Discover the Delights of Tennessee

America As You Like It • 1 November 2024

Tennessee, the birthplace of iconic music legends like Dolly Parton, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin, is a vibrant state rich in music, cuisine, festivals, and outdoor adventures. Gather friends or family for a road trip or fly-drive getaway, where each stop is a wonder to discover. In Tennessee, the next adventure is yours to uncover.

A Culinary Journey
For food lovers, Tennessee offers culinary delights second to none. Whether you crave Southern comfort or farm-to-table flavours, award-winning dishes await across the state. Tennessee’s restaurants are known for fresh, world-renowned flavours that delight travellers in both big cities and small towns. In Memphis, choose from over 100 barbeque-style restaurants from smoke shacks to line-out-the-door landmarks to new-generation haunts. Chez Philippe at The Peabody Hotel presents inventive dishes merging French elegance with bold Asian tastes. Nashville’s Hattie B's brings its famous Nashville Hot Chicken to spice lovers in a casual setting with local brews like Tennessee Brew Works, while Blue Bank Fish House and Grill in Hornbeak offers waterside dining with local flavours, including Catfish Bites and Honey Hot Sliders that make it well worth the trip. In Lynchburg, try Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant. Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House has served up traditional Southern Hospitality since 1908.

Step Back in Time

Tennessee’s Civil War Trails offers a closer look at the state’s Civil War legacy. The Civil Rights Trail features 15 stops honouring the men and women who shaped the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. From Memphis to Nashville, and ending in Clinton, you can trace Tennessee’s significant contributions to the movement. Explore Parker's Crossroads Battlefield, where Union forces attempted to capture Confederate troops returning from their first West Tennessee raid.

History in Tennessee comes alive through immersive re-enactments, museums, and historical sites that vividly tell the state’s story. In Nashville, the Tennessee State Museum provides a comprehensive journey through Tennessee's rich history, with exhibits spanning from prehistoric times to modern events. With free admission, it offers an accessible opportunity for you to connect with the past.

 

In Harrogate, the Abraham Lincoln Library & Museum highlights Tennessee’s influence on both state and national history. Its exhibits illuminate Lincoln’s legacy and the state’s connection to pivotal moments in American history. The Tennessee River Museum celebrates the Tennessee River’s profound impact on the land, people, and culture of the Tennessee Valley. Among its unique displays is a replica of the renowned kneeling figure of the Shiloh Effigy Pipe, a remarkable artifact reflecting the region’s deep heritage. For a journey back in time, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga offers a family-friendly glimpse into the golden age of rail travel. Historic passenger trains traverse the iconic Missionary Ridge Tunnel, a landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the holidays, the museum hosts festive rides with seasonal storytelling and visits from Santa, creating magical memories for visitors of all ages.

Music and Festivals

Experience the sound of Tennessee’s legendary music scene, where today’s greats and tomorrow’s legends take the stage. From the iconic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to the Graceland Soundstage at Elvis Presley’s Memphis Museum, music history comes alive in every performance. Annual music festivals include Big Ears in Knoxville which takes place in March and CaveJam in the Caverns in Pelham in May . For another unforgettable experience, visit the Tina Turner Museum in Brownsville, dedicated to the legendary artist’s incredible life and legacy - a brilliant experience for all ages. Discover the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol.

Outdoor Adventure

Tennessee’s great outdoors is filled with stunning landscapes and unforgettable experiences. Explore the state's fifty-two cycling routes, such as the Rock Island Loop or the scenic Cummins Falls route, ideal for nature enthusiasts and cyclists alike. For thrill-seekers, whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River offers unbeatable rapids just a few hours from Knoxville. Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee’s largest city-owned park, provides family-friendly fun with hiking trails, animal habitats, and even a ropes course with a 300-foot zipline. Tennessee’s natural wonders promise lasting memories.

Road Trips

Take a road trip across Tennessee to uncover hidden gems and must-see spots in the state’s counties. The Promised Land Trail offers scenic drives through quaint small towns and rural communities filled with wineries, local restaurants, and outdoor activities throughout Nashville. For music lovers, the Cotton Junction Trail in West Tennessee blends music heritage, history, and nature for an unforgettable road trip experience through Memphis. Explore the Waterfalls and Other Secrets of the Cumberland Plateau during a Tennessee summer, where you will find beautiful overlooks, classic swimming holes, cool coves, and secret hikes. Alternatively explore East Tennessee through Chattanooga and Knoxville where you will come across gorges and the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Sports Thrills

Tennessee’s sports culture is electrifying, from NFL games to minor league baseball. Catch the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville from October to January, feel the intensity of the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena from October to April, or cheer on the Memphis Grizzlies in NBA action at FedExForum, also from October to April. Catch the excitements of a Volunteers college football game in Knoxville. Racing fans won’t want to miss Bristol Motor Speedway, renowned for its thrilling NASCAR short track and action-packed events all year round.

Tennessee Whiskey

No visit to Tennessee is complete without savouring its iconic whiskey. The Tennessee Whiskey Trail leads you through the state’s distilleries, where you can experience authentic Tennessee flavours. Start at Short Mountain Distillery in Woodbury for traditional Tennessee Whiskey and Moonshine, then head to Lynchburg, home of the world-renowned Jack Daniel’s distillery. In Shelbyville, visit Nearest Green Distillery to taste Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, which honours Nearest Green, the first-known African American master distiller.


