The Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains boast 930 miles of trails, almost 500 miles of fishable streams, and more than nine million annual visitors. Most of these tourists are car-bound, though, which leaves ample uncongested backcountry for hiking and fishing.

Photo Credit: Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee (Weststock)

Classic Americana: Celebrating 25 Years of Dollywood

At first it’s a mystery why the mid-sized Tennessee city of Knoxville would rank so high on the “top travel search terms” list. But once you hear the magic word, it becomes obvious: DOLLYWOOD.

California has Disney, Florida has… Disney, Vegas has the Strip, and Tennessee has the world’s one-and-only Dolly Parton theme park. Dolly doesn’t just lend her name to this place, either. Many of the attractions and entertainment offerings were conceived or inspired by her. Still growing as of its 25th birthday in 2010, this wildly popular family park continually proves that Dolly Parton is much more than just a pretty voice—she’s an American icon.

Memphis Trip Highlights: Brooks Museum of Art

Located in Memphis' historic Overton Park, the Brooks Museum of Art is the oldest and largest museum in Tennessee. Since its inception in 1916, the museum has brought highbrow fare, including a collection of paintings, prints, and sculptures spanning the 13th through 20th centuries, to a city famous for its rock 'n' roll roots and dry-roast barbeque. Brooks has current exhibitions on the work of Italian master Canaletto and little-know prints from Salvador Dali.

Photo credit: Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis, Tennessee (Memphis CVB)

How to Find Cheap, Family-Friendly Fun in Memphis

You want great music, comfort food, fun for all ages, and an affordable price tag? Take your pick of places. But if you want all that plus Elvis impersonators, ducks on parade, and a great American river, then Memphis is the only place for you.

First and foremost, obviously you’ve gotta do Graceland. Yeah, it’s a tourist trap, and some people find all that old-school pop idol worship—and all those souvenirs—a little cheesy. But this is the birthplace of America’s King! Pay your respects, and take comfort in the fact that everything’s self-guided, so if you’ve got squirrelly children or a personal low tolerance for Elvis mania, just do the mansion tour and then get out.

Top Budget-Friendly Mountain Trips

Enjoy some fresh mountain air without putting your wallet on a high-altitude diet at these three affordable trip hubs.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Get around for .50 cents a person on the Fun Time Trolley, buy a Pigeon Forge Value Card for discounts on everything from meals to hotels, shopping and attractions, and enjoy a free-next-day ticket to Dollywood when you arrive after 3 p.m. Accommodations ranging from rustic inns to value-conscious resorts make for budget-friendly lodging.

Top 4 Nature-Loving Family Road Trips

Spring is in the air, which means it's time to get outside! Scenery and back-to-basics family fun take center stage on these cheap, outdoorsy family road trips:

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Amid the backdrop of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, this 105-mile stretch of highway (itself a section of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway) is dotted with exits to kid-friendly hiking trails. Inexpensive campgrounds and cabin-style resorts make for a budget-friendly family vacation.

Asheville, North Carolina, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee
This beautiful two-hour drive passes right through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Campgrounds are plentiful in the area, as are laid-back lodging options like cabin rentals and motels.

The Best of Nashville, Tennessee

There's more to Nashville than just good music. The Frist Center for the Visual Arts has an exhibit on the treasures of ancient Egypt, the Adventure Science Center's signature exhibit teaches science to children through games, the Nashville Zoo has opened a new aviary, Nashville Shores is an outdoor waterpark, and tours are available of the Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's primary home.

Photo credit: Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville (Scott Thomas/courtesy, Nashville CVB)

Knoxville Weekend Escape: Get Outdoors in Big South Fork, Tennessee

Big South Fork's 123,000 acres of natural arches and bridges, waterfalls and swimming holes, and more than 150 miles of hiking trails qualify this park as a must-see spot. And then there's the roaring Big South Fork itself, with more than 80 paddle-friendly miles a breathtaking gorge. In March, you might catch the last glimpses of snow or cascades of frozen waterfalls—and avoid the winter hunters and summer insects.Big South Fork's 123,000 acres of natural arches and bridges, waterfalls and swimming holes, and more than 150 miles of hiking trails qualify this park as a must-see spot. And then there's the roaring Big South Fork itself, with more than 80 paddle-friendly miles a breathtaking gorge. In March, you might catch the last glimpses of snow or cascades of frozen waterfalls—and avoid the winter hunters and summer insects.

Photo credit: Double Falls Rapids, Big South Fork, Tennessee (courtesy, National Park Service)