Visiting Tennessee

Take to Tennessee’s back roads and byways from Knoxville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in the east through Chattanooga in Tennessee’s south, to Memphis in the west. Check out  White Lightning Trail for a look at  Knoxville area heritage and culture. Travel the Pie in the Sky to Mountain Highs Trail around Chattanooga and be sure to sample the original moonpie. The Great River Road and National Scenic Byway in western Tennessee follow the mighty Mississippi through the beauty of the Memphis area. Enjoy Tennessee’s music, food, and festivals along your travels. This is the season for a Tennessee road trip.

Hurricane Mills, east of Nashville and north of Interstate 40, is home of Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. The community celebrates the country music legend at summer events. 2012 sees the inaugural Loretta Lynn Rodeo at the ranch. A SPRA sanctioned event, join the cowboy and cowgirls competing for prize money, June 1st and 2nd. Produced by Pigeon Forge’s Outlaw Rodeo Company, guests enjoy six major rodeo events each night.

Loretta Lynn Ranch is a premier US motocross facility. July 29th through August 4th, the ranch hosts the 2012 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship with race events beginning on Tuesday morning. The 2012 ATVA Motocross final North and South Challenge round 11 takes place at Loretta Lynn Ranch August 13th and 14th. Take you pick of action on the motocross track in Hurricane Mills this summer.

Tennessee visitors celebrate the Fourth of July at festivals and events across the state. The city of Gatlinburg hosts the nation's first holiday parade with the 2012 Fourth of July Midnight Parade. When the clock strikes midnight, Gatlinburg begins celebrating Independence Day as the parade works its way through downtown.

The fun continues on the fourth with the Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta starting at noon. The annual tradition on the Little Pigeon River in downtown Gatlinburg is unmanned, with a variety of prizes for the most creative. Finish off the day at 10 with Gatlinburg’s ‘Stand Here’ Fireworks Finale, as spectacular pyrotechnics light up the skyline.

Visitors in Chattanooga enjoy the patriotic 2012 Pops on the River on July 3rd; Pigeon Forge marks its 22nd Annual Patriot Festival with a day and evening of food, games and entertainment in Patriot Park; or join the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for the 28th Annual Pilot Independence Day Concert, headlining the City of Knoxville’s Fourth of July celebration at World’s Fair Park. No matter your Tennessee destination, enjoy the 4th of July festivities.

Wind down your summer in Memphis at the 2012 Memphis Music and Heritage Festival. The Center for Southern Folklore hosts Labor Day weekend events, September 3rd through the 4th at Peabody Place. With multiple stages of live music and performances, enjoy two full days of entertainment in downtown Memphis. Browse arts and crafts, food and activities along with Memphis’ famous live music.

Tennessee Hotel Map