About 40,000 cranes a year migrate through the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge (near Dayton). Best time to see the cranes is late November through March. The refuge is free and there is a viewing area so you don't spook the cranes.
Jackson is where all Pringle potato chips are made.
Want opportunities for panoramic views of the mountains? The 17 mile Foothills Parkway (can be entered from US 321 near Walland) has scenic pulloff opportunities.
Another scenic highway is the 51 mile Cherohala Skyway. Runs along a ridge then goes into the valleys. Goes up as high as 5,000 feet. Starts in Tennessee, ends in North Carolina. Enter in Tellico Plains off Highway 165.
The Pinson Mounds (in Pinson) State Archaeological Park is the site of a free two-day festival on Native American culture. Archeofest includes Native American dancing, crafts, flint knapping (?), storytelling, wildlife programs, haywagon tours and food.(September)
President William Howard Taft got stuck in the bathtub while staying at the Belle Meade Plantation (Nashville).
The Ebbibg and Flowing Spring outside of Rogersville is only one of two known springs in the world that flows and stops at regular intervals.
Where can you still find drive in movies in Tennessee? Athens, Bristol, Carthage, Centerville, Cookeville, Dickson, Dunlap, Elizabethton, Etowah, Gallatin, Harriman, Helenwood, Lafayette, Lewisburg, Maryville, Memphis, Newport, Sparta, Watertown, Waverly. If you want to know specifically where they are and see some photos go to
www.driveinmovie.com/TN.htm.
The last place left in the Eastern US where you can adopt wild horses and burros is in Cross Plains, Tennessee. Due to overpopulation on public range lands in 10 western states, centers like Southeastern Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Holding Center were set up. It's funded by the federal government (Federal Bureau of Land Management). (verify when it's open before you go)
The mule raising capital of the state is Columbia. They hold a Mule Day Festival in April which, in addition to the usual festival fare, includes a Liar's Contest.