Folks, can you feel it? The last of summer’s balmy warmth is fading, and crisp breezes are on their way. Soon, millions of our gorgeous trees will be ablaze in crimson and gold from the top of the Smokies to the valley floors. Tennessee's most stunning season has arrived: Autumn is here! If you’re new to the area, or planning to visit this October, we’ve selected the best pumpkin patches in Middle Tennessee where you can dive into the splendor of fall. 

Our visitor’s guide is intended to help you find the best experience near you, but we recommend checking out at least a few of these beautiful farms. They are independently owned and operated, so you are sure to be greeted with the friendly warmth you have come to expect from our locals.

Get your

Tennessee is home to some of the best botanical gardens and arboretums in the United States. These lush repositories of local, imported, and rare plants range from public university research facilities to private gardens into which visitors are welcomed, and today we’re sharing the details on them all.

We all know that spending time in nature benefits both our physical and mental well-being. In our time in the great outdoors, we experience a boost in our immune system functioning, our heart health improves incrementally, our blood pressure reduces, and our levels of vitamin D rise when we are exposed to sunlight.

Spending time in green spaces is also calming, reducing our levels of stress and anxiety. Interacting with the world’s natural beauty

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting Tennessee in the fall, we know you’ll agree that our gorgeous state reaches the pinnacle of its seasonal beauty from mid-October through late November. 

With the arrival of autumn in late September, the show starts in the dense forests that crown the Great Smoky Mountains. As they begin their transformation, their leaves drape the mountains in vivid hues of crimson, orange, and gold. By the last two weeks of October, the colors have traversed to the foot of the mountains and spread across the state, making riotous autumn hues visible from nearly anywhere! However, for those of you who want to experience the ultimate fall vistas, we’ve curated a list of some of the best places to enjoy fall foliage in

Be aware that some caverns may be temporarily closed due to the ongoing pandemic, but they will gradually be re-opening! Other destinations will be open on a case-by-case basis as the state re-opens in phases. Please check the links below for updates and further information!

We’re all ready to get out of doors after a tense spring spent indoors, so the destinations we’ve chosen for today’s article are The Best Tennessee Natural Attractions! While we wish they could all be open at this time, we know the time will soon come when we can get out and explore these gorgeous wild landscapes Tennessee residents are so proud to call our own.

Clingmans Dome
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
bit.ly/clingmansdome

Sitting atop the highest point in

Does your family normally cruise around searching for holiday light displays every year, or settle for waving at The Parthenon in its lit-up holiday glory? This year, up your game with Parks' guide to the Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Middle Tennessee!

We’ve selected seven award-winning stops from all around the region, at a range of prices: from astounding, world-renowned commercial displays to the most beautifully decorated private neighborhoods. Whether you’re looking for a musically synchronized dancing light experience or a long walk down a romantic lane of classic lights, we have the perfect destination for you and yours listed below.

Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas
2800 Opryland Dr | Nashville | Donelson
Cost: Free