Tennessee’s backroads hide some of the best barbecue in America, and I set out to find them all. Over several weeks, I drove through small towns and rural highways, visiting 15 different smokehouses across the state. From century-old pits to family-run operations, each place had its own story to tell. Out of those 15 stops, …
Amna
Tennessee is home to some of America’s most stunning long-distance hiking trails, where rugged mountains meet sweeping valleys and waterfalls cascade through ancient gorges. Whether you’re an experienced backpacker looking for a multi-day adventure or simply someone who loves exploring nature’s beauty, these trails offer unforgettable experiences right in the Volunteer State. From the famous …
Tucked away on the Cumberland Plateau in northern Tennessee, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is a place most people drive right past without knowing what they’re missing. This hidden gem near Jamestown offers something truly special: dense forests, stunning rock formations, and some of the darkest skies in the state. Once you visit this peaceful …
Set along the banks of the Little Pigeon River in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, The Peddler Steakhouse offers the kind of dining experience that stays with people for years. It’s been winning over visitors for decades, thanks to a combination of memorable food and an atmosphere that feels warm, cozy, and unmistakably mountain-inspired. From the moment you …
Tennessee is famous for its music, mountains, and mouthwatering food, but what really sets the state apart is the warmth you feel the moment you walk through the door of its best-loved restaurants. From family-style tables where strangers become friends to mom-and-pop kitchens where multiple generations cook side by side, these eateries treat every guest …
Tennessee packs more variety into a single tank of gas than just about anywhere else in the South. You can wake up in your own bed, drive a couple of hours, and find yourself standing under a 130-foot waterfall, wandering a historic small town, or spotting bald eagles over a shallow lake that looks like …
A lot of weekend getaways promise “escape,” but Ancient Lore Village actually commits to the bit. About 15 minutes from downtown Knoxville, this tucked-away resort trades standard hotel corridors for winding stone paths, storybook cottages, treehouses, gardens, woodland trails, and a setting that looks like someone dropped a fantasy novel into East Tennessee and decided …
Some restaurants are trendy for a season. Others just keep showing up, flipping great food, and quietly reminding everybody why they never needed a rebrand in the first place. Dari Ace in Erwin belongs in that second category. Tucked along Jackson Love Highway, this longtime local favorite has the kind of old-school drive-in charm that …
Spring is when Tennessee really starts showing off. Dogwoods bloom, waterfalls wake up, wildflowers take over the trails, and suddenly the whole state feels like it has somewhere fun to be. This is not the season for sitting inside and saying you’ll plan a weekend trip later. It is the season for chasing fireflies in …
Some restaurants feed you. Others settle you. Farmhouse Cleveland does the second one the minute you pull in, and that is exactly why people around here keep talking about it. In a town with no shortage of places to grab a bite, this locally owned favorite has carved out its own lane with the kind …
Tennessee may be famous for hot chicken, barbecue, and meat-and-three plates, but locals know there’s another comfort-food hero hiding in plain sight: really good pizza. Not the forgettable chain stuff. We’re talking about the kind of pies that come out with blistered crusts, bubbling cheese, house-made sauce, and the kind of flavor that keeps regulars …
There are plenty of places in Tennessee where you can grab tacos and call it a night. Then there are the restaurants people actually talk about afterward. El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant falls into that second category. It is the kind of spot families return to for birthdays, weeknight dinners, post-game meals, and those random evenings …
Some places get famous with flashy signs and big claims. Wild Love Bakehouse doesn’t really need that. Tucked along North Central Street in Knoxville, this bakery has built its reputation the better way: one laminated, butter-rich croissant at a time. Locals know the deal. You go early, you scan the pastry case like it’s a …
Some of Tennessee’s best fried chicken doesn’t come from polished dining rooms, trendy interiors, or places trying too hard to impress you. It comes from the joints with fogged-up windows, well-worn counters, cafeteria lines that move with purpose, and the kind of smell that tells you you’re exactly where you need to be. Around this …
Tennessee does not mess around when it comes to zip lining. This is a state where you can soar over Smoky Mountain ridges, fly above forest canopies near Nashville, and race across adventure parks that feel way bigger than you expect. Some courses go all in on speed. Others win with wild elevation, long runs, …
