Extended Weekend Getaways 
Keith Urban performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Musical Milestones: Celebrate 100 years of country music at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, featuring special performances, surprise guests and iconic sounds throughout the year. Visit Memphis’ Graceland during Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday year, and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and history of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. See our newest article on Nashville by our associate editor, Robin O’Neal Smith is Stroll, Shop, & Savor in Nashville. On that same “note,” also check out Nashville Country Artists in Music City U.S.
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- World-Class Attractions: Dollywood marks its 40th season in 2025, offering family-friendly fun in the Smoky Mountains. Visit the recently renovated Sunsphere in Knoxville, complete with an enhanced visitor’s experience and nod to the original theming of the 1982 World’s Fair. Get the kids involved in making extended weekend plans with Dolly’s Playcation. Details in our Playcation Post.
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- The Great Outdoors: Discover Tennessee’s natural beauty with endless waterfalls, rivers, caves and trails. Go fishing at one of 14 Bill Dance Signature Lakes, hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or take in the sights while cycling through the state’s newly added Bike Tennessee routes. See our feature, Camping, riding, splashing, dreaming…
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- Must-See Events: Don’t miss the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway. Coming in August 2025, this event will feature a home run with the first Major League Baseball game played in Tennessee as the Atlanta Braves take on the Cincinnati Reds. Bristol Motor Speedway is a 0.533-mile oval short track in Bristol, Tennessee. The track has held a variety of events since its opening in 1961, including NASCAR races, NCAA FBS college football games, and sprint car races. The speedway has a capacity of 146,000 as of 2021. See more about places to go and things to do in Bristol with the article “The Crooked Road” from our July 2024 issue by Renee Gordon.
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- Signature Savories and Sweets: Savor culinary staples uniquely made in Tennessee, including MoonPies in Chattanooga, Memphis barbecue and Nashville Hot Chicken. MoonPies are known as the perfect combination of marshmallow, graham and chocolate. But do you know how they came to be? In 1917, a KY coal miner asked a Chattanooga Bakery traveling salesman for a snack “as big as the moon.” Earl Mitchell reported back and the bakery treat created was filling, fit in the lunch pail and the coal miners loved it. The rest, as they say, is history. At only five cents each they were affordable enough and by 1929, boxes were being shipped throughout the country. They accompanied servicement to war. They continued popularity during the Baby Boomer era. Then the 60s and 70s new products were introduced including the double-decker deluxe and new flavors. Now more than 100 years old, they are still going strong and flying off the grocery shelves.
Nashville hot chicken is a type of fried chicken that is a local specialty of Nashville. In its typical preparation, it is a portion of breast, thigh or wing that has been marinated in a water-based blend of seasoning, floured, fried and finally covered in a paste or sauce that has been spiced with cayenne pepper. This method of preparation originates within African American communities in the Southern United States. A richly pigmented seasoning paste gives the fried chicken its reddish hue. Spice blends, preparation methods and heat intensity vary from recipe to recipe or depending on the chef. Today, it is available on the menus of several restaurants throughout the city.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) unveiled the official 2025 Tennessee Vacation Guide today, offering an insider’s how-to for experiencing world-class destinations and unforgettable moments across the state. Readers will uncover can’t-miss music venues, locally owned restaurants, epic family adventures and more. Available now, the free printed guide or e-guide can be accessed online at TNvacation.com or picked up in person at any of Tennessee’s 16 Welcome Centers. Whether you’re a music lover, foodie, adventurer or thrill-seeker, 2025 is the perfect year to experience all Tennessee has to offer. Plan your trip today by visiting TNvacation.com/guide and join the conversation on social media with @TNvacation using hashtag #TNSoundsPerfect.
