Explore Tennessee -- Nashville, Gatlinburg & Lynchburg
Nashville has been on our bucket list for a while...and it did not disappoint. We loved bar hopping on Broadway and listening to so many wonderful live bands. While we were in the area, we really wanted to check out the state and experience the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. We had so much fun tasting a variety of flavors of moonshine in Gatlinburg, but I think our favorite experience was the tour of the Jack Daniel's distillery.
Nashville is the capital city of Tennessee and home to country music and birthplace of bluegrass! There is so much to do in Nashville - live music, bar hopping, museums. Tourists can tour Vanderbilt University or attend a show at the iconic Grand Ole Opry. Of course, you should eat plenty of hot chicken and fresh biscuits and listen to so much live music.
Gatlinburg is a mountain town, located in the Great Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee. If you enjoy the outdoors or need some time to relax in nature, Gatlinburg is the place to be. With over 800 miles of hiking trails, visitors can take beautiful hikes, fish and even zipline in the Great Smoky Mountains. While you are here, try some moonshine and craft beer!
Tennessee is a great place to visit, however, it is always important to be prepared for your trip. The weather in Tennessee is hot and muggy in the summer while the winters are cold and wet. Whether you are partying in Nashville or hiking in the Smoky Mountains, good shoes, comfortable clothes and travel organizers are a must. In our experience, the more organized you are when traveling, the more enjoyable the experience.
There are so many fun bars on Broadway...if you are not enjoying the band or atmosphere at one location, go next door. Some of our favorites are:
This Nashville landmark is a concert hall that was built over 130 year ago and was once the home of the Grand Ole Opry. Take a tour or attend a show!
A vacation in Nashville would not be complete without a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame. View the memorabilia and learn more about all of your favorite Country Music stars - Patsy Cline, Chris Stapleton, Martina McBride, Johnny Cash...and on and on.
Patsy Cline Museum - 119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 - Located above the Johnny Cash Museum, this museum celebrates the life of the legendary Patsy Cline.
Dolly Parton's Stampede - 3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
On your way to Gatlinburg, you will drive through Pigeon Forge, the home to Dollywood and Dolly Parton's Stampede. We encourage you to take a day and enjoy the theme park which boasts over 50 rides and entertainment.
Attend the Dolly Parton's Stampede dinner show, a four course meal and entertainment of horse riding stunts and music in the stadium.
765 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Ride the chairlift up the mountainside to the most beautiful views of Gatlinburg. Then, walk across the SkyBridge and take a hike along the SkyTrail. This is a great way to experience the Smoky Mountains.
Ole Smoky Moonshine Barrelhouse
903 Parkway #128, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
While you are in Gatlinburg, do a moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky Moonshine. For just $5, you can taste a variety of moonshine flavors. The craziest flavor we tasted was the 'Peanut butter and jelly' - you seriously taste peanut butter and then, as you swallow, jelly - how do they do that. We had to purchase a few bottles to take home to share with our friends.
Nashville is the capital city of Tennessee and home to country music and birthplace of bluegrass! There is so much to do in Nashville - live music, bar hopping, museums. Tourists can tour Vanderbilt University or attend a show at the iconic Grand Ole Opry. Of course, you should eat plenty of hot chicken and fresh biscuits and listen to so much live music.
Gatlinburg is a mountain town, located in the Great Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee. If you enjoy the outdoors or need some time to relax in nature, Gatlinburg is the place to be. With over 800 miles of hiking trails, visitors can take beautiful hikes, fish and even zipline in the Great Smoky Mountains. While you are here, try some moonshine and craft beer!
Tennessee is a great place to visit, however, it is always important to be prepared for your trip. The weather in Tennessee is hot and muggy in the summer while the winters are cold and wet. Whether you are partying in Nashville or hiking in the Smoky Mountains, good shoes, comfortable clothes and travel organizers are a must. In our experience, the more organized you are when traveling, the more enjoyable the experience.
Things to do in Nashville
Honkey Tonk Highway - Broadway
Located in downtown Nashville on lower Broadway is the Honky Tonk Highway. Walking the four blocks of the Honky Tonk Highway is a must when you visit Nashville. You can enjoy live music, dancing and the fantastic neon lights every day of the week in your choice of many bars.There are so many fun bars on Broadway...if you are not enjoying the band or atmosphere at one location, go next door. Some of our favorites are:
- Nudie's Honky Tonk -- 409 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 - We had the most fun dancing the night away with live music at this 100 year old, 3 story building decorated with country music memorabilia.
- Tootsies Orchid Lounge -- 422 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 - A legend on Broadway that kicked off many country stars' careers, supporting them along the way.
- Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row -- 400 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 - Enjoy live music, great food and a fun atmosphere at Dierks Bentley's.
- Wildhorse Saloon -- 120 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201 - Learn to line dance at Wildhorse Saloon which provides free line dancing classes on the largest dance floor in Nashville.
And, for the craft beer lovers (like us) out there...here are a few breweries to check out...
- TailGate Brewery - 1538 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37203 - This craft brewery and pizzeria is a great place for lunch and right on Music Row. Sit inside or on their deck for a fun experience.
