Why vacation in an overcrowded, hot, muggy and unpredictable place like Florida? You wait in line for hours in Orlando, struggle to find the perfect spot on the beach in Miami and Destin, not to mention all the traffic and unpredictable weather across the state. Whereas with Tennessee the weather is more forgiving, the attractions are endless, and best yet the crowds are far more manageable. So here’s 26 reasons why Tennessee should be your family’s next vacation:

PIGEON FORGE, GATLINBURG & THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

1. Dollywood (Pigeon Forge) - voted Best Value Theme Park with attractions for the whole family
2. Zorbing (Pigeon Forge) - For a more action pack adventure you can roll, run, or bounce down a hill in an 11 foot ball of fun
3. The Wilderness at the Smokies (Sevierville) - a massive indoor/outdoor water park minutes from Pigeon Forge
4. Soaky Mountain Waterpark (Sevierville) - an expansive outdoor water park
5. Country Cascade Waterpark Resort (Pigeon Forge) - This is a family focused resort with activities for the whole family
6. Gatlinburg - The whole town exudes Wilderness Charm from adorable shops to river walks, there something to do for everyone
7. Clingmans Dome/Kuwohi (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) - The highest point in Tennessee, you can see mountains for miles and take in all the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains
8. Anakeesta (Gatlinburg) - An award winning mountain top adventure that kicks off with a chairlift ride to a mountain village

CHATTANOOGA

1. Tennessee Aquarium - Located right on the river, it’s one of the best aquariums in the countries for families to visit year after year
2. Ruby Falls - The best rainy day destination because you are going underground. It’s a 145 foot water fall deep inside Lookout Mountain
3. Rock City Gardens - Located right on the boarder of Georgia and Tennessee offers the unique experiences of the “See 7 States” panoramic view.

NASHVILLE & THE GREATER AREA

1. Country Music Hall of Fame - Museum of country music history
2. The Parthenon (Centennial Park) - A full scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens Greece down to the massive statue of Athena. Plus there’s some pretty cool Tennessee history inside that visitors can learn about
3. Silverbelly Distillery and Museum - It’s Alan Jackson’s new downtown experience combining his whiskey, Silverbelly and a museum dedicated to his legendary career
4. Grand Ole Opry & Opryland Resort - About 15 to 20 minutes northeast of downtown Nashville you can check out atrium gardens, waterways and flatboat rides plus see some of your favorite artists perform on stage
5. Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop (Cornersville) - About an hour south of Nashville it’s Dolly Parton’s latest business venture, she’s created a one of a kind travel stop filled with delicious BBQ, coffee, live music and more
6. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere - Located 15 minutes south of Downtown, it’s ranked one of the best family destination in the state year after year

MEMPHIS

1. The Memphis Pyramid - This massive Bass Pro Shop has been going viral on social media for years for it’s live alligators, bowling alley and observation deck, plus you can spend the night in this pyramid
2. Graceland - is it really a trip to Memphis if you don’t visit Elvis Presley’s house?
3. The Peabody Hotel Duck March - a nearly 100 year tradition of seeing the cute ducks march from the penthouse to the fountain is probably one of the silliest roadside attractions to check out when in town, but it’s the perfect lunch time break or start to a dinner in town

KNOXVILLE & SWEETWATER AREA

1. The Sunsphere at World’s Fair Park (Knoxville) - A 266 foot tower with a gold tinted glass sphere providing 365 views of downtown Knoxville
2. The Lost Sea Adventure (Sweetwater) - Less than an hour southwest of the city families can enjoy a guided tour of America’s largest underground lake

REGIONAL GEMS

1. Tennessee Safari Park (Alamo) - Located in West Tennessee families can drive through and feed some of their favorite exotic animals
2. Discovery Park of America (Union City) - visitors can find dinosaurs, learn about military history and try an earthquake simulator
3. Rock Island State Park (Rock Island) - located between Nashville and Knoxville it’s a great pitstop between both cities with spectacular views, a waterfalls and a textile mill
4. Birthplace of Country Music (Bristol) - right on the board of Tennessee and Virginia it’s the birthplace of country music with a Smithsonian affiliated museum dedicated to telling the history of this historic place