Tennessee is the Volunteer State, a land where Appalachian mountain mist meets Mississippi Delta soul. From the neon honky-tonks of Nashville and the legendary blues clubs of Beale Street to the ancient hollows of the Great Smoky Mountains and the white-water rivers of the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee delivers an extraordinary range of experiences. Home to more live music per capita than almost any state, birthplace of country, blues, and rock-and-roll, and blessed with stunning natural landscapes, Tennessee is a destination that rewards every type of traveler.
Best photo spots
Iconic and lesser-known locations worth shooting.
Clingmans Dome Sunrise
Best time: Sunrise (arrive 45 minutes before sunrise) for sea-of-clouds effect above the mountains
Nashville Lower Broadway at Night
Best time: Blue hour (30 minutes after sunset) and into the night for neon glow; weekends for most activity
Cades Cove Wildlife Photography
Best time: First light (within 30 minutes of sunrise) for deer and bear activity in meadows
Beale Street Blues Heritage (Memphis)
Best time: Late afternoon golden hour for portrait-warm neon light; Thursday–Saturday evenings for atmosphere
Newfound Gap Road Fall Color Drive
Best time: Mid-October (peak color typically October 15–22 at mid-elevations, 6–7 AM golden hour)
Ryman Auditorium Interior
Best time: Daytime tours (9 AM–4 PM) for architectural interior shots with natural light through stained glass
Tennessee River Gorge (Chattanooga)
Best time: Sunrise for mist rising from the river gorge below; October for fog inversions and fall color
Fall Creek Falls (Tallest Eastern Waterfall)
Best time: Morning (10 AM–noon) when sunlight hits the falls; spring (April–May) for highest water volume
Photography tips
Make your shots stand out.
Shoot during golden hour (1 hour after sunrise, 1 hour before sunset) for warm, directional light.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in religious or cultural contexts.
Carry spare batteries and storage — opportunities for great shots appear unexpectedly.