Best time to visit Tennessee

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Tennessee

Best time of year to visit Tennessee

Even though you can visit the state at any time, the best time to visit Tennessee depends on what the goal of your vacation is. March through May and September through November are considered to be the most pleasant months with balmy days, cool nights, and a reasonable level of humidity. Nothing beats glancing at blooming flowers in spring and enjoying spectacular foliage in fall. Views from Clingman's Dome are amazing throughout both of these seasons. The time between June and August is considered to be the busiest. Escape the heat and choose Fall Creek Falls and Machine Falls to cool down a little and relax. Tourist flow subsides by the time winter approaches—high time to hit the Little River Road to explore the Smokies at their best.

9 THINGS TO DO IN TENNESSEE (MAY 23 - JUNE 01)

Synchronous Fireflies

Synchronous Fireflies

late May–mid-June • nature

The symphony of light in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tail of the Dragon Road at Deals Gap

Tail of the Dragon Road at Deals Gap

April–October • activity

An extremely curvy drive between North Carolina and Tennessee, excellent for motorcycles and sport cars

Natchez Trace Parkway

Natchez Trace Parkway

April–May | September–October • activity

One of the most scenic roads in the United States with an ancient history

Cumberland Falls

Cumberland Falls

all year round (during full moon phases) • nature

One of the few sites in the Western Hemisphere where one can witness a moonbow

Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome

April–November • activity

Drive up to the highest point in the Smokies

Machine Falls

Machine Falls

all year round • nature

Beautiful waterfall is just a one-hour drive from Nashville

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Fall Creek Falls State Park

all year round • activity

The most-visited state park in Tennessee offers 56 miles (90 km) of hiking trails

Burgess Falls

Burgess Falls

year round (best time: March–November)  • nature

Enjoy the leisurely hike near one of the most beautiful state's waterfall

Little River Road

Little River Road

June | October (all year round) • activity

A scenic ride in the Great Smokie Mountains

42 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Kingsport Fun Fest

Kingsport Fun Fest

out of rangeJuly 14–22, 2023 • event

The most popular music, art, and hot air balloon event in Tennessee

4th of July Celebration & Fireworks in Nashville

4th of July Celebration & Fireworks in Nashville

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

The whole city enjoys Independence Day festivities, music, and sports

Lakeside of the Smokies Balloon Fest

Lakeside of the Smokies Balloon Fest

unconfirmedOctober 21–22, 2023 • event

Bird's-eye views of fall foliage in the Smokies

Wilson County Fair - Tennessee State Fair

Wilson County Fair - Tennessee State Fair

out of rangeAugust 17–26, 2023 • event

Ice-cream-eating contests, corn hole, karaoke and fun for the whole family is guaranteed

Midsouth Air Show (Millington)

Midsouth Air Show (Millington)

unconfirmedmid-June 2023 • event

Aviation fun for the whole family near Memphis

Tennessee Fall Colors

Tennessee Fall Colors

out of rangelate September–early November • nature

Turn on "Rocky Top" and head to the Smoky Mountains to get your fill of fall color

National Storytelling Festival

National Storytelling Festival

out of rangeOctober 6–8, 2023 • event

Celebrate an ancient tradition of storytelling

Nashville Greek Festival

Nashville Greek Festival

out of rangeOctober 21–23, 2022 • event

Three days of delicious food and lively music and dancing

National Cornbread Festival

National Cornbread Festival

out of rangeApril 29–30, 2023 • event

The annual celebration of cornbread and Southern food traditions in South Pittsburg

New Year's Eve in Nashville

New Year's Eve in Nashville

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

A fantastic place to party and ring in the New Year

Tennessee Medieval Faire

Tennessee Medieval Faire

out of rangeOctober 7–22, 2023 • event

Jousting tournaments, warriors' chess matches, and other entertainment

Hummingbird Migration

Hummingbird Migration

out of rangelate March–mid-May | early July–October • nature

Behold the world's most adorable wee birds throughout Tennessee

Smoky Mountain Air Show

Smoky Mountain Air Show

out of rangeSeptember 10, 2023 • event

Blue Angels and others headline the top aviation event in Knoxville

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve

out of rangeDecember 31  • event

The biggest party of the year in the Great Smoky Mountains

Gatlinburg Christmas Lights

Gatlinburg Christmas Lights

out of rangeearly November 2022–late February 2023 • event

From light displays to Christmas trees and shows – Tennessee Smokies is a must-see in the winter

Franklin Hot Air Balloon Classic

Franklin Hot Air Balloon Classic

on holdJune 12, 2021 • event

Take a look at the colorful giants from an eye level

Wilson County Fair

Wilson County Fair

out of rangeAugust 17–26, 2023 • event

The largest fair in Tennessee offers plenty of entertainment

4th of July in Memphis

4th of July in Memphis

out of rangeJuly 1–4 • event

Celebrate American Independence Memphis style!

