31 Mar 2020
Virtual Experiences in Tennessee

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Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Spring is in the air and you wish you could travel and experience the scenic beauty, music, history and culture, cuisine and family fun across Tennessee. We wish you could, too. 

As we're following guidelines to stay home and practice social distancing as recommended by the CDC and health professionals due to COVID-19, world-class museums, attractions and exhibits are getting creative to connect you with virtual tours, concerts, digital offerings and live webcams. See what's available for you and your family to experience from the comfort of your home.

BRISTOL Birthplace of Country Music Museum

 

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BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC MUSEUM

Go back in time to the "big bang of country music."

The museum is sharing a series of behind-the-scenes videos with stories told throughout the museum as well as a closer look at the unique instruments on display. Students can participate in several activities, from songwriting to learning about important figures from the 1927 Bristol Sessions. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival hosts a Bristol Quarantine Sessions .  Radio Bristol's Farm and Fun Time will begin airing on Blue Ridge PBS 7 p.m. ET April 4.

Paramount Center for the Arts

 

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PARAMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Enter to win a pair of tickets to a future show.

Need a creative outlet? Download, print and color this Paramount Bristol coloring sheet. Add an artist or show you'd like to see at Paramount Bristol in the marquee. Post your artwork to social media and tag using the hashtag #PBColoring Challenge. One lucky winner will win a pair of tickets to a show of their choice in the fall.

Socially-Distancing Concert Series (April 2-30, 2020)

Support the arts and practice social distancing with Believe in Bristol's live daily virtual concerts at 7 p.m. ET.

Virtual Tour of Shop Main Street

 

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A WEEKEND IN BRISTOL, TENNESSEE

Walk Bristol's downtown.

Photo Credit Andrew Saucier

Walk through this historic street and spot the shops in downtown Bristol virtually.

CHATTANOOGA Bluff View Art District

 

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BLUFF VIEW ART DISTRICT

Explore this arts and culture district.

Explore a Google Maps Virtual Tour of the historic district.

Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center

Explore the exhibits virtually and complete an Online Scavenger Hunt. Aimed to inspire the next generation of heroes, the Heritage Center's “Adventures in Valor” virtual learning environment includes an online scavenger hunt to better understand the history of the Medal of Honor, an essay contest and a list of 10 discussion questions.

Chattanooga Zoo

Live streams include meerkatssnow leopardssloth and cotton top tamarins

Creative Discovery Museum

 

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CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM

Kids will love these online activities.

Access online activities like Distance Learning and Biofuels Lessons Online. Join Facebook Live broadcasts including story time, Culinary Corner kitchen lessons and other hands-on, play-based activities to do at home.

Lookout Wild Film Festival - Social Distancing Series

Enjoy all the outdoor adventure and conservation films from the comfort of your couch.

Music & Other Performances

Follow @VisitChatt on Facebook for regular live music broadcasts from Chattanooga artists.

Ruby Falls

 

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RUBY FALLS

See the largest underground waterfall.

Go behind the scenes with Facebook Live tours to see the largest underground waterfall in America.

Songbirds Guitar Museum

 

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SONGBIRDS GUITAR MUSEUM

Get a guitar and a history lesson.

Check out the Vault Sessions, an episodic online video series featuring one-of-a-kind guitars, rare instruments, guitar lessons, folklorists, musical historians, writers, instrument manufacturers and educational discussions. Catch up on the latest behind-the-scenes episodes from the Songbirds Podcast

Tennessee Aquarium

 

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TENNESSEE AQUARIUM

See animals frolic at Tennessee Aquarium.

Aquarium at Home: Download activity sheets and links to aquarium video series.

River Otter Falls Live Stream

Secret Reef Cam

Penguins Rock Cam

Facebook Live Moment of Zen broadcasts

*Follow @VisitChatt and the hashtag #ConnectChatt on social media for daily live and virtual experiences.

COLUMBIA President James K. Polk Home & Museum

 

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JAMES K. POLK HOME AND MUSEUM

Walk the halls of a president's home.

