of fried chicken, homemade sides, and warm cornbread. People drive from all over the…
Tennessee has a rich food history that goes back generations. Across the state, from Memphis to Nashville to the Smoky Mountains, some restaurants have been feeding families for over a century. These historic dining spots serve more than just meals—they offer a taste of the past, with recipes, traditions, and stories that have been passed…
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Summertown, Tennessee, a modest roadside shack is making serious waves in the barbecue world. Shaffer Farms Custom Meat has earned a reputation that stretches far beyond its rural location, with BBQ enthusiasts claiming it serves the most authentic Texas-style barbecue outside the Lone Star State itself. With a…
Retiring on Social Security can feel like a challenge, especially when housing costs keep climbing across the country. Tennessee offers a solution with its low cost of living, no state income tax, and charming small towns where your monthly check stretches much further. From mountain views to lakefront living, these ten communities prove you don’t…
Tucked away in the Cumberland Plateau, Rugby, Tennessee is a place most people drive right past without ever knowing it’s there. This tiny village isn’t like the rest of Tennessee—it was founded by English settlers in 1880 as a utopian experiment, and much of it still looks exactly like it did back then. With Victorian…
Tennessee might not touch the ocean, but that hasn’t stopped the Volunteer State from becoming home to some seriously impressive all-you-can-eat seafood destinations. From the shores of Reelfoot Lake to the tourist buzz of Pigeon Forge and the neighborhoods of Nashville, locals have their favorite spots where platters keep coming and the sweet tea never…
Tucked away in the small town of Belvidere, Tennessee, Swiss Pantry has become a destination worth the drive. Every first and third Saturday of the month, travelers from across the state and beyond make special trips just to get their hands on the bakery’s famous giant donuts. With a loyal following, this family-owned gem offers…
Black bears are one of North America’s most fascinating creatures, but spotting them in the wild can be challenging and even dangerous. Fortunately, Tennessee is home to several excellent zoos where you can observe these magnificent animals up close in safe, naturalistic settings. These zoos not only provide a rare opportunity to watch black bears…
Finding the perfect hotel in Nashville can feel overwhelming with so many choices downtown. But travelers keep returning to one spot that delivers way more than just a place to sleep. The Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown has earned a reputation for offering complimentary evening drinks and dinner, a prime location steps from Broadway, and…
Tennessee has a rich tradition of diners that refuse to follow modern trends. These classic spots still serve home-cooked meals the way they did decades ago, with no shortcuts or fancy updates. From biscuits made by hand each morning to burgers fried in century-old grease, these diners keep the past alive in every bite. Locals…
Deep beneath the rolling hills of Sweetwater, Tennessee, lies America’s largest underground lake, hidden inside a sprawling cave system that has captivated visitors for generations. The Lost Sea Adventure offers a rare chance to explore ancient caverns filled with stunning rock formations before boarding a glass-bottom boat that glides across crystal-clear waters 140 feet below…
Tennessee is full of winding roads that take you far beyond the tourist crowds. These hidden backroads offer stunning mountain views, peaceful river valleys, and charming countryside scenes that many visitors never discover. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, spotting wildlife, or just enjoying a quiet drive through rolling hills, these routes promise unforgettable adventures around every…
Perched high on the Cumberland Plateau in Monteagle, Tennessee, sits a restaurant that transports diners far beyond the ordinary dining experience. High Point Restaurant occupies a historic 1929 mansion with a fascinating past, rumored connections to Al Capone, and an atmosphere that makes every visit feel like stepping into a different era. From the moment…
Tennessee is famous for barbecue, but the biggest names aren’t always the best, according to people who live there. Locals have their own favorite spots that serve incredible smoked meats without all the hype and long tourist lines. These hidden gems and neighborhood favorites offer authentic flavors, family recipes, and the kind of barbecue that…
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Piney Flats stands a log home that witnessed the birth of Tennessee as we know it. Rocky Mount State Historic Site isn’t just another old building—it’s the actual place where territorial leaders gathered to shape what would become the 16th state. Walking through its doors is like stepping…
Tennessee is home to some incredible places that look and feel like they did decades ago. From classic diners to vintage drive-ins, these spots have kept their original charm alive while the world around them changed. Visiting these locations is like stepping into a time machine that takes you back to the 1960s, when neon…
Winchester, Tennessee might seem like an unlikely spot for authentic New York-style pizza, but one chef is changing that perception. A Hell’s Kitchen-trained culinary expert decided to bring the real flavors of New York Italian cuisine to this small Southern town, and locals couldn’t be happier. Piezan Pizzeria Italiano has become the go-to destination for…
Winter transforms Tennessee’s wild spaces into peaceful stages where animals take center stage. When trees shed their leaves and hikers stay home, wildlife becomes surprisingly visible across forests, wetlands, and valleys. From majestic elk grazing in snowy fields to bald eagles soaring over frozen lakes, the coldest months offer some of the year’s best animal…
Jonesborough, Tennessee might just be one of America’s best-kept retirement secrets. This charming historic town offers a quality of life that many retirees dream about without the hefty price tag found in other popular retirement destinations. With careful budgeting and smart choices, living comfortably on $1,200 a month is genuinely possible in Tennessee’s oldest town,…
Tennessee has some of the most unforgettable food in the South. From sizzling hot chicken in Nashville to slow-smoked ribs in Memphis, the state is packed with legendary spots that locals have loved for generations. Whether you’re craving home-style catfish by the lake or a perfectly charred steak in a vintage dining room, these restaurants…
Tucked away in the small town of Tiptonville, Tennessee, sits a legendary restaurant that has been serving up mouthwatering catfish since 1921. Boyette’s Dining Room isn’t fancy or trendy, but it doesn’t need to be. People travel from all over the country, and even from other nations, just to taste their famous family-style catfish and…
Tennessee isn’t just about Nashville’s music scene or Gatlinburg’s tourist crowds. Hidden across the state are pockets of wilderness so remote and untouched that they feel like secrets waiting to be discovered. These isolated spots offer something increasingly rare: true solitude, dramatic natural beauty, and the kind of peace that only comes from being far…
When we reached out to five well-traveled experts asking where they’d spend a perfect Tennessee winter escape, we expected different answers. Instead, every single one pointed to the same charming mountain town tucked against the Smokies. Their unanimous pick might surprise you, or it might confirm what locals have known for years: winter transforms this…