Tennessee welcomed a record-breaking 147 million visitors in 2024, and honestly, I'm surprised it wasn't more. From the mist-covered peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains to the surprisingly clear waters of Norris Lake, this state knows how to do weekend getaways right.
Where luxury meets Southern hospitality
If you're ready to drop some serious cash on relaxation, Tennessee's luxury resort scene won't disappoint. The crown jewel has to be Blackberry Farm in Walland, which Travel + Leisure named the South's premier resort in 2024.
Picture this: 4,200 acres of rolling hills, a wine collection that would make a sommelier weep (we're talking 160,000+ bottles), and three meals a day from a James Beard Award-winning culinary team. Yes, it'll set you back $1,200 to $1,500 per night, but that's all-inclusive, and trust me, you won't want to leave anyway. The Wellhouse spa alone is worth the splurge, especially after a morning of fly fishing or horseback riding.
If you're more of a treehouse person (and who isn't?), check out Blackberry Mountain. This wellness-focused sister property sits at 2,800 feet elevation and opened 14 floating treehouses in 2024. Starting at $1,375 per night, these aren't your childhood backyard fort… unless your childhood was exceptionally bougie.
City slickers welcome
Not everyone wants to commune with nature, and Nashville's got you covered. The Hermitage Hotel is a National Historic Landmark that somehow makes Beaux Arts architecture feel cozy. At $400 to $600 per night, you get:
- A Michelin-starred restaurant
- The famous Bubble Bath Butler
- Rooms that make Instagram jealous
- Zero bears (probably)
The newer Four Seasons Hotel Nashville brings that rooftop infinity pool energy, with premium rooms running $500 to $800 nightly. The Cumberland River views alone justify the price tag, especially at sunset with a cocktail in hand.
For families who want a touch of kitsch with their luxury, Dollywood's DreamMore Resort offers $200 to $400 nightly rates that include priority park access. And yes, you can actually stay in Dolly Parton's tour bus. I don't make the rules.
Unique accommodations that'll make your friends jealous
Tennessee's accommodation game has seriously leveled up in recent years. Let me paint you a picture of what's out there beyond your standard hotel room.
Treehouses that adults actually want to stay in
Sanctuary Treehouse Resort in Sevierville claims the title of world's largest treehouse resort, sprawling across 40 acres. Their Tree Fort sleeps six and comes with… wait for it… a 20-foot slide, drink chutes, and secret escape hatches. Meanwhile, The Luxe offers copper slipper tubs and suspended outdoor daybeds for those who prefer their childhood fantasies with a side of sophistication.
Treehouse Grove at Norton Creek near Gatlinburg features 16 unique structures designed by Pete Nelson (yes, the "Treehouse Master" guy). The best part? You're only 15 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg, so you can have your elevated cake and eat civilization too.
Glamping: because regular camping is for masochists
Look, I get it. Some people genuinely enjoy sleeping on the ground and waking up with mysterious bug bites. For the rest of us, there's glamping.
Tennessee Glamping at Savage Gulf State Natural Area offers geodesic domes with hot tubs overlooking 15,590 acres of wilderness. It's like camping, except you'll actually sleep and your back won't hate you in the morning.
Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains provides luxury canvas tents from $300 to $500 per night, complete with:
- King beds (real ones!)
- En-suite bathrooms (hallelujah)
- Wood-burning stoves
- 182 wooded acres
- Zero need for bug spray
Houseboats: your floating weekend home
Want to wake up literally on the water? Tennessee's got you. Center Hill Lake offers weekend houseboat packages from $1,200 to $2,500, and these babies come with full kitchens and gas grills. It's only an hour from Nashville, so you can go from honky-tonk to houseboat faster than you can say "yeehaw."
The newest luxury option on Norris Lake is "The Presidential," which features Wet Sounds audio systems and underwater lighting. Because apparently regular above-water lighting is so last year.
State parks that rival private resorts
Here's where Tennessee really shines. As Mark Ezell, Commissioner of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, puts it: "Tennessee State Parks offer some of the most affordable luxury in the Southeast." And he's not wrong.
Fall Creek Falls: where waterfalls meet WiFi
Fall Creek Falls State Park just opened a brand-new 85-room lodge overlooking Fall Creek Lake. At $213 to $412 per night, you get:
- Views of a 256-foot waterfall (tallest east of the Mississippi, thank you very much)
- An 18-hole golf course
- Lakeside dining
- That smug feeling of supporting state parks
Mountain magic at Roan Mountain
Roan Mountain State Park offers 30 cabins priced from $134 to $319 per night. Each comes with front porch rocking chairs, which is basically mandatory in Tennessee. At 6,285 feet elevation, the views are spectacular, especially when the famous rhododendron gardens bloom in mid-June.
Quick note: Check current conditions before booking, as some areas took a hit from 2024 storms. Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate with our vacation plans.
Beach vibes without the ocean
Who says you need an ocean for beach vibes? Rock Island State Park has natural sand beaches on Center Hill Lake. Their ten three-bedroom cabins can accommodate up to 10 guests and sit just a half-mile from swimming areas. Plus, there's a 30-foot waterfall called Great Falls, because Tennessee doesn't do anything halfway.
Natchez Trace State Park spreads across a casual 48,000 acres with 27 cabins starting at just $99 per night. Fair warning: the main lodge is closed for renovation through 2027, but honestly, with that much space, who needs a lodge?
Small towns with big personalities
Tennessee's small towns are like that friend who seems quiet at first but then turns out to be the most interesting person at the party.
Jonesborough: where stories come to life
As Tennessee's oldest town (founded in 1779), Jonesborough earned its title as the "Storytelling Capital of the World." The International Storytelling Center hosts live performances Monday through Saturday, and trust me, these aren't your kindergarten story time tales.
