Tennessee is a state full of adventure and natural beauty. From the vibrant capital city of Nashville, known for its exceptional country music scene, to the stunning state parks such as Fall Creek Falls State Park, there is something for everyone. The moderate climate makes it a great destination year-round, with cool winters and warm summers. With its diverse landscape, from Great Smoky Mountains to the banks of Mississippi River, Tennessee is the perfect place to relax and explore the outdoors. If you’re thinking of spending your next vacation in this US state and need some help to make the best of it, read on to find out the best resort towns in Tennessee, USA.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 24, 2025.
1. Knoxville (from USD 183)
Knoxville is an amazing destination with a ton of fun activities and beautiful natural scenery to enjoy. Whether you’re into outdoor adventures such as hiking and biking at Ijams Nature Center or cultural pursuits such as Knoxville Museum of Art or Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant city.
Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville-Downtown, close to the World’s Fair Park and Hyatt Place Knoxville Downtown, across the street from the beautiful Tennessee Theatre, are two wonderful luxury hotels to stay at in Knoxville. You might also fancy private accommodations such as the beautiful villa in Sequoyah Hills.
Hyatt Place Knoxville Downtown
161.63 km (100.5 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville-Downtown
161.13 km (100.2 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Top guest reviews
Host:
great hosts who thought of everything would definitely stay here againbeautiful space and friendly responsive hostmarette was communicative and gave great recommendations for places to check outeasy to work with and very detailed directions which were very helpful for meLocation:
great experience renting and wonderful locationsuch a great villa - very close to campus restaurants shoppinglocation was perfect 5 to 10 minutes away from everything like market place and gay street etceasy quick access to any place you want to go in the areaconvenient quiet safe luxurious and cozyCleanliness:
beautifully decorated private quaint and very cleanclean quiet and had everything that we needed and then someRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
not a bit i like to have a jacuzzi when i travel but the extra-hot shower was wonderful
2. Nashville (from USD 126)
Nashville, also known as Music City, is a famous tourist destination known for its rich history in country music and cultural heritage. The city features famous music venues such as Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The city also offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking and fishing at Percy Warner Park and Radnor Lake.
For a short-term vacation home in Nashville, you can check out Wild Horse, which can be the base for your explorations. If you want something more luxurious, you can stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville Downtown / Stadium and Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
179.38 km (111.5 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville Downtown / Stadium
180.52 km (112.2 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
183.07 km (113.8 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
several bathrooms and showers very clean and the company managing the rental was very responsiveRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
it would be nice to have local cable tv availablethis property was perfect for our group 3 bedrooms plus bunk beds in bonus room and 3
3. Memphis (from USD 183)
Memphis, Tennessee, is a vibrant and culturally rich city, steeped in history and known for its music, barbecue and scenic beauty. Visitors can take a trip down memory lane at Graceland, the former home of music legend Elvis Presley, or pay their respects at National Civil Rights Museum, located at the site of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination.
There are many lovely accommodation options for you to choose from for your holidays in Memphis, such as a VRBO in the historic building, formerly home to Ambassador Hotel, the stunning Big Cyprus Lodge and Hilton Garden Inn.
Big Cypress Lodge
431.42 km (268.1 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown Beale Street
431.22 km (268.0 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Top guest reviews
Location:
it’s also in a great location in walking distance to great restaurants and feels safeRead more reviewsCleanliness:
this place is nicely decorated and very cleaneverything was clean upon arrival and easy access
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a popular resort town located in Great Smoky Mountains. Known for its scenic beauty, Gatlinburg offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and fishing. The town also features a vibrant downtown area with plenty of shops, restaurants and attractions, including the popular Gatlinburg SkyBridge, which is also the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the continent.
Some of the best accommodations in the city are Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg, Holiday Inn Express Gatlinburg Downtown, an IHG Hotel and VRBOs such as The Vinson.
Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg
178.84 km (111.2 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Holiday Inn Express Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG
177.98 km (110.6 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States
179.54 km (111.6 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Top guest reviews
Host:
maintenance was very friendlyLocation:
wonderful stay at this locationloved the cabin easy to get to and close to the parkway attractionswhile we enjoyed the close proximity to the gatlinburg attractions this cabin was not as advertisedthe house was great and close to town very clean and in a great locationRead more reviewsCleanliness:
the house was very clean for the most partthe cabin was nice enough it could use a deep cleanclean and very stocked with all the amenitiesit took almost 48 hours for maintenance to clean it
5. Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is a town brimming with an exciting array of activities and attractions that will keep visitors of all ages enthralled. The world-class Dollywood theme park, named after country music legend Dolly Parton, is a must-see for families. Another popular attraction is The Island in Pigeon Forge, a shopping, dining and entertainment complex that includes an indoor ropes course, laser tag arena and a Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
In Pigeon Forge, you can stay at a rancher such as The Hitching Post or hotels such as Riverstone Resort and Spa and LeConte Hotel & Convention Center, Ascend Hotel Collection.
RiverStone Condo Resort & Spa
179.17 km (111.4 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
LeConte Hotel & Convention Center, Ascend Hotel Collection
177.9 km (110.6 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States
179.46 km (111.6 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
6. Jackson
Jackson has a great number of attractions for tourists. You can enjoy outdoor recreation at one of the many parks or lakes, take in a show at Carl Perkins Civic Center, explore the city’s historical sites and museums such as Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum, International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame and Museum, or explore the beautiful natural beauty of Cypress Grove Nature Park and Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park.
