It is the unique goal of travel adventurers to visit all fifty states in America. To boost this objective, each week we shall explore one state. Alphabetically, the 42nd to visit is none other than Tennessee, abbreviated TN. Regardless of the order in which you explore them, The Volunteer State is full of good spirit.
Visit state # 42– TN
| State Motto | Agriculture and Commerce |
| State Flower | Irises |
| State Birds | Northern mockingbird, Northern bobwhite |
| State Gem | The pearl |
| State Capital | Nashville |
| Famous Foods | Sweet tea, RC Cola and Moon Pie, Country ham, Fried catfish, stack cake, tomatoes, Memphis ribs, Jack Daniels, Baked beans, Biscuits, red-eye gravy and more. |
Tennessee is a landlocked US state situated in the central-southeastern United States. It borders eight other states to include Kentucky and Virginia to the north, North Carolina to the east, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia to the south, and Arkansas and Missouri along the Mississippi River in the west. Tennessee was initially part of North Carolina. It became the 16th state of the union in 1796. The state earned its nickname “The Volunteer State” during the War of 1812, when many helped with the war effort. Tennessee is known for its important role in music, for high-quality whiskey, and as home of the Great Smokies. Its vibrant music scene promoted many great popular country singer musicians and thus the state has deservedly earned the title of birthplace of country music.
The Great Smoky Mountains is a scenic mountain range rising along the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Tennessee’s Great Smoky National Park offers the beauty of ancient mountains, remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, diverse plant and animal life, and immense beauty. The park is noted for its amazing wildflowers, from the earliest hepaticas in late winter to the asters in late fall. The park is beloved for fun activities to include camping, nature watching, biking, and walking trails, hiking and more.
Tennessee is known for its great cities from small to grand. Nashville is among the most well-known, not only serving as the state’s capital city, but also for its legendary country music venues to include the Grand Ole Opry House, home of the famous stage and radio show, the Ryman Auditorium, a celebrated National Historic Landmark, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, featuring attractions, artifacts and interactive exhibits, concerts and more. Not to be missed are The Parthenon, an art gallery featuring a full-scale replica of the Athenian Parthenon, The Glen Campbell Museum & Rhinestone State, showcasing artifacts of the musician’s life, The Bluebird Café, a longstanding and beloved music venue, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, a Greek Revival mansion museum and historic site about the life of Andrew Jackson, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, featuring animals from around the world, Belle Mead Historic Site & Winery, a popular tourist attraction, The red-bricked Johnny Cash Museum, featuring memorabilia of the iconic singer, and the Music City Walk of Fame, a downtown tribute to those from all genres of music.
Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee, is the famed home and garden estate of singer Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Folks can visit his mansion and see his custom jet and new entertainment exhibit. In addition to seeing this famous entertainer’s home and learning about his music career, guests can enjoy rotating exhibits, explore the automobile museum, and pay respects at his grave located on the property grounds. The city of Memphis also boasts many highly visitable sites to include Beale Street, the most iconic in Memphis featuring shops, cafes, clubs, museums, and known as the famed landmark for the blues movement. Sun Studio is where the world’s first rock song was recorded in the early 1950s and is a major point of interest. Sun Studio and area tours are available for folks who enjoy music and history. Memphis also boasts a Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and the Orpheum Theatre, one of the most prestigious and longest-running theatres in the entire state.
Tennessee is home to a variety of interesting features, from the Smoky Mountains to its rich music cities that continue to play major roles in advancing the arts. Whether you seek an awe-inspiring experience in nature surrounded by mountains, rivers, caves, and waterfalls, or wish to walk historic streets of its music towns, options are endless. Folks are often left in awe when they hear guitar and vocal sounds spilling from local bars and taverns onto the streets of Nashville, or when they witness budding artists, awaiting discovery, perform on the corners of the main street. One thing for sure, the Tennessee vibe is truly musical, pure, and unique.