Summer is just around the corner, which means that it is almost time to book our trips! Although the Jersey Shore is one of our favorite spots, this year land-locked Tennessee is on our radar as a vacation destination.

Why you should visit Tennessee in 2016:

1. Dollywood. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains (we’ll get to that in a minute) the resort is not just for fans of Dolly Parton. The theme park and resort is the perfect place to bring your family, with rides, crafts, music, and more.

2. The Great Smoky Mountains. 2016 is the centennial year of the National Park System, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park tops the “best” lists every year because of its beautiful mountain scenery and wildlife. There are also more than enough hiking paths, including a section of the Appalachian Trail! The Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in the US.

3. Graceland. The famous Memphis home of Elvis Presley is a museum and National Historic Landmark. It is also one of the most-visited private homes in the US with 650,000 visitors a year. Presley, who died at Graceland, is buried on the property so you can pay your respects to one of America’s biggest national rock n’ roll treasures.

4. The food. One of the best parts of travelling to other destinations is not just for the sightseeing, but for the food! In NYC we can boast about having the best pizza and bagels, but Tennessee is known for its country ham, BBQ, cornbread, and more—why wouldn’t we want to explore the state’s dining experiences?

5. The culture. There are so many great cities to explore in Tennessee. Nashville, the state capital, is the most obvious one as it is home to a booming music scene that includes The Country Music Hall of Fame and “The Grand Ole Opry.” Other cities with food, music, and historical scenes include Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Gatlinburg, which is right at the border of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Do you have travel tips for us or have an awesome vacation planned this year? Tweet us @mckinneypr!