This or That: Experiential Holiday Edition

When the holiday season approaches, consider gifting those you love with a one-of-a-kind experience that makes long-lasting memories. Whether it’s concert tickets to their favorite artist or easy access to museums, spa packages or ziplining tours, a luxury hotel stay or a cabin adventure, you can be sure everyone on your list will love these made in Tennessee experiences. Check out our gift guide below. 

Concert or Museum?

FirstBank Amphitheater - Franklin

Concert tickets to the FirstBank Amphitheater will be the coveted gift under your tree this year. Give your loved ones the chance to see touring artists, surrounded by stone and wooded features at this world-class boutique venue. Artists from a wide variety of music genres have performed or are always slated to perform.

Discovery Center at Murfree Spring – Murfreesboro 

Give the kids tickets to Discovery Center at Murfree Spring for a future day of exploring and learning. At the Discovery Center, kids can learn about geometry and golf, analog clocks, the five senses, hydroelectricity and more. After playing in the museum, head outside to explore the Murfree Spring Wetlands. The 25-acre park teaches about the importance of water, local ecosystems and wildlife viewing.

Luxury hotel stay or glamping adventure?

Southall Farms – Franklin

Soon-to-be-opened Southall Farms is the ultimate luxury stay. Gift a two-night stay in the Inn or suites to a loved one (or, for yourself). All rooms and suites are equipped with oversized soaking tubs and rainfall showers, 55-inch TVs, Bluetooth soundbars and SONIFI systems. Book a wellness, culinary, outdoor or farm experience including biking or strolling around the lake, learning about the sustainable farming practices, cocktail and cooking classes, guided sound bath rituals and much more. 

Rock 'n Refuge – McEwen 

Part of the Rock 'n Refuge complex, the Serenity House is a treehouse perfect for two. The 460-square-foot space includes a loft bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, living area and porch. Enjoy the farm views and walking the trails around the property. Visit the pond for fishing and swimming, horses, goats and highland cows.

Spa relaxation or adrenaline rush?

Salt of the Earth Spa – Crossville

Gift a luxurious spa day to those you love with treatments from Salt of the Earth Spa in Crossville. Book a treatment in the Salt Cave Room which surrounds you with thousands of pounds of Himalayan Salt. The Halogenerator fill the room with medical grade salt so just one 45-minute session makes you feel like you were at the beach for three days, breathing in healthy salt air. Hot stone massages, ionic foot detox and infrared sauna wraps are also available.

Canopy Challenge Course at Fall Creek Falls State Park

For those who want an adventure in 2023, give the gift of thrill on the Canopy Challenge Course at Fall Creek Falls State Park. The self-guided tour includes zip lines, suspension bridges and challenging obstacles. Soar in the forest and see the expansive views of the state park, including Fall Creek Falls Lake. More than 70 suspended obstacles give you the thrill of a lifetime. Tickets are for ages 8 and older and excursions are 2.5 hours.

History tour or food excursion?

Wynnewood – Castalian Springs

History buffs will love combination tickets to a guided tour of Wynnewood and Cragfont in Castalian Springs, about 28 miles from downtown Nashville. Hear the stories that fill these structures. At Cragfont you’ll learn of a General home from defeat, enslaved people seeking autonomy and even a few ghost stories. The 1830 construction of Castalian Springs Inn (later called Wynnewood) served resort guests who traveled to the nearby sulphur springs, considered beneficial to one’s health. In 1834, the Wynnes became proprietors and the inn was their home. They continues to welcome guests and built additional guest rooms, a race path and ice house. Hear the stories of some famous guests, the outbreak of The Civil War and more.

Walk Eat Nashville – Nashville

For the foodie on your list, you’ll want to buy tickets to Walk Eat Nashville. Go behind the scenes at Music City’s top restaurants and savor local dishes. Discover Nashville’s dynamic food scene in downtown or East Nashville as you enjoy five tasting stops over three hours. Elevated Southern food and local flavors blend to give a great introduction to all the culinary creations happening in the city.

Whiskey tour or winery experience?

Taste of Lynchburg Jack Daniel Tour - Lynchburg

What would a trip to Tennessee be without a taste of Tennessee whiskey? For the whiskey aficionado in your family, the Taste of Lynchburg Jack Daniel's Tour is a great way to drink in one of Tennessee’s most famous whiskey brands. Tour participants hear the history of Jack Daniel as they walk through the distillery with their storyteller guide. After the tour, they head down to historic Barrelhouse 1-14 and taste whiskey drawn from individual barrels, an exclusive experience that was once reserved for official distillers and tasters. Five different whiskeys are sampled, including several from the Single Barrel Collection and even a few limited editions. From there, they’re treated to a Southern meal at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant, a Lynchburg legend since 1908.

Arrington Vineyards - Arrington

Make the season bright for your loved ones by gifting them a premier tasting experience from Arrington Vineyards. This elevated experience includes a food and wine pairing for 2-6 guests. Taste through seasonally selected bits paired with Arrington’s award-winning wines. After the tasting, enjoy live music and beautiful views of the vineyard’s rolling hills.

Game day tickets or VIP passes?

Tennessee Titans season tickets - Nashville

Titan Up your holiday season by gifting Tennessee Titans season passes to those you love. You can place your deposit on 2023 season tickets now. Member benefits go beyond seeing your favorite players go up against the Ravens, Texans and more. With season tickets, you have access to playoff games prior to the general public, special events throughout the season, exclusive game day experiences, a 25% off year-round discount in the Titans Pro Shop and Club Level Members have access to private entrances, wider stadium seats, premium food and beverages and the Club Lounge. Additionally, you get access to all pre-sale events that happen at Nissan Stadium. 

Music City Total Access Pass - Nashville

For the family member or friend who wants to do it all, adventure awaits with Nashville's Official Music City Total Access Combination Ticket. Passholders can put together their unique Nashville experience by choosing from a list of over 30 participating attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame, Hatch Show Print,  Adventure Science Center and more. For $99, the Total Access Combo Ticket includes entrance into four attractions of their choice, free admission to The Parthenon and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and multiple exclusive discounts. Think of it as the key to Music City.

Encounter celebrities or explore caverns?

Grand Ole Opry VIP Backstage Experience – Nashville

Sure, you can gift tickets to the Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest running radio show, but as Garth Brooks said “…the real show is backstage. That’s the Opry.” Give your loved ones The VIP Treatment at the Grand Ole Opry. Tickets include security and golf cart escort to the artist entrance of the Opry House, a professional keepsake photo, private tour of the Opry backstage before show time, spending time in the Family Room just offstage so you can experience the pre-show energy, lounge in a themed dressing room and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and champagne, an artist visit in a dressing room and Premium Lounge access to the Circle Room including two top-shelf drinks, hors d’oeuvres and more through the end of intermission.

Cumberland Caverns – McMinnville

Gift a Cumberland Caverns tour for the person on your list who wants to marvel at something. The gorgeous caverns in McMinnville are 333ft. below the earth. Easy, moderate and extreme tours are available. The Crucible tour scales underground canyons, crosses Devil’s Quarry and has cavers climb a winding route to The Monument Pillar, a formation witnessed by few. The moderate tour is a visit through The Hall Crawl which will leave you a little muddy and memories of the glowing gypsum crystals and massive cave formations. The easy tour is a 1.5-hour walk through the cave where you can experience the famous light show, the Hall of the Mountain King and learn the history behind the “Meat Grinder.” Plan your loved ones’ trip to also include a show at Cumberland Caverns Live.

Explore more Tennessee experiences on our Things to Do page.