Tennessee Vacations Travel Guide

General Information

Baby Equipment Rentals - companies in Tennessee that rent baby gear and equipment including car seats, strollers, cribs and more

Official Web Site of Tennessee - History of Tennessee, genealogy resources, maps, events and festivals, community information and more.

Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau - Everything about Memphis including music, entertainment, history, heritage...and especially how to get there and enjoy every minute in Memphis.

Zoos

Tennessee Aquarium
One Broad Street
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37401
Phone: (800) 262-0695 / (423) 265-0695
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga is the world's largest freshwater aquarium. Journey through a spectacular 60-foot canyon and two living forests, where you'll see over 9,000 animals that swim, fly and crawl in natural habitats.

Chattanooga Zoo
1254 E 3rd St
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404
Phone: (423) 697-1319
The Chattanooga Zoo, formerly the Warner Park Zoo, currently houses approximately 60 animals. These include 4 species of primates, 7 species of reptiles, 14 species of birds, and a total of 4 species listed as threatened or endangered. Some of these animals are housed indoors and only make appearances at programs and in the Discovery Center.

Knoxville Zoological Gardens
PO Box 6040
Knoxville, Tennessee 37914
Phone: (865) 637-5331

Memphis Zoo
2000 Prentiss Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38112
Phone: (901) 725-3400
Over 3000 animals; animal shows, the Zoo shop, Discovery Center and rides.

National Parks

Fort Donelson National Battlefield
Dover, Tennessee
Phone: (931) 232-5706
Fort Donelson National Battlefield includes: Fort Donelson National Cemetery (established 1867), the final resting place for Union soldiers killed at Fort Donelson and other American veterans representing seven wars; visitor center; the Dover Hotel (Surrender House), the site where Confederate general Simon B. Buckner surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant; and Fort Donelson and its associated earthen rifle pits and river batteries.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Phone: (865) 436-1200
The national park, encompasses 800 square miles of which 95 percent are forested. World renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal resources, it is one of the largest protected areas in the east.  The Smokies offer activities for visitors of various ages and interests. Recommended activities include camping, hiking the park's more than 800 miles of trails, picnicking, sightseeing, fishing, auto touring, horseback riding, nature viewing, and photographic opportunities abound. Guided horseback rides are available in season at five horse stables in the park in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
Greeneville, Tennessee
Phone: (423) 638-3551
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site honors the life and work of the nation's 17th President and preserves his two homes, tailor shop, and grave site. Andrew Johnson's life exemplifies many struggles faced by Americans today. He worked his way from tailor to President. He stood strong for his ideals and beliefs. His presidency, from 1865 - 1869, illustrates the United States Constitution at work following Lincoln's assassination and during attempts to reunify a nation that had been torn by civil war.

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Oneida, Tennessee
Phone: (931) 879-4890
The free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries pass through 90 miles of scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide range of natural and historic features. The area offers a broad range of recreational opportunities including camping, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting and fishing.

Obed Wild and Scenic River
Wartburg, Tennessee
Phone: (423) 346-6294
Approximately 45 miles of wild and scenic river are comprised of the Obed River, Clear Creek, Daddy's Creek and Emory River. These water courses have cut rugged gorges leaving exciting whitewater gorges with bluffs as high as 500 feet above the water.

Museums

Creative Discovery Museum
321 Chestnut Street
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
Phone: (423) 756-2738
The Museum features an Artist's Studio, a Musician's Workshop, a Field Scientist's Laboratory, an Inventor's Workshop, an Optics Tower and a "Little Yellow House" play space. Additional facilities in the 42,000 square foot, two-story building include a two-story kinetic water sculpture, 120 seat theater, gift shop, cafe, special exhibits gallery, classrooms and a birthday party room. All exhibits are geared for children from ages three to twelve-years-old.

Hands On! Regional Museum
315 East Main Street
Johnson City, Tennessee 37601
Phone: (423) 434-HAND
Changing daily programs, interactive exhibits, outreach programs, and festivals are designed for all ages to enjoy.  Discover, create, and experiment to make learning fun, all in one great place.

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
700 Hall of Fame Drive
Knoxville, Tennessee 37915
Phone: (865) 633-9000
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is a 32,000-square foot building that honors the past, celebrates the present and promotes the future of women's basketball.

The Children's Museum of Memphis
2525 Central Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
Phone: (901) 320-3170
Encourages the curiosity and imagination of children and their families through interactive exhibitions, programs and resources that help demystify the arts, sciences, humanities and technology.

The Pink Palace Museum; Union Planters IMAX® Theater and the Sharpe Planetarium
3050 Central Ave.
Memphis, Tennessee 38111
Phone: (901)320-6320
Exhibits of all types, planetarium, IMAX theater and more.

Elvis Presley's Graceland
3734 Elvis Presley Boulevard
Memphis, Tennessee 38186-0508
Phone: (901) 332-3322 / (800) 238-2000
With individual headsets guests enjoy a specially produced audio tour presentation featuring an informative narrative, music and commentary from Elvis himself, and personal recollections of Priscilla Presley. The home tour consists of the living room, music room, Elvis' parents' bedroom, the dining room, kitchen, TV room, pool room, and “jungle” den in the main house, and, behind the house, Elvis’ racquetball building and his original business office. The highlight of the mansion tour is Elvis’ trophy building, which houses his enormous collection of gold records and awards, along with an extensive display of career mementos, stage costumes, jewelry, photographs, and much more. The tour ends with a quiet visit to the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest.

