IS TENNESSEE WORTH A VISIT?

Sometimes we are in a dilemma: A client wants a “new & exciting” destination for groups, but the destination has to be “well known” and “desirable to visit”. While North America is full of “different and ready to discover” places, many are just not that well known, yet. But we are working on that! So, back to the initial question: Is Tennessee worth a visit? It certainly is.

Let us give you the reasons:

*Nashville is always worth a visit with its Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Grand Ole Opry, Opryland and Ryman Auditorium.

*Interested in Pearls, freshwater pearls? The pearl farm in Camden can be visited.

*BBQ anyone? Cook-offs in Lynchburg, Crossville, Columbia, Chester County, Greater Gallatin, Lenoir City or Covington for ribs, roasts, ham and other delicious meats (BBQ=Barbecue!).

*Atomic secrets? Visit the Technological Park in Oak Ridge for information on the “Manhattan Project”.

*Agricultural Fairs, County Fairs, Festivals. Almost every county or city in Tennessee has one. From the annual “Germantown Festival”, the “Old Timer’s Day” to “Fender’s Cornfield Maze & Pumpkin Patch”, all areas and “Fairs” of interest are covered.

*Christmas at Graceland (or any other time!). A visit to Memphis and Elvis is always something special. His music still rocks for the young at heart.

*Stockcars and Speedways, how more American can it get? At Memphis or Bristol Motor Speedway and 46 others in the state you can watch “your” type of racing! Stockcars, Dirt track, Dragsters, Trucks, Tractor pulls, Motorbikes, Dirtbikes, Roadraces, Oval Races etc are offered.

*Are Goats your thing? There are “International Goat Days” in Millington and the “Lewisburg Goat Festival” to attend. Anything “goat” is offered.

*Chattanooga’s Choo Choo! Visit this old crossroad town and stay at Chattanooga Railroad Station Hotel and sleep in one of the restored railroad sleeping cars. You will be lulled to sleep with the ”Chattanooga Choo Choo” song.

*River cruises? Fishing for Bass? Kayaking? or just floating on an innertube? With the Mississippi-, the Tennessee-, the Cumberland-, Clinch- and Duck Rivers within its borders, there is enough water in Tennessee for everyone to enjoy. River festivals in Knoxville, Rock Island, Clinton, Lake City, Chattanooga, Brownsville will help you with your favorite water sport activity.

*Jazz, Bluegrass, Classical Music, Gospel, Fiddling and Country Music. As the “Birthplace and home” of country music, Tennessee offers all kinds of music at the many festivals in the State.

*18th Annual Bicycle Ride across Tennessee. A week-long bicycle tour on beautiful back roads covering 350 miles. Riders will stay at six different state parks for overnights.

*Native American-Indian Pow-Wow at Sequoyah’s birthplace (Fort Loudoun Historic Area) and at Long Hunter State Park in Nashville. Traditional music and dances, Cherokee arts and crafts are performed.

Enough reasons to include Tennessee or any of the other 55 lesser known states or provinces in North America in your next meeting proposals or incentive plans?

For more information please contact Beat Fischer at groups@visitamerica.com