Spending a ton of money doesn't automatically mean having a great time.
Some of the best days out in Tennessee cost less than a tank of gas. We're talking full museums, stunning gardens, live animals, and enough history to keep you busy for hours.
Here's what's worth your time and your twenty bucks.
1. The Parthenon (Nashville) — ~$10
Yes, Nashville has a full-scale replica of the ancient Greek Parthenon. And yes, it looks exactly as wild as it sounds.
Built in 1897 for Tennessee's Centennial Exposition, it sits right inside Centennial Park at 2500 West End Ave. For around $10, you get access to the building and the art museum inside, which includes a 42-foot-tall statue of Athena. That's the largest indoor statue in the Western Hemisphere.
Worth noting: The Parthenon is temporarily closed starting March 1, 2026, for a full HVAC system upgrade. It's expected to reopen in late June 2026, but check before you go. The exterior and Centennial Park are still open, and honestly, the outside alone is worth a stop.
Weekdays are quieter, which means better photos and more breathing room.
2. Tennessee State Museum (Nashville) — Free
Free admission. World-class exhibits. No catch.
The Tennessee State Museum at 1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd opened in its current space in 2018 and immediately became one of the best free attractions in the Southeast. Galleries cover everything from prehistoric Tennessee through the Civil Rights era, with interactive displays that rival museums charging three times the price.
Parking nearby runs a few dollars, so factor that in. A weekday morning gives you the most space to move around.
If you only have time for one stop in Nashville, make it this one.
3. Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Grounds (Nashville) — Budget-Friendly
You don't need the full mansion tour to get a lot out of this place.
The Hermitage at 4580 Rachels Ln offers a grounds-only pass that lets you walk the same land where the seventh president of the United States once lived. You'll see the original smokehouse, historic log cabins, and the family cemetery where Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel are buried.
The property spans over 1,000 acres, so wear comfortable shoes. Spring and early summer are peak season when the gardens are at their best.
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Read more →4. Cheekwood Estate and Gardens (Nashville) — $15 to $20 on Discount Days
Fifty-five acres of botanical gardens, an art museum inside a historic mansion, and a sculpture garden that takes up a full afternoon.
Cheekwood at 1200 Forrest Park Dr is one of Nashville's most beautiful spots, and during seasonal discount days, admission drops to the $15 to $20 range. Spring is the big draw, when thousands of tulips and daffodils are in bloom and the grounds look almost surreal.
Check their website for discount days before you book. Bring snacks because the on-site cafe, while lovely, adds up fast if you're keeping it budget-friendly.
5. Chattanooga Zoo — $15 to $20
Small zoo doesn't mean a small experience.
The Chattanooga Zoo at 301 N Holtzclaw Ave is home to jaguars, red pandas, gibbons, and Komodo dragons. You can realistically see everything in two to three hours, which makes it a great half-day plan. The exhibits are designed to give you a genuinely close-up look at the animals without feeling cramped.
Arrive early. Animals are most active in the morning, and the afternoon heat in summer can slow things down for you and for them.
Chattanooga has plenty of other affordable things to do nearby, so it's easy to build a full day around this stop.
6. Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga) — $39.95 Adults / Discounts Available
Technically above $20 at full price, but the Tennessee Aquarium earns its spot here because of how many people can get in for much less.
If your household receives SNAP benefits, the Museums for All program lets the cardholder and up to three guests in for $5 per ticket. Foster parents and children in Tennessee also get 50% off for up to 7 people.
Located at 1 Broad St on the Chattanooga waterfront, this is one of the most acclaimed freshwater aquariums in the country. Otters, alligators, sturgeon, and hundreds of fish species fill exhibits that feel far larger than the price tag suggests.
Book online ahead of time. The area around the aquarium is worth exploring too.
7. Memphis Rock ‘n' Soul Museum — ~$15
If you've ever wondered how a city in the South changed the sound of the entire world, this museum answers that question in the best possible way.
The Rock ‘n' Soul Museum at 191 Beale St is Smithsonian-affiliated and covers the full story of Memphis music, from the Mississippi Delta to the global stage. For around $15, you get a self-guided audio tour through seven galleries packed with original costumes, instruments, and memorabilia.
It doesn't just list facts. It makes you feel the music.
Plan on one to two hours, then walk out onto Beale Street and let the neighborhood do the rest. Weekdays are calmer and less crowded.
8. Memphis Botanic Garden — ~$10
Sometimes the best thing a trip can offer is a slow walk through something beautiful.
The Memphis Botanic Garden at 750 Cherry Rd covers 96 acres with more than 20 specialty garden areas, including a Japanese garden, a sensory garden, and a wildflower meadow. At around $10 for adults, it's one of the most affordable and genuinely relaxing stops in the state.
Spring is the standout season, but the garden stays worth visiting year-round. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and check their calendar before you go since special events and installations pop up regularly.
Photography people take note: there's no shortage of great shots here.
9. Knoxville Museum of Art — Free
Free admission, striking architecture, and a view of World's Fair Park right outside the front door.
The Knoxville Museum of Art at 1050 World's Fair Park Dr is clad in Tennessee marble and filled with rotating exhibits covering painting, sculpture, photography, and regional folk art. The Great Hall alone is worth the trip, with soaring ceilings and natural light that give the whole space an airy, unhurried feel.
The museum's permanent collection leans into Appalachian artists, giving it a strong regional identity that feels specific to this part of Tennessee rather than generic.
Walk through the park afterward and grab food in nearby Market Square or the Old City. Full afternoon, zero dollars.
10. Muse Knoxville — ~$15
This is the place where adults walk in expecting something just for kids and end up being the most entertained people in the building.
Muse Knoxville at 516 N Beaman St blends hands-on science exhibits with an outdoor nature exploration area for around $15 per person. You can build structures, experiment with water flow, and get genuinely curious about how things work. The outdoor area alone is worth the price of admission.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, so double-check the schedule if you're visiting mid-week.
11. Discovery Park of America (Union City) — $15 to $20 on Discount Days
Most people outside of West Tennessee have never heard of this place. That's a real shame.
Discovery Park of America at 830 Everett Blvd in Union City covers science, history, art, and natural history across more than 100,000 square feet of indoor space, plus outdoor heritage park areas. The exhibits match what you'd find at much larger museums in bigger cities, including a real military aircraft and a full-scale replica of a Native American village.
On promotional or local discount days, admission drops to the $15 to $20 range. Check their website and social media before you go since discount days are tied to local events and community programs.
Plan for at least three to four hours if you want to do it justice.
12. Oaklands Mansion (Murfreesboro) — ~$15
Right in Murfreesboro, this one is easy to overlook. Don't.
Oaklands Mansion at 900 N Maney Ave is a beautifully preserved antebellum home that served as a Confederate headquarters during the Civil War and was visited by Confederate President Jefferson Davis in 1862. For around $15, you get a guided tour that covers both the interior and the grounds, led by guides who actually make history feel alive.
The furnishings are largely original or period-accurate, which gives the whole experience a weight that generic tours often miss. Tours run about 45 minutes to an hour.
If you're already in the Nashville area, Murfreesboro is a short drive south and easy to add onto any itinerary.
Special events and holiday tours run throughout the year at similarly affordable prices, so check their seasonal schedule before you visit.
