It’s hard to go wrong when you visit Tennessee, mainly because the rolling, lush hills and bustling cities make it a fun place to visit no matter the time of year. Of course, there are a few things that set Tennessee firmly apart from other states, and we’ve compiled a list of 10 things that Tennesseans do better than anyone else. It’s a nonnegotiable, folks. The people of Tennessee have the corner on a solid number of fun, quirky things, and we think we’ve found them all…
- We have to say it: barbecue
Jeremy Keith - Flickr Tennesseans have perfected the art of barbecue, and you will find delicious small restaurants and chains all over the state. From pulled pork to ribs, North Carolina and Missouri can’t even compete.
- No one wears orange better than a Tennessean
Chris - Flickr Vols fans light eastern Tennessee up in bright orange every game day and we have to say: no one wears the color better.
- Banana pudding is a true Tennessee classic
Andy Ciordia - Flickr Creamy, decadent, and nostalgic, Tennesseeans understand the true art of banana pudding. So much so, in fact, that Centerville hosts the National Banana Pudding Festival every year.
- There’s no state that does country music better than Tennessee
Ryman Auditorium - Facebook Home to the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry, it’s fair to say that country music not only grew in popularity due to Tennessee but it still calls the state home. The small town of Bristol is said to be the true birthplace of the twangy favorite though, so make sure you visit if you can!
- Can anyone else make hot chicken like a Tennessean? Absolutely not.
Thomas Hawk - Flickr Fried chicken smothered in cayenne pepper put Nashville on the culinary map, and though there are many copycats throughout the nation, you won’t find anyone serving the spicy dish better than a Tennessean.
- Tennesseans even throw the world’s biggest fish fry!
Paris TN Chamber of Commerce Official Website Paris, Tennessee hosts the World’s Biggest Fish Fry for a week in late April, and the festival serves up over 12,500 pounds of catfish to hungry visitors. The celebration is one that locals look forward to all year long!
- Our church traffic is…admirable.
Jeffrey Hood - Flickr There is a lot of it. Don’t worry though. You’ll most likely find a friendly police officer directing the scads of worshipers after the service.
- And there is no state more neighborly. Literally.
TUBS - Wikipedia Tennessee shares an official border with eight states, tying it for the most “neighborly” state in the nation with Missouri.
- Tennessee throws the first 4th of July bash every year
Gatlinburg Official Website At 12:01 a.m. on the 4th of July every single year, the town of Gatlinburg throws a Fourth of July Midnight Parade. These patriotic locals officially throw the first celebration every year. How wild!
- There is no other state that will welcome you like Tennessee
Tim Lumley - Flickr The rural countryside, the kind people. There is no other state more welcoming than Tennessee.
Do you agree with this list of things Tennessee does better than any other state? Make sure you leave your thoughts because there is no one more trustworthy than a Tennessean. Maybe trustworthiness should be number eleven…we could go on and on!
Jeremy Keith - Flickr
Tennesseans have perfected the art of barbecue, and you will find delicious small restaurants and chains all over the state. From pulled pork to ribs, North Carolina and Missouri can’t even compete.
Chris - Flickr
Vols fans light eastern Tennessee up in bright orange every game day and we have to say: no one wears the color better.
Andy Ciordia - Flickr
Creamy, decadent, and nostalgic, Tennesseeans understand the true art of banana pudding. So much so, in fact, that Centerville hosts the National Banana Pudding Festival every year.
Ryman Auditorium - Facebook
Home to the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry, it’s fair to say that country music not only grew in popularity due to Tennessee but it still calls the state home. The small town of Bristol is said to be the true birthplace of the twangy favorite though, so make sure you visit if you can!
Thomas Hawk - Flickr
Fried chicken smothered in cayenne pepper put Nashville on the culinary map, and though there are many copycats throughout the nation, you won’t find anyone serving the spicy dish better than a Tennessean.
Paris TN Chamber of Commerce Official Website
Paris, Tennessee hosts the World’s Biggest Fish Fry for a week in late April, and the festival serves up over 12,500 pounds of catfish to hungry visitors. The celebration is one that locals look forward to all year long!
Jeffrey Hood - Flickr
There is a lot of it. Don’t worry though. You’ll most likely find a friendly police officer directing the scads of worshipers after the service.
TUBS - Wikipedia
Tennessee shares an official border with eight states, tying it for the most “neighborly” state in the nation with Missouri.
Gatlinburg Official Website
At 12:01 a.m. on the 4th of July every single year, the town of Gatlinburg throws a Fourth of July Midnight Parade. These patriotic locals officially throw the first celebration every year. How wild!
Tim Lumley - Flickr
The rural countryside, the kind people. There is no other state more welcoming than Tennessee.
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