Photo Credit Andrew Saucier

Step into the halls of the James K. Polk home in historic Columbia, the only remaining home of the nation's 11th president on part one and part two of a virtual tour.

CROSSVILLE Grinder House Coffee Shop

 

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GRINDER HOUSE COFFEE SHOP, LLC

Jam out with musicians.

The live music venue will produce a live “Stuck in the House” singer-songwriter concert series. Each show will be 30 minutes and will have a virtual “tip jar” with donations paid directly to the artist.

FRANKLIN Gallery 202

Take a virtual tour of the diverse art gallery in downtown Franklin with an array of artistic styles and mediums including paintings, antiques, glass, jewelry, pottery and sculpture.

Carnton

 

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CARNTON

Get all your Civil War questions answered.

Eric A. Jacobson, the CEO of the Battle of Franklin Trust, will lead a 45-60 minute tour of Carnton and take your questions Thursday, April 2 at 11 am (CT) for a special Facebook live event.

GATLINBURG Gatlinburg Sky Lift Park

 

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GATLINBURG SKY LIFT

See the sunset at the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America.

Photo Credit @gatlinburgskylift

The SkyLift Park and SkyBridge would like to bring you joy and a smile during these times of solitude. Check the Facebook page of views from the SkyBridge, North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

The Smokies are calling.

Photo Credit @ethan_johnson00

When you need a little moment in nature, check out these great webcams operated by the national park. Watch the park's many species of wildlife living in their natural habitat in real-time, check in on the weather or catch a beautiful Smoky Mountain sunset at the end of the day. Follow the latest updates from the park service.

Webcam at Newfound Gap

Webcam at Clingmans Dome (Operational April – October because of winter weather conditions)

Webcam at Look Rock

Webcams in the Mountains

Local businesses provide views of Gatlinburg of the Smoky Mountains, including Anakeesta and the Gatlinburg Space Needle.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

 

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RIPLEY'S AQUARIUM OF THE SMOKIES

Watch cute penguins and other creatures.

Photo Credit Greta Hollar

Explore Ripley's Aquarium at Home and learn about the creatures that call the world's waters home. Meet aquarium staff educators, who will be your guide to live feedings, educational encounters, story time and much more. 

#VirtualGatlinburg

Live your Gatlinburg vacation from the comfort of your couch. Tune in to dozens of live streams, webcams and virtual experiences as they are announced at Bringing Gatlinburg to You.

Goodlettsville

Learn about the Gateway to Music City in a Colonial Beginnings exhibit, go on a nature scavenger hunt and other fun virtual activities at Visit Goodlettesville's YouTube channel.

GRAY Hands On! Discovery Center

 

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HANDS ON! DISCOVERY CENTER

Get up close to fossils found in Tennessee.

Photo Credit @visitnortheasttennessee

The all-ages science center offers fun, at-home activities each day on Facebook to help keep science and art alive for everyone. A resource page coming to their website soon and will provide additional interactive and educational activities, including Fossil Friday.

GREENEVILLE

Take virtual trips every day on Facebook Live @GreenevilleTN #StaycateGreenevillTN and #VirtualVaca2020.

HENDERSONVILLE Hendersonville Hometown Jam

Tune into the Hendersonville Hometown Jam Facebook page featuring a different artist every day at 11 a.m. CT.

JACKSON

 

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CENTURY FARM WINERY

Walk among the vineyards.

Photo Credit @centuryfarmwinery

Find inspiration to plan a future weekend visit to Jackson, including the West Tennessee Farmers Market and live music at the AMP, Southern Legends of Music at the CarnegieRusty's TV and Movie Car MuseumCentury Farm WinerySamuel T. Bryant DistilleryPinson Mounds State Archaeological Park and more.

JEFFERSON CITY Cherokee Lake

Fishing guide Jay Girardot takes you on a morning fishing trip on Cherokee Lake in East Tennessee.

JONESBOROUGH International Storytelling Center 

 

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INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING CENTER

Hear tales from some of the best storytellers.

