Things to Do in Tennessee

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum has been the home of America's music since its opening in 1967 on Music Row. In 2001, the museum - with a mission to preserve the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture - relocated to a new multi-million dollar building with striking, iconic architectural features.

The museum boasts a vast collection, illustrating country music’s story as told through the years. An immense compilation of historic country...

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum has been the home of America's music since its opening in 1967 on Music Row. In 2001, the museum - with a mission to preserve the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture - relocated to a new multi-million dollar building with striking, iconic architectural features.

The museum boasts a vast collection, illustrating country music’s story as told through the years. An immense compilation of historic country video clips and recorded music, dynamic exhibits, a regular menu of live performances and public programs, and live satellite radio broadcasts, all contribute to an extraordinary visit. The hall of fame and museum offer a unique sensory experience too. Its collection is composed of images (still photos and moving works), oral histories, sound and artifacts - costumes, instruments, song sheets, etc.

Special changing exhibits provide an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrait of music legends and dynasties, like "Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy," the story of Hank Williams, Hank Williams, Jr. and several other family members through personal memorabilia and interviews.

Also part of the organization is historic RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print®*. (see separate listings)

A hands-on museum and nature center for children, it promotes creativity and imagination, healthy living, public safety, arts and culture through music, and science by engineering and construction.

Exhibit areas include a farmer’s market, discovery depot with trains, a two and half-story super slide, native Tennessee wildlife - turtles, fish and snakes, a tiny town with a post office and grocery and home improvement stores, an exhibit on water and its many uses (kids will get...

A hands-on museum and nature center for children, it promotes creativity and imagination, healthy living, public safety, arts and culture through music, and science by engineering and construction.

Exhibit areas include a farmer’s market, discovery depot with trains, a two and half-story super slide, native Tennessee wildlife - turtles, fish and snakes, a tiny town with a post office and grocery and home improvement stores, an exhibit on water and its many uses (kids will get wet here) and a place for infants and pre-toddlers to play and develop coordination and balance.

Outside, walk along the wetland boardwalk and perhaps spy birds and otters.

The 8,500-square foot museum operated by the East Tennessee Historical Society (ETHS) shares the story of life in the region, encompassing the history of all 35 East Tennessee counties. The museum features more than 500 important historic artifacts and more than 350 stories of individual East Tennesseans, plus 25 media programs, including interactive touch screens and videos.

The museum interprets 200 years of the region's history through its permanent signature exhibits,...

The 8,500-square foot museum operated by the East Tennessee Historical Society (ETHS) shares the story of life in the region, encompassing the history of all 35 East Tennessee counties. The museum features more than 500 important historic artifacts and more than 350 stories of individual East Tennesseans, plus 25 media programs, including interactive touch screens and videos.

The museum interprets 200 years of the region's history through its permanent signature exhibits, "Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee." Visitors can learn about the Cherokee Indians, the frontier, the Civil War, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Oak Ridge* - home of the Manhattan Project, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), country music and the Civil Rights movement, as well as through temporary exhibits.

For nearly 170 years, ETHS has preserved the unique heritage of the area by recording events, collecting artifacts and saving stories.

(*see separate listing)

Filled with all things Elvis, the museum is reputed to hold the world’s largest private collection of Elvis memorabilia. Take a self-guided tour and discover his cars, clothing, jewelry and music. The TCB Theater features a two-hour presentation (fee) that pays tribute to Elvis.

Filled with all things Elvis, the museum is reputed to hold the world’s largest private collection of Elvis memorabilia. Take a self-guided tour and discover his cars, clothing, jewelry and music. The TCB Theater features a two-hour presentation (fee) that pays tribute to Elvis.

Admiral David G. Farragut, who was born near Knoxville, was the first Admiral of the U.S. Navy and a Civil War hero. His life is the focus of the Farragut Folklife Museum, a repository for the David Glasgow Farragut Collection, which consists of East Tennessee artifacts, photographs, manuscripts and letters.

In addition, the museum preserves the heritage of the town of Farragut, named for the famous family.

Admiral David G. Farragut, who was born near Knoxville, was the first Admiral of the U.S. Navy and a Civil War hero. His life is the focus of the Farragut Folklife Museum, a repository for the David Glasgow Farragut Collection, which consists of East Tennessee artifacts, photographs, manuscripts and letters.

In addition, the museum preserves the heritage of the town of Farragut, named for the famous family.

The Frank H. McClung Museum is a general interest museum with exhibits on archaeology and native peoples of Tennessee, ancient Egypt, decorative arts, geology and fossils, the Civil War, and local and natural history.

The Frank H. McClung Museum is a general interest museum with exhibits on archaeology and native peoples of Tennessee, ancient Egypt, decorative arts, geology and fossils, the Civil War, and local and natural history.

**The Grand Ole Opry Museum is closed until further notice due to damage sustained during the flood. The museum pays tribute to the world's longest-running radio show and its stars; exhibits honor the legends like Patsy Cline, Marty Robbins, Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl and Little Jimmy Dickens, as well as contemporary chart-topping artists such as Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and Vince Gill.

**The Grand Ole Opry Museum is closed until further notice due to damage sustained during the flood. The museum pays tribute to the world's longest-running radio show and its stars; exhibits honor the legends like Patsy Cline, Marty Robbins, Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl and Little Jimmy Dickens, as well as contemporary chart-topping artists such as Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and Vince Gill.

With the common theme of record breaking feats, discover a wide range of subjects involving food, human beings, animals and sports that all have met and exceeded world’s records, as entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. Displays and interactive exhibits bring the events to life. You’ll leave believing you too could be a record-holder.

With the common theme of record breaking feats, discover a wide range of subjects involving food, human beings, animals and sports that all have met and exceeded world’s records, as entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. Displays and interactive exhibits bring the events to life. You’ll leave believing you too could be a record-holder.

Showcasing cars that have appeared in top movies and television shows during the last 50 years: the General Lee from the “Duke’s of Hazzard,” the jalopy from the “Beverly Hillbillies,” “Herbie the Love Bug,” “Back to the Future’s” DeLorean, plus cars owned by Dolly Parton, Elvis and others.

Showcasing cars that have appeared in top movies and television shows during the last 50 years: the General Lee from the “Duke’s of Hazzard,” the jalopy from the “Beverly Hillbillies,” “Herbie the Love Bug,” “Back to the Future’s” DeLorean, plus cars owned by Dolly Parton, Elvis and others.