TENNESSEE
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What's New in Tennessee?

For more information contact:
Cindy Dupree, Director of Communications
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Cindy.dupree@state.tn.us, (615) 741-9010

From the Mississippi River to the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee is the premiere destination to discover the best of America’s great musical styles, riveting history, scenic beauty and thrilling outdoor adventures.

You don’t just visit Tennessee, you experience it. Artistic types can dabble in music and arts while history and heritage buffs can reflect on the state’s significant past. For a riveting outdoor adventure, Tennessee offers thrills you’ll never forget. Whether attending one of our more than 800 festivals, visiting one of our 700 museums and historical landmarks, biking along our 1800 miles of trails, or camping or hiking in one of our 54 State Parks, you are sure to find unforgettable adventures and excitement in Tennessee.

A state that is divided into three grand unique regions- West, Middle and East – Tennessee is waiting for you to experience sights, sounds and adventures you won’t find anywhere else.

History

With a rich tapestry of American heritage, Tennessee’s historical stomping grounds are sure to enlighten visitors while educating them on the state’s history. This grand southern state’s history includes everything from major Civil War battles to the civil rights movement and the homes of three United States Presidents- Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson. One of Tennessee’s finest examples of antebellum architecture, the Belle Meade Plantation, celebrates its 200th Anniversary in 2007.
Tennessee offers an abundant number of historical museums and attractions that provide a glimpse into the state’s cultural and natural heritage. For more information on Tennessee’s history and heritage, visit http://www.tnvacation.com/history-heritage/.

Significant Attractions

Tennessee’s musical heritage is internationally renowned with endless blockbuster entertainment from Beale Street blues and Elvis’ rock ’n roll in Memphis to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and Music Row’s country, gospel and pop music to the bluegrass of Appalachia.

Other attractions include:

• The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville
  
• Bluebird Café, celebrating 25 years of showcasing Nashville’s up and coming artists.
  
• The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance Museum in Bristol contains exhibits and artifacts featuring traditional Appalachian music and performers from the region.
  
• Visit the birthplace of the blues, rock’n roll and soul music in Memphis’ Beale Street Entertainment District.
  
• A trip to Memphis for the music enthusiast isn’t complete without a visit to Elvis’ Graceland. Don’t miss the Stax Museum of American Soul and the 50th Anniversary of Stax Records or the Smithsonian Institute’s Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.
  
• Take a guided tour of one of the most famous recording studios in the world, Sun Studio. Known as the birthplace of rock n’ roll, this Memphis attraction features stories of entertainment legends such as Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.
  
• For more information, visit http://www.tnvacation.com/music-arts/.
  
• Tennessee is home to numerous international attractions including Dollywood, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Grand Ole Opry, Graceland, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, National Civil Rights Museum, Tennessee Aquarium, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Bristol Motor Speedway and Rock City, celebrating the 75th year as one of Tennessee’s top tourist attractions.
  

For more information on Tennessee attractions, visit http://www.tnvacation.com/attractions/.

Climate

Tennessee has a generally mild climate year-round but enjoys the changing of four distinct seasons. Summer’s average temperature is 89 to 67.5F. Winter’s temperatures average 49.4 to 30.4F with an average of 5.6 inches of snowfall in Memphis and 16 inches in NE Tennessee. The average annual rainfall is 49.69 inches.

In spring, clouds of white dogwood blooms fill the forests of East Tennessee in and around Knoxville and the Tennessee Festival Season begins. In summer, cool off in Sweetwater’s underground Lost Sea, or take a pontoon ride at Birdsong Resort in Camden to see divers harvest freshwater pearls. In the brisk fall, enjoy the spectacular scenery of Tennessee autumn with brilliant fall leaves displayed across the entire state, outdoor activities and a host of fall festivals. In deep winter, there’s cross-country skiing at Roan Mountain State Park.

Distances and Times

Tennessee is located within a day’s drive of 75% of the U.S. population and is home to six airports, 54 state parks and 152 golf courses. The western half of Tennessee is in the country’s central time zone- Memphis and Nashville- while the rest of the state is in the Eastern Time Zone- Knoxville, Chattanooga and the Great Smoky Mountains.

For additional travel information, call 800-836-6200 or visit www.tnvacation.com.