5 Things to do While Visiting Tennessee This Summer

Posted June 20, 2023

What better way to celebrate your next travel nursing assignment this summer than in the state of Tennessee! This state is known for its live country music and beautiful scenery. In addition, there is great amount history that is associated with the state. Tennessee has numerous attractions to visit and make your stay a fun and enjoyable one. In fact, the state has the most visited national park in the United States. As you’ll read, Tennessee has something to offer every kind of traveler out there, whether you like to adventure in the outdoors or go check out the city of Nashville, there is something for everyone! Here is a list of the top five things to do while visiting Tennessee.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

photo overlooking the smokey mountaints

If you are wanting an adventure in the outdoors, then the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, should be on your Tennessee bucket list. This is the most visited national park in the United States. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to a large diversity of plants and animals. Some of these animals and plants include elk, deer, black bears, and more than 1,600 types of wildflowers. The park also has more than 800 miles of hiking trails for you to explore on your next adventure. One of the top hiking trails to do at the Great Smoky Mountains is the Rainbow Falls Trail. This trail is a 5.1-mile-out-and back trail near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Rainbow Falls is considered to be a moderately challenging trail, but pays off by seeing a stunning waterfall and lush Tennessee green forest along the way! As you can see, the Great Smoky Mountains are every outdoor adventure’s dream to come true!

Nashville

photo outside the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee

If you are wanting to visit a city that is full of energy and live country music, then now is the time to take a trip to Nashville, Tennessee! This city is home to a wide variety of music-related attractions. Head to the world famous Broadway Street and visit the Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge or Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk bar. Also, Broadway Street is a great way to see up-and-coming country artists, as well famous country musicians, such as Morgan Wallen or Jason Aldean.

Other great attractions in Nashville include the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. This attraction is the perfect place to see the great legends of country music and has over 2.5 million artifacts from these artists. Another popular attraction you won’t want to miss, while visiting Nashville, is the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry has live shows featured throughout the week with performances by country legends and rising stars. Nashville, Tennessee, stands out as an iconic destination that offers a unique blend of music, history, and Southern charm. The “Music City,” is the place for music lovers, and a great place to visit while in Tennessee. Nashville offers a one-of-a-kind experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression!

Tennessee Whiskey Trail

Tennessee Whiskey Trail

If you are interested in sampling Tennessee whiskey, then you have come to the right place! Since pre-Civil War times, Tennessee has been known for its whiskey. As of today, there are 30 distilleries and over 800 miles of scenic Tennessee landscape to cover on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could take about two or three weeks to complete. Along the way you’ll be able to collect stamps for your Tennessee Whiskey Trail passport during your journey. The trip itinerary for the trail includes stops in Nashville, Knoxville, the Smoky Mountain area, Chattanooga, and Memphis. This is an exiting opportunity to visit Ole Smoky Distillery in the Nashville area and many more great distilleries to come on the tour!

Memphis Zoo

Giraffe at the Zoo

If you are an animal lover, than the Memphis Zoo is the place for you to add to your bucket list of things to do while visiting Tennessee! The zoo is home to over 3,500 animals and over 500 different types of species. This has been a great attraction since 1906, and the property covers about 80 acres of land. The African Veldt exhibit encompasses a variety of animals from Africa such as the zebra, southern white rhino, giraffe, and the African elephant. In the Cat Country exhibit, you can view many different types of cats, such as jaguars, leopards, cheetahs, tigers and more! What are you waiting for? Now is the time to unleash your inner wild side and visit the Memphis Zoo for some fun times!

National Civil Rights Museum

National Civil Rights Museum and Rosa Parks

For all of our history buffs out there, the National Civil Rights Museum is a compelling attraction you don’t want to miss. This museum offers 260 artifacts, and more than 40 new films. The museum takes you on a journey through five centuries of historic exhibits. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the museum, which features a variety of different eras. This includes slavery, reconstruction after the Civil War, Jim Crow segregation, the 1950s Birmingham bus boycott and Rosa Parks protest, and the 1960s marches and sit-ins.

More attractions in the museum include the Lorraine Motel, which is the historic site where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in April 1968. Overall, the National Civil Rights Museum tells the story of the Civil Rights movement. This museum educates and inspires others to want to continue to achieve equality throughout the world. Want to visit more locations for Black history month? Check out our other blog on Places to Visit to Learn About Black History!


There are a variety of things to do while visiting Tennessee. This state offers a wide range of exciting and enriching activities for visitors of all ages and interests. From the vibrant music scene of Nashville to the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this diverse and captivating state.

PRN Healthcare’s travel nursing contracts take place throughout the nation. Interested in travel nursing opportunities in Tennessee? Apply Now with us to speak with a recruiter about what contracts are available!

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