Things to Do in Tennessee

If you’ve ever dreamed of meeting a capybara in real life, Mitchell’s Petting Zoo & Exotics in Sweetwater is the kind of place that makes it happen—no flight to South America required. This family-run destination offers something you do not find at most zoos in Tennessee: real, up-close time with the world’s largest rodent, along …

Tennessee knows how to do style with a little swagger. This is a state where rhinestones make perfect sense before noon, broken-in denim counts as a personality trait, and a great jacket can start a full conversation with a stranger in line for coffee. So it tracks that Tennessee’s vintage scene is especially good. Not …

There are places in Tennessee that feel old, and then there are places that feel like they quietly slipped out of another century and decided to stay put. Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store in Jackson has that effect almost immediately. The wooden storefront, the antiques, the old-timey signs, the ice cream parlor glow, the smell …

Nashville has no shortage of crowd-pleasers, but Lane Motor Museum offers a very different kind of wow. Tucked inside a former bakery, this wildly original spot skips the usual parade of shiny muscle cars and instead leans hard into the weird, brilliant, and wonderfully uncommon side of automotive history. One minute you’re staring at a …

Tennessee is a dangerous place to “just pop in for a minute” when secondhand bookstores are involved. You tell yourself you’re looking for one paperback, and the next thing you know, you’re balancing a Civil War history, a church cookbook from 1987, and a mystery novel with someone else’s beach vacation bookmark still inside. That …

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee, sits a place where miniature donkeys outnumber people and happiness comes with four hooves and fuzzy ears. Donkey Kingdom holds the title as the largest miniature donkey farm in the entire country, welcoming visitors into a world where camels, llamas, and dozens of adorable donkeys …

Tennessee has a secret that locals have known for years — spring here is nothing short of magical. From misty mountain hollows bursting with wildflowers to manicured gardens dripping in color, the Volunteer State puts on a show every April and May that rivals anywhere in the country. Whether you love hiking through forests, strolling …

There are plenty of ways to watch a movie these days, but very few of them feel like an experience before the opening scene even begins. That is exactly what makes the Stardust Drive-In Theatre in Watertown, Tennessee, so memorable. This is not just a place where people pull in to catch a film. It …

Tucked away in the rolling farmlands of Ethridge, Tennessee, the Amish Country Mall at 4011 US-43 is one of the South’s best-kept secrets. Every spring, shoppers, foodies, and curious travelers make the drive out to this charming market to browse handcrafted goods, sample homemade treats, and soak up a slice of simple, unhurried life. Whether …

Hidden away in Gray, Tennessee, the Gray Fossil Site offers a fascinating glimpse into a prehistoric world that has completely changed what scientists thought they knew about ancient Appalachia. This is not the kind of place with a few dusty displays and old fossils sitting behind glass. It is an active paleontological dig where researchers …

Just outside Franklin, Tennessee, there’s a family-run dairy farm that offers the kind of experience city life just can’t match—the chance to cuddle baby goats, peek inside a working creamery, and get a feel for rural life up close. Noble Springs Dairy has become a go-to weekend spot for families, cheese lovers, and anyone who …

Tucked inside the Tennessee Aquarium along Chattanooga’s riverfront sits a hidden tropical paradise where over 1,000 butterflies flutter freely among blooming flowers and lush greenery. The Aquarium Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden transforms any visit into an enchanting escape, offering a warm, vibrant space that feels worlds away from everyday life. Whether you’re seeking a unique …

Spring in Tennessee brings warm sunshine, blooming wildflowers, and the perfect excuse to get out on the water. If you’ve been searching for an outdoor adventure that combines stunning scenery with a little bit of thrill, Kayaking Adventures of Tennessee in Sparta might just be exactly what you need. This guided tour takes you straight …

Nashville may be famous for its honky-tonks and hot chicken, but hidden inside the Gaylord Opryland Resort is a spot that feels like a world of its own. The Garden Conservatory is the kind of place that can easily rival any outdoor botanical garden in Tennessee. With nine acres of lush, climate-controlled beauty packed with …

Tucked away in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, sits one of the most wonderfully odd attractions you’ll find anywhere in the Smoky Mountains. The Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum houses an astounding collection of more than 20,000 salt and pepper shaker sets, each one telling its own story through design, history, and craftsmanship. From vintage airline sets to …

Tennessee has more than country music and barbecue. Hidden across the state are attractions so unusual, so wonderfully bizarre, that they make you wonder how they even came to exist. From underground lakes to giant pyramids filled with swamps, these spots prove that Tennessee embraces the strange with open arms. Get ready to explore thirteen …

Tucked away in Clarksville sits a shopping destination that draws treasure hunters from every corner of Tennessee. Miss Lucille’s Marketplace spans an impressive 52,000 square feet filled with over 200 vendor booths, vintage finds, handcrafted goods, and surprises around every turn. Whether you’re hunting for one-of-a-kind antiques or browsing handmade crafts from local artisans, this …

Tucked away on Bear Creek Pike in Columbia, Tennessee, is a farm that feels a little unexpected in the best possible way. It is the kind of place where you can pet a sloth, cuddle a baby kangaroo, and even meet a capybara named Pippi all in the same visit. FairyTails Petting Farm brings a …

Tucked into the rolling countryside of Lawrence County, Ethridge is home to one of Tennessee’s most authentic Amish communities. While you could drive the back roads on your own, the Amish Welcome Center wagon tours offer something far more meaningful—a guided journey that slows down time and opens up a world most visitors would otherwise …

Tucked away in Murfreesboro, Catfeine Cat Cafe offers something most coffee shops can’t: a room full of adoptable cats waiting to curl up on your lap. For around twelve dollars, you get an hour to unwind with friendly felines in a spotless, calming space that feels more like a living room than a typical cafe. …

Spring in Tennessee brings warmer weather, blooming wildflowers, and the perfect excuse to get outside and feel your heart race. If you’re craving an adventure that goes way beyond the usual tourist traps, WildSide in Pigeon Forge delivers the kind of adrenaline rush that’ll have you grinning for days. Tucked into the Smoky Mountains, this …

Rainforest Adventures Zoo in Sevierville has become a favorite stop for animal lovers who want to get closer to wildlife than your typical zoo experience allows. What makes this place stand out is the chance to meet adorable otters face-to-face in an interactive encounter that visitors rave about. Tucked away near the Smoky Mountains, this …

Tennessee might surprise you with its incredible collection of dinosaur-themed destinations that turn ordinary weekends into prehistoric adventures. From life-size animatronic creatures that roar and move to actual fossil dig sites where ancient bones still emerge from the earth, the Volunteer State offers families countless ways to step back millions of years. Whether your kids …

Nestled in Collierville, Tennessee, Sheffield Antiques Mall feels like the kind of place you could wander through for hours and still not see it all. Inside this massive space, more than 300 independent dealers fill booth after booth with all kinds of treasures, from vintage jewelry and retro furniture to quirky collectibles and unexpected one-of-a-kind …

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 …

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. …

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, …

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 …