Destination Guide: Tennessee

September 1, 2026

Destination

Tennessee, Family-Friendly Adventures

Tennessee is a fantastic state for a family adventure, with a little bit of everything from mountain getaways and outdoor adventures to big-city attractions, music history, and family-friendly entertainment.

From the excitement of Nashville and Memphis to the mountains around Pigeon Forge and the scenic beauty of East Tennessee, there are plenty of ways to explore the Volunteer State with kids.

This page is where I am collecting our favorite Tennessee destinations, attractions, scenic stops, photo spots and family-friendly adventures, with more added as we keep exploring.

Destinations

Chattanooga Johnson City Nashville Memphis Pigeon Forge

The Map

Places we have beenStill on our list

Tap a pin to jump to that stop. Pink marks the places we have been; teal is still on our list. Tennessee is over 400 miles wide, so this one sits as a long band — Memphis at one end, Johnson City at the other.

Best Time to Visit

April through early June and September through early November are the comfortable months. Tennessee summers are hot and humid statewide — Nashville and Memphis regularly sit in the 90s — and July and August are the peak of both the heat and the crowds in the mountains.

October is leaf season in East Tennessee, and it is glorious and extremely busy. If you are heading to Pigeon Forge or the Smokies that month, book lodging well ahead and expect slow traffic on the main strip.

Two things worth knowing about the Great Smoky Mountains: the park has no entrance fee, but a parking tag is required to park for more than a short stop, and it is bought online or at a kiosk before you go. And in 2026, Cades Cove is closed to cars every Wednesday from May 6 through September 30 so people can bike and walk the loop — which is a wonderful family day if you time it on purpose, and a frustrating one if you do not.

Winter is mild in Memphis and Nashville and the city attractions stay open. In the mountains, Newfound Gap Road and other high routes close with snow, and some Pigeon Forge attractions run reduced seasons — worth checking opening dates if you are planning a spring visit.

What to Expect

Tennessee has two time zones. Memphis and Nashville are on Central time; Chattanooga, Pigeon Forge, Knoxville and Johnson City are on Eastern. You lose an hour driving east across the state, which is the single easiest thing to get wrong when booking a tour or a dinner reservation.

Getting there: Nashville and Memphis both have major airports. For the eastern half, Knoxville is closest to Pigeon Forge, Chattanooga has its own airport, and Tri-Cities serves Johnson City.

Distances: the state is over 400 miles end to end. Memphis to Nashville is about three hours, Nashville to Chattanooga two, Chattanooga to Pigeon Forge about two and a half, and Pigeon Forge to Johnson City another two. Memphis to Johnson City in one go is closer to eight — pick a half of the state rather than trying to drive all of it.

Getting around: a car for the state. Nashville and Memphis downtowns are walkable once you are parked.

Weather: humid summers with afternoon thunderstorms, and spring brings severe weather — keep an eye on the forecast in March through May.

Budget: friendly overall. The exceptions are Nashville on a weekend and Pigeon Forge in October, both of which jump sharply.

Things to Do in Tennessee With Kids

Two music cities, a river town, the Appalachians, and one of the biggest family destinations in the country — all in the same state. Here is what I am covering so far, with full guides on the way.

Chattanooga

On the Tennessee River

Chattanooga is one of those Tennessee destinations that can easily surprise you. Located along the Tennessee River and surrounded by beautiful scenery, the city offers a great combination of outdoor adventures, attractions, history, and family-friendly things to do.

It's also an excellent pit stop on a family road trip, with plenty to explore both in the city and throughout the surrounding area. We really loved seeing the underground waterfall, Ruby Falls, at Lookout Mountain!