Additionally, Jackson is home to a number of hotels and resorts that provide the perfect base for a getaway. You can check out luxurious hotels such as Comfort Suites Jackson I-40 and Hampton Inn and Suites Jackson.
Comfort Suites Jackson I-40
328.54 km (204.2 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Hampton Inn & Suites Jackson
324.49 km (201.7 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Jackson, Tennessee, United States
324.97 km (202.0 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Top guest reviews
Host:
the host is very responsive and super friendlyRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the pool and back yard were just what we were hoping for
7. Townsend (from USD 201)
Known as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” Townsend offers visitors a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You can enjoy hiking and camping in Great Smokies, fishing in Little River, or tubing down the lazy streams.
The town also offers a variety of shopping and dining options, as well as a rich cultural heritage. With its natural beauty and small-town charm, Townsend is a perfect vacation spot for those looking to relax and reconnect with nature.
Highland Manor Inn and Tremont Lodge & Resort provide some of the best accommodations in the town. There are also lovely rentals, such as Riverview, that will make you feel closer to nature.
Tremont Lodge & Resort
157.17 km (97.7 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Highland Manor Inn
157.46 km (97.9 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Top guest reviews
Host:
the owner was extremely nicemake sure you follow the directions given by the host very detailed to get you thereme and my husband had a great time here the owners were niceliked the cabin over looking the river and the owner was very nice and informativeLocation:
location was good close to major throughway cades covethe riverview cabin is a great location for excursions into smoky mountain national park and other nearby attractionsperfection great place highly recommend it we will definitely be backCleanliness:
very clean and comfortableeverything was clean and accommodatingcabin was very clean and cozyeverything was clean neat and organizedit was so clean and welcomingRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
it was an incredibly comfortable and cozy space with beautiful views and a relaxing atmospherethere is a queen bed which could use a good mattress topperthe hot tub was cozy for two but lovely on a cool night
8. Johnson City (from USD 138)
Johnson City is home to a number of cultural and historical sites, such as Hands On Discovery Center and Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site. Additionally, Johnson City boasts a thriving food and arts scene, with a variety of locally-owned restaurants and galleries.
Other notable attractions include Wetlands Water Park, Tweetsie Trail and Johnson City Country Club. The town also hosts an annual music festival called Blue Plum Festival, which features a variety of live music, arts and craft vendors, food and drinks.
For a hassle-free holiday in Johnson City, you can check out luxurious hotels such as Carnegie Hotel & Spa and Double Tree by Hilton Johnson City. For something cosier, you can book a rental with minimalistic decor.
Carnegie Hotel & Spa
299.75 km (186.3 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johnson City
300.83 km (187.0 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Top guest reviews
Location:
great little place (ideal for 1-2 people) located conveniently to downtownRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the apt was amazing and perfectit would be nice to have a curtain between the living room & bedroom
9. Chattanooga (from USD 247)
Chattanooga is a beautiful resort town known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities. Tourist attractions include Rock City, a natural park featuring ancient rock formations and breathtaking views, Ruby Falls, a 44.20-meter (145-foot) underground waterfall and Lookout Mountain, home to the famous “Incline Railway” and “Battlefield of Chattanooga” Civil War site.
Tennessee Aquarium, Creative Discovery Museum and International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum are also popular tourist destinations. Additionally, the city offers opportunities for hiking, biking and rafting along Tennessee River, as well as fishing and boating in Chickamauga Lake.
When visiting Chattanooga, you can stay at Blue Ivy, a unique rental in the woods, or try out something grander like Hotel Indigo Chattanooga - Downtown, an IHG Hotel, or The Read house.
The Read House Hotel
1.03 km (0.7 mi) from Tennessee Aquarium
Hotel Indigo Chattanooga - Downtown by IHG
761 meters (0.5 ft) from Tennessee Aquarium
Top guest reviews
Host:
So great to be so close to be so close to Downtown and all the Lookout Mountain attractionsThe home had everything that you could possibly need as well as some sweet extra touches to make it feel even more welcomingEverything was wonderful and all details had been consideredWe had a wonderful 3 days thereThe accommodations were spotless with many extra amenities The owners were very responsiveLocation:
Loved the house and the locationThis property is a wonderful place nestled in the woods in ChattanoogaThe house has some of the best viewsIt is ideally located away from townIt's very quiet but also very close to the cityCleanliness:
The decor is inviting and pleasantIt was very clean and cozyare issues but not as important as the 3 above 4)Read more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the vent levers one is rustedcomfortable and charming little cottageA new one should be bought and charcoal and lighter fluid should be provided or match light charcoal To supply a charcoal grill and not the charcoal or fluid doesn't seam rightwell-kept quiet and cozy Thank youYou can hike right from the house
Discover the beauty and diversity of Tennessee
Tennessee is a great option for those looking for a resort town getaway. The state offers a diverse range of destinations from Great Smoky Mountains to Cumberland Plateau. So why wait? Plan your holiday now at one of these wonderful resort towns in Tennessee.
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