TOURISM AMBASSADOR – Tennessee

Amanda Stravinsky shares her favorite attractions in Tennessee

Amanda Stravinsky, communications content manager, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Some of my most beloved Tennessee attractions include Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Long Hunter State Park in Lebanon and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

Dollywood is Tennessee’s No. 1 ticketed attraction in the state and once you visit, you’ll see why. Spend the day riding the world-class roller coasters like Wild Eagle, which feels like you’re hanging onto the wings of a soaring eagle. Make time to see one of the award-winning shows that will appeal to anyone with a theatrical heart like mine. There’s a lot of great food at Dollywood, but don’t leave without having a slice, or a whole loaf — no judgment — of the cinnamon bread; it’s out-of-this-world good!

Long Hunter State Park is my go-to natural escape. Twenty-five miles of easy to moderate hiking that snakes through forests, leads you to bluff overlooks and cedar glades and is a great way to spend a weekend. You’ll find me on the four-mile Bryant Grove Trail, which winds around Percy Priest Lake. Long Hunter State Park’s Alpine Tower is a great way to challenge yourself on the high ropes course and the rock climbing course.

I cannot walk through the National Civil Rights Museum without needing a whole box of tissues. The stories of resilience, strength and determination of those who fought peacefully to secure their civil rights strikes every chord of my heart. Interactive exhibits and artifacts are abundant. You can even see where Martin Luther King Jr. stayed the night before he was assassinated. His iconic speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” plays in the background and brings me to tears every time.