Tennessee

Touching eight other states and within a day's drive of 65% of the US population, Tennessee is at the heart of America. This Southern gem is known for her serene natural beauty. The mild climate is perfect for exploring the slopes of the Highland Rim, soaking up the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, or relaxing by the mighty Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers. With the 54 state parks, you can enjoy a wide array of outdoor activities including biking, fishing, camping, boating and horseback riding. Drive south to visit one of the state's more popular cities, Chattanooga, where you can explore Raccoon Caverns, visit the largest freshwater habitat in the world at the Tennessee Aquarium, or view panoramic views of seven states from atop Lookout Mountain. Between the cities of Memphis and Nashville you can experience some of the country's best music. Known as the birthplace of the blues, Memphis' Beale Street is always pulsing with the historic sounds of American Blues. While there, be sure to visit the evocative site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, currently, the National Civil Rights Museum. Nashville, the state capital, is another booming metropolis. Talented musicians from around the country gather here in hopes of being discovered. As a result you'll be greeted with live music on just about every corner downtown. Also, the longest continuously running radio program, The Grand Ole Opry, has been broadcast from Nashville since 1925. From the mystic beauty of its mountains and rivers to the metropolitan life that thrives in its largest cities of Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee represents what makes the American South great.