The historic Eureka Inn offers rooms from $75 to $125 per night, including the Cook's Room with locally-made beds. October's National Storytelling Festival draws visitors worldwide, but honestly, any weekend is perfect for exploring Main Street and grabbing comfort food at Main Street Cafe (housed in a converted bank, because of course it is).
Bell Buckle: come for the moon pies, stay for the charm
Bell Buckle might be tiny, but it packs a punch. The Bell Buckle Cafe's carrot soufflé alone justifies the hour drive from Nashville. I'm not even sure what a carrot soufflé is, but I'd drive two hours for it.
Every June, the town hosts the RC Cola-MoonPie Festival, featuring the world's largest moon pie cutting ceremony. Because if you're going to cut a moon pie, why not make it ridiculously large? On quieter weekends, browse through Bluebird Antiques & Ice Cream Parlor, where you can buy a vintage lamp and eat ice cream in the same transaction. The Bell Buckle Guest House runs $80 to $120 per night, which is a small price to pay for small-town magic.
Leiper's Fork: where celebrities pretend to be normal
Just 28 miles from Nashville, Leiper's Fork operates on "Leiper's Fork Standard Time," which is basically island time but with more cowboy boots. The legendary Fox & Locke hosts Thursday open mic nights where Grammy winners occasionally "drop in" (sure, Jan).
White's Mercantile Room and Board, owned by Holly Williams (Hank Jr.'s daughter), provides accommodations in an 1892 home that Gwyneth Paltrow apparently approved of. I don't know what that means exactly, but I assume the thread count is very high.
Townsend: the peaceful side that actually delivers
With a population under 500, Townsend truly lives up to its "Peaceful Side of the Smokies" nickname. As the gateway to Cades Cove's 11-mile scenic loop, it's prime territory for spotting black bears and elk.
Smoky Mountain River Rat provides the area's best tubing on Little River, while Peaceful Side Social serves craft beer with playground views. Because sometimes parents need beer while kids need slides, and Townsend gets it.
Lake life without the hefty mortgage
Tennessee's lakes offer that "I own a lake house" feeling without the "I own a lake house" mortgage.
Norris Lake: the overachiever
Known as the "Crown Jewel of TVA Lakes," Norris Lake boasts 96% water purity across 800 miles of shoreline. It's also ranked among North America's top 10 bass fishing destinations, though I couldn't catch a fish there with dynamite.
Houseboat rentals run $1,200 to $2,500 per weekend, while lakefront cabins range from $150 to $400 per night. Three state parks provide additional recreation options, because apparently 800 miles of shoreline isn't enough.
Center Hill Lake: Nashville's backyard oasis
Just an hour from Nashville, this 18,220-acre lake offers everything from luxury chalets ($200-$500 per night) to unique treehouses and floating cabins. Hurricane Marina serves as your full-service hub, while nearby Rock Island State Park adds white-water rafting to the menu. Because why not mix lake life with river adventure?
Dale Hollow Lake: where the fish are bigger than your stories
Dale Hollow Lake claims the title "Smallmouth Capital of the World" thanks to a record 11-pound, 5-ounce bass caught here. I've caught exactly zero fish there, but the trying was fun.
Sunset Marina Resort offers varied accommodations from $85 to $300 per night. American Bald Eagles nest along the shores, viewable via the park's live EagleCam, which is honestly more entertaining than most reality TV.
Hidden gems worth the detour
While everyone else fights crowds in Gatlinburg, you could be exploring these lesser-known treasures.
The Lost Sea in Sweetwater showcases America's largest underground lake with glass-bottom boat tours. It's 200 million years old, which makes my back pain seem less significant.
Granville, dubbed "Tennessee's Mayberry," operates mostly on volunteer power. The T.B. Sutton General Store has been running since 1880, probably using the same cash register.
For waterfall lovers who hate crowds:
- Burgess Falls State Park
- Savage Gulf three-waterfall hike
- Your shower (kidding, but seriously, the other two are amazing)
When to go (and when to definitely not go)
Let me save you from peak season sticker shock and weather-related disappointment.
October brings peak fall foliage and peak prices. Book 3-6 months ahead unless you enjoy sleeping in your car. January offers the lowest rates, often under $75 per night for hotels that charge $100+ during peak season.
My picks for best visit times:
- September: Great weather, fewer tourists
- March-May: Wildflowers everywhere (skip May… wettest month)
- June-August: Hot, crowded, but festival season
- November-February: Cheap, peaceful, possibly cold
Getting there is half the… ease?
From major cities, Tennessee stays surprisingly accessible:
- Nashville to Smokies: Under 4 hours
- Memphis to Smokies: 3 hours
- Atlanta to most Tennessee spots: Within 4.5 hours
- Louisville to Nashville: 3 hours
- Birmingham to Chattanooga: 2.5 hours
Making your Tennessee weekend happen
With tourism generating $31.7 billion in 2024 spending, Tennessee clearly knows what it's doing. Whether you splurge on Blackberry Farm's pastoral perfection or save with a $99 state park cabin, you'll find genuine Southern hospitality and natural beauty that Instagram filters can't improve.
The key? Match your desires to Tennessee's diverse offerings. Active couples might combine Townsend's tubing with a luxury treehouse stay. Relaxation seekers could book Blackberry Mountain's spa treatments followed by sunset cocktails in their restored fire watchtower. Families find joy at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort, while solitude seekers discover peace on Dale Hollow Lake's crystal-clear waters.
Tennessee doesn't just offer weekend escapes… it offers the weekend escape you didn't know you needed. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to book my next trip before October's leaf peepers claim all the good spots.
