Tennessee, United States - Travel Guide

Tennessee offers a rich blend of musical heritage, from country in Nashville to blues in Memphis, alongside stunning natural beauty in the Great Smoky Mountains. Its vibrant cities and charming small towns provide diverse experiences for all travelers.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay7 days

Budget$70/day

Mid-range$150/day

Luxury$600/day

Known For

NashvilleMemphisGreat Smoky MountainsDolly PartonCountry Music Hall of FameGraceland

🇺🇸 Country Information: United States

CapitalWashington

CurrencyUnited States dollar ($)

LanguageEnglish , Spanish,Chinese,French,Tagalog,Vietnamese,Korean,German,Arabic,Russian

Phone Code+1

Electricity120V (Type A, B)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is customary for services (restaurants, bars, taxis, hair salons, etc
)
Restaurant waitstaff: 15
20% of the bill
Bar staff: $1
2 per drink or 15
20% of the bill
Taxi drivers: 15
20% of the fare
Hotel housekeepers: $2
5 per day

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available
Credit cards are widely accepted
Bringing cash is a personal preference, but credit/debit cards are sufficient for most transactions
No black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Casual dress is common, but smart casual is appreciated in upscale settings
Politeness and direct communication are generally valued
Punctuality for appointments is expected
Personal space is generally respected
Shaking hands is a common greeting
Eating customs are diverse, but typically involve using forks, knives, and spoons
It is common to make small talk with strangers
"Bless you" is said when someone sneezes

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. LGBTQ+ rights vary by state, but federal protections are in place for marriage equality and some anti-discrimination laws. Public opinion is increasingly supportive.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

Legal drinking age is 21
Marijuana laws vary by state (some states allow recreational or medicinal use, others do not)
Federal law prohibits marijuana use
Drug laws are strict, particularly for illicit substances

Special Laws

It is illegal to jaywalk in many areas
Open container laws for alcohol vary by state and city
Driving laws vary by state

Common Phrases

NoNo (NOH)

YesYes (YES)

HelloHello (huh-LOH)

PleasePlease (PLEEZ)

Excuse meExcuse me (eks-KYOOS mee)

Thank youThank you (THANk yoo)

Climate

Classification based on typical climate zones within Tennessee.

Climate Zone: Humid Subtropical

Best Time to Visit

Extreme hot season: Jun
Aug
Extreme cold season: Dec
Feb
Floods: Feb
May (especially Mar
Apr)
Tornado season: Mar
May, Oct
Nov

Getting There

Air travel to major airports like Nashville (BNA), Memphis (MEM), Knoxville (TYS)
Bus services (Greyhound, Megabus) connect major cities
Limited intercity train service (Amtrak's City of New Orleans passes through Memphis)

Getting Around

Ride
sharing apps (Uber, Lyft) widely available in cities
Taxis and local bus services in urban areas
Car rental highly recommended for exploring the state's diverse attractions

Health & Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations recommended
No specific altitude sickness concerns
Probiotics not typically necessary
No malaria concerns

Staying Connected

eSIMs widely available from major US carriers (T
Mobile, AT\&T, Verizon)
Airalo, Nomad, and other global eSIM providers work well

Local Cuisine

Nashville Hot Chicken must_try

A famous spicy fried chicken dish, often served on white bread with pickles. It's an iconic and fiercely hot culinary experience unique to Nashville.

Memphis Dry Rub Ribs regional_speciality

Pork ribs seasoned with a complex dry rub and slow-smoked, differentiating them from other BBQ styles that use sauce. This style is central to Memphis

Tennessee Whiskey alcohol

A distinct type of whiskey produced in Tennessee, famous for using the Lincoln County Process (maple charcoal filtering) before aging. Jack Daniel's i

Moon Pie snack

A popular snack consisting of two large, round graham crackers with marshmallow filling, dipped in a flavored coating. It is often paired with an RC C

Goo Goo Cluster dessert

The first combination candy bar, created in Nashville in 1912. It features caramel, marshmallow nougat, roasted peanuts, and milk chocolate.

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tag permit_or_pass

Purchase daily/weekly tags in advance online

A parking tag is required to park for longer than 15 minutes anywhere within the park boundaries, and purchasing online in advance simplifies arrival.

High-Demand Nashville Dining Reservations (e.g., The Catbird Seat, Husk) Dining

Book 1–3 months in advance

Nashville's top, high-end restaurants have very limited seating and are popular with both locals and tourists, often booking out entirely far in advance.

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Peak Season Accommodation Accommodation

Book at least 2–6 months in advance

The Smoky Mountains area (Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville) is extremely popular, especially during summer and fall foliage, leading to high demand and increased prices.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Anakeesta General Admission Tickets Attraction

Book 1–4 weeks in advance

Purchasing tickets in advance often secures the best pricing and avoids long queues at the ticket window, especially during peak season in Gatlinburg.

Fun Facts

1. The Goo Goo Cluster, recognized as the world's first combination candy bar, was created in Tennessee.
2. Mountain Dew was invented in Knoxville, Tennessee, during the 1930s as a mixer for whiskey.
3. Tennessee is home to the world's largest and only collection of salt and pepper shakers, which includes over 20,000 pairs.
4. Piggle Wiggle, which was America's first true self-service grocery store, was founded in Memphis in 1916.

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