Waterfalls

Waterfalls

out of rangeMarch–November • nature

Plan yourself a beautiful weekend getaway at one of Tennessee's most beguiling waterfalls

Sandhill Crane Migration

Sandhill Crane Migration

out of rangemid-October–February | best: January • nature

Thousands of sandhill cranes spend winter in Tennessee

Chattanooga Fall Colors

Chattanooga Fall Colors

out of rangelate October–early November  • nature

While every season is great in its own way, there's something quite magical about fall near Tennessee River

Nashville Christmas Lights

Nashville Christmas Lights

out of rangeNovember 11, 2022–January 8, 2023 • event

Get into the Christmas spirit when festive holiday decorations illuminate Nashville

Nashville Comic Con

Nashville Comic Con

out of rangeJune 3–4, 2023 • event

Join a popular culture celebration in Music City

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

out of rangeJune 15–18, 2023 • event

A "green" festival that stages both famous and yet to be established talents and draws fans from the entire globe to the area as big as 375 football fields—it is the unique Bonnaroo

Dancing Lights of Christmas

Dancing Lights of Christmas

out of rangeNovember 11, 2022–January 1, 2023 • event

Middle Tennessee’s only synchronized light and music show for the holiday mood

Smoky Mountains Winterfest

Smoky Mountains Winterfest

out of rangeNovember 13, 2022–February 19, 2023 • event

Visit cozy mountain towns nestled near the Smokies to explore the twinkling winter wonderland

GSM Hot Air Balloon Festival

GSM Hot Air Balloon Festival

out of rangeAugust 19, 2023 • event

Ballooning and fun activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Appalachian Fairgrounds

Appalachian Fairgrounds

out of rangeAugust 21–26, 2023 • event

The Appalachian Fair is a must-visit festival in Gray

Hops in the Hills Craft Beer Festival

Hops in the Hills Craft Beer Festival

out of rangeJune 23–24, 2023 • event

This festival is a real celebration of beer

Collierville Balloon Festival

Collierville Balloon Festival

unconfirmedmid-September 2023 • event

A popular balloooning event in a suburb of Memphis

East Nashville Beer Festival

East Nashville Beer Festival

out of rangeApril 1, 2023 • event

Come to East Park and drink as much beer as you like

Elvis Week

Elvis Week

out of rangeAugust 10–16, 2023 • event

An annual celebration of the music and legacy of Elvis Presley

Christmas Lights and 
Events in Chattanooga

Christmas Lights and Events in Chattanooga

out of rangemid-November 2022–early January 2023 • event

Immerse yourself in a wonderland of dazzling lights in Southeastern Tennessee

New Year's Eve in Chattanooga

New Year's Eve in Chattanooga

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Ring in the New Year in style at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains

Christmas Lights in and near Memphis, TN

Christmas Lights in and near Memphis, TN

out of rangemid-November 2022–early January 2023 • event

Discover iconic Memphis attractions alight with holiday cheer

New Year's Eve in Memphis

New Year's Eve in Memphis

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Celebrate New Year's arrival with some serious Rock'n'Roll

Winter Carnival of Magic

Winter Carnival of Magic

out of rangeMarch 9–11, 2023 • event

Immerse yourself into the world of illusion in the heart of the Smoky Mountains

Chinese New Year in Nashville

Chinese New Year in Nashville

out of rangeJanuary 14, 2023 | January 28, 2023 • event

Lion dances and traditional food—Nashville knows how to celebrate the new lunar year in style!

Christmas Lights in Tennessee

Christmas Lights in Tennessee

out of rangeearly November–early February  • event

Immerse in Christmas magic of the American South

Strawberry Festival in Dayton

Strawberry Festival in Dayton

out of rangeMay 9–13, 2024 • event

Rejoice in the most delicious festival in Dayton. Plenty of strawberries are waiting for you!

Nashville Hot Chicken

Nashville Hot Chicken

out of rangeall year round (best July 4) • food

True authentic Nashville dish that brings tears of joy

Crossville Oktoberfest

Crossville Oktoberfest

out of rangeOctober 20–21, 2023 • event

The best-in-class Oktoberfest event in the Upper Cumberlands

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