- Broadway Brewhouse & Mojo Grill - 1900 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 - Good ole southern cooking, great craft beer (or cocktails if you like) and even a game of darts. Great alternative to the larger bars on Broadway.
- Hops & Crafts - 319 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 - Featuring 36 rotating craft beers and serving pizza and apps, this is a nice place to relax
Attend a show at the Grand Ole Opry
A trip to Nashville would not be complete without seeing an a show at the iconic Grand Ole Opry! This cultural landmark is the place country music stars and rising stars have come to play for nearly 100 years. This is truly a special experience that can't be missed.Ryman Auditorium
116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219This Nashville landmark is a concert hall that was built over 130 year ago and was once the home of the Grand Ole Opry. Take a tour or attend a show!
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame
222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203A vacation in Nashville would not be complete without a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame. View the memorabilia and learn more about all of your favorite Country Music stars - Patsy Cline, Chris Stapleton, Martina McBride, Johnny Cash...and on and on.
A few additional museums in the area that are worth a visit include:
Johnny Cash Museum - 119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 - This museum features the largest collect of Johnny Cash memorabilia.Patsy Cline Museum - 119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 - Located above the Johnny Cash Museum, this museum celebrates the life of the legendary Patsy Cline.
Drive East to Gatlinburg to experience the Smokey Mountains
Gatlinburg is 4 hours east of downtown Nashville, which sounds like a long drive, however, if you are in the area, in our experience, it is worth the drive to experience the Smokey Mountains.Check out Dollywood and the Dolly Parton's Stampede
Dollywood - 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863Dolly Parton's Stampede - 3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
On your way to Gatlinburg, you will drive through Pigeon Forge, the home to Dollywood and Dolly Parton's Stampede. We encourage you to take a day and enjoy the theme park which boasts over 50 rides and entertainment.
Attend the Dolly Parton's Stampede dinner show, a four course meal and entertainment of horse riding stunts and music in the stadium.
Experience Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park765 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Ride the chairlift up the mountainside to the most beautiful views of Gatlinburg. Then, walk across the SkyBridge and take a hike along the SkyTrail. This is a great way to experience the Smoky Mountains.
Ole Smoky Moonshine Barrelhouse
903 Parkway #128, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
While you are in Gatlinburg, do a moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky Moonshine. For just $5, you can taste a variety of moonshine flavors. The craziest flavor we tasted was the 'Peanut butter and jelly' - you seriously taste peanut butter and then, as you swallow, jelly - how do they do that. We had to purchase a few bottles to take home to share with our friends.
Sugarland Cellars Winery
634 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Enjoy the wine at this winery while you take in the local history and beauty. The winery was built from local barn wood. Wine tastings daily!
The Jack Daniels Distillery is about 90 minutes south of downtown Nashville and well work the visit! This was the highlight of our trip to the area, one which we talk about all the time. The distillery offers a few different tour options, but we recommend taking one that include a tasting to get the full experience.
We loved learning about Jack Daniels and how he grew the Jack Daniels Distillery into the famous distillery that it became. During the tour, you will get to see the beautiful grounds, the mineral-rich Cave Spring Hallow and the production area. You will learn about Jack Daniel's life and how he left home at a very young age and was taken in by Reverend Call and then taught to make whiskey by the Reverend and an African American man named Nathan "Nearest" Green. The history of this 150 year old distillery was intriguing to hear about. It was also fun to see how charcoal mellowing gives Jack Daniels it's taste and the barreling system they use. Finishing off the tour with a whiskey tasting was icing on the cake.
634 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Enjoy the wine at this winery while you take in the local history and beauty. The winery was built from local barn wood. Wine tastings daily!
Check out a local brewery
- Gatlinburg Brewing Company - 458 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 - Enjoy a beer and brick oven pizza.
- Smoky Mountain Brewery - 1004 Parkway #501, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 - Opened in 1996, this is the oldest craft brewery in Tennessee which now has several locations. Enjoy your beer with pizza or a burger.
Take a hike
- Mynatt Park - 622 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 - Take a walk in this beautiful park along the river or let the kids play at the playground.
- Gatlinburg Trailhead - 916 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 - Take a hike in the Smoky Mountains along this dog friendly trail. Maybe you will see some wild life.
Drive South to Lynchburg
Take a tour of the Jack Daniel's Distillery
133 Lynchburg Hwy, Lynchburg, TN 37352The Jack Daniels Distillery is about 90 minutes south of downtown Nashville and well work the visit! This was the highlight of our trip to the area, one which we talk about all the time. The distillery offers a few different tour options, but we recommend taking one that include a tasting to get the full experience.
We loved learning about Jack Daniels and how he grew the Jack Daniels Distillery into the famous distillery that it became. During the tour, you will get to see the beautiful grounds, the mineral-rich Cave Spring Hallow and the production area. You will learn about Jack Daniel's life and how he left home at a very young age and was taken in by Reverend Call and then taught to make whiskey by the Reverend and an African American man named Nathan "Nearest" Green. The history of this 150 year old distillery was intriguing to hear about. It was also fun to see how charcoal mellowing gives Jack Daniels it's taste and the barreling system they use. Finishing off the tour with a whiskey tasting was icing on the cake.
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