The International Storytelling Center serves as the vanguard of the storytelling movement, helping preserve and enhance the world's oldest art form. Hear stories, listen to the StoryVault podcast, watch Youtube videos from past festivals.

Kingsport

Visit Kingsport wants you to step out on your front porch or yard each night at 6 p.m. ET to wave to your neighbors. We are all in this together, so get outside and say hello (a safe six feet away!). Check out the first Neighborhood Wave! Follow Kingsport Strong on Facebook for updates about Kingsport's Wave Movement and share your waves.

KNOXVILLE  Dogwood Arts Festival 

The beloved arts festival is going virtual after having to postpone the public event. Dogwood Arts Festival showcases 109 artists online from around the U.S. who were juried in to participate this year. Browse and support the arts from the comfort of your home.

James White Fort

 

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JAMES WHITE FORT

Get a history lesson from your couch.

The executive director of the museum takes you on a tour and tells stories of the historic site in the original 1786 residence of James White, the founder of Knoxville.

Muse Knoxville

Searching for ways to connect? Muse Knoxville, a non-profit children's STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) museum, hosts activities and ideas to keep your family learning at home, like Story Time from Space. Check out the Muse Knoxville Facebook page.

Phoenix Pharmacy and Fountain

Step back in time at this old-fashioned pharmacy and soda fountain. Recall a time when ice cream sundaes had unique names and a fizzy soda was to be savored.

Pretentious Glass Co.

 

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PRETENTIOUS GLASS CO.

Learn how beer glasses are made.

Artisan and owner Matthew Cummings uses his artistry to create singular hand-blown glasses to serve up his handcrafted beers and sodas. Cummings shows you how a beer glass is crafted using traditional glass blowing techniques.

Zoo Knoxville

Follow Zoo Knoxville on Facebook and Instagram for virtual experiences, zoo encounters and more.

LAWRENCEBURG David Crockett State Park

Experience the beauty of David Crockett State Park with bird feeder observations, virtual warm-ups, trails and other offerings on their Facebook page.

McMinnville

 

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MCMINNVILLE COURTHOUSE SQUARE

Spend the day virtually visiting McMinnville.

In a new series by Visit McMinnvilleSeed Stories: Every Bloom Starts with a Seed uncovers the inspiration behind local businesses and how they tie into the culture and scenery that define McMinnville. Follow Visit McMinnville on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter for new stories.

MEMPHIS Belltower Artisans

The Belltower Artisans offers take-home pottery lessons.

Cocktail-Making Classes

Mixologist Morgan McKinney is setting up online cocktail-making classes.

Indie Memphis

Indie Memphis launched the Indie Memphis Movie Club with suggested films and online Q&A sessions.

Memphis Public Library

The Memphis Public Library is doing Facebook live streams for story times.

Memphis Zoo 

Follow @MemphisZoo on social for unique, at-home experiences, behind-the-scenes looks and virtual animal encounters from their Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

National Civil rights Museum

 

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NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM

Commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.

Photo Credit National Civil Rights Museum/Justin Fox Burks

The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel will present a virtual commemoration in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy onthe 52nd anniversary of his death 5-6:30 p.m. CT Saturday, April 4 on the museum's websiteYoutubeFacebook and Livestream platforms. The museum has retooled its original event to produce digital content and a virtual broadcast entitled, “Remember MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment.”  

Opera Memphis

Opera Memphis will host 30 Days of Opera, a virtual opera festival, starting on April 1.

Pink Palace Museum

Learn about physics, science and nature with Museum to Go. There are “Activities at Home,” “Curator's Choice” highlighting the museum curator's favorite artifacts, a free streaming movie link to the documentary America's Musical Journey that has scenes shot in Memphis on Beale Street and the Arcade Restaurant downtown and a free streaming of The Sun, Our Living Star planetarium show. The Museum will add more shows, coloring books, fun educational activities, podcasts and more.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

 

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STAX MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SOUL MUSIC

See rare music artifacts.

