19 Mar 2024
Photos for media use only courtesy of Tennessee Tourism or noted in image titles.
NEW ATTRACTIONS, EXHIBITS & EXPERIENCES
Memphis (May 3-5) – Get ready to groove at the new RiverBeat Music Festival along the riverfront at Tom Lee Park featuring headliners The Fugees, Jelly Roll, Odesza and 50 world-class acts spanning multiple genres across five stages.
Knoxville (May 11) – Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival returns to World's Fair Park with a brand new TN Whiskey Experience, food trucks, craft beer, wine, specialty cocktails, Maker Market and performances by Old Crow Medicine Show, The Dirty Guv'nah's and Maggie Rose.
Pigeon Forge – The Dolly Parton Experience, opening in May at Dollywood, includes exhibits which span Dolly Parton's iconic career, a look at the inspiration for her biggest dreams, importance of family and a curated exhibit highlighting her signature style through the years.
Gatlinburg – Buckle up for a thrill ride on Anakeesta's new Hellbender Smoky Mountain Coaster, with heart-pounding twists, gravity-defying drops and jaw-dropping views.
Sevierville – A first-of-its-kind lazy river experience, Kaleidoscope Kavern Lazy River, features a uniquely immersive tunnel inspired by the Smoky Mountains, dynamic kaleidoscope lighting and sound to captivate the imagination at Wilderness at the Smokies.
Chattanooga (April 5-May 12) – See Rock City like never before during Rock City Nights: Flora Luna. Low-light lanterns illuminate this new, one-of-a-kind night-time garden party with a fine selection of wine and beer, luminous art creations and locally sourced small plates.
Northeast Tennessee – Stargazing adventures and breathtaking views await on the Tennessee Night Sky Trail. Unveil a unique journey traversing the trail by your zodiac sign at one of the nine viewing areas.
Morristown – America's favorite pastime is celebrated at the new Grovewood Baseball Museum, with exhibits of over 1,000 authentic pieces dating from Civil War era to the early 2000s, including items from Cal Ripkin, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and movie memorabilia.
Tennessee State Parks – Learn new skills like backpacking or birding, take a guided kayak tour, night moon hike or enjoy spring events and festivals at one of 57 Tennessee State Parks.
NEW HOTELS & PLACES TO STAY
Memphis – Marriott's Aloft Hotel is set to open soon downtown. This ultra-modern property uses tech-savvy amenities, including robotic bellhops and mobile room keys, to provide guests with a seamless stay.
Nashville – A stylish urban retreat, the new boutique Drift Hotel features 87 rooms, decor with locally made custom artwork, a cafe, Sun Room bar with soda-based cocktails, and Poolside at Drift, an outdoor bar space with fireplaces, cabanas and communal tables with seasonal cocktails and bites.
Monterey – Adventure awaits at Triple C Ranch, a one-of-a-kind Tennessee outdoor experience with fishing, hunting, hiking and a lodge on-site.
Monteagle – Adventure with a beautiful, tranquil treetop escape at Terralodge, a modern treehouse resort with firepits, hot tubs and more for an ideal getaway.
Copperhill – Discover the perfect getaway with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The boutique Mallard Hotel boasts stunning outdoor fire pits, a fitness center, game room and outdoor adventures.
Pigeon Forge – A boutique hotel and retro paradise, The Wayback Hotel is a one-of-a-kind getaway with a bar, restaurant and Swim Club in a vintage airstream for small bites.
NEW RESTAURANTS, RETAIL & MUSIC VENUES
Jamestown – Birdie's Lounge is a one-stop shop in the downtown area with snacks, drinks, beer, golf simulators and a selection of high-quality golf apparel.
Gainesboro – Miss Sallie's Market on the square features fresh locally sourced produce, meats, grains, breads, baked goods, with homemade meals and desserts ready to take home and a fresh salad bar.
Chattanooga - Inspired by years of studying Japanese food and culture, Chattanooga's newest Izakaya and ramen shop, Attack of the Tatsu, offers a crafted menu utilizing exceptional techniques and ingredients.
