WHAT’S NEW THIS FALL IN TENNESSEE: IMMERSIVE CAVE WALKING TOUR, ARTS & FALL COLOR EXPERIENCES AND SPOOKY SEASON STORYTELLING

Photos for media use courtesy Tennessee Tourism or noted in image titles.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 15, 2024) – Vivid autumn leaves burst through the trees, new experiences await the fall bucket list, the aroma of apple and pumpkin treats waft through the air and echoes of ghost stories whisper with haunted happenings. Here’s what’s new and trending this fall in Tennessee.

NEW ATTRACTIONS, EXHIBITS & EXPERIENCES

McMinnville – Get ready for an adventure. The Discovery Walking Tour is an all-new immersive experience surrounded by video, light and sound deep within the cave. Watch and listen to the story of how the cave was formed, came to life and the types of animals that call the cave home.

Morgan County – Hike MoCo kicks off the Fall Frenzy Hiking Series Sept. 22. Explore and soak in the scenery along trails of Big South Fork, Frozen Head, Obed, Cumberland Trail and more.

Chattanooga – Rock City’s Fall Colors is an autumn splendor of pumpkins, haybale vignettes and seasonal decorations and live music with a picture perfect backdrop in the gardens.

Gatlinburg – Get creative and power your imagination in the Smokies. Painting Around offers DIY painting, arts and craft experiences like canvas, rock and splatter painting and holiday decorations.

Johnson City – Buckle up and get ready as stage rally competitors challenge the twisty, gnarly and beautiful gravel trails of the Cherokee National Forest during the Overmountain Rally Sept. 14-15.

SPOOKY SEASON

Jonesborough – Creepy tales unfold from the past. Graveyard Tales on Sept. 7 at the McKinney Center includes spooky stories of local legends, creepy creatures and bone-chilling lore.

Rugby – Historic Rugby After Dark tours guide guests through original buildings and structures of the Victorian village founded in 1880s, telling history, legends and ghost stories.

Oneida – Hear chilling tales spun from the hills and hollows of the Cumberland Plateau during the Big South Fork Ghost Mine at the Blue Heron Outdoor Museum at 8 p.m. on Oct. 18.

Knoxville – Mabry-Hazen House’s A Victorian Séance, an immersive, guided reenactment of a 19th-century Spiritualist séance filled with “mysterious and startling wonders,” takes place on the evenings of Oct. 24-27.

Adams – Experience October at one of the most haunted locations in the country. Hear the folklore at Bell Witch Cave, which offers paranormal tours, cabin tours, daytime hayrides, nighttime haunted hayrides, food, a gift shop and more.

Nashville – Visitors can explore the haunted side of history with Ghost Tours: Tragedy and Mystery at The Hermitage with stories of unusual experiences of Andrew Jackson’s family and unexplained incidents on the site, a rare opportunity to see the mansion, grounds and cemetery by lantern light.

Memphis – Each October, visitors can take special tours and attend Soul of the Cemetery to hear stories of Elmwood Cemetery. BackBeat Tours shares more historically spooky tales with walking ghost tours through some of the most haunted places in Memphis.

NEW HOTELS & PLACES TO STAY

Clarksville – Clarksville’s first Doubletree by Hilton opens Oct. 1. The 156-room full-service hotel at the site of the former Riverview Inn is the city’s only downtown hotel with views of the historic downtown and Cumberland River.

Memphis – Aloft Memphis Downtown, one of the Marriott’s collection of boutique hotels, opens Aug. 22. The hotel offers robotic bellhops, a full-service restaurant and a private-viewing movie theater.

NEW RESTAURANTS, RETAIL & MUSIC VENUES

Knoxville – Cultivate Coffee & Flowers brews up coffee, creativity and conversation. Grab a cup of coffee or tea from the barista and shop per stem at the floral bar or grab a pre-made bouquet.

Nashville –Bayou Keys Dueling Piano Bar, located in Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up Bar in the heart of Lower Broadway, serves up live piano duels and traditional Cajun-inspire cuisine.

Memphis - Located in the Edge District, JEM Dining offers a menu of elevated flavor with a comfort food vibe, focused on local and seasonal ingredients. JEM stands for “Just Enjoy the Moment.”

NEW BARS, BREWERIES, DISTILLERIES, WINERIES & SPIRITS

Chattanooga – Bless Yer Heart is a retro styled hangout with tropical cocktails, beer, wine and good company.

