The southeastern U.S. state of Tennessee is one of the most unique in the country thanks to its natural beauty and its rich history. On top of that, if you are simply driving through the state, there are plenty of interesting roadside attractions that you can stop at in order to see some of Tennessee’s most unique sites. Here are three that you should keep in mind while heading through the Volunteer State.
Lost Sea (Sweetwater)
Just off of I-75 between Chattanooga and Knoxville is the Lost Sea, a complex of caverns that features the world’s second-largest non-glacial subterranean lake. You will have to descend 140 feet underground in order to see this impressive natural formation, which stays at 58 degrees F (14 C) all year round.
Ruby Falls (Chattanooga)
Although the city of Chattanooga is worth visiting in and of itself, Ruby Falls is located in close proximity to I-24 just outside of the city and is very much worth a stop. This 143-foot tall waterfall cascades down from Lookout Mountain and is lit up with colorful lights at night.
Rugby
Did you know that English settlers tried to set up a Victorian-style utopian colony in rural east-central Tennessee in the late 1800s? They did, and while it ultimately did not succeed, the vestiges of this town can still be visited in the preserved town of Rugby on Highway 52, accessible both from I-75 and I-40.