Tennessee
Tennessee has Memphis blues, Nashville music and the Great Smoky Mountains in one state, so you can pair city nights with mountain trails.
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Tennessee is a state in the southeastern United States, bordered by eight states. Nashville, the capital, is known for country music, with honky-tonks on Lower Broadway and the Grand Ole Opry. Memphis, on the Mississippi River, is home to Graceland, Elvis Presley's former home, and to the music clubs on Beale Street. In the east, Knoxville and Chattanooga anchor river towns and mountain views. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers land in Tennessee and North Carolina and is one of the most visited national parks in the United States.
Plan a trip around music, food and time outdoors. Give a few days to one city, or about a week to cover Nashville, Memphis and the mountains, since the drives between them take several hours. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for walking and hiking. Summer is hot and humid across the state.
Tennessee in five
- Rent a car to move between citiesNashville to Memphis is about 3.5 hours on Interstate 40, and Nashville to Chattanooga is about 2 hours. Visiting more than one city means driving.Getting around
- Check the clock on the drive eastNashville and Memphis run on Central time, and Knoxville and Chattanooga run on Eastern time. The line falls between Nashville and Chattanooga, so the clock changes on the drive.
- Book seats for the Ryman or the OpryThe Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry are two of Nashville's best-known music venues. Book seats on their official sites before you travel.Music
- Ride the Incline up Lookout MountainThe Lookout Mountain Incline Railway climbs a steep grade above Chattanooga, with views over the city. Ruby Falls, a waterfall inside a cave, is on the same mountain.Chattanooga
- Download offline maps for the SmokiesPhone coverage thins out inside the national park and on mountain roads. Save offline maps on your phone before you leave Knoxville.Phones and eSIM
Neighborhoods
Memphis
- Best for: History, live music, river walks
- Price band: $$
- Beale Street clubs, busy at night
- National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel
- Tom Lee Park on the Mississippi River
Skip if you want quiet streets after dark.
Nashville
Nashville is Tennessee's capital and a center of country music, with Broadway honky-tonks, the Grand Ole Opry and live bands that play late into the night.
Knoxville
A river city in the Appalachians with 1982 World's Fair landmarks, a University of Tennessee campus and a short drive to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Chattanooga
Chattanooga is a city in southeastern Tennessee known for Lookout Mountain, Civil War battlefields and a riverside trail of about 13 miles.
Things to do in Tennessee
See all attractions in Tennessee
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for visa-waiver passports, visa for others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected, 15 to 20 percent at restaurants
- Time
- UTC-6 Nashville and Memphis; UTC-5 Knoxville and Chattanooga; daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, wet
- MarchStorms, mild
- AprilMild, blooming
- MayWarm, green
- JuneHot, humid
- JulyHottest, humid
- AugustHot, storms
- SeptemberMild, fewer crowds
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberMild, quieter
- DecemberHoliday lights
Right now in Tennessee
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 20%
Tennessee
11:03 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°14°20%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Tue23°14°48%Tuesday: Rain. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Wed21°14°97%Wednesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Thu21°12°15%Thursday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Fri21°10°15%Friday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Sat16°7°3%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun17°6°11%Sunday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 11%.
Updated 07:49 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.119 USD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Chattanoogaabout 2 hours by car from NashvilleThe Incline Railway and Ruby Falls on Lookout Mountain make a full day.Read the guide
- Knoxvilleabout 3 hours by car from NashvilleThe gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a day in the hills.Read the guide
- Memphisabout 3.5 hours by car from NashvilleBeale Street and Sun Studio, a long day or an overnight from Nashville.Read the guide
Before you go to Tennessee
Rules for Tennessee, checked
- Check ESTA eligibility and passport validity on the official U.S. CBP site before you fly.Source
- Stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing, as Tennessee traffic law requires.
- Hotel bills add state and local taxes, so read the bill before you pay.
Plan around Tennessee
Driving between the four cities, and when a car is not needed
Read the guideWhere to stayDowntown bases in Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga
Read the guideMoney and costsPaying in dollars, tipping and typical daily prices
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA, passports and what to check before you fly
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData for maps and rural drives near the Smokies
Read the guideTours and ticketsBooking options for the music venues and the aquarium
Read the guideTennessee FAQ
How many days do you need in Tennessee?
Five to seven days covers Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga by car. Add Knoxville if you want the Great Smoky Mountains.
Is Nashville or Memphis better for a first trip?
Nashville for live music, the Ryman and Lower Broadway. Memphis for Beale Street, the Civil Rights Museum and Sun Studio. Do both if you have five days or more.
Do I need a car in Tennessee?
Yes, if you visit more than one city. Nashville to Memphis is about 3.5 hours on Interstate 40, and Chattanooga is about 2 hours from Nashville.
Is Chattanooga worth a visit?
Yes, for a day or two. The Tennessee Aquarium, the Walnut Street Bridge and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway can be done in one day.
Can you visit the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville?
Yes. Knoxville is the usual gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the park is about an hour away by car.
Is Tennessee on one time zone?
No. Nashville and Memphis are on Central time, and Knoxville and Chattanooga are on Eastern time.