TENNESSEE TOURISM UNVEILS WHAT’S NEW IN 2026

Photos for media use courtesy Tennessee Tourism or noted in copyright. 

NEW ATTRACTIONS, EXHIBITS & EXPERIENCES 

Gatlinburg – Anakeesta’s Making More Magic, a multi-year expansion, launches in 2026 with a next-generation scenic lift, a completely reimagined Firefly Village, an expanded Treetop Skywalk and a nighttime Firefly Experience soaking in the beauty of the Smokies. 

Smoky Mountains – Local outfitter A Walk in the Woods introduces expanded Blue Ghost and Synchronous Firefly experiences for 2026. Immersive adventures in May and June include conservation-focused firefly tours, short evening interpretive programs, guided wilderness immersions and multi-day backpacking trips. 

Pigeon Forge – NightFlight Expedition takes flight spring 2026 at Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove. Adventurers will fly through the Smokies, conquer raging rapids, climb mountain peaks and glide across a shimmering lake on this thrilling first-of-its-kind ride. 

Cornersville & Beyond – Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop will redefine Southern hospitality on the highway. The first rebranded location in Cornersville will be under the new name by early summer 2026 with additional locations planned. The partnership will bring jobs, support communities and give an evolved experience to travelers. 

Knoxville – Muralists go head-to-head in a live painting competition during the KnoxWalls Murals & Music Festival, May 30 around Emory Place. Enjoy color, creativity, community and performances by local and regional musicians. 

Chattanooga – Explore America’s only National Park City, enjoy Bluegrass music and hit a home run at the new baseball stadium, Erlanger Park, opening spring 2026, adding buzz, green spaces, restaurants and family-friendly energy to the walkable Riverfront District. 

Delano – Visitors to Tennessee’s new Ocoee River State Park can look forward to whitewater rafting and immersive outdoor experiences that showcase the natural beauty of East Tennessee.   

Jonesborough – New for 2026, the iconic Clydesdale Draft Horse Team comes to Jonesborough’s famous St. Paddy’s Festival, celebrating Celtic culture with live Irish music, meet-and-greets with owls and Highland cows, highland games, a beer fun run and bustling handmade marketplace. 

Granville – Experience the small-town charm of this historic community with a tour of the new Independence Hall featuring TN America 250 exhibits, preserving stories and artifacts that define the community, the state and the country. 

Clarksville – The Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum opens March 29 and will be the second largest museum in the nation’s Army-museum enterprise. Exhibits and artifacts will represent and honor the legacy of service members. 

Memphis – The new Memphis Art Museum opens in the heart of downtown in December 2026 with galleries, classrooms, a café, theater and an “art park in the sky” featuring sculptures, native Tennessee plants and panoramic views of the city and Mississippi River. 

NEW HOTELS & PLACES TO STAY  

Nashville – Opening June 2026, the Songteller Hotel will celebrate the life and legacy of Dolly Parton with Dolly’s Life of Many Colors museum, rooftop bar, live entertainment, and immersive storytelling elements inspired by Dolly's songs and journey. 

Chattanooga – Nestled in the heart of downtown, The Waymark Hotel is revitalized landmark inside a historic 1927 bank building blending timeless grandeur with a fresh, contemporary, locally-elevated spirit with a subterranean speakeasy called The Vault. 

Jefferson County – Reconnect with nature and relax at Wyldstay Smoky Mountains, a new, one-of-a-kind luxury retreat overlooking Douglas Lake and the Smokies. 

Gatlinburg – The Scoundrel Hotel, inspired by Appalachian storytelling and regional craft, is a new boutique hotel with spacious rooms, an open-air courtyard, set to open across from the Gatlinburg Convention Center as the city’s newest hideout. 

NEW RESTAURANTS, BUSINESSES & MUSIC VENUES 

Memphis – Briza blends bold flavors, global inspiration and Memphis hospitality in a place designed for connection inside Crosstown Concourse, with everything from inventive sushi rolls and wood-fired seafood to prime steaks, tuna tartare and coastal-inspired salads. 

Nashville - The award-winning team behind Noko and Kase x Noko, celebrated for their inventive Asian-inspired menus and led by James Beard semifinalist Dung “Junior” Vo, will open their third restaurant, Kuya, in 2026 in the West End neighborhood. 

