Tennessee

The Blues, the Barbecue and Beale Street

Memphis holds a different kind of magic. Beale Street gave the blues a permanent address, and Graceland keeps the spirit of Elvis alive for pilgrims arriving from every corner of the globe. The city is also a serious barbecue destination, with whole slow smoked pork shoulder the local religion. No trip west along the Mississippi is complete without a sauce covered plate and a side of coleslaw.

Smoky Mountains and Wild Trails

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the Tennessee and North Carolina border and draws more visitors than any other national park in the United States. Mist cloaked ridgelines, ancient hardwood forests and hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails make it a paradise for walkers, wildlife watchers and anyone craving fresh mountain air. Black bears, white tailed deer and synchronised fireflies in early summer add genuine wonder to every trail.

History, Whisky and Southern Character

Tennessee whisky country surrounds Lynchburg and its famous distillery, where visitors can tour the limestone cave spring fed production process and sample the results in one of the state's approved tasting rooms. Beyond the barrel, the state carries deep Civil War history at Shiloh and Stones River, a vibrant arts scene in Knoxville and the warm, unhurried hospitality that makes a road trip through the South genuinely memorable.