Tourist Information

The Tennessee Department of Tourism Development (615/741-2158, www.tnvacation.com [1]) is a source of visitor information about Tennessee. They publish an annual guide that contains hotel and attraction listings. The website has lots of links to local attractions and chambers of commerce.

Many cities have their own tourist organizations: Memphis [2], Nashville [3], Knoxville [4], Chattanooga, and Clarksville are among the Tennessee cities with a visitors bureau. In some rural areas, counties have teamed up to develop visitor information for the region. Other organizations, such as the National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Tennessee State Parks, publish visitor information for certain attractions. Specific listings for visitor information are found throughout this guide.

Several regional tourism organizations provide useful information and publications.

In West Tennessee there is the Southwest Tennessee Tourism Association (www.tast.tn.org [5]) and the Northwest Tennessee Tourism Association (www.reelfootlakeoutdoors.com [6]).

Middle Tennessee has the Middle Tennessee Tourism Council (www.middletennesseetourism.com [7]), which covers the counties around Nashville [3]; the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association (www.uppercumberland.org [8]), which promotes the region surrounding the Cumberland River and the northern plateau; and the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association (www.sctta.net [9]).

East Tennessee has several regional organizations. In southeast Tennessee, contact the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association (www.tennesseeoverhill.com [10]) or the Southeast Tennessee Tourism Association (www.southeasttennessee.com [11]). Northeast Tennessee is represented by the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association (www.netta.com [12]). The area surrounding Knoxville [4] and including the Smoky Mountains is served by the Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council (www.vacationeasttennessee.org [13]).

If all else fails, contact the chamber of commerce for the county you will be visiting. Chambers of commerce will willingly mail you a sheaf of brochures and any visitor information that may exist. If you are already in town, stop by in person. You are sure to find someone who will be glad to help you.