NASCAR is practically a religion here. Bristol Motor Speedway is a massive track shaped like a bowl where cars race at insane speeds. It’s loud enough to rattle your teeth. Wear earplugs—or don’t, and feel the roar in your chest.
College football is even bigger. University of Tennessee Volunteers fans will paint their faces orange and scream at the TV. It’s a collective fever. And if you mention Alabama football in a Tennessee bar? Good luck, you brave soul.
But let’s get weird: Tennessee is also home to the Annual Coon Hunters’ Convention and the Grand Champion Tree-Climbing Contest. Yes, adults climb trees for trophies. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it, I guess.
A Quick Geography Lesson
Tennessee is shaped like a long, skinny rectangle. It’s bordered by eight states—the most of any state in the U.S. That’s a lot of neighbors! It’s also split into three “Grand Divisions”: East, Middle, and West. Each one feels like a different country.
East Tennessee has mountains and conservative farmers. Middle Tennessee has Nashville and horse farms. West Tennessee has the Mississippi River and Memphis soul. They bicker constantly. But they agree on one thing: Tennessee is the best.
