7. CMA Fest
June is also a busy month in Tennessee, with the four-day CMA Fest as one of the top events in the state. Known as the “Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience,” the annual Nashville event began as Fan Fair with 5,000 people in attendance. Tens of thousands of participants now come from all around the U.S. and the world to see more than 80 performers, including award-winning and chart-topping artists like Keith Urban, the Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Carly Pearce and many others. The event takes place in downtown Nashville and features six daytime and two nighttime stages, including larger venues like Nissan Stadium and Ascend Amphitheater alongside indoor venues at Music City Center. At Fan Fair X, on the indoor stages, you’ll be able to listen to and meet more than 50 emerging country music artists. You also won’t want to miss the neon lights and festivities along Nashville’s famous entertainment district on Broadway Street.
8. The Lost Sea
Travel 140 feet below ground to see the largest underground lake in America. The aptly named Lost Sea sits about 50 miles southwest of Knoxville in Sweetwater. The 75-minute guided tour begins with a 0.75-mile round-trip walk on wide sloping pathways; past travelers advised it can be challenging, so it’s best to wear comfortable, nonslip shoes. As the guides explain the history of the cavern, you’ll learn how geological factors created the rare formations and cavern rooms. At the end of the tour, hop on a boat ride to see the clear waters of this 70-foot-deep lake spread across more than 13 acres of water. Visitors comment that walking through the cave is a great experience, but seeing the lake is what’s truly worth the price of admission.