The Volunteer State, as it is called, has a population of over 6 million people. Its capital and largest city is Nashville. The eastern part of Tennessee is covered with high mountains and rocky terrain while the elevation of the Cumberland Plateau may reach up to 1800 feet above sea level.
Visitors come to Tennessee via its major airport, Nashville International Airport. Cars are available for travelers to rent and shuttles will pick up and drop off visitors to other cities and hotels. Some of the breathtaking scenery in Tennessee is at the National Parks such as Andrew Johnson Park in Greenville, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Are, Cumberland Gap Park, Great Smoky Mountains, etc.
Majority of the state has a humid subtropical climate while the higher elevations in the north can have milder temperature and cooler winters with snowfall ranging from 5 to 16 inches annually in East Tennessee. Summers are hot and may be vulnerable to tornadoes and the wrath of hurricanes from the Atlantic occasionally. April through October is a good time to visit this state.
For Country Music fans, The Grand Ole Opry is a must see. See the country’s up and coming country music singers as well as the greats in this Opera house. There is also a museum located in the plaza which details this building’s 70 year history from Minnie Pearl to Garth Brooks and countin. (2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, 800-733-6779).
Another music history attraction is the Country Music Hall of Fame at 222 5th Avenue. This place helps teach us the roots of country music and you can stroll the walkpath and reminisce how the music greats such as Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley started.
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art is a Georgian Style Museum with traveling exhibits on Early American and European decorative art. The Hermitage is the home of President Andrew Jackson. This Greek revival style building allows us to understand life in a plantation around the 19th century. This tour includes a trip to President Jackson's tomb.
Parthenon in Centennial Park includes the statue of Athena and full size replicas of the original Parthenon and Athena in Athens, Greece. This building also comprises an Art Museum with permanent and temporary collections.
The Nashville Zoo at 3777 Nolensville Road is known as Grassmere and is a wild collection of various animals from all over the world including African Elephants, cheetahs, River Otters, Antelopes, Meerkats and Bongos.
General Jackson Showboat is a 300 foot paddlewheel style boat that takes people back to the era of Mark Twain and Riverboat gambling. Some of the cruises include music concerts or Broadway style performances including southern style meals and twilight dinners.
Graceland in Memphis is a museum for Rock N Roll. All of Elvis Presley’s paraphernalia is there including the Musical Note gates, The jungle room with the green shag carpeting, Elvis photos, his Cadillac, tour bus, private jet, etc. ( Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN - phone 901-332-3322).
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a getaway with hundreds of attractions for the entire family. Gatlinburg, with its water parks and other attractions spread out over the mountains to add even more fun including Fireworks outlets, theme parks, Dolly Parton statue, miniature golf courses, water slides, dinner shows, musical revues and game arcades.