Some meals in Tennessee end with a polite little dessert menu. Others end with somebody at the table saying, “We’re getting pie, right?” This list is for the second kind of place. Across the state, you’ll find cafés, diners, bakeries, and old-school local institutions where pie is not an afterthought. It’s part of the plan. …
Anybody can claim to serve comfort food. Far fewer places make you feel like you’ve stepped into a piece of Tennessee that still knows exactly what it is. That’s the magic of Arnold’s Country Kitchen in Nashville, the legendary meat-and-three that has been feeding locals since 1982 and doing it with zero interest in chasing …
Nashville has no shortage of places promising big flavor, but Miss Saigon earns its reputation the old-fashioned way: by sending out bowls, plates, and baskets that actually make you stop talking for a second. Tucked along Charlotte Pike, this longtime local favorite has built a following around Vietnamese comfort food that feels generous in every …
Tennessee knows how to do dinner with a little drama, and nowhere is that more delicious than at a steakhouse people happily queue up for. Across the state, you will find polished dining rooms, old-school favorites, chef-driven hotspots, and neighborhood institutions serving sizzling cuts, buttery sides, big red wines, and the kind of desserts that …
Nashville has no shortage of restaurants with polished plates and pretty interiors. Audrey stands out because it actually gives you both a point of view and something worth lingering over. Tucked into East Nashville, chef Sean Brock’s flagship is rooted in Appalachian foodways, but it never feels dusty or museum-stiff. One minute you’re eyeing a …
Tennessee is full of memorable places to eat, but the cafes that keep homemade pie at the center of the table have a special kind of pull. Across the state, you can find cozy dining rooms, bakery counters, and beloved local institutions where flaky crusts, rich fillings, and warm Southern hospitality turn a simple dessert …
Tennessee does hot chicken like nowhere else, turning a simple plate of fried bird into a full-on flavor chase worth planning a trip around. Across Nashville, Memphis, Franklin, and beyond, the best spots balance blistering heat, crackly crust, juicy meat, and all the cooling sides that make every bite feel thrilling instead of reckless. Whether …
Tennessee is famous for its barbecue, and the state has some of the best smokehouses in the country. What makes these places truly special is that you can smell the smoky, sweet aroma of slow-cooked meat from the parking lot or even down the street. These twelve barbecue joints have perfected the art of smoking …
Memphis has never had trouble showing off. This is a city of big flavors, big music, big personality. But one of its best surprises is how quietly beautiful it can be. Tucked into East Memphis, the Memphis Botanic Garden spreads across 96 acres and somehow feels both expansive and personal at the same time. You …
Tucked away on Old Nashville Highway in McMinnville, Tennessee, Kat’s Diner & Market serves up more than just delicious home-cooked meals. This family-owned spot has earned a reputation for treating every customer like a welcomed guest at Sunday dinner, with generous portions and prices that won’t empty your wallet. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast …
Tennessee’s flea market scene is packed with treasure-hunting opportunities that turn casual shoppers into dedicated collectors. From the Smoky Mountains to rolling hills and bustling cities, these markets offer everything from vintage records and antique furniture to handmade crafts and quirky collectibles. Whether you’re searching for a specific item or just love the thrill of …
April in Tennessee brings mild weather, blooming wildflowers, and mountain trails that aren’t crowded yet. The state’s smaller mountain towns offer peaceful escapes where you can hike, explore waterfalls, and enjoy cooler temperatures without fighting tourist traffic. Whether you’re looking for Smoky Mountain views or Cumberland Plateau overlooks, these eleven towns give you the perfect …
Tucked along US-31W in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Uncle John’s American Diner has built the kind of reputation that only comes from doing simple things really well. It’s the sort of place people grow attached to over time, thanks to its classic comfort food, welcoming atmosphere, and the kind of down-home hospitality that instantly makes you feel …
Tennessee has a long, proud tradition of home-cooked meals served cafeteria-style, where you grab a tray, pick your favorites, and feel right at home. These restaurants keep Southern comfort food alive with dishes like fried chicken, slow-cooked vegetables, and fresh-baked cornbread. Whether you grew up eating this way or you’re trying it for the first …
Nashville may be best known for hot chicken, live music, and neon-lit honky-tonks, but some of its most memorable dining experiences are found well beyond the usual tourist stops. Tucked away in East Nashville, The Treehouse Nashville feels like a quiet little escape from the city’s usual buzz — the kind of place that immediately …