Tennessee is a year-round destination, but your experience will depend on the season—and how you feel about humidity.
Spring (March–May): Wildflowers bloom across the Smokies, Nashville patios reopen, and festival season begins. It’s warm without being too hot.
Summer (June–August): Hot, humid, and lively. Music festivals, lake days, and backyard BBQs dominate the calendar. Bring your sunscreen and your patience for the heat.
Fall (September–November): Peak season for a reason. The Smoky Mountains turn every shade of gold and orange, and small towns come alive with harvest festivals.
Winter (December–February): Quieter and budget-friendly, with cozy cabin stays and light displays galore. East Tennessee even gets a dusting of snow for that storybook vibe.
If you want the perfect mix of weather and scenery, fall is the best time to visit Tennessee.
Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park: America’s most-visited national park is packed with waterfalls, scenic drives, and easy hikes for all levels.
Experience Nashville: Catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry, stroll Broadway’s honky-tonks, and tour the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Visit Memphis: Walk through music history at Graceland, Sun Studio, and the National Civil Rights Museum. Don’t forget to grab a rack of ribs at Central BBQ.
Discover Chattanooga: Ride the Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain, visit Ruby Falls, and walk the world’s longest pedestrian bridge over the Tennessee River.
Soak in small-town charm: Places like Franklin, Jonesborough, and Gatlinburg are perfect for antique shopping, local eats, and cozy weekend getaways.
Tennessee is well-connected by air, road, and even scenic train routes.
By Air: Major airports include Nashville International (BNA), Memphis International (MEM), and McGhee Tyson in Knoxville (TYS). Smaller regional airports serve cities like Chattanooga and Tri-Cities.
By Car: Interstates 40, 24, 75, and 81 make road-tripping across Tennessee easy. Expect gorgeous drives, especially through the Smokies.
By Train: Amtrak’s “City of New Orleans” line runs through Memphis for a nostalgic, scenic route from Chicago to New Orleans.
Pack for all seasons: Tennessee weather can’t make up its mind. Layers are your best friend.
Plan around events: Hotels book fast during big festivals like Bonnaroo, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, and Memphis in May.
Bring comfy shoes: Between downtown strolls, hikes, and exploring mountain towns, you’ll easily hit your step goal.
Don’t rush it: Tennessee isn’t meant to be “done” in a weekend. Each region—West, Middle, and East Tennessee—feels like its own mini trip.
Personal Tip: My favorite way to experience the state? Pair a few nights in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge with a Nashville city stay. Mountains + music = the ultimate Tennessee combo.
Tennessee’s best explored by car—public transportation outside of major cities is pretty limited.
Rent a Car: Ideal for road trips through the Smokies, small towns, and scenic byways.
City Transit: Nashville has rideshare and scooters; Memphis has trolleys downtown.
Scenic Routes: Don’t miss drives like the Cherohala Skyway, Natchez Trace Parkway, or the Great Smoky Mountains scenic loop.
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Hi, I’m Wendy… and if you love finding the good stuff when you travel (think hidden beach clubs, cruise stops worth your time, and places that actually live up to the hype), you’re in the right place.
I share honest recs, real itineraries, and everything I wish someone had told me before I booked. No fluff, just the good stuff.
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Link in bio for the full blog! 🔗
If you’re flying into or out of South Florida, chances are you’ll pass through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).✈️
• Only 10 min from the beach & cruise port — perfect location!
• 4 color-coded terminals — Yellow, Red, Purple & Green
• Gate C tip: water bottle fillers are UPSTAIRS, not at the gate level
• Arrive 2 hrs early for domestic, 3 hrs for international flights
• Food options include Shake Shack, Starbucks & more — eat AFTER security
• Uber/Lyft pickup is easy & organized — but wait 10-15 min if surge pricing is high
• Rental car center is near Terminal 1 with all major companies available
• Cruising? FLL is basically next door to Port Everglades — super convenient!
My Fort Lauderdale Airport guide covers what to expect before you fly, from terminal layout to transportation and food options.
Head to the blog to read exactly what you need to know…✨
Is one day in Fort Lauderdale enough?🤔
Yes. Between the bakeries, murals, shops, canals, and beach access, one day in Fort Lauderdale is plenty of time to see a lot especially if you focus your time around Las Olas Boulevard.
You can start the morning with coffee and pastries, walk past murals and shops, see the canals, spend time at the beach, and still have room for gelato and a giant Italian sandwich.
If you’re looking for an authentic Italian bakery in Fort Lauderdale, Pan’E Dolci Bakery Fort Lauderdale is absolutely worth a stop. This café-style bakery is known for its Italian pastries, desserts, coffee, and massive savory sandwiches. The display cases are filled with cannolis, cookies, croissants, and breads, and they even have 22 flavors of homemade gelato.
Everything looks so good that it’s honestly hard to decide what to order.
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So what is a @virginvoyages cruise really like... here’s a quick look😉✈️
@virginvoyages is my absolute favorite cruise line and you can see why I keep coming back again and again!❤️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