Photo Credit Candace Hampton

Experience the legacy of Stax Records with Deep Cuts: Rare Items from the Stax Archives.

Urban Art Commission

Check out its social-distancing-friendly temporary art installation.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art invites you to create and share your wildest sidewalk art with #Chalkfest2020 March 30-April 3 for your chance to win prizes. Create sidewalk art, share photos with the hashtag #Chalkfest2020 and tag @BrooksMuseum on Instagram and Facebook. 

MURFREESBORO Murfreesboro Center for the Arts

Take an exclusive backstage virtual tour of the center which presents theatrical productions, visual art exhibitions, music concerts, dance performances and educational classes.

Earth Experience, the Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History

 

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EARTH EXPERIENCE - MIDDLE TENNESSEE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Take a virtual tour to see fossils, gems and more.

Take a virtual tour of the museum with displays from all over the world. See dinosaurs, fossils, gems, minerals, rocks and archaeological relics and a rare, 38-foot T-Rex. 

Gateway Island at the Fountains

Take in the nature and sounds of Gateway Island at the Fountains, part of the Murfreesboro Greenway System with a trail, a lake overlook and a variety of wildlife.

Middle Tennessee State University

Curious what one of the largest and fastest-growing undergraduate campuses in Tennessee looks like? Tour the campus, home of the Blue Raiders. Check out the Artistic Quilting exhibit at Todd Art Gallery through MTSU's Department of Art and Design.

Oaklands Mansion

 

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OAKLANDS MANSION

Hear the deep history behind this home.

During the Civil War, Oaklands Mansion was occupied by both armies and it survived. Check out live footage of the museum. It's also a popular venue for special events, engaging community programs and weddings.

Stones River National Battlefield

 

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STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD

Learn more about the Civil War.

Explore the battlefield and home of the oldest Civil War monument in the United States on a virtual tour.

Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra

Attend a virtual performance of this orchestra, a staple to the culture of Rutherford County.

The Walnut House

Take a tour backstage and through the ages at the state-of-the-art live music and concert venue, which has been on the Murfreesboro Square for more than 100 years.

NASHVILLE Adventure Science Center

 

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ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER

Explore space and do science projects.

Browse their online collection of do-it-yourself science projects. 

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage: Home of the People's President

 

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ANDREW JACKSON'S HERMITAGE: HOME OF THE PEOPLE'S PRESIDENT

Get a mansion tour.

The home of the 7th president of the U.S. shares its deep history through virtual tours, a new video or livestream, mansion tours and behind-the-glass discussions on Facebook

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

 

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CHEEKWOOD ESTATE AND GARDENS

Walk among the tulips.

Photo Credit Kay + Si Miller

Cheekwood's Tots! program has moved to online activities for families to access online. They plan to share one activity a week. Enjoy virtual garden tours on Instragram by following the hashtags #cheekwoodinbloom and #ourgardensyourhome

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

 

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COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

See the vast collection at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Photo Credit @katiecarterart

Enjoy the video collection, including pre-recorded live performances, interviews, songwriter sessions and podcasts. Also, explore the Digital Archives which includes photos, sound recordings, printed materials, and objects of their collection. There's also an Oral History and a Photography Collection. 

Frist Art Museum

 

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FRIST ART MUSEUM

See art in a new way.

The Frist's Youtube channel has archives of lectures, instructional videos, short features, and the entire performance of Nick Cave: Feat. Nashville, which took place at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. 

Grand Ole Opry

The Opry's television and video network, Circle, brings the Opry show to the world starting at 8/7c Saturdays online and in select local markets on Facebook and Youtube.

Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum

 

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MUSICIANS HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM

Hear stories, interviews and more.

Enjoy a collection of interviews, interesting stories, and more.

Nashville Public Library

Enjoy their Puppet Shows

Nashville Symphony

Three social media posts a week focus on Music Education tools for parents to use at home with their children on the symphony's InstagramTwitter and Facebook.

Nashville Zoo

 

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NASHVILLE ZOO AT GRASSMERE

Watch animals play.

