What to do and see in Tennessee, United States: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

April 26, 2022 Roger Rusk

Discover the best top things to do in Tennessee, United States including Great Stone Door, Lotz House Museum, Parrot Mountain & Gardens, Tuckaleechee Caverns, Cumberland County Playhouse, Chimneys Picnic Area, Foothills Parkway, Samuel T Bryant Distillery, Tennessee Shine Company - Pigeon Forge, Ijams Nature Center.
Restaurants in Tennessee

1. Great Stone Door

Savage Gulf State Natural Area, TN
Excellent
77%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 35 reviews

Great Stone Door

2. Lotz House Museum

1111 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064-3616 +1 615-790-7190 [email protected] http://www.lotzhouse.com
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,146 reviews

Lotz House Museum

The compelling story of the times, the family, and the fine antiques of the Civil War era. The Lotz House, which has been on the National Historic Register since 1976, is located in the heart of downtown historic Franklin, Tennessee, at “the epicenter” of the Battle of Franklin, which was a pivotal battle of the Civil War on November 30, 1864. The House was the most heavily damaged structure on the Franklin battlefield. Walk in to witness the damage from the cannon balls that crash through the house and numerous bloodstains on all the floors. Plus on this tour, your will learn about the family, the Master Wood Worker who built the home by himself, how the family survived and how the bloody battle affected them for the balance of their lives! Reservation are not required for Guided tours of the historic home. In addition, walking battlefield tours and an archeological tours are also available, but please call for reservations. Please join us as we step back into Civil War history.

Reviewed By jimrF2631PS - Hartselle, United States

My wife and I were in Franklin and had some time to kill so we decided to take in this attraction. This is a very awesome place to go to get some great details about the history of our great nation Our tour guide Seth did a great job and we highly recommend this to anyone with kids that are over the age of 13

3. Parrot Mountain & Gardens

1471 McCarter Hollow Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37862-7248 +1 865-774-1749 http://parrotmountainandgardens.com
Excellent
85%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,964 reviews

Parrot Mountain & Gardens

Reviewed By MikeZxb

Extremely friendly staff and so many adorable and friendly birds! A great place for family and bird lovers!! Peaceful and beautiful gardens to relax in as well. 11 out of 10!!

4. Tuckaleechee Caverns

825 Cavern Rd, Townsend, TN 37882-4505 +1 865-448-2274 http://www.tuckaleecheecaverns.com/
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,463 reviews

Tuckaleechee Caverns

Tuckaleechee Caverns is a massive cave / cavern system and tourist attraction located in Townsend, Tennessee awarded 5 stars by AAA. Tuckaleechee Caverns is a short drive from Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Townsend, Cades Cove, Knoxville and Chattanooga. Tuckaleechee Caverns is the Highest rated cave or cavern in the Eastern US awarded 5 star "GEM" attraction by AAA. The "Big Room" is the largest cave/cavern room that is open to the public in the eastern United States could almost fit a football stadium. Many stalagmites reach over 24 feet tall with flow-stone formations over hundreds of feet in length and width. Tuckaleechee Caverns is proud to have the tallest underground waterfall in the eastern United States, named "Silver Falls", a 210 foot two-tier waterfall. OPEN - MARCH 1 to NOVEMBER 30.

Reviewed By cl8on

Great place, beautiful caverns, Zach who was our tour guide had a great sense of humor and enjoyed talking. Always had jokes. Many cool formations and other must see things.

5. Cumberland County Playhouse

221 Tennessee Ave, Crossville, TN 38555-5716 +1 931-484-5000 [email protected] http://www.ccplayhouse.com/
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 461 reviews

Cumberland County Playhouse

Reviewed By RobertH26 - Chattanooga, United States

This is one place I visit every year. The quality of the productions that I have seen is first rate. I will mention that I prefer comedies. They do musicals and dramas but I have not yet seen those.

6. Chimneys Picnic Area

Chimneys Picnic Area #1, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 37738 http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/picnic.htm
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 325 reviews

Chimneys Picnic Area

Reviewed By melissabubash - Cincinnati, United States

I ended up in Chimneys Picnic Area because my husband and I were going to hike the Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail (our legs needed a break...the trail was disappointing after the massive hikes we'd already completed). The picnic area though was absolutely beautiful. Great sites to hang out for the day including picnic tables and grills. We were there Memorial Day weekend and at the trail head around 9am and people were already staking out spots for the day. So I would recommend going very early to get the prime spots along the stream.

