Fall music festivals, fashion, and pumpkin-flavored treats enrich the Made in Tennessee experience during the autumn months. Calendar, food and clothing ideas for Tennessee travelers are highlighted below with more seasonally fun activities atwww.tnvacation.com/season.
Fall colors and Tennessee drives
It’s time to fill up the gas tank, crank up the tunes, and follow the map to Tennessee’s hidden gems landscaped by brilliantly colored autumn leaves, mighty mountains, rolling hills and budding cotton fields. The 16 Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways were specifically designed to get travelers away from the crowds and to the state’s rural beauty. Starting from the cities like Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, travel along the trails marked by stops surrounding Civil War history, mom-and-pop stores, music venues, and more. From the Sunny Side Trail to Cotton Junction, choose one to embark on a Made in Tennessee adventure.
Learn some music history while enjoying fall color along the Americana Music Triangle or “Gold Record Road,” which includes Brownsville, Franklin, Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee and other music stops in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. The Triangle is a collaboration of cultural attractions across the South, a culmination of work by a multi-state team of historians, musicians, tourism professionals and digital media experts.
Sounds of Fall
Bristol TN/VA is known for its deep-rooted music history as it was the site where the “Big Bang of Country Music” took place. Celebrate this history with a slew of artists during Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Sept. 18-20 in downtown Bristol. This year’s lineup won’t disappoint with music from Steve Earle & The Dukes, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, The Black Lillies, The Steeldrivers, Moon Taxi, Dr. Dog, and Delbert McClinton among others. Weekend passes are $75 in advance, $85 at the gate with individual tickets ranging from $35 to $40.
Amp up for the inaugural Pilgrimage Festival rocking audiences Sept. 26-27 at The Park at Harlinsdale in Franklin. Big names and upcoming stars are part of the can’t-miss lineup this year including Weezer, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Trampled by Turtles, Holly Williams, Willie Nelson, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and ELEL among many others. Two-day VIP tickets are $400, two-day general admission is $172, and one day general admission is $92.
Bands from as far as Australia will come to Gonerfest, Goner Records’ annual international music festival, happening Sept. 23-27 in Memphis. Hear bands like Pink Tiles from Australia, Jack Oblivian from Memphis, Sonny Vincent from New York, Musk from California, and much more. Tickets are available at the door ranging from $5 to $25.
Everything Pumpkin
A pumpkin-flavored pilgrimage through Tennessee can start in Memphis at Bluff City Coffeewhere the shop serves pumpkin duffins, a cross-over pastry of a cake, donut, and muffin; spice up fall at Corsair Distillery in Nashville with their pumpkin spice moonshine. Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts in Franklin and Ralph’s Donut Shop in Cookeville serve seasonal pumpkin donuts. Have some autumn in a shot glass with Ole Smoky Moonshine’s pumpkin pie moonshine that tastes like a dessert in Gatlinburg and at the Island at Pigeon Forge. Finally, relax and rejuvenate at Oak Haven Spa in Sevierville where guests can take advantage of fall-inspired packages like the pumpkin spice facial with warm stones, a pumpkin latte manicure and pedicure, or the Ultimate Autumn Retreat package which includes the pumpkin spice facial, pumpkin latte pedicure, and the aroma boost massage package that blends with a Warm Salt Stone Massage.
Tennessee Fall Style
For more than 100 years, L.C. King Manufacturing Co. has been producing fashions for men and women since 1913 in Bristol, TN/VA. The makers of Pointer Brand Workwear have also made coats, womenswear ranging from jeans to skirts, and accessories like wallets and aprons. Find comfortable, affordable clothing that will last for many autumn seasons ahead.
Marcus Hall grew up near the old Levi’s factory in Knoxville; being surrounded by that fabric birthed Marc Nelson Denim which is a small-batch craft denim brand that makes ideally-fitted jeans. Men can don the Knoxville jean which has the highest quality of raw denim, while women can show their UT pride on and off the field with Big Orange, a slim fit denim jean.
Vintage tees, jeans, and chic dresses are calling every fashionista to Billie Jeans that has recently opened in Gallatin. This is the place to go if flowy fabrics and fashion forward designs are on the shopping list. The store even has an eyebrow bar for that last-minute touch up. The store is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
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