Tennessee Road Trip: From Memphis to the Smokies

Tennessee has a soundtrack all its own. From the delta blues of Memphis to the mountain ballads of the Smokies, music is the state’s identity. The culinary scene runs equally deep, from generations-old barbecue pits and meat-and-three diners to MICHELIN-recognized restaurants and James Beard-honored chefs redefining Southern cooking. Creative energy pulses through cities like Nashville, Knoxville and Jackson, while smaller towns — including Jonesborough, the state’s oldest — invite travelers to slow down and explore. This road trip links three of Tennessee‘s most compelling destinations: Memphis, Chattanooga and the Great Smoky Mountains. So pack your bags — the open road awaits.

Birthplace of the Blues & Rock and Roll

Memphis is home of the blues, the birthplace of rock and roll and ground zero for some of the most soulful eating in the USA. Start with history: Graceland, Elvis Presley’s lavish 14-acre estate, delivers everything you’d hope for — the kitschy Jungle Room, the gold records and the meditation garden where the King is buried. Also make time to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, which traces five centuries of history, and Stax Museum of American Soul Music, built around a real 1906 church reassembled inside the building to honor the genre’s roots. When hunger strikes, Memphis barbecue is a must — join locals at Corky’s for slow-cooked ribs or Payne’s for pulled-pork sandwiches made by the same family since 1972. For classic soul food, head to Soul Fish Cafe for seafood po’boys or Alcenia’s for fried chicken.

Mountain Thrills Meet Riverfront Culture

From Memphis, head east across the state — roughly five hours through the Tennessee heartland — to Chattanooga in the Appalachian Mountains. Drive to Lookout Mountain, which delivers two must-have experiences: Rock City’s 4,100-foot walking trail through ancient rock formations, botanical gardens and sweeping scenic overlooks, and Ruby Falls, where a 63-foot waterfall cascades inside a mountain cave. Back in the city, downtown Chattanooga’s Tennessee Riverfront is home to the Tennessee Aquarium, the Hunter Museum of American Art and a paved riverside path connecting the neighborhood to the Chickamauga Dam. For a taste of the craft spirits scene, hop on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, which encompasses 30 distilleries statewide, including two in Chattanooga. End the evening at the Rosecomb, a MICHELIN-recognized restaurant in a charming 1920s cottage where the menu draws from the culinary traditions of Tennessee and Mississippi.

Big Thrills & Hometown Charm 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park — America’s most visited — anchors this final stretch of your Tennessee road trip, but the towns surrounding it (known as The Smokies Area) are just as much a part of the experience. In Gatlinburg, ride the Anakeesta Tower for panoramic mountain views, explore the SkyPark’s sky bridges and zip lines, and fuel up with flapjacks at the legendary Pancake Pantry. Neighboring Pigeon Forge delivers grin-inducing fun at Dollywood, the beloved 160-acre theme park, plus the mind-bending science exhibits at WonderWorks and UTV tours, ziplining and other thrills at Wildside. Don’t skip Sevierville, where you can snap a photo with the iconic Dolly Parton statue in the charming downtown before you head up to SkyLand Ranch for unforgettable mountain views and a locally sourced meal at the Appalachian. For a quieter excursion, Maryville and Townsend offer wildlife spotting on Cades Cove Loop and farm-to-table dining at the Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro — the perfect, unhurried end to your Tennessee adventure.