7. Foothills Parkway

between Chilhowee Lake and Wears Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN +1 865-436-1200 https://www.nps.gov/articles/foothills-parkway-next-steps.htm
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 577 reviews

Foothills Parkway

Reviewed By CountryChick94 - Velpen, United States

Did a June motorcycle trip in the Smokies, and the Foothills Parkway was great. The "missing link" was our favorite stretch. The missing link has enough curves and hills to give you the joy of a mountain ride without the challenges of the Tail of the Dragon. The road is very well cared for, not much traffic, and a lot of pull-offs for site seeing. Ask the locals if you need to know how to get to the missing link. They're happy to tell you why it's called that and how to get there!

8. Samuel T Bryant Distillery

1331 Lower Brownsville Rd, Jackson, TN 38301-9652 +1 731-467-1221 [email protected] http://www.samueltbryant.com
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 165 reviews

Samuel T Bryant Distillery

Samuel T Bryant Distillery LLC is located 1/2 mile off Exit 74 on I40 in Jackson TN. We have over 20 products including Moonshine, Whiskey, an Agave Spirit, Vodka, Rum, Grappa, Brandy, Cream Liquors and Gin. Customers over 21 years of age get 4 free samples of our spirits. We also grow CBD hemp on site and have flowers, gummies and vapes available for sale.

Reviewed By Relax243823 - San Antonio, United States

Great place to taste Moonshine of all kinds of different fruit flavors fresh from their own land. We had a great time, highly recommend!

9. Tennessee Shine Company - Pigeon Forge

3435 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863-5501 +1 865-366-3204 [email protected] http://tnshineco.com
Excellent
92%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 511 reviews

Tennessee Shine Company - Pigeon Forge

We use family recipes and a tradition of small-batch distilling to give our Moonshine and Whiskey the same attention to detail as our ancestors. Visit our four locations! Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley, Gatlinburg and Sevierville & Moonshine Tour.

Reviewed By virginiat109

I was on a mission to find some little mini moonshine jars for friend back at home. I prefer the minis until I can find one I like (not big in the tastings) and they make good little bring home gifts! Well, after 2 distilleries and many gift shops later, I found this little slice of heaven. Got 6 minis in all of the different flavors I thought I’d like (they offer the mini version of almost all of their flavors). And along the way, I ran into their jelly candles and gel melts (think wax melts but in jello form ????) and oohhweee do they smell AMAZING! You really can’t beat the price in this little “off the path” shop! I think I paid around $6.50 for the mini moonshines and they had a buy 5 get 1. And the bigger jars are $25. They also offer many more flavors than you main distillery joints. I’m talking cotton candy, pina colada, banana pudding, orange creamsicle, and SOOO many more. And that’s just the moonshine... they also offer many flavors of dark whiskey and wine as well. If you’re in the area and looking for some good, different moonshine, I’d stop in for a quick visit. They also offer free tastings in case you’re not sure on what to get. Stop in, you won’t regret it!

10. Ijams Nature Center

2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920-2738 +1 865-577-4717 http://ijams.org
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 841 reviews

Ijams Nature Center

Ijams Nature Center is a 315-acre member- and visitor-supported nonprofit organization, where people of all ages can hike, bike, paddle, climb, learn, explore, or simply enjoy nature in Knoxville, TN. The grounds and trails are open every day from 8:00am until dusk. The Visitor Center, including exhibits, gift shop, offices, and restrooms are open during regular business hours. Admission to the park is free, and we gladly accept donations. Fees for programs and special events vary. Established in 1910 by the Ijams (pronounced "EYE-ams") family for bird-watchers and nature-lovers, Ijams Nature Center has been ranked one of Knoxville's top three attractions by TripAdvisor, winning their 2016 Certificate of Excellence . Your generous support is needed to continue the ongoing legacy for generations to come!

Reviewed By 2Frequent_travelers - Knoxville, United States

I love the river walk, you can sit on the bench to soak up the views of the Tennessee river; you have many trails to walk through nature and just a short walk on the right is the Quarry. Ijams features a very cool zipline through the trees. highly recommend to anyone that just needs to get a break from the city. The quarry just down the road is great for more trails, kayaking (you can rent them, they will not allow you to launch your own), swimming and tubing.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.