Memphis – Mary’s Bar of Tropical Escapism or Mary’s B.O.T.E. for share, a tiki-inspired cocktail bar in Midtown, decked out in tropical vibes, festive glassware, cocktails and small bites.

REACHING NEW MILESTONES

Nashville – The 15th anniversary of Musicians Corner starts Aug. 30. The free outdoor concert series showcasing local artists takes place each Friday at Centennial Park through Sept. with educational activities, musical meet & greets and local food trucks to compliment the music.

Franklin – In honor of the 225th anniversary of the founding of Franklin and Williamson County, learn about the people, places and historic that shaped history. Download the Williamson County’s History Trail: 225th Anniversary passport with special offers.

Knoxville (Sept. 6-15) – For more than 100 years, the Tennessee Valley Fair has showcased East Tennessee heritage, agriculture and arts. Fairgoers enjoy competitions, rides, food, concerts, action sports and more.

NEW AND POPULAR SEASONAL EVENTS

Spencer (Sept. 6-8) - The Mountaineer Folk Festival at Fall Creek Falls State Park includes handmade crafts, traditional mountain music, demonstrations of pioneer skills, country cooking and much more.

Sevierville (Sept. 7) – The Stillwell Festival transforms Historic Downtown Sevierville into a celebration of the Appalachian region with culinary chef creations, brewers, artists and musicians.

Knoxville (Sept. 7-8) – Knoxville Asian Festival features exhibits of culture, authentic Asian cuisine, performances and more from China, Japan, Korea, India and Thailand at World’s Fair Park.

Pigeon Forge (Sept. 9-Oct. 28) – Experience the beautify of a Smoky Mountain fall with vivid colors, the smell of apple and pumpkin and thrilling adventure rights. Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights illuminates the evening with the whimsical glow of over 12,000 pumpkins.

Bristol (Sept. 13-15) – The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival celebrates Bristol’s music heritage as the birthplace of country music, showing the best in Appalachian roots music. The event honors the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and its far-reaching influence on the soundtrack today.

Nashville (Sept. 14-Oct. 27) – Cheekwood Harvest is a fall wonderland with 75,000 pumpkins and 4,000 chrysanthemums of different colors, shapes and sizes. Stroll through the Community Scarecrow Trail, iconic Pumpkin Village, live music in the beer garden and pick a pumpkin to take home.

Springfield (Sept. 21) – Enjoy fine and folk artists, painters, mixed media and metal artists, potters, jewelry makers, wood artisans, hands-on activities, live music and food trucks at Art in the Park.

Franklin (Sept. 28-29) – Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with performances by Dave Matthews Band, Need to Breathe, Better Than Ezra and more.

Rugby (Sept. 28) – Pedal up at Historic Rugby, enjoy lunch at R.M. Brooks Store and ride the back roads of Morgan County, all while enjoying live music during the Rugby Roundabout Road Cycling Event.

Jonesborough (Oct. 4-6) - World-renowned storytellers spin tales in circus-like tents throughout Tennessee’s oldest towns during the National Storytelling Festival.

Memphis (Oct. 4-6) - Mempho Music Festival at Radians Amphitheater features two days of A-list artists playing one of the largest urban parks in America in one of the most legendary music cities on Earth.

Centerville (Oct. 5-6) – Thousands head to RiverPark for the beloved National Banana Pudding Festival featuring live music, a national cook-off and a chance for guests to sample recipes along the Puddin’ Path.b

Pulaski (Oct. 12) – Big Creek Winery’s AutumnFest 2024 is a day-long family-friendly celebration promising fun, food, live music and fantastic wine.

Bell Buckle (Oct. 19-20) – Creativity flows at the Webb Art & Craft Show featuring handmade arts and crafts such as pottery, metal works, wood working, textiles, jewelry, old-fashioned soaps and lotions.

Franklin (Oct. 26) – Enjoy autumn-inspired food and drink, children’s activities, live music, costume contests for pets and families, and arts and crafts along Main Street at PumpkinFest.

For a full list of events, check out tnvacation.com/calendar.

ABOUT TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is dedicated to driving economic growth and tourism in all 95 counties. TDTD’s global marketing efforts increase visitation to Tennessee, which boosts tax revenue, creates jobs and attracts new investment across the state. Tennessee is a global destination of choice offering visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty and outdoor adventure—all centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations “sound perfect” in Tennessee. Visit TNvacation.com and follow @TNvacation on social media for travel inspiration.

Media Contact:

Jill Kilgore

Jill.Kilgore@tn.gov

Amanda Murphy

Amanda.Murphy@tn.gov