7 Reasons Summers in Tennessee Beat Every Other State

Tennessee is a beautiful and exciting state with many things to do. Spending a summer exploring this lovely natural state is a dream. You can visit the large musical city of Nashville and also explore countless mountains and waterfalls. Although it’s hard to pick which state has the best summer, here we have seven reasons summers in Tennessee beat every other state!

Friendly People

One of the best parts of spending your summer in Tennessee is that the people are genuinely friendly! Tennessee has southern charm and kindness, which can make your trip memorable. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions or food recommendations, even in large cities like Nashville.

Amazing Summer Festivals

Tennessee has a lot of festivals, perfect for just about anyone. It’s one reason Tennessee summers are the best. You can enjoy craft, good, and music festivals all over the state. Some of the most popular ones include the CMA Music Festival, the Second Saturday at McMinnville, the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration in Dollywood, and the Lavender Festival on Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. Every weekend there is something new to do. There are also family-friendly farmers’ markets and craft events like the new Promise Land annual Music & Arts Festival in Charlotte. These festivals are outside, so we recommend bringing and drinking a lot of water! You can see fireworks at some of these festivals, like the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration in Dollywood.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a beautiful national park. Although popular in the summer, it’s technically a reason why Tennessee is the best state in general! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a 522,419-acre national park in North Carolina and Tennessee. It receives over 14 million visitors every year. There are numerous mountains throughout the national park and hiking trails that lead to the top. While visiting, you can also go to different historic sites like the Cades Cove Historic District, Elkmont Historic District, and Roaring Fork Historic District. Visitors can also fish, view wildlife, and bird watching.

Countless Waterfalls

Tennessee’s natural beauty is striking. Did you know the state has multiple waterfalls, which you can visit and even swim in? Possibly the most well-known waterfall in the state is Fall Creek Falls. This lovely waterfall is within the Fall Creek Falls State Park. At 256 feet tall, it’s the highest free-fall waterfall east of the Mississippi River. In the same state park, you can find Cane Creek Falls, which is about 85 feet tall. If you’re looking for low crowds, you can visit the Stillhouse Hollow Falls, a 75-foot waterfall in the Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area.

Aquariums and Zoos

You don’t have to spend all your time outside while enjoying Tennessee summers, instead, you can also plan a zoo or aquarium day. There are many to choose from! Tennessee has some of the best zoos and aquariums in the country. For instance, the Memphis Zoo has over 3,500 animals and 500 distinct species. It opened in 1906 and has been running since. Zoo Knoxville isn’t as large as the Memphis Zoo but is a popular summer destination. Here you can see over 800 animals, including red pandas in the Boyd Family Asian Trek exhibit.

Waterparks to Beat the Heat

Tennessee summers are hot, so it’s the best time to cool down in a water park. One of the most popular water parks in the state is Dollywood’s Splash Country. It’s a 35-acre thrilling water park located in Pigeon Forge and open from May to September. For a different experience, you can also splash all day in the Soaky Mountain Waterpark. This water park features an adventure river and multiple family and thrill rides. Within the Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort are also slides, ziplines, and a lagoon.

Sunflower Farms

Sunflowers are a sign that spring and summer are here and there are multiple sunflower farms in Tennessee with picturesque fields. If you want to be next to massive sunflowers, sometimes taller than you, visit a sunflower farm in Tennessee. You can also pick your own, or film a photo shoot. Throughout the state are also many sunflower festivals. The Red River Farms’ Sunflower Festival is a popular one.

Summary of 7 Reasons Summers in Tennessee Beat Every Other State