What to do in Tennessee while house and pet sitting

Fans of country music, listen up! Tennessee with its musical capital Nashville is the place to consider for a pet sitting trip if you can’t get enough of cowboy boots, acoustic guitars and heartfelt lyrics. But even if you’re not into country, the southern US state has plenty to offer, from scenic national parks to interesting museums and fascinating historical sites.

So, go right ahead and find exciting pet sitting opportunities in Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, and co., and then let us tell you what to do in Tennessee during your stay.

Tennessee attractions

Spread over five major and a plethora of smaller cities, there is a true treasure trove of Tennessee attractions to visit and exciting things to see in Tennessee. Let’s start with the most bucket-list-worthy ones:

1. Country Music at Nashville: if you’re into country, going to Nashville at least once in your life is an absolute must. The charming city at Tennessee’s heart is chock-full of music venues and bars to watch live performances pretty much all day, every day. Many country icons started their career here, and many still return regularly to play impressive shows or participate in exciting country festivals. So, bring your cowboy hat and boots, and dive into this neon-coloured country dream.
2. Graceland, Memphis: if Nashville isn’t music enough for one trip for you, visit Graceland in Memphis next. This unique 13.8-acre estate belonged to no other than the King Elvis Presley himself until his untimely death in 1977, when he was put to rest and ultimately found his final repose here. Today, the house belongs to Elvis’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, and also serves as a museum and memorial.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: ready for some quiet time in nature after all the buzz? Then head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for some well-deserved R&R. Spanning a whopping 522,419 acres, the amazing park offers anything nature lovers could ask for: 1,370 km (850 miles) of hiking trails, stunning mountain vistas, rivers and waterfalls, backpacking and camping opportunities, as well as endless views over the land you won’t ever forget.

Free things to do in Tennessee

Big adventures don’t necessarily require big money, too. Here are some cool Tennessee tourist attractions and great places to visit in Tennessee that won’t strain your budget:

1. Parthenon at Centennial Park, Nashville: fancy a little ancient Greece during your stay in Tennessee? A trip to the Parthenon in Centennial Park in Nashville will certainly take you there. The beautiful structure was built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897 and is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens. Bring your phone or camera for some great Insta-snapshots to confuse your friends back home!
2. Museums on end: no matter if you’re in Knoxville, Nashville, or any other big city in the state, if you’re into art, history and museums, you’ll have plenty to do and see for free. Some cool free-admission places are: the Knoxville Museum of Art, the Tennessee Agricultural Museum in Nashville, the McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture in Knoxville and the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville. Also check for free museum days at places that usually ask for admission, such as the Memphis Museum of Science & History.
3. Music City Walk of Fame: you’ve heard of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but did you know that there is a similar star-lined walkway in Nashville, dedicated to international musicians and music industry contributors? Among its many stars are those for Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Jimi Hendrix and Little Richard, but also more recent additions such as Kings of Leon, Kid Rock, Faith Hill, or Miranda Lambert.

Fun things to do in Tennessee

Some of the best places to see in Tennessee are first and foremost about letting loose and enjoying yourself. Check out these fun Tennessee attractions:

1. Dollywood: if the name ‘Dollywood’ rings a bell, it’s probably because of its famous country star owner, Dolly Parton. This cool amusement park, however, is not music-, but rather Appalachian-themed and offers thrilling rides and other attractions in areas such as Rivertown Junction, Timber Canyon, Craftsman's Valley, Wilderness Pass, or the Country Fair. There are also regular, annual festivals held at the park, offering extra entertainment almost all year round.
2. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum & Ruby Falls: if you’re like Sheldon Cooper in that you really love trains, this one-of-a-kind museum in Chattanooga might just turn out to be your favourite museum ever. Because here, you cannot only marvel at old steam locomotives, you can even go on various rides on them, ranging from delicious dinner riders to train rides full of bright holiday cheer. And while you’re in Chattanooga, be sure to also stop at Ruby Falls, a spectacular series of illuminated underground waterfalls.

What to do in Tennessee with pets

Would you also like some recommendations for places to go in Tennessee that allow you to bring your new four-legged friend? These are our favourite dog-friendly adventure opportunities in the southern US state:

1. Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park: if you’d like to explore Tennessee’s stunning natural beauty with the pooch, head over to Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park for some of the most beautiful dog-friendly trails in the entire state. The walks here will take you past tranquil creeks and waterfalls, over rope bridges that offer breath-taking views of the woodlands, and through charming caves open to the sky.
2. Shiloh National Military Park: for lessons in history and exercise for you and the pupper, plan for a visit at the Shiloh National Military Park. This serene-looking park tells the dark story of some of the most dreadful battles in the American Civil War, in which 110,000 American troops of the anti-slavery Union from the North and pro-slavery Confederacy from the South clashed in bloody battle and which ultimately cost almost 24,000 lives. As hard as the Union’s victory was won, though, it also marked the end of slavery in the US – an achievement that couldn’t be greater.
3. Mud Island, Memphis: should you be staying in Memphis for your pet sitting trip and are longing for a relaxed afternoon just exploring the city and playing with the dog, you should visit Mud Island, a charming peninsula, located between the Mississippi and Wolf River. The neighbourhood even features a dedicated off-leash dog park, where you can safely let the pooch blow off steam.

Best restaurants in Tennessee: Food and drink

Finally, you’ll also want to grab some yummy chow during your stay in Tennessee. Here are some of the best areas to do so in the entire state:

1. Beale Street, Memphis: famous for its blues history, Beale Street is one of Memphis’s major social hubs, with numerous venues and clubs, but also restaurants, bars and live-music eateries.
2. Broadway, Nashville: New York isn’t the only US city that has a fabulous, lively, neon-lined Broadway, Nashville does, too – and just like in the Big Apple, you can find a plethora of cool venues, bars, restaurants and more here, offering food for all tastes and budgets.
3. Knoxville Food Tours: fancy a varied taste of the best food and drink Knoxville has to offer? Then how about joining one of the Knoxville Food Tours? The tour will take you to some of the best eateries and food shops in the city, yummy taste samplings and interesting historical facts provided by the guide included in the price.

Now that you know what to do in Tennessee, all that’s left for you to do is to decide where in the state exactly you would like to apply for a sit. Or maybe not – after all, your TrustedHousesitters membership allows you to go on as many sitting trips as you like! Either way, we wish you a great time in Tennessee and lots of fun with your new pet friend!

Ready to be a pet sitter?

Becoming a pet sitter with TrustedHousesitters couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is head over to our How it works page to find out about more about TrustedHousesitters and how our sitters and pet owners connect, and then sign up here. After that, you can start to find available pet sits all over the world and begin your own pet sitting adventures right away!