It's almost time to go back to school, but there's still summer fun to be had in Tennessee. From food festivals to scenic hikes and kid-friendly attractions, here are just a few ways you can make last-minute, but long-lasting Made in Tennessee memories.
Waterfall Hikes
Explore one more Tennessee waterfall like Bald River Falls in the Cherokee National Forest in Tellico Plains. The 90-foot waterfall promises endless photographic opportunities. It's also hailed as one of the greatest waterfalls in the region.
(Credit: Chuck Sutherland)
Head northwest to Crossville for Ozone Falls. The 43-acre natural area around the falls is home to dense forests and bluffs that overlook breathtaking scenery. The 110-foot Ozone Falls also has a rock house behind the falls for even more exploration.
Tasty Bites
The agricultural spirit is celebrated at the Soybean Festival Sept. 2-11, 2016 in Martin, Tennessee. Each year, thousands of people from around the nation come to experience competitions, activities and live music performances. This year's lineup includes Vince Gill, Hunter Hayes, Plain White T's and Brothers Osborne among others.
Do you know what a cowpea is? Find out at the International Cowpea Festival & Cook-off Sept. 10 in Charleston, Tennessee. It's a full day of music, crafts, food and family-friendly fun. In addition to the cook-off, storytelling, character greetings and field games are on the agenda for this year's event.
For the Tikes
Take the kids on one more adventure to the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring in Murfreesboro where Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice is on exhibit until Sept. 11, 2016. Children will love to unearth fossils, explore dinosaur habitats and come face-to-face with dinosaurs. It's a fun way for kids to learn about where dinosaurs roamed not just in North America, but, specifically in Tennessee.
Enjoy train travel when you book tickets for the 55-minute Missionary Ridge Local excursion with Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. On this trip, riders travel along the original railroads and bridges that date back to the 1850s. When you stop in East Chattanooga, kids (and kids at heart) can see the locomotive rotating on a turntable and tour the railroad restoration shop before boarding for the return trip.
(Credit: Memphis Zoo)
Journey to the Zambezi River without leaving Tennessee at the new Zambezi River Hippo Camp now open at the Memphis Zoo. Here, visitors can see hippos, Nile crocodiles, flamingos, patas monkeys and African birds. See the hippos glide and swim underwater and hear the snap of crocodiles as they feed on a variety of prey.