Plan your Tennessee adventure with America As You Like It today. Call 020 8742 8299 to start your journey! 

The Sounds of Tennessee: Discover the Music That Shaped America

by America As You Like It • 26 October 2026
Imagine stepping into the Memphis recording studio where Elvis Presley first made his mark, discovering the Nashville studio where country music legends recorded their hits, or standing in Bristol, where a series of recordings helped put country music on the map. Across Tennessee, in the southeastern United States, music is woven into the places you visit, from historic recording rooms to lively streets where musicians still play late into the night. For music lovers, a journey through Tennessee offers the chance to get closer to the artists, sounds and stories behind the songs. Nashville, the state capital, reveals the evolution of country music and its connections to other genres, Memphis takes you into the blues, soul and early rock ’n’ roll scenes, while Bristol traces the roots of country music. Together, they offer a fascinating insight into the music that helped shape American culture.

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by America As You Like It • 15 October 2026
Discover Grapevine where historic streets, local wine tasting and the unmistakable spirit of the American West come together. Located in Texas between Dallas and Fort Worth , Grapevine offers the perfect base for discovering local culture, enjoying outdoor adventures and exploring the wider region. Wander along Historic Main Street, step into welcoming winery tasting rooms and browse independent boutiques tucked inside characterful historic buildings. Then take your adventure onto Lake Grapevine, where you can paddle along the shoreline, before heading to Fort Worth to watch the famous Stockyards cattle drive and experience Texas’s Western heritage. Plan your holiday around a lively wine festival, a summer day on the water or Grapevine’s spectacular Christmas celebrations. However you choose to explore, you will find plenty of ways to experience the character of this Texan town.

Wild Maine: A Season for Every Adventure.

by America As You Like It • 12 October 2026
Maine is the largest of the New England states, where rugged Atlantic coastline, forest-covered mountains and historic towns create a holiday full of contrasts. Sail past rocky islands, enjoy a lobster roll beside a working harbour and head inland to discover clear lakes and winding country roads. Add maritime traditions, independent galleries and wildlife encounters, and you will find plenty of reasons to explore beyond the coast. Whether you are planning a summer escape by the sea, an autumn road trip or a winter break surrounded by snow-covered scenery, knowing where to go and when makes all the difference.

Jacksonville: The Flip Side of Florida

by America As You Like It • 1 October 2026
Jacksonville offers a different perspective on Florida. While many travellers head south in search of theme parks and packed resorts, Florida's largest city combines 22 miles of Atlantic coastline with historic neighbourhoods, a thriving food scene and one of the largest urban park systems in the United States. Here, mornings begin with sunrise over the ocean, afternoons are spent exploring rivers, marshes and coastal parks, and evenings revolve around waterfront restaurants, rooftop bars and local sporting events.

Where Adventure Meets Sunshine: Exploring Central Florida

by America As You Like It • 10 July 2026
You have heard of Florida, but let us introduce you to Central Florida, where the Real Florida Magic comes to life. Home to seventeen welcoming communities, including Lakeland and Winter Haven, this region offers a wonderful mix of exciting attractions, rich culture and unforgettable adventures, all within easy reach of Orlando. Whether you are looking for family fun, outdoor adventures or a relaxing escape, you can enjoy everything from thrilling airboat rides and world class theme parks to historic attractions, beautiful gardens and peaceful natural surroundings, making Central Florida the perfect destination for your next holiday.

Nevada: From Neon to Nature

by America As You Like It • 11 June 2026
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Make it Memorable―Dutchess County

by America As You Like It • 10 June 2026
Located in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, Dutchess County blends scenic beauty, rich history, and a vibrant cultural scene. Spanning 800 square miles of rolling countryside and historic landmarks, it invites discovery at every turn—from the riverside charm of Poughkeepsie, known as the Hudson’s Queen City, to its picturesque towns and villages. Home to the Culinary Institute of America and President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, Dutchess County is where heritage, flavour, and landscape come together in unforgettable ways.

Exploring Crystal River, Florida

by America As You Like It • 14 May 2026
Crystal River invites you into a gentler side of Florida, where spring fed waters wind through quiet forests and wildlife drifts just beneath the surface. Days here move at an unhurried pace, shaped by warm Gulf breezes, peaceful lakes, and encounters with nature that feel both intimate and unforgettable. Whether you are gliding across clear water by kayak, cycling beneath towering trees, dining on freshly caught seafood, or wandering through centuries of history, the region offers a sense of calm and connection that stays with you long after you leave.

My Journey through the Pacific Northwest

by America As You Like It • 8 May 2026
Exploring Oregon and Washington State is an opportunity of a lifetime. From the Hoh Rainforest to the newly renovated Seattle waterfront, there are spectacular opportunities to experience these remarkable states across a variety of climates. I was fortunate enough to travel from Portland to Seattle, including stops along the way in Astoria, the Evergreen Coast, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Race to Bourbon City: Discover Louisville

by America As You Like It • 27 March 2026
Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and a destination rich in culture, history, and sporting heritage. Nestled along the Ohio River on the border with Indiana, the city is perhaps best known for hosting the world-famous Kentucky Derby. Explore attractions such as the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory and the Muhammad Ali Center, making Louisville an engaging destination for travellers with diverse interests.
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