The year 2010 brings several significant additions to the tourism industry and some important historical milestones. This is an exciting time for new exhibits, attractions, hotels, restaurants
and experiences in Tennessee.
One of the most important milestones is the 75th birthday celebration of Elvis Presley that will take place on Jan. 7-10 at Graceland in Memphis.
Another important 2010 milestone is the opening of Titanic Pigeon Forge, a 30,000-square-foot, ship-shaped structure that rests on 5.69 acres. It will hold 20 galleries with hundreds of artifacts from the Titanic. The galleries are set to open April, 2010.
Also notable is the 100th birthday of the Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville. The hotel began celebrating in September, 2009. The
Hermitage is the only five-diamond hotel in Tennessee and boasts the
famous Capitol Grille, one of Tennessee’s finest dining experiences.
Below, please find a brief summary of what’s new in 2010. For a complete listing, visit
http://press.tnvacation.com/media/story-ideas/.
East Tennessee —
America’s legendary Delta Queen, the last fully operational, overnight
passenger steamboat in the country, is now docked in Chattanooga and
functioning as a boutique hotel.
A new first-class exhibition opened at the East Tennessee History Center in Knoxville entitled “Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee.” The exhibition tells the story of three centuries of life in the region, from the Cherokee to the 1982 World’s Fair. East Tennessee’s Historical Society had been preserving the region’s history for 175 years.
Middle Tennessee —
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2010. To kick off the celebration, Cheekwood will offer
a special $.50 admission charge for the entire month of January.
“Nashville Memoir: Photographs by Greg Miller” and “New Direction:
Video Artists Explore Southern Identity” will be among various
exhibits on display at Cheekwood throughout the year.
Cumberland Caverns will celebrate as 2010 marks 200 years since its discovery. The caverns are open year-round for guided walking tours.
The site is also known for Bluegrass Underground, a radio show taped 333 feet below ground level in the Volcano Room.
West Tennessee —
International Rockabilly Hall of Fame Festival in Jackson reaches a tenth anniversary milestone in 2010.
The Memphis Zoo, named the No.1 zoo in America by TripAdvisor, recently added Teton Trek, a four-acre exhibit featuring grizzlies, timber wolves, elk and trumpeter swans.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development strives to maintain an
up-to-date listing of new events and attractions across the state. Updates to the list are made throughout the year.
For more information, contact Cindy Dupree at 615 741-9010.