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
What to do and see in Tennessee, United States: The Best Battlefields
Discover the best top things to do in Tennessee, United States including Shiloh National Military Park, Lotz House Museum, Carter House, Fort Donelson National Battlefield, Point Park - Lookout Mountain Battlefields, Stones River National Battlefield, Carnton, Britton Lane Battlefield, The Parker's Crossroads Battlefield Association, Battle of Nashville, Confederate Redoubt 1.
Restaurants in Tennessee
1. Shiloh National Military Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 792 reviews
Park honoring the Civil War battle at Shiloh and containing the cemetery where the fallen soldiers were buried.
Reviewed By davidrC7258YG - Valparaiso, United States
excellent interpretive center, beautiful and haunting drive, important historical significance, and makes you reflect upon the events and soldiers in the civil war. I would recommend this to anybody, even those who are not interested in the civil war--it shows the stark reality of the trials (and horrors) of the civil war, while also providing the larger picture of the strategies of both sides. At the time, this was one of the most significant battles in the Western theatre of the civil war. Take the time for the driving tour, well worth it. The staff were helpful and knowledgeable.
2. 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
3. Carter House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,312 reviews
The Carter House was built around 1830 by Fountain Branch Carter. By the time of the Civil War it was a large agricultural operation. In the years leading up to the Civil War nearly thirty enslaved people lived and worked on the farm. The Carter home and property was consumed by the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. The house served as headquarters for the United States Army during the battle. One of the Carter sons was mortally wounded during the terrible fighting and died in the house two days later. Sixty minute Classic house tours are offered as well as Battlefield, Slavery, and Extended tours.
Reviewed By Hadair4
My friends and I were so pleased with the tour of the Carter house, all agreeing that it was the best guided tour we've ever had. Our tour guide, David, moved through the info quickly, balancing war history, descriptions of the battle, and family history for an hour was fascinating from start to finish.
4. Fort Donelson National Battlefield
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
This marks the site where Confederate general Simon B. Buckner surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, Union general.
Reviewed By davidrC7258YG - Valparaiso, United States
If you are interested in civil war history, this stop is important, as it represents part of Grant's successful movement into the South, as a prelude to the eventual victory at Vicksburg. The park itself is small, and you can see everything worth seeing in 60-75 min, including the driving tour, a little bit of walking and sitting by the Cumberland river (this fort was taken after Ft. Henry on the Tennessee R not far away was taken. There is a driving tour which takes you out of the main park and eventually through town, and from there you can access the cemetery.
5. Point Park - Lookout Mountain Battlefields
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 740 reviews
Part of the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park, these grounds commemorate the "Battle Above the Clouds" that was fought on Lookout Mountain in 1863.
Reviewed By KCLJ520
We visited Point Park as part of our vacation to Chattanooga, and LOVED our experience there! Bob, the site interpreter was dressed in a Civil War uniform and did a great demonstration of a period rifle firing, along with a very cool discussion of the battle at Signal and Lookout Mountains. This was a highlight for us, and we loved walking around to see the cannons and overlooks! Highly recommended, a really beautiful and historic place!
6. Stones River National Battlefield
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 784 reviews
Scene of a significant 1862 Civil War battle fought by 81,000 soldiers for control of middle Tennessee.
Reviewed By ELO_Ohio - Shelby, United States
Stones River NB gets an A+ in my book. Have never seen a Civil War site so well maintained. Maintenance staff mowing, pulling weeds, working on trails, etc. the ENTIRE time we were there. The park rangers were great. Took the cemetery tour and learned a lot of lesser known facts. The driving tour was also top notch with excellent stops; many cool monuments to see. Don’t like history? No problem. This park has paved bike and walking trails all over the place. Only minutes from Murfreesboro...a nice up and coming town; 40 minutes to Nashville. Free admission and an excellent Junior Ranger program. Check it out...you’ll be glad you did.
7. Carnton
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,659 reviews
Carnton was built around 1826 by Randal McGavock, an early settler in Middle Tennessee. By the time of the Civil War, Carnton was home to John and Carrie McGavock and it was a large working farm. Over forty enslaved people lived and worked at Carnton in the years leading up to the Civil War. On November 30, 1864, the site was witness to the Battle of Franklin. Carnton became the largest field hospital in the area following the terrible battle, and in 1866 the McGavock Confederate Cemetery was established nearby. Today the cemetery holds the remains of nearly 1,500 Southern soldiers. The family and enslaved cemeteries are also on site. Sixty minutes Classic house tours are offered as well as Extended, Slavery, Battlefield, and Behind the Scenes tours.
Reviewed By scottrA3361XW - Silver Spring, United States
The history makes this visit, though the house itself is impressive (no interior photo rule, grrr... though it's quite popular, so perhaps that would make tours unwieldy - at least in a place like this you can understand). Knowledgeable, communicative tour guide, really elevates the experience. The story of one's house being turned into a field hospital and living (participating) through it all - plus the dedication of the former owners in preserving the memories, cemetery was really striking. It is a destination visit, so tour must keep to schedule and you will certainly not be part of a small group, but it's managed well. Combo ticket with Carter is available and worth adding for full context. The small separate museum does not really add much and could be more developed.
8. Britton Lane Battlefield
9. The Parker's Crossroads Battlefield Association
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By G3400CCrobertm
Like many historic areas, the Parkers Crossroads battlefield has suffered from modern encroachment... in fact, an interstate highway runs through the middle of it... however, either by luck or design, the highway seems to be a little lower level than the ground on either side of it, so you can walk (or drive) the north or south side of the battlefield and have a good, relatively unobstructed view of the whole field... there is a visitor center south of the modern crossroad on SR 22 where you can get a map for a driving tour of the major points on the battlefield... the tour is more or less in chronological order and starts on the north side of I-40, then traverses to the south side... when they laid out the modern roads, they did so in such a way that the original north-south road was left intact, and you can walk a portion of it just as it existed then... there are trails off of the tour stops with several interpretive markers, so you can learn a lot about what happened here... considering the location as a major crossroad (then and now) it's a surprisingly good stop on the Civil War trail...
10. Battle of Nashville, Confederate Redoubt 1
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
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