Summer in Tennessee is shaping up to be a banner season for locals and tourists alike, with a plethora of new attractions, eclectic experiences, and a bevy of places to eat, drink, and be merry. If pedaling through scenic landscapes is your jam, you're in luck. The statewide cycling program, Bike Tennessee, has rolled out with 52 curated road cycling routes, inviting cyclists to explore the state's lush terrains on two wheels—a move that's as good for the environment as it is for the calves.
In the Smoky Mountains, the newly minted outdoor adventure park, WildSide, offers visitors a chance to unleash their adventurous spirits across 900 acres, while Dollywood serves up a dose of interactive storytelling with The Dolly Parton Experience. According to Tennessee's official tourism site, this exhibit explores Dolly's illustrious career and signature style. Not to be outdone, the nearby TITANIC Museum Attraction trots out a true cinema relic—the wood "door prop" from the Titanic movie, which we bet can still spark heated debates about buoyancy and doomed romance.
Accommodation options haven't been snoozing either. Gatlinburg's lodgings now include the Historic Rocky Waters Inn, offering more than just a bed to crash on but also guide services and chef-driven dining. Meanwhile, in Nashville, the Tempo by Hilton Nashville conjures up over 300 rooms, rooftop panoramas, and a focus on wellness. It's steps away from the sorely tempting buzz of Music City's museums, restaurants, and bars.
For those whose summer isn't complete without signature sips and bites, say hello to Kern’s Food Hall in Knoxville and The Lazy Beagle in Sweetwater. Kern's brings a cornucopia of culinary delights and a social vibe that's hard to resist. In Sevierville, Apple Barn Cider House invites connoisseurs to a cider experience, with the ins and outs of cider making on full display come late June. Tennesseans and visitors with a taste for the grape can also swirl, sniff, and sip at Inspire Wine Bar in Kingsport, where vineyards from the Southeast steal the show. As for music and cultural aficionados, they'll find no shortage of festivities, ranging from the iconic Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival to Chattanooga's euphonious salute to Ruby Falls' 95 years of wonder.
Lastly, don't overlook the smaller joys. In places like Jonesborough with its free Music on the Square series to Leiper’s Fork, where Patina Home & Garden boasts organic produce fresh from the farm, the Volunteer State is brimming with local flavor and charm. So make the trek, pack your sunscreen, saddle up, or just kick back and let Tennessee's fresh summer offerings take the lead.
