Tired of summer? Start looking forward to fall by planning a vacation to this beautiful Southern state. Along with beloved annual festivals and popular tourist spots, Tennessee has a number of newer attractions and experiences this season. The Volunteer State is one of the best places to visit in the autumn thanks to mild weather, gorgeous fall colors, spooky Halloween fun, and great entertainment and dining.
New attractions and activities
Get ready for an adventure in McMinnville, Tennessee. The Discovery Walking Tour is an all-new immersive experience surrounded by video, light and sound deep within the cave. Watch and listen to the story of how the cave was formed, came to life and the types of animals that call the cave home. Then, starting September 22, Hike MoCo (Morgan County) kicks off the Fall Frenzy Hiking Series. Explore and soak in the scenery along trails of Big South Fork, Frozen Head, Obed, Cumberland Trail and more.
For more fall-color views, head to Chattanooga for Rock City’s Fall Colors, an autumn splendor of pumpkins, haybale vignettes and seasonal decorations and live music with a picture perfect backdrop in the gardens. Get creative and power your imagination in the Smokies. Buckle up and get ready as stage rally competitors challenge the twisty, gnarly and beautiful gravel trails of the Cherokee National Forest during the Overmountain Rally in Johnson City September 14-15. Inspired by all that mountain beauty? Gatlinburg’s Painting Around offers DIY painting, arts and craft experiences like canvas, rock and splatter painting and holiday decorations.New dining and drinking experiences
National Banana Pudding Festival – courtesy of TN Dept of Tourist Development
In Knoxville, Cultivate Coffee & Flowers brews up coffee, creativity and conversation. Grab a cup of coffee or tea from the barista and shop per stem at the floral bar or grab a pre-made bouquet. Nashville’s Bayou Keys Dueling Piano Bar, located in Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up Bar in the heart of Lower Broadway, serves up live piano duels and traditional Cajun-inspire cuisine.
Located in the Edge District of Memphis, JEM Dining offers a menu of elevated flavor with a comfort food vibe, focused on local and seasonal ingredients. JEM stands for “Just Enjoy the Moment.” Also in Memphis, Mary’s Bar of Tropical Escapism or Mary’s B.O.T.E. for share, a tiki-inspired cocktail bar in Midtown, decked out in tropical vibes, festive glassware, cocktails and small bites.Finally, try Chattanooga’s Bless Yer Heart is a retro styled hangout with tropical cocktails, beer, wine and good company.
Unique milestone events
The 15th anniversary of Musicians Corner in Nashville starts August 30. The free outdoor concert series showcasing local artists takes place each Friday at Centennial Park through September with educational activities, musical meet & greets and local food trucks to compliment the music.
Just outside of Nashville, Franklin is also celebrating a major milestone. In honor of the 225th anniversary of the founding of Franklin and Williamson County, learn about the people, places and historic that shaped history. Download the Williamson County’s History Trail: 225th Anniversary passport with special offers.
For more than 100 years, the Tennessee Valley Fair has showcased East Tennessee heritage, agriculture and arts. Fairgoers enjoy competitions, rides, food, concerts, action sports and more. This year’s fair in Knoxville takes place September 6-15.
