What is Tennessee Known for? Discover Tennessee’s Famous Facts, Foods, and Landmarks

Tennessee is known for countless things – iconic cities like Nashville and Memphis, amazing national parks, and famous foods. But even if you’ve been living in Tennessee for years, you may be wondering what else Tennessee is known for.

At Redfin, we’ve got the answers about what Tennessee is famous for and why you may want to consider moving there. Whether you decide to rent an apartment in Knoxville or buy a home in Nashville, read on to find out why Tennessee is a great place to live.

Thriving economy and job opportunities

Tennessee is known for its job industries in healthcare, automotive manufacturing, and tourism. Some of the key corporations that contribute to the state’s economy are Vanderbilt University Medical Center, FedEx Corporation, and Nissan North America. 

Tennessee’s top five employers

• Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• FedEx Corporation
• Nissan North America
• HCA Healthcare
• State of Tennessee Government

Famous cities and tourist attractions

• Nashville, known as Music City, is famous for its live music venues, including the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium. You can explore the Country Music Hall of Fame, stroll along Broadway’s honky-tonk bars, and visit historic sites like Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is on the border with North Carolina. This beautiful park offers scenic beauty, wildlife, and hiking trails like the Appalachian Trail. You can drive the Cades Cove loop, explore waterfalls like Laurel Falls, and experience fall foliage.
• Memphis is synonymous with blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll music. You can tour Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and explore Beale Street’s vibrant nightlife and barbecue restaurants.
• The Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg offers tours of its historic whiskey-making facilities. Visitors can learn about the distillation process, see the charcoal mellowing vats, and sample Tennessee whiskey at the end of the tour.
• The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga is home to freshwater and oceanic habitats, featuring exhibits on river otters, penguins, and coral reefs. You can also check out the IMAX Theater and take a riverboat cruise on the Tennessee River.

Iconic regional cuisine

Tennessee’s cuisine is a blend of Southern comfort food and barbecue traditions. Memphis is renowned for its dry-rubbed barbecue ribs, slow-cooked to tender perfection. Nashville hot chicken, crispy fried chicken coated in a fiery spice blend, is another iconic dish originating from Tennessee. The state’s cuisine also features traditional Southern dishes like biscuits with gravy, cornbread, and country ham.

Top restaurants in Tennessee

• The Catbird Seat in Nashville
• Husk in Nashville
• Arnold’s Country Kitchen in Nashville
• Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous in Memphis
• Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, founded in Memphis

Music history and vibrant arts scene

Tennessee’s cultural landscape is steeped in music history, Southern charm, and artistic traditions. The state is home to various museums, like the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, which showcase collections spanning from country music memorabilia to fine art.

Music festivals such as the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and the Beale Street Music Festival draw crowds from around the world. Cities like Nashville and Memphis are cultural epicenters, with iconic music venues, theaters, and galleries that reflect Tennessee’s deep-rooted musical legacy and creative spirit.

Five great places to catch a show in Tennessee

• Ryman Auditorium in Nashville
• Grand Ole Opry in Nashville
• The Orpheum Theatre in Memphis
• Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville
• Bijou Theatre in Knoxville

Fun Fact: Tennessee is known as the “Birthplace of the Blues” and the “Home of Country Music,” reflecting its significant influence on American music.

Scenic landscapes

Tennessee is home to the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains in the eastern part of the state, characterized by misty peaks, dense forests, and abundant wildlife. The Cumberland Plateau in central Tennessee has deep gorges and waterfalls in places like Fall Creek Falls State Park. The part of the state features rolling hills and the Mississippi River floodplain.

National and state parks in Tennessee

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg
• Fall Creek Falls State Park near Spencer
• Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg 
• Rock Island State Park near Rock Island
• Burgess Falls State Park near Sparta

Did you know? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the US. The park had nearly 13 million visitors in 2023.

Professional and collegiate sports teams

Tennessee is known for its professional and collegiate sports teams, with fans throughout the state and beyond. 

• Tennessee Titans (NFL)
• Nashville Predators (NHL)
• Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
• University of Tennessee Volunteers (competing in NCAA Division I sports)
• Vanderbilt University Commodores (competing in NCAA Division I sports)

Popular Tennessee phrases

In Tennessee, there are plenty of expressions that reflect the state’s rich musical heritage and southern charm. 

• “Bluegrass jam” or “honky-tonk” night, bars and concerts that celebrate the state’s contributions to country, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll music. 
• “The Smokies,” are a nickname for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• “Lightning bug,” a regional name for fireflies.
• “Goo goos,” are a Nashville candy, a cluster of marshmallow nougat, caramel, peanuts, and chocolate.

More things Tennessee is known for

• Volunteer State: Tennessee’s nickname, the Volunteer State, originates from the state’s prominent role in supplying volunteers for the War of 1812 and later conflicts. The name embodies a spirit of patriotism and service.
• Civil Rights History: Tennessee played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, with landmarks like the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis commemorating pivotal events and figures.
• Southern cuisine: Tennessee’s culinary scene features classic Southern dishes such as barbecue ribs, hot chicken, and homemade biscuits, reflecting its rich culinary heritage and regional flavors.
• Graceland: Elvis Presley’s former home, Graceland in Memphis, is a major pilgrimage site for fans of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Graceland features exhibits, memorabilia, and tours of the mansion and grounds.

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