Experience the Heart of American Culture
Educational Travel, Performance Tours & Unforgettable Student Adventures
Tennessee offers student groups an exciting blend of music, history, outdoor adventure, and Southern hospitality. From the bright lights of Nashville’s legendary music scene to the breathtaking beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains and the rich musical heritage of Memphis, Tennessee provides unforgettable educational experiences for students of every age.
Whether you’re planning a concert band tour, choir festival, orchestra performance, dance competition, educational field trip, senior class trip, or church youth retreat, Tennessee offers world-class attractions, exceptional performance venues, and countless opportunities to learn, perform, and explore.
Why Choose Tennessee for Student Travel?
Tennessee has become one of America’s premier student travel destinations thanks to its unique combination of education, entertainment, and affordability.
Highlights include:
- America’s most visited national park
- Legendary music history
- Dollywood theme park
- Professional sporting events
- Civil Rights history
- Interactive museums
- Outstanding performance festivals
- Scenic mountain adventures
- Southern cuisine and hospitality
With easy motorcoach access, year-round attractions, and hundreds of educational experiences, Tennessee is an outstanding destination for student groups.
Top Student Destinations in Tennessee
Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg – Adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains
Nestled at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are among the nation’s most popular student travel destinations. Students enjoy a perfect combination of outdoor adventure, educational attractions, live entertainment, and thrilling amusement parks.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Dollywood
- Dollywood’s Splash Country
- Ober Mountain
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
- Titanic Museum Attraction
- WonderWorks
- Anakeesta
- SkyPark
- The Island in Pigeon Forge
While the Smoky Mountain region does not have major league professional sports teams, many student groups combine their trip with sporting events in nearby Knoxville.
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede
- Country Tonite Theatre
- Array Variety Show
- Numerous live music theaters and dinner shows
The Smoky Mountain region hosts some of the nation’s largest student performance festivals.
Opportunities include:
- Music in the Parks Festival
- Heritage Festivals
- Concert band festivals
- Choir competitions
- Orchestra adjudications
- Dance competitions
- Community performances
- Educational performance clinics
- Dollywood
- Dollywood’s Splash Country
Nashville – Music City
Known around the world as Music City, Nashville offers students an exciting combination of music history, performing arts, museums, and professional sports. It is one of the country’s premier destinations for school music programs and performance tours.
- Grand Ole Opry
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Ryman Auditorium
- The Parthenon
- National Museum of African American Music
- Belle Meade Historic Site
- Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
- Tennessee Titans (NFL)
- Nashville Predators (NHL)
- Nashville SC (MLS)
- Nashville Symphony
- Nashville Opera
- Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC)
- Nashville Ballet
Student groups can participate in:
- Heritage Festivals
- Music in the Parks
- Choir and orchestra festivals
- Concert band adjudications
- Educational clinics
- University music workshops
- Community performance exchanges
While Nashville does not have a traditional large theme park, many student itineraries include:
- Nashville Shores Water Park
- SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland (indoor water attraction)
Memphis – Home of the Blues, Soul & Rock ‘n’ Roll
Memphis is one of America’s most significant musical and historical cities. Students experience the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, and soul music while exploring Civil Rights history and enjoying professional sports.
- Graceland
- Beale Street Historic District
- National Civil Rights Museum
- Sun Studio
- Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
- Memphis Zoo
- Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
- Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
- Memphis Redbirds (MiLB)
- Memphis Symphony Orchestra
- Opera Memphis
- Orpheum Theatre Memphis
Student groups frequently perform in:
- Heritage Festivals
- Music festivals
- Concert exchanges
- Choir competitions
- Community concerts
- Educational workshops
While Memphis does not have a large traditional theme park, many itineraries include attractions such as:
- Big River Crossing
- Adventure River Water Park (seasonal)
Sample 3-Day Virginia Student Tour
Day 1 – Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg
MorningÂ
- Arrive in the Smoky Mountains
- Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Educational ranger program (when available)
Afternoon
- WonderWorks
- Titanic Museum Attraction
Evening
- Student performance or festival
- Dinner show at Dolly Parton’s Stampede
Day 2 – Dollywood
MorningÂ
- Full day at Dollywood
- Educational demonstrations and rides
Afternoon
- Student performance or festival awards ceremony
- Shopping at The Island in Pigeon Forge
Evening
- Free time in Gatlinburg
- SkyPark or Anakeesta
Day 3 – Nashville
MorningÂ
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Guided tour of the Ryman Auditorium
Afternoon
- Student performance or clinic
- Explore Broadway and downtown Nashville
Evening
- Grand Ole Opry performance (when scheduled)
- Depart for home
Perfect for Every Student Group
Tennessee tours are ideal for:
- Concert Bands
- Marching Bands
- Choirs
- Orchestras
- Dance Teams
- Theater Programs
- Music Appreciation Classes
- History Classes
- Church Youth Groups
- Senior Class Trips
- Educational Travel Programs
Every itinerary can be customized to include student performances, adjudicated festivals, educational workshops, sporting events, and Tennessee’s most popular attractions.
Whether your students dream of performing in Music City, exploring the Great Smoky Mountains, experiencing the excitement of Dollywood, or discovering the rich musical history of Memphis, Tennessee offers an unforgettable educational adventure.
Our travel specialists will design a customized itinerary that matches your group’s educational goals, performance schedule, interests, and budget—creating a student tour filled with learning, inspiration, and lifelong memories.