Where is Tennessee Located? Is it worth going to Tennessee?

Johnny Cash Museum
Johnny Cash Museum

Tennessee is a landlocked state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by 8 other states. Tennessee shares a border with Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas.

This article is going to explain more about the state of Tennessee including fun facts you may not know, the history of the state, what to do there for fun, how to get there, and so much more!

Where is Tennessee?

Where is Tennessee located on a US map
Where is Tennessee located on a US map
Map of Memphis Tennessee and surrounding states
Map of Memphis Tennessee and surrounding states

Tennessee is a US state that is located in the Southeast. It is bordered by 8 other states. Tennessee is bordered by Missouri and Arkansas to the west, Kentucky and West Virginia to the north, North Carolina to the east, and Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south. 

What is the capital of Tennessee? 

Nashville is the official state capital of Tennessee.

What is the biggest city in Tennessee?

Memphis is the largest city in Tennessee with a population of over 650,000 according to the 2019 census.

How many people live in Tennessee?

Tennessee is home to 6.8 million people according to the 2019 United States Census

What time zone is Tennessee in?

Tennessee is in the Central Standard Time Zone. 

How big is Tennessee?

Tennessee is 42,144 square miles. 

Why is Tennessee nicknamed “The Volunteer State”?

Tennessee earned the nickname “The Volunteer State” during the War of 1812 when countless soldiers from the state volunteered to help with the war effort and ended up playing a key role in the war. 

What is the weather like in Tennessee? 

Tennessee has similar weather to other states in the Southeast region of the United States. Temperatures are fairly mild year-round, but they do experience four distinct seasons. 

During the summer, temperatures can reach the mid to upper 80s and during the winter you will regularly see days as cold as 20-30 degrees. Spring and fall are mild and are typically the most popular seasons for tourism.

What professional sports teams are in Tennessee?

Tennessee is the home of the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), Tennessee Titans (NFL), and the Nashville Predators (NHL).

What airports are in Tennessee?

Tennessee has 5 airports of varying sizes servicing all the major metropolitan areas.

The two largest and most popular airports in Tennessee are Nashville International Airport and Memphis International Airport. These airports offer the most destinations and are serviced by most major airlines.

The smaller, regional airports in Tennessee are McGhee Tyson Airport, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, and Tri-Cities Airport. Depending on the destination, these airports can be a great choice because they are less busy than the larger airports in Nashville and Memphis. 

What is there to do in Nashville, TN? 

Nashville is not only the capital of Tennessee, it’s also a major music destination for country music fans worldwide. Nashville is lovingly referred to as “Music City” for good reason. It is loaded with country music history and it is where most country artists start their careers.

If you plan a trip to Nashville, there is no shortage of activities and sights to see for the whole family.

Country Music Hall of Fame – Tour the exhibits and see exclusive memorabilia from all of the most iconic stars in country music over the years. 

Country Music Hall of Fame
Country Music Hall of Fame. Editorial credit: f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Grand Ole Opry – Take a tour of the Opry to see where all of the big names in country music get ready for their performances on the famed Opry stage. Tickets are sold to each weekend’s live shows as well.

Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry. Editorial credit: jejim / Shutterstock.com

Ryman Auditorium – Visit this beautiful auditorium that was the home of the Grand Ole Opry for over 30 years and has been the stage for some of the most iconic names in music, politics, and history. 

Ryman Auditorium in Nashville
Ryman Auditorium in Nashville

Johnny Cash Museum – Fans of the “Man in Black” will love this amazing museum that boasts the largest collection of Johnny Cash belongings and memorabilia. 

Johnny Cash Museum
Johnny Cash Museum. Editorial credit: legacy1995 / Shutterstock.com

Broadway – A trip to Nashville is not complete without a day spent exploring Broadway. This main street is home to all of the honky-tonks where up-and-coming country stars perform. Explore the area yourself or join one of the many guided tours so you don’t miss a thing!

Lower Broadway Nashville
Lower Broadway Nashville. Editorial credit: f11photo / Shutterstock.com

What is there to do in Memphis, TN?

Memphis is another great musical city that Tennessee has to offer. It is loaded with culture and rich history. Where Nashville is the country music mecca, Memphis is home to the blues and soul music movement.

Graceland – Elvis Presley fans have been coming to Memphis in droves for years to tour his home. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime chance to see where and how The King lived. 

Living room in Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion
Living room in Elvis Presley’s Graceland Mansion. Editorial credit: jejim / Shutterstock.com

The Memphis Zoo – The Memphis Zoo is a favorite stop for tourists and locals. There are over 3,500 animals that call the 76 acres of the Memphis Zoo home. They host many family-friendly special events and exhibits throughout the year. 

The Memphis Zoo
The Memphis Zoo.  Mont592 / Shutterstock.com

Beale Street – The hub of the music scene in downtown Memphis is Beale Street. This is the best place to go to catch a live music show from up-and-comers and seasoned performers. Beale Street is home to all kinds of musicians, especially blues and bluegrass artists.

Blues Clubs on Beale Street at dawn
Blues Clubs on Beale Street at dawn

Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum – This museum is a beautiful tribute to the rich musical history of Memphis. Explore the origins of rock and soul music at this Smithsonian affiliate museum.

Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. Editorial credit: jejim / Shutterstock.com

What are some fun facts about Tennessee? 

Tennessee is the home to over two dozen different whiskey distilleries, the most famous of which is the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN. 

Bluegrass music was created in Bristol, TN. 

The Great Smoky Mountains earned their name thanks to the bluish haze that is often seen over the mountains from a distance. 

Tennessee is home to Dolly Parton, Justin Timberlake, and Aretha Franklin.

The state bird of Tennessee is the mockingbird. 

The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville is the longest-running radio show in the world. It has run every weekend since 1925. 

Mountain Dew was created in Knoxville, TN as a cocktail mixer for whiskey. 

Tennessee is tied with Missouri for bordering the most different states. Both are bordered by 8 other states.

See Also

US STATES MAPS AND FLAGS

Interesting Things You May Not Know About The Volunteer State

What is Tennessee Known for?

Hi and welcome to my travel blog! Based in London, I work in investment banking in a quantitative field and although I am not part of the travel industry, I have a ton of passion for travel. My blog is a reference guide for my fellow travelers with the same passion as me. Hopefully the blog is easy to navigate and my aim is to bring the most relevant and interesting information before you begin your journey!