Photo Credit Kay + Si Miller

Get a daily dose of cute animals, learn fun new facts and watch regular live streams with keepers on the Nashville Zoo's Facebook and Instagram. For the next few weeks, they will send out an email each Monday letting you know when to catch live streams that week. 

Tennessee State Museum

 

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TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM

Explore Tennessee's extensive history.

Photo Credit Joshua Cox

The “Search the Collection” online portal lets visitors search and read about artifacts. Check out the video archives from the museum's lectures, panel discussion and Lunch and Learn events. The "Stories" blog contains articles featuring topics on Tennessee history. Download and print #ColorOurCollection sheets that feature artifacts. 

Winners Bar & Grill

Enjoy live music from talented writers and artists with the Winners Bar & Grill's Whiskey Jam Livestream Series. When the event first launched in 2011, the first few months saw guests artists like Kip Moore, Brett Eldridge, Chris Young and Dustin Lynch.

Virtual Concerts

From their homes to yours, Nashville artists and local music venues are livestreaming concerts so you can still feel the music – safely at home. Hear what's playing.

Virtual Cooking 

Well-known Nashville Chef Sean Brock, is offering virtual cooking classes from his home. He works with clients on the dish they want to cook and they cook together via FaceTime. All proceeds go to his teams at his restaurants Audrey and newest venture, Joyland, which is offering carry-out and curbside service. Joyland, located at 901 Woodland St., features cheeseburgers, shakes, fried chicken on a stick, and biscuits. 

Check out the complete list of virtual offerings from other Nashville attractions.

Pigeon Forge Titanic Museum Attraction

 

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TITANIC MUSEUM ATTRACTION IN PIGEON FORGE

Step inside the Titanic in a different way.

Step on board the Titanic for a four-part virtual tour series via Youtube that takes you through the exhibits with stories and interesting facts.

RUGBY R.M. Brooks General Store

 

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R. M. BROOKS STORE

Virtually tour Rugby.

Photo Credit Andrew Saucier

Learn the history and take a virtual tour of the community landmark and meeting place, R.M. Brooks General Store, operated by five generations of the family.

SEVIERVILLE Travel inspiration

Get inspiration for a trip to see the fall foliage in the Smokies with virtual fall driving tours. Fill your plate with traditional recipes handed down through generations from regional favorites like Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and Tony Gore's Smoky Mountain BBQ & Grill. Visit Sevierville virtually with stops at Great Smoky Mountains National ParkTanger Outlet Center Sevierville and Wilderness at the Smokies.

Tennessee Museum of Aviation

This museum brings aviation history to life through artifacts tracing aviation and military history, uniforms, aircraft models and memorabilia. Get “Schooled by Jules,” as Aviation Docent and WWII Veteran Jules Bernard explains the Stinson L-5 or check out other videos on their Youtube channel.

SEWANEE Mountain Goat Trail Stories

Enjoy four stories about people who use and enjoy the Mountain Goat Trail, a multi-modal rail-trail that connects communities along the historic path of the Mountain Goat Railroad, which carried coal and passengers between communities on the South Cumberland Plateau from 1856-1985. A 5-mile section of the Mountain Goat Trail connects Sewanee to Monteagle, Tennessee. 

UNION CITY Discovery Park of America

 

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DISCOVERY PARK OF AMERICA

Carve out time for "Moments of Discovery."

Photo Credit @discoveryparkuc

Follow Discovery Park of America on FacebookTwitterInstagram and Youtube for great content like “Moments of Discovery,” an “Artifact of the Day,” artifacts and stories with the hashtag #ThisDayinHistory, the weekly release of the popular “Reelfoot Forward: A West Tennessee” podcast, “Wildlife Wednesday,” Discovery Park's blog, and “Fossil Friday.”

WATERTOWN Sassy Pecan

What do you get when you mix together two sassy women, pecans and a whole lot of southern flavor? You get one of Watertown's staple restaurants and confectionaries, famous for their Sticky Doohickeys. Read all about them.

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