Knoxville – 71 South is nestled within the heart of Knoxville's Urban Wilderness. Step inside the nearly century-old church, now transformed into vibrant dining with brunch, lunch, dinner, local brews and handcrafted cocktails.
Pigeon Forge – Titanic Frozen Custard & Chocolate Attraction next to the museum includes frozen custard, Dinstuhl's chocolates, candies and souvenirs, with Parisian décor, large-scale murals and a 40-foot-tall mosaic glass masterpiece.
NEW BARS, BREWERIES, DISTILLERIES, WINERIES & SPIRITS
Nashville – An elevated oasis escape, enjoy craft cocktails, wine, Mediterranean-inspired small plates, live entertainment from local DJs and scenic views at AVA Rooftop Bar.
Crossville – Swing on Brewing Co. has a newly-built tap room with a billiard table, golf simulator, puzzle table, games, dining area, golf driving range out back, firepit area, parking and more.
Farragut – Tennessee never tasted so good. The Made in Tennessee Drink Trail features local restaurants that highlight a beer or cocktail with an element from Tennessee.
RENOVATED OR REIMAGINED
Franklin – The reimagined Factory at Franklin historic building has been transformed into a lively hub for local shopping, dining, theatre, live music, events and more spotlighting the heartbeat of Franklin.
Monterey (May 24-25) – The new White Pines Music Festival at Old Gray Venue is fun, family-friendly and will include performances by Craig Morgan, Clay Walker, Nate Smith, Larry Fleet and Ashley Cooke.
Chattanooga – The Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo allows visitors to experience a night inside restored train carriages and blends historic and modern elements to offer an inviting and captivating atmosphere.
NEW AND POPULAR SEASONAL EVENTS
Memphis – Jump start the weekend every Thursday at the Peabody Memphis hotel's weekly rooftop party with a live DJ, weekly headliner, large dance floor, VIP area and river views.
Nashville (March 9-April 14) - Walk among 250,000 blooming pastel bulbs during Cheekwood in Bloom: Belles Fleurs. Traverse along the gardens, capture a photo at the model Eiffel Tower, see Belles Fleurs come alive in the Color Garden and see works of art at the museum.
Linden (March 22-23) – The Blooming Arts Festival in historic downtown Linden is the perfect way to welcome spring, enjoy the creativity of local and regional artists, live music, food and fun activities.
Cleveland (April 6) – Savor an official state food of Tennessee, hot slaw, at Hot Slaw and Art Y'all in the historic downtown, a totally unexpected food and art festival with music, games and fun!
Nashville (April 6) – Bring the pup for an afternoon of live music, food, dog-friendly outdoor activities and tasting from the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, wine and local craft brews at Sip of History at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage.
Knoxville (April 11) – Dusk in the Dogwoods at Mabry-Hazen House is a 1920s themed event featuring an open bar, heavy hors d'ouevres, silent auction, swing dancing, a costume contest, historic house tours and more. Money raised benefits restoration efforts.
Clarksville (April 13) – Historic Collinsville opens for the season with hands-on activities featuring science, technology, engineering, art and math, guided tours of the new Weakley House Museum, games, scavenger hunts, music and docent demonstrations like spinning/weaving and blacksmithing.
Rugby (May 4-5) – Bring the family for the British Festival, a celebration of Historic Rugby, founded in the 1880s. The annual festival features food, tours of the historic buildings, live music and more.
Pelham (May 24-26) – CaveJam, a new 3-day camping festival features headliner The String Cheese Incident and an incredible line-up of bands both above and below ground at The Caverns. Choose from a variety of VIP camping packages and climate-controlled yurts, luxury tents and more.
For a full list of events, check out tnvacation.com/calendar.
ABOUT TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is dedicated to driving economic growth and tourism in all 95 counties. TDTD's global marketing efforts increase visitation to Tennessee, which boosts tax revenue, creates jobs and attracts new investment across the state. Tennessee is a global destination of choice offering visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty and outdoor adventure—all centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations “sound perfect” in Tennessee. Visit TNvacation.com and follow @TNvacation on social media for travel inspiration.
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Jill Kilgore
Alli Lapps
Amanda Murphy
