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The Gift of Travel: Six TN experiences for the travelers on your list

Dave Jones from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has six gift ideas for the traveler in your life.

If you are still shopping for the person who has it all, Dave Jones from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has six travel gift ideas for practically everyone on your holiday list.

Make your loved ones’ year with the gift of new memories and an unforgettable experience in Tennessee.

1. Ducky Day package: Peabody Hotel in Memphis

Become an Honorary Duck Master for a day.

Back in the 1930s, the Peabody Hotel’s General Manager Frank Schutt and friend Chip Barwick returned from a hunting trip and placed their live duck decoys in the Peabody fountain as a joke. In 1940, Peabody Bellman Edward Pembroke, a former circus animal trainer, taught the ducks to march through the lobby to the fountain every day. He became the first Peabody Duckmaster, a role he held for 50 years until his retirement in 1991. Today the ducks still march through the lobby at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day.

Now anyone can be a Duckmaster with the Peabody Hotel’s Ducky Day package. A great gift for kids and a unique weekend with the family, this package also includes

• One night’s accommodation at The Peabody

• Honorary Duckmaster title

• Official brass Duckmaster cane

• A reserved table at the duck march, and other duck-themed souvenirs.

2. VIP Graceland Tour: Graceland, the castle of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in Memphis

VIP Graceland Tour makes experiencing Elvis up close truly special.

• VIPs skip the crowds and tour Graceland in a small group with their own guide. These Elvis experts can answer any questions about the King and will share never-before-heard stories as they stroll through the mansion — still in its original 1970s glory, just like he left it.

• VIPs also get access to Elvis’ private jets and can return to the mansion for a self-guided iPad tour as many times as they like throughout the day.

• Also included in the tour is a trip to Elvis Presley’s Memphis, the recently added 200,000-square foot entertainment and exhibit complex, including Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, Presley Motors Automobile Museum and the Icon: The Influence of Elvis Presley Exhibit. It’s an immersive experience for all things Elvis as you see artifacts and photos from the Graceland Archives, a collection of the King’s signature jumpsuits and his favorite cars.

3. Taste of Lynchburg Jack Daniels Tour: Lynchburg

What would a trip to Tennessee be without a taste of Tennessee whiskey? For the whiskey aficionado in your family, the Taste of Lynchburg Jack Daniels Tour is a great way to drink in one of Tennessee’s most famous whiskey brands. 

• Tour participants hear the history of Jack Daniels as they walk through the distillery with their storyteller guide.

• After the tour, they head down to historic Barrelhouse 1-14 and taste whiskey drawn from individual barrels, an exclusive experience that was once reserved for official distillers and tasters. Five different whiskeys are sampled, including several from the Single Barrel Collection and even a few limited editions.

• Southern meal at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant, a Lynchburg legend since 1908.

4. Nashville Total Access Attraction Pass: Nashville

For the family member or friend who wants to do it all, adventure awaits with the Nashville Total Access Attraction Pass.

• Choose from a list of over 30 participating attractions to write their own entertainment ticket.

• Included are the Country Music Hall of Fame, Hatch Show Print, Adventure Science Center and more for a well-rounded Nashville experience.

• For $75 - Four attractions of their choice, free admission to The Parthenon and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and discounts at many popular Tennessee shops. Think of it as the key to Music City.

5. VIP at Dollywood: Pigeon Forge

Dollywood, is full of the spirit of Tennessee. New Wildwood Grove expansion 2019 - Thrilling roller coasters, live music performances - a celebration of the “Best of the Best” of amusement parks.

• VIPs get a personal tour guide during their time in Dollywood. The tour guide helps plan out the day and can share the history of the park or stories about Dolly.

• When it’s time to take on the rides, VIPs head straight to the front of the line.

• Other perks include a home-cooked meal at one of Dollywood’s restaurants (don’t miss the cinnamon bread at The Grist Mill).

• Valet parking and a gift from Dolly herself

6. The Bristol Club at Bristol Motor Speedway: Bristol

For the sports fan on your list, The Bristol Club at Bristol Motor Speedway is a one-of-a-kind race-day experience. “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.”

• Take the heart-racing, engine-revving action of the speedway

• Add a first-class VIP experience, and you’ve got The Bristol Club.

• Luxury suite with theater-style seating

• Meet a few NASCAR drivers and other celebrities during