Amazing seasonal celebrations
Mempho Music Festival – courtesy of TN Dept of Tourist Development / Isaac Russell
Tennessee is home to several new-this-year and regular favorites when it comes to seasonal fall festivals and celebrations. If you visit any time during the months of September or October, plan to attend one or more of the following events:The Mountaineer Folk Festival at Fall Creek Falls State Park includes handmade crafts, traditional mountain music, demonstrations of pioneer skills, country cooking and much more. September 6-8, in Spencer, TennesseeThe Stillwell Festival transforms Historic Downtown Sevierville into a celebration of the Appalachian region with culinary chef creations, brewers, artists and musicians. September 7, Sevierville. Knoxville Asian Festival features exhibits of culture, authentic Asian cuisine, performances and more from China, Japan, Korea, India and Thailand at World’s Fair Park. September 7-8, Knoxville.Experience the beautify of a Smoky Mountain fall with vivid colors, the smell of apple and pumpkin and thrilling adventure rights. Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights illuminates the evening with the whimsical glow of over 12,000 pumpkins. September 9-October 28, Pigeon Forge.The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival celebrates Bristol’s music heritage as the birthplace of country music, showing the best in Appalachian roots music. The event honors the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and its far-reaching influence on the soundtrack today. September 13-15, Bristol.Cheekwood Harvest is a fall wonderland with 75,000 pumpkins and 4,000 chrysanthemums of different colors, shapes and sizes. Stroll through the Community Scarecrow Trail, iconic Pumpkin Village, live music in the beer garden and pick a pumpkin to take home. September 14-October 27, Nashville.Enjoy fine and folk artists, painters, mixed media and metal artists, potters, jewelry makers, wood artisans, hands-on activities, live music and food trucks at Art in the Park. September 21, Springfield.Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with performances by Dave Matthews Band, Need to Breathe, Better Than Ezra and more. September 28-29, Franklin.Pedal up at Historic Rugby, enjoy lunch at R.M. Brooks Store and ride the back roads of Morgan County, all while enjoying live music during the Rugby Roundabout Road Cycling Event. September 28, Rugby.World-renowned storytellers spin tales in circus-like tents throughout Tennessee’s oldest towns during the National Storytelling Festival. October 4-6, Jonesborough.Mempho Music Festival at Radians Amphitheater features two days of A-list artists playing one of the largest urban parks in America in one of the most legendary music cities on Earth. October 4-6, Memphis.Thousands head to RiverPark for the beloved National Banana Pudding Festival featuring live music, a national cook-off and a chance for guests to sample recipes along the Puddin’ Path. October 5-6, Centerville.Big Creek Winery’s AutumnFest 2024 is a day-long family-friendly celebration promising fun, food, live music and fantastic wine. October 12, Pulaski. Creativity flows at the Webb Art & Craft Show featuring handmade arts and crafts such as pottery, metal works, wood working, textiles, jewelry, old-fashioned soaps and lotions. October 19-20, Bell Buckle.Enjoy autumn-inspired food and drink, children’s activities, live music, costume contests for pets and families, and arts and crafts along Main Street at PumpkinFest. October 26, Franklin. Spooky spots for Halloween lovers
Historic Rugby After Dark – courtesy of Historic Rugby / TN Dept of Tourist Development
In Jonesborough, creepy tales unfold from the past. Graveyard Tales on September 7 at the McKinney Center includes spooky stories of local legends, creepy creatures and bone-chilling lore.
Historic Rugby After Dark tours in Rugby guide guests through original buildings and structures of the Victorian village founded in 1880s, telling history, legends and ghost stories.
Hear chilling tales spun from the hills and hollows of the Cumberland Plateau in Oneida during the Big South Fork Ghost Mine at the Blue Heron Outdoor Museum at 8 p.m. on October 18.
Mabry-Hazen House’s A Victorian Séance, an immersive, guided reenactment of a 19th-century Spiritualist séance filled with “mysterious and startling wonders,” takes place in Knoxville on the evenings of October 24-27.
Experience October at one of the most haunted locations in the country. In Adams, hear the folklore at Bell Witch Cave, which offers paranormal tours, cabin tours, daytime hayrides, nighttime haunted hayrides, food, a gift shop and more.
Nashville visitors can explore the haunted side of history with Ghost Tours: Tragedy and Mystery at The Hermitage with stories of unusual experiences of Andrew Jackson’s family and unexplained incidents on the site, a rare opportunity to see the mansion, grounds and cemetery by lantern light.
Each October in Memphis, visitors can take special tours and attend Soul of the Cemetery to hear stories of Elmwood Cemetery. BackBeat Tours shares more historically spooky tales with walking ghost tours through some of the most haunted places in Memphis.
—For a full list of events, check out tnvacation.com/calendar.
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