Some say it’s the end of the east and the beginning of the west, but it’s commonly known as the entrance to the south of America. Tennessee is a state with almost 7 million people calling it home. The capital city, Nashville, is seen by many as the quintessential American image of diners, pickups, sports and wide-open streets. To the east of the capital, you have Knoxville and to the south of it, you have Chattanooga. These three cities make quite the combination, as they each have something different to offer. They all have one thing in common though, and that’s their laid back attitude. Tennessee is a state that gets really hot and sweaty in the spring and summer, but it doesn’t get too cold in the winter. Consequently, you have a lot of opportunities to do the best thing this state has to offer; and that explores the wilderness.
In the home of the king
Elvis Presley played such a large role in the reemergence of the south in terms of culture. For such a long time, the northern states held the sway of cultural power but finally, someone who was born in Mississippi gave the south and America a new voice. His birth state is the southerly neighbor of Tennessee, which is where his final home stands today. Graceland is the neoclassical mansion that Elvis lived in during the latter part of his life. It presides over almost 14 acres of land, making this one of the largest museums in the country. It was opened to the public in 1982 and has since amassed an impressive record of being the second most-visited home in America. Second, only to the White House, the king’s home gets around 650,000 visitors annually. Easily one of the most popular places in the state, this is something you have to see in person. The amazing ‘jungle room’ is an amazing insight into how Elvis lived and how eccentric his taste in interior decor was.
An underground fall
Chattanooga is already a strange name so you wouldn’t be surprised to see something strange in this part of the state. Ruby Falls is a 145-foot underground waterfall, making it one of the most mesmerizing attractions in the whole state. Formed in limestone, it has large deposits of magnesium making it change colors during certain times of the year. Depending on the humidity and water vapor in the air, the indoor lights for guests hitting the waterfall just correct, it can seem like the water is turning in a shallow pink or red. The stream itself reaches down into the ground, around 1,120 feet making it quite a deep cavern. However, you wouldn’t know this was the case when you drove up to the attraction as the castle tower covered in vines greets you. Here you can find plenty to eat and drink as well as lots to explore on this 10-acre site. Guests are always taken into the cavern with a guide, so you’ll be completely safe.
No other way to stay
Tennessee has plenty of modern cities, restaurants and attractions, but it remains one of the last vestiges of wilderness living. However, even this has seen it’s a fair share of modernization as cabins have become grand and luxurious. What better way to visit this beautiful state than with cabin vacation rental in the smoky mountains? If you’re in Wear Valley, this is where you’ll find the Volunteer and Heartland cabin rentals. They offer absolute privacy and seclusion, immersing you into the mountains, trees and valleys. With plenty of private parking space, you should have no trouble parking your rental car here. There are choices of 1 to 5-bedroom cabins, depending on the nature of your stay. The cabins are thoroughly cleaned before you set foot in them, along with your private hot tub. Everything is able to be booked online, so take your time when selecting the cabin you want.
A slice of your dream
Everyone has an image in their mind of a place they want to visit. Most people have a similar image in their mind when it comes to exploring the American wilderness. Cherokee National Forest is a picturesque, wonderfully stereotypical dream image that we have about an untamed American forest. The landscape is covered in hills, bathed in tall trees and luscious green foliage. It almost looks Jurassic and yet it also feels very welcoming. The size of the forest is difficult to wrap your head around. At around 655,000 acres, it’s a humongous footprint in the state, is simply inescapable.
Bald River Falls is something that you see in movies all the time. The black rock and white bubbling water jumps off the edge and scatters into a rocky stream. The trees either side are tall and thin. The black rock islands in the middle of the stream, allowing you to get up close and personal with this amazing feature of nature. After a long hike in the surrounding hills, you’ll want to come back and enjoy dinner. The Dunlap Restaurant about 1.3 miles from the park has good old comfort food such as buffalo wings, butter biscuits, barbecue chicken with corn on the cob as well as delicious pecan pie.
Night on the town
In Nashville, you won’t be starved of real country music. Tennessee is a state that’s proud of its history in this music genre, often leading the way. At the Tootsies Orchid Lounge, you can hear live country music while enjoying a bourbon on the rocks or a bottle of locally brewed beer. Feel free to snack on some nachos or chilli, and immerse yourself in the culture of the capital city of this state. There’s a real cowboy atmosphere in the lounge and you shouldn’t be surprised to see so many people wearing real cowboy hats.
Tennessee is the gateway to the south. Discover Graceland, the mansion where Elvis lived his final years. Pack your walking boots and head into the Cherokee National Forest to see wildlife and nature untouched for thousands of years.
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