Tennessee's Top Destinations

Discover Tennessee

musical heritage, and Southern hospitality create a lifestyle that’s both energizing and restorative. Whether you’re working in a major hospital in Nashville or a community clinic in Gatlinburg, the Volunteer State provides a diverse and welcoming environment that supports both professional growth and personal exploration. Known for its rolling hills, riverfront cities, and deep cultural roots, Tennessee invites you to embrace a rhythm that blends tradition, creativity, and connection.

Nashville, the state capital and heart of country music, pulses with energy and opportunity. With world-class medical centers, a thriving arts scene, and neighborhoods full of live music and local flavor, it’s a city that offers excitement and inspiration around every corner. Memphis, perched on the Mississippi River, delivers a rich blend of blues, barbecue, and history, with a strong healthcare infrastructure and a soulful vibe that makes downtime feel meaningful. Chattanooga, nestled between mountains and waterways, offers a scenic escape with a revitalized downtown, outdoor adventure, and a growing medical community.

Knoxville, home to the University of Tennessee, blends college-town spirit with Appalachian charm, offering access to the Great Smoky Mountains and a strong sense of community. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, gateway towns to the Smokies, provide a peaceful retreat with stunning views, cozy cabins, and a slower pace that’s perfect for recharging between shifts. Whether you’re hiking through misty trails or enjoying local crafts and cuisine, this region offers a lifestyle rooted in nature and nostalgia.

For travel nurses, therapists, and other mobile healthcare professionals, Tennessee’s affordability, cultural richness, and geographic diversity make it an ideal destination for short-term assignments with long-term appeal. Whether you’re catching a live show, exploring mountain paths, or savoring Southern comfort food, Tennessee delivers a lifestyle that’s both grounded and full of heart.

Start Exploring Tennessee

Nashville

Nashville

Things To Do

  • Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium
  • Explore Broadway’s live music venues and rooftop bars
  • Tour the Parthenon and Centennial Park
  • Attend events at Bridgestone Arena and Ascend Amphitheater

Food

  • Try hot chicken, biscuits, and Southern sides
  • Enjoy upscale Southern dining and craft cocktails
  • Sample global cuisine and food trucks
  • Visit dessert cafés and coffee houses

Culture

  • Attend performances at TPAC and Bluebird Café
  • Explore murals and galleries in The Gulch and East Nashville
  • Visit historic churches and cultural museums
  • Join events like CMA Fest and Tomato Art Fest

Outdoor Activities

  • Bike the Shelby Bottoms Greenway
  • Kayak on the Cumberland River
  • Hike at Radnor Lake or Percy Warner Park
  • Picnic at Centennial Park or Riverfront Park

Nearby Travel Spots

  • Franklin for history and boutique shopping
  • Leiper’s Fork for art and countryside charm
  • Murfreesboro for Civil War sites and trails
  • Natchez Trace Parkway for scenic drives
Chattanooga

Chattanooga

Things To Do

  • Visit the Tennessee Aquarium and Creative Discovery Museum
  • Ride the Incline Railway and explore Lookout Mountain
  • Tour the Hunter Museum of American Art
  • Walk the Walnut Street Bridge and Bluff View Art District

Food

  • Try fried catfish, cornbread, and Southern comfort food
  • Enjoy farm-to-table dining and local brews
  • Sample international cuisine and riverside cafés
  • Visit dessert shops and brunch spots

Culture

  • Attend shows at Tivoli Theatre and Songbirds Museum
  • Explore murals and public art installations
  • Visit historic landmarks and cultural centers
  • Join events like Riverbend Festival and Nightfall Concert Series

Outdoor Activities

  • Hike at Signal Point or Stringer’s Ridge
  • Bike the Tennessee Riverwalk
  • Kayak on the Tennessee River
  • Picnic at Coolidge Park or Renaissance Park

Nearby Travel Spots

  • Lookout Mountain for hiking and views
  • Hixson for lake access and quiet escapes
  • Ooltewah for small-town charm and trails
  • South Pittsburg for history and festivals
Knoxville

Knoxville

Things To Do

  • Visit the Knoxville Museum of Art and Market Square
  • Tour the Sunsphere and World’s Fair Park
  • Explore the University of Tennessee campus
  • Attend events at Bijou Theatre and Tennessee Theatre

Food

  • Try barbecue, biscuits, and Appalachian-inspired fare
  • Enjoy upscale dining and craft beer
  • Sample global cuisine and comfort food
  • Visit dessert cafés and coffee shops

Culture

  • Attend performances at Clarence Brown Theatre
  • Explore murals and galleries in Old City
  • Visit historic homes and cultural museums
  • Join events like Dogwood Arts Festival and Big Ears Festival

Outdoor Activities

  • Hike at Ijams Nature Center or House Mountain
  • Bike the Urban Wilderness trails
  • Kayak on the Tennessee River
  • Picnic at Lakeshore Park or Sequoyah Hills

Nearby Travel Spots

  • Oak Ridge for science and history
  • Maryville for mountain views and dining
  • Norris Lake for boating and fishing
  • Great Smoky Mountains for hiking and nature
Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge

Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge

Things To Do

  • Visit Ripley’s Aquarium and Ober Mountain
  • Explore Dollywood and The Island in Pigeon Forge
  • Tour the Gatlinburg Space Needle and SkyBridge
  • Attend seasonal festivals and live shows

Food

  • Try pancakes, smoked meats, and Southern comfort food
  • Enjoy mountain-view dining and cozy cafés
  • Sample fudge, funnel cakes, and local brews
  • Visit breakfast spots and dessert shops

Culture

  • Attend performances at Smoky Mountain Opry and local theaters
  • Explore artisan shops and craft fairs
  • Visit historic sites and Appalachian museums
  • Join events like Winterfest and Craftsmen’s Fair

Outdoor Activities

  • Hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Bike scenic trails and nature paths
  • Kayak or fish in mountain streams
  • Picnic at Cades Cove or Greenbrier

Nearby Travel Spots

  • Townsend for quiet mountain escapes
  • Sevierville for shopping and nature
  • Cherokee, NC for cultural experiences
  • Clingmans Dome for panoramic views
Memphis

Memphis

Things To Do

  • Visit Graceland and Sun Studio
  • Tour the National Civil Rights Museum
  • Explore Beale Street’s music and nightlife
  • Walk through Shelby Farms Park and downtown riverfront

Food

  • Try Memphis-style barbecue, catfish, and soul food
  • Enjoy upscale dining and rooftop views
  • Sample Southern comfort food and international cuisine
  • Visit dessert cafés and brunch spots

Culture

  • Attend performances at Orpheum Theatre and Levitt Shell
  • Explore murals and public art in Cooper-Young
  • Visit historic churches and cultural museums
  • Join events like Memphis in May and Beale Street Music Festival

Outdoor Activities

  • Bike the Big River Crossing and Greenline Trail
  • Kayak on the Mississippi River
  • Hike at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
  • Picnic at Tom Lee Park or Overton Park

Nearby Travel Spots

  • Germantown for shopping and dining
  • Collierville for historic charm and trails
  • Tunica, MS for casinos and entertainment
  • Oxford, MS for college-town culture and arts

Find Jobs In Tennessee

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