Nashville – The state-of-the-art Merritt Entertainment’s The Mix Room venue will enable artists to live stream their immersive shows to fans around the world. Set to open in fall 2026, Live Nation’s The Truth will feature three fan levels, a whiskey bar and a listening lounge.  

Knoxville – Mōkumōku, a modern Japanese restaurant, features an interactive sushi bar, plus an extensive menu of hot dishes, elevated entrees, sake program and cocktail menu. It’s set to open in late summer or early fall 2026. 

Jonesborough – Jackson’s Prime elevates dining in Tennessee’s oldest town with USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood and a curated wine and bourbon selection. Also downtown, Merely Modest Boutique brings a thoughtfully curated collection of fashion, accessories and a charm bar, founded by 17-year-old entrepreneur Lakely Asher. 

NEW BARS, BREWERIES, DISTILLERIES, WINERIES, SPIRITS, COFFEE & TEA 

Nashville – Chaipolitan, opening summer 2026 in the heart of Music Row, is a teahouse and café designed to be a cozy, design forward haven for tea traditionalists, flavor seekers and weekend vibe chasers – rooted in culture, flavor and creativity. 

Clarksville – Leatherwood Distillery moves to a larger, state-of-the-art space in downtown in January. Proudly veteran owned and operated with a mission to craft exceptional spirits, the new location will offer tours, tastings and live music. 

Fayetteville - Revolutionary Tavern is a brand-new addition to the historic Fayetteville square, serving southern favorites with a twist, brunch, and craft cocktails in a patriotic atmosphere. 

Tullahoma - Ole Shed Brewing Company, a longtime Tullahoma favorite, opened up in a brand-new facility. Guests can enjoy craft brews, live music and fare from local food trucks. 

Chattanooga – The newly opened Reading Room is Chattanooga’s first bookish bar, fostering a culture of reading, learning and community engagement in the city. This book lover’s paradise is a literary treasure trove with exceptional drinks and cuisine. 

Gatlinburg – Hidden behind an unassuming coffee shop, Alibi is Gatlinburg’s first and only speakeasy. Step back in time to a world of velvet shadows, whispered conversations, Prohibition-era glamour, handcrafted cocktails and immersive aesthetics.  

RENOVATED OR REIMAGINED 

Memphis – The National Civil Rights Museum’s Legacy Building opens in spring 2026. Exhibitions take visitors on an immersive journey into pivotal moments and strategies of civil and human rights movements since Dr. King’s assassination in 1968. Meanwhile, the Metal Museum, the only institution in the U.S. devoted exclusively to the art and craft of fine metalwork, will move to its new location in Overton Park in spring 2026. 

Nashville – Nashville Arcade will add Bar Roze and Sushi by Scratch as it continues its series of renovations. The historic treasure opened in 1902 and is now an authentic, urban-scale destination with over 30 restaurants, bars and shopping in the heart of downtown. 

Chattanooga – The Tivoli Theatre, known as the “Jewel of the South,” reopens mid-2026 with a new 190-seat cinema and studio, expanded lobby, a restaurant, six bar spaces, additional event areas and modernized iconic marquee. 

ICONIC ANNIVERSARIES 

Memphis – The heartbeat of the city, Overton Park Shell celebrates 90 years of music to build community through year-round arts and cultural programming. Meanwhile, Overton Park celebrates 125 years bringing recreation, nature, history and culture. 

Nashville – Loveless Cafe will celebrate 75 years as a cherished spot for Southern comfort food and legendary biscuits with special celebrations and activations around the milestone. Also, The Catbird Seat, which earned one Michelin star, marks 15 years as a nationally recognized launching pad for some of the country’s most celebrated chefs.  

Walland – An idyllic escape to recharge in the Great Smoky Mountains. Blackberry Farm celebrates 50 years of wellness, culinary, outdoor adventure and hospitality. 

Gatlinburg – Best Italian, a Gatlinburg staple since 1976, reopens in 2026 on its 50th anniversary with a top-to-bottom remodel, blending Italian warm with its iconic heritage in a refreshed space. 

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. 

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Media Contact: 

Jill Kilgore 

Jill.Kilgore@tn.gov  

Amanda Murphy 

Amanda.Murphy@tn.gov  

Chelsea Trott 

Chelsea.Trott@tn.gov