Top Things to do in Tennessee
Top Hotels in Tennessee
- 1. Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown
- 2. Holiday Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt (Dwtn), an IHG Hotel
- 3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville Downtown Stadium
- 4. The Peabody Memphis
- 5. Hutton Hotel
- 6. Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown
- 7. Margaritaville Island Inn
- 8. Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg
- 9. Arbors at Island Landing Hotel & Suites
- 10. Best Western Plaza Inn
10 History Museums in Tennessee That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Tennessee, United States including National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel, The Homeplace, Lotz House Museum, East Tennesse Historical Society, Beechcraft Heritage Museum, Cookeville History Museum, Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Cleveland Bradley County Public Library, Museum of Scott County, Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum.
Restaurants in Tennessee
1. National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,750 reviews
At the place of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'S death in 1968 in Memphis, TN, the National Civil Rights Museum is a renowned educational and cultural institution. The Museum chronicles the American Civil Rights Movement with compelling presentations of iconic exhibits, oral histories of lesser-known civil rights foot soldiers, and visceral, in-the-moment experiences. Visitors will learn through emotionally charged, multi-user, multi-touch interactives, and a visually engaging, contemporary exhibit design that guides you through five centuries of history. Bring the whole family.
Reviewed By annmarieduffy - New York City, United States
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorrainne Motel. Chilling seeing this famous site as we turned the corner to enter. Site of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. etched in our memories. Amazing exhibitions, chronologically bringing you through-the Slave trade, many hero’s including educators & pastors, the Civil War, 13, 14 & 15 Constitutional Ammendments , Jim Crow, Rosa Parks, with both her bus & the burnt out bus of the Freedom riders & of course MLK & his speech’s, the hotel room to Obama’s election. It finished with all the Civil Rights hero’s throughout the world & then award winning Civil Rights workers including many different fields such as Gore for the environment, Marlo Thomas for St Judes children’s hospital, Jimmy Carter, Anwar Sadat, Gorbachev & of course Mandela. One of my biggest shock was that 5 million Africans were captured & enslaved in Brazil & another 5 million brought to the Caribbean. 388,000 were brought to North America & 9,000 to Europe. Now looking at the Slave Trade Database 10.7 million survived of the 12.5 million people transported. Horrific history.
2. The Homeplace
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Jumped_out_the_whip - Springfield, United States
The people who work here actually know what they're talking about and are eager to share. We spent a couple of hours and I had to pry our kids (and husband) way (11 and 7). Make sure to ask questions to get the most out of your time. It was eye opening for our kids to see how difficult life was in "simpler times". Be aware: cell phone service disnt exist then...and it doesn't now, either. Surely you can be a good example to your kids and enjoy time unplugged. ☺
3. Lotz House Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,146 reviews
The compelling story of the times, the family, and the fine antiques of the Civil War era. The Lotz House, which has been on the National Historic Register since 1976, is located in the heart of downtown historic Franklin, Tennessee, at “the epicenter” of the Battle of Franklin, which was a pivotal battle of the Civil War on November 30, 1864. The House was the most heavily damaged structure on the Franklin battlefield. Walk in to witness the damage from the cannon balls that crash through the house and numerous bloodstains on all the floors. Plus on this tour, your will learn about the family, the Master Wood Worker who built the home by himself, how the family survived and how the bloody battle affected them for the balance of their lives! Reservation are not required for Guided tours of the historic home. In addition, walking battlefield tours and an archeological tours are also available, but please call for reservations. Please join us as we step back into Civil War history.
Reviewed By jimrF2631PS - Hartselle, United States
My wife and I were in Franklin and had some time to kill so we decided to take in this attraction. This is a very awesome place to go to get some great details about the history of our great nation Our tour guide Seth did a great job and we highly recommend this to anyone with kids that are over the age of 13
4. East Tennesse Historical Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 340 reviews
Reviewed By philyfanstukinmi - Ann Arbor, United States
After a short film about East Tennessee, you wonder through rooms full of information beginning with the native americans and the long hunters that settled in the valley (Daniel Boone). Through the civil war to modern day industry. Special sections for the music of the area and the invention of Mountain Dew (especially entertaining. Great place to visit and the price is right.
5. Beechcraft Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 106 reviews
The Beechcraft Heritage Museum is a world class aviation museum. Over 78,000 square feet exhibiting 38 aircraft from the mid 1920's to this century. Original art pieces and extensive historical displays of aviation and Beechcraft history.
Reviewed By 69rayw
Enjoyed every minute of my time there. Many great aircraft well preserved. Displayed to take advantage of the photo opportunities.
6. Cookeville History Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By vandyboy83
This museum is often overlooked by tourists and residents of Cookeville and Putnam County, but it is well worth taking an hour or two to go through it. The exhibits in the front section change every so often. In the back are the permanent displays on everything from prehistoric times in Cookeville to the Civil War, Tennessee Tech University, and old homes and businesses. This museum has won countless awards for their exhibits.
7. Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,299 reviews
Chronicling the artists and the music that shaped the legacy of "Memphis Sound," this museum features the Smithsonian's "Rock 'n' Roll: Social Crossroads" exhibition.
Reviewed By 851bobw
Being able to go through museum at your own pace and choose what audio points you wish to listen to and the additional opportunity to listen on your own audio music from the past was great
8. Cleveland Bradley County Public Library
9. Museum of Scott County
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
10. Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 689 reviews
Visitors can tour the tunnels used by runaway slaves who stopped at this plantation, one of the stations of the Underground Railroad.
Reviewed By 24Long
Fascinating and heartrending story of a German immigrant businessman who offered his home and possibly his livelihood to provide a haven for runaway slaves during the run-up to the Civil War. Both guides, Greg and Asia, shared stories covering the slave trade, Memphis’ slave markets, how the Underground Railroad worked, to the system Mr.Burkle used to get runaways safely to Cairo, IL and beyond. Fascinating look at mid-18th century life in Memphis. Please create a pamphlet about the history this house represents. This story needs to be heard.