The Cumberland Science Museum & Sudekum Planetarium
800 Fort Negley Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Phone: (615) 862-5160 / (615) 862-5160
Fun exhibits and planetarium for the whole family to enjoy.

Children's Museum of OakRidge
461 West Outer Drive
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
Phone: (865) 482-1074 / (865) 482-1075
Science, art and history are emphasized in hands-on learning opportunities that encourage young people to understand their cultural heritage, environment and the world around them.  Educators are encouraged to utilize the Museum's numerous resources -over 20,000 objects, archival holdings, audio/video tapes, books and magazines.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412
Phone: (877) lakewin / (706) 866-5681
For the entire family’s enjoyment, Lake Winnie features spectacular attractions and over thirty rides ranging from thrilling to relaxing and from breathtaking to mild. With exciting rides like the Cannon Ball Roller Coaster and the Pipeline Plunge, an intense water ride featuring a five-story maze of pipes that lead to a wet and wild final splash; fun is the agenda at Lake Winnie. Kiddie Land at Lake Winnie has dozens of attractions designed for the youngest of your family members. Lake Winnie is the fun and adventure location for all ages.

Nashville Shores
4001 Bell Road
Hermitage, Tennessee 37076
Phone: (615) 889-7050
Enjoy a day of fun and sun at Nashville Shores where the focus is on families! Located on 385 acres with more than 2,500 feet of white sandy beaches and three miles of lakefront area, Nashville Shores features a wide variety of activities for the whole family. Waterslides, waterfalls, pools including a special wacky pond just for the little kids, a huge children's activity area featuring the giant interactive play boat with all kinds of tunnels and mazes to the never ending fun of the ball crawl, para-sail, Jet Ski or even fly by on our fantastic banana boat rides.

Dollywood
1020 Dollywood Lane (Located 35 miles SE of Knoxville)
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863
Phone: (865) 428-9488
Family rides, children's rides, thrill rides, water rides, live entertainment, shows and concerts.

Dolly's Splash Country
1020 Dollywood Lane (Located 35 miles SE of Knoxville)
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863
Phone: (865) 428-9488
Located in the scenic splendor of the Smoky Mountains!
Waterfalls, winding streams and white water adventures for the whole family! Enjoy loads of rides - from wild to mild!

Family Activities

If you know of a family activity in Tennessee, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Beech Lake - A great lake for family fun; boating, fishing, swimming, water sports, picnics and camping.  Located just northwest of Lexington, Tennessee off Tennessee State Route 104.

Center Hill Lake - Boating, fishing and camping.  This lake features many coves, forks and recreational parks.  Located 5 1/2 miles south of I 40 at the Tennessee State Route 56.

Cherokee Lake - Boating, swimming, fishing and camping in on of the recreational activities parks.  Located off U.S. 25 E.

Dale Hollow Lake - This lake borders Kentucky / Tennessee and features skiing, diving, boating, fishing, swimming and camping.  Located southwest of Lake Cumberland near Kentucky State Route 80 and U.S. 127.

Douglas Lake - A large scenic lake with more than 400 miles of shoreline.  You can swim, boat, fish, picnic and more at this lake.  Located off U.S. 25E.

Kentucky Lake - Boating, fishing, swimming and camping.  Kentucky Lake stretches from Gilbertsville, Kentucky to New Johnson, Tennessee and turns into the Tennessee River. Two state parks are located on the Tennessee side including Paris Landing and Nathan Bedford State Forest State Park (off U.S. 614 near Camden). Tennessee National Wildlife Refugee is located on the northern end.

Mud Island River Park
125 North Front St.
Memphis, Tennessee
Phone: (800) 507-6507
Features a scenic monorail ride to the fascinating Mississippi River Museum, 18 galleries dedicated to the river's history and culture, the inspiring River Walk and more.  The park encompasses 52-acres of horticulture, restaurants, gift shops, outdoor amphitheatre, the Memphis Belle and a river experience of the "Father of Waters" that is truly unique.

Tims Ford Reservoir / Woods Lake - Boating, fishing, swimming and camping.  Located near Winchester, Tennessee off U.S. Alt 41 and State Route 127.

Zoos, Museums, National Parks and Amusement & Water Parks listed above.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park
1001 Parkway
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
Phone: (865) 436-5423 / (800) 251-9202
During the winter: Skiing and Ice Skating.  During the summer: Tramway rides, go carts, ice skating, miniature golf, water rides and kiddieland.

Zoos, Museums, National Parks, Amusement & Water Parks and Summer vacation hot spots listed above.

Helpful websites and services

FunTennesseeVacations.com -  Learn some of the spots for family vacations in Tennessee. From the Smoky Mountains to the Chattanooga Aquarium learn what might be right for your family. You can also find out what type of lodging might work out best for your vacation.

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to Tennessee, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages