Tennessee

The patron saints of music, cold beer and luscious scenery bless the state of Tennessee. The humid Mississippi River bottomlands define western Tennessee, while fertile rolling green hills and horse farms in the middle plateau give way to the glorious Smoky Mountains in the east. Everywhere you go, you'll find folks happy to chat about politics, football, or that nice cool breeze. Here, in the birthplace of so much American music, people are quick to smile, tap their toes and not take life too seriously. Nashville and Memphis literally throb with the electricity of musical genius. Everywhere you go, lone singer-songwriters, bluesmen or ...

The patron saints of music, cold beer and luscious scenery bless the state of Tennessee. The humid Mississippi River bottomlands define western Tennessee, while fertile rolling green hills and horse farms in the middle plateau give way to the glorious Smoky Mountains in the east. Everywhere you go, you'll find folks happy to chat about politics, football, or that nice cool breeze. Here, in the birthplace of so much American music, people are quick to smile, tap their toes and not take life too seriously. Nashville and Memphis literally throb with the electricity of musical genius. Everywhere you go, lone singer-songwriters, bluesmen or upstart rock bands seem to be channeling the fathers of blues, country and rock 'n' roll. Beyond the big cities, you'll find a mix of kitchy Americana theme parks, plenty of cowboy boots and rodeo shows and friendly, Southern towns.

About the Expert

Debra Landau has written eight Lonely Planet guidebooks, including books on the USA, Caribbean, and the South.