Fun and cheap things to do in Tennessee

If you are traveling on a budget but don’t want to miss out on the fun, then here are some of the top fun and cheap things to do in Tennessee (neighboring state Kentucky offers some budget-friendly trips too). Tennessee, the landlocked state has something for every kind of vacationer. It holds a wealth of cultural and historical attractions along with some excellent music venues and restaurants. In fact, it is the heart of the country music scene in the country.

The picturesque locations such as the Smoky Mountains will surely take your breath away. Here are some of the top places that you should certainly explore while in this state.

How about a quick glimpse of all cheap things to do in Tennessee through the slides below?

Graceland

This mansion in Memphis belonged to the legendary musician and the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Also the final resting place of Elvis, this estate has been listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The site has a museum that comprises artifacts from the life of “the King,” including planes, cars, records, and glitzy outfits. The visitors can tour this place with a multimedia iPad for enhancing the overall experience during the visit.  

Ijams nature center

This 300-acre natural park and wildlife area is one of the prime attractions in Tennessee. It has been designed to appease visitors of all ages. There are plenty of outdoor activities that you can participate in at this nature center, including trail walking, paddling, biking, hiking, and more. Jo’s Grove is a play area created specifically for children.

You can rent paddle boards, canoes, and bikes from the River Sports Outfitters center. You can also shop for gifts and refreshments here. If you are looking for some fun, cheap things to do in Tennessee, then you shouldn’t miss out on this one.   

Explore Beale Street

Beale Street is a famous street in Memphis and it stretches for over two miles. It runs from the Mississippi River to East Street and is dotted with several restaurants and clubs. The clubs in this location played a crucial role in the history of blues music in the country and hence it has been named as one of the most iconic streets by USA Today. The place is flocked with large crowds of visitors during outdoor concerts and festivals. 

The Parthenon Nashville

This full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon is the prime attraction of the Centennial Park. It has been listed on the U.S. National Registry of Historic Places and is quite an impressive sight. Upon visiting this attraction, you will be able to witness a full-scale replica model of the Athena statue which is the prime focus of the Parthenon. This place also houses Nashville’s art museum featuring displays of 19^th and 20^th-century American art.    

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

This aquarium is one of the top-rated aquariums in the country and the tanks here hold about 1.4 million gallons of water. It is home to over 100 thousand marine animals and is definitely worth visiting if you are traveling with kids.

The underwater tunnel at this aquarium is 340 feet long, thereby making it one of the longest tunnels in the world. It offers a close-up look of exotic sea creatures such as giant sea turtles, stingrays, and sharks. If you are looking for some fun, cheap things to do in Tennessee, then you shouldn’t miss out on this one.    

Discovery Park of America

This museum park is located in Tennessee and holds a variety of educational exhibits. Spread over 50-acres, this park has hand-on exhibits and hosts activities that teach a lot about the history, art, science, military, flora, and fauna of Tennessee.

The main attraction of this park is the 100,000 square foot Discovery Center that has 10 different exhibit areas and a special exhibit area. The popular exhibits include a 60-foot replica of the human body, a 20,000-gallon aquarium, and a theater earthquake simulator.

The Titanic Museum

The Titanic Museum is a replica of the famous ship which met a tragic end on its maiden voyage. This two-story museum is home to about 400 artifacts kept in about twenty separate galleries. Built on a pool of water, this museum is one of the world’s largest Titanic museums. Once you step inside, you get to experience first-hand what it was like aboard the original passenger ship on its maiden voyage. A real passenger name is assigned to each ticket when you enter the museum and you will get to learn the story of passengers who survived the tragic accident.  

Parrot Mountains & Garden

This garden and bird park is located in Pigeon Forge and comprises four acres of numerous aviaries and gardens. These gardens have European elements and uniquely designed parrot cottages. You will come across the beautiful tropical birds sitting on open perches. This garden gives the visitors an opportunity to take photographs with the birds and even feed them. 

Lookout Mountain

If you are looking for cheap things to do in Tennessee, then you wouldn’t be disappointed with this attraction. This is one of the three prime attractions that can be found near Chattanooga. It includes the Incline Railway, Rock City, and the world’s tallest underground waterfalls, Ruby Falls. You can take tours of the waterfall and cave. This place has a café selling snacks and there is a playground for kids as well.  

Rock City Gardens is a prime outdoor attraction featuring rock trails lined with gardens. There is a point in the park called the Lover’s Leap where it is possible to see seven states from the point. The Lookout Mountains Incline Railway is the world’s steepest passenger railway. The visitors can enjoy the view of the surroundings as they make their way to the summit which also has an observation deck. With all these day outing destinations Chattanooga also offers nightlife destinations for a perfect night out.

Dollywood

This theme park in Pigeon Forge is partially owned by the famous entertainer, Dolly Parton. It is popular for its thrilling rides such as the world’s fastest wooden roller coaster, the Lightning Rod, seasonal festivals, stage shows, and a water park. This place has something for every thrill-seeker.

This theme park is a fantastic attraction all year round and it looks mesmerizing during Christmas with all the bright lights, making it a great place for celebrating the holiday season with your family. If you own a property in the region which you want to monetize, then you can consider registering on RentalTrader.com. The platform helps vacation-goers find perfect places to stay while on a vacation. Simply go to the Rental Trader website, click the button to list  a property, and follow the simple prompts.

Stones River National Battlefield

This is a Civil War battlefield which was also the location of one of the bloodiest battles ever fought. The park spans over 570-acres and educates the visitors about the Battle of Stones and the significance of this battle. This park also includes the Stones River National Cemetery which has about 7,000 gravesites. It is also home to the Hazen’s Brigade Monument which is the oldest surviving monument of the American Civil War. It can still be found in its original location. The volunteers and park service rangers educate the public with tours, interpreted walks, talks, and history programs.

Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium 

This park and planetarium is the largest city-owned park in Kingsport, spanning over 3,550 acres. This nature preserve provides numerous options for visitors to enjoy. It is home to a 44-acre lake as well as a Nature Center with a Planetarium with exhibits that convey fascinating information about animal habitats.

Adventurous visitors can take the Adventure Ropes Course with a 300-foot long zip line. There are miles of trails in this park for those who love mountain biking, trail running, and hiking. Additionally, the planetarium at Bays Mountain Park offers free astronomy viewings at night.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This is one of the most visited national parks in America and has also been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its biodiversity and beautiful natural scenery. You will come across elks and wild black bears in this park. There are plenty of hiking trails that spread across 850 miles.

You will never get bored at this park. Cades Cove, the Appalachian historic buildings are well-preserved and one of the prime attractions of this park. If you are lucky enough to visit this place during June, then you will be able to witness a spectacular light show by the fireflies in the national park. You can experience the synchronized flashing for almost two weeks. 

Lost Sea, Sweet Water, Tennessee

This is an enormous lake at the bottom of a unique cave system that you have to see to believe. A four-mile walk through an intricate cave system leads you to an underground lake which is popularly known as the Lost Sea. Upon reaching the lake, the visitors can spend the night there and rent a flat-bottom boat and ride around in it.

The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in America and covers over four acres. It has been registered as a National Natural Landmark and sets itself apart as unique because it consists of an abundance of cave flowers. It also contains the largest trout you can find anywhere in North America.  

If you own a property in Tennessee that you want to turn into a vacation rental, then you can consider listing your property on Rental Trader. Vacationers who are eager to explore cheap things to do in Tennessee can also explore Rental Trader to book the property they would love to stay in during their vacation.