In Tennessee, celebrations are encouraged for every occasion. Celebrate moments that will be relived over and over again. The kind that fill your family and friend time with memories and create stories that will be told for years to come. Dance the night away, cozy up in a cabin, enjoy a classic Southern brunch or find one-of-a-kind boutiques. Whether you’re marking a birthday, wedding, anniversary, family reunion, girlfriend getaway, bachelor or bachelorette party or weekend getaway, you can celebrate in style in Tennessee.

West Tennessee

Blues and barbecue. Angling for catfish. Side-of-the-road safaris. West Tennessee has can’t-miss  attractions, outdoor havens, restaurants and events. In Memphis, stroll down historic Beale Street and listen to live music at BB Kings Blues Club. Finish it off with a classic cocktail at Silky O’Sullivan’s. Walk in the footsteps of legends at Elvis Presley’s Memphis at Graceland, Sun Studio and Stax Museum of American Soul Music, The Legends of Tennessee Music Museum at the Carnegie in Jackson and Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School in Brownsville. Spend a day shopping and taking in the small town charm in Collierville. Savor a creative dish at Gray Canary in Old Dominick Distillery in Memphis or indulge in mouth-watering barbecue at Helen’s Bar-B-Q in Brownsville. Experience wonder at Discovery Park of America in Union City. Choose your own adventure from treetop zip-lining, horseback riding and more at Shelby Farms Park or challenge yourself by kayaking the Ghost section of the Wolf River or among the cypress trees and bald eagles at Reelfoot Lake. A visit to the Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis, take the family to the Memphis Zoo,  or stroll through the Memphis Botanical Garden. Sip and enjoy Tennessee sights at Crown Winery, Paris Winery and White Squirrel Winery. Don’t forget to cap off your trip with Southern cooking at Casey Jones Village in Jackson and after dinner, indulge in a scoop or two at the Old Country Store Ice Cream Parlor & Fudge Shoppe.

Middle Tennessee

Middle Tennessee provides genuine Southern hospitality and an unparalleled creative music experience. Explore music along Broadway and tour downtown Nashville by pedal tavern, trolley, Segway or bus. See if you can handle the heat with hot chicken at “The Grandfather of Hot Chicken” Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, Hattie B’s, Party Fowl or Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish, or Big Shakes Hot Chicken & Fish in Franklin. Fresh farm dining can be found at Five Senses in Murfreesboro and sink your teeth into a famous slawburger at Honey’s Restaurant in Fayetteville. Dance to the music of legends at the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium or pay homage to hometown hero Minnie Pearl in Centerville. Enjoy music in the vineyards while sipping on the best vintage at Arrington Vineyards, Beachaven Vineyards or travel the Natchez Trace Wine Trail where you’ll find Natchez Hills Winery, Amber Falls Winery, Grinder’s Switch Winery and Keg Springs Winery.. For something a little stronger, sip on Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey in Lynchburg or try craft beer and soda at Red Silo Brewery in Cookeville. Pop into antique shops at Miss Lucille’s Marketplace in Clarksville and Rare Bird Antiques in Goodlettsville. Hear local history at Carnton and Carter house museums in downtown Franklin. Not far away, check out the rustic atmosphere, antique and vintage items and local art in the charming village of Leiper’s Fork. Rock into relaxation at Evins Mill resort and enjoy a farm-to-table dinner in Smithville, which borders Center Hill Lake. The town offers brews at The Burlap Room Beer Garden and Taphouse, shopping and sweets at Webb’s Pharmacy, Gift Shop and Soda Fountain and art exhibitions at The Appalachian Center for Craft. Explore historic Granville, where you’ll find a pioneer village and weekly live bluegrass show at Sutton Old Time Music Hour. If you dare, take a tour of the famous Bell Witch Cave in Adams. Visit one of the country’s premiere regional theaters The Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville. Stop for a picnic with local prize-winning goat cheese produced at Bonnie Blue Farm in Waynesboro. Test your skills rock climbing and kayaking in the Upper Cumberland.

East Tennessee

Take any path in East Tennessee and you’ll end up somewhere memorable. Hike the Appalachian Trail. Sing along to the tunes that made Bristol the Birthplace of Country Music. Go whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River. Enjoy wine tastings along the Rocky Top Wine Trail. Find adventure with family-fun activities at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Anakeesta Adventure Park in Gatlinburg, Bristol Caverns, Cades Cove, The Lost Sea in Sweetwater, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, see fossils and a real archaeological dig site at Hands On Discovery Center in Johnson City or dive into pioneer history at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton. Forge your own knife during a hands-on learning experience at Hank’s Knives in Sevierville. Hear a show at the historic Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville then checkout the art, dining and shopping in Market Square downtown. Try the famous Bible burger at Tinsley-Bible Drug Co.’s soda fountain in Dandridge. Sip a craft beer at Chattanooga Brewing Co,  spirits at Sevier Distilling Company in Sevierville and Ole Smoky Moonshine in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Nashville, its newest location.  

Brunch Spots

No celebration would be complete without a Made in Tennessee brunch. Start your morning or afternoon off with a bonut (biscuit dough stuffed with lemon mascarpone and topped with blueberry compote) and a Bloody Mary at Biscuit Love in Nashville. Get a short stack of fluffy pancakes at Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg. Savor Café Lola Bistro’s Mac and Cheese at Café Lola in Johnson City. Order a breakfast burrito at The Tomato Head in Knoxville, omelettes, pancakes and waffles from Aretha Frankenstein’s in Chattanooga, or a Beauty Burger from the Beauty Shop in Memphis.

Shopping

From quaint downtowns lined with antique shop and boutiques to booming shopping districts, you’re sure to find fashionable pieces that fit your style. Stylists can help match accessories with outfits at Serendipity in Johnson City. In Knoxville, you can fill your closet with blazers, chic hats, unique jewelry and racks of clothing from denim to dresses at Elle Boutique. Find your perfect match at 31TwentyFive Boutique in Cookeville. Locally-made products at affordable prices can be found at Abednego in Nashville’s Germantown. Franklin, Lebanon, Collierville and Greeneville are four of the myriad of small towns in Tennessee where local boutiques, antiques and other shops featuring vintage and chic clothing and homegrown goodies are found in abundance.

Weddings

If you’re looking to tie the knot, find a cabin rental or chapel tucked into the hills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Couples can make their vows with waterfalls and scenic beauty as an epic backdrop at one of the 56 Tennessee State Parks or plan a weekend celebration at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee while enjoying an award-winning farm-to-table experience. From east to west, Tennessee offers rustic barns, quaint chapels, cabins, wineries and upscale venues with beautiful views to provide the perfect wedding day and stunning wedding photographs to last a lifetime.

Tennessee is where memories are made. For more information on the best places to celebrate for all occasions,  visit https://www.tnvacation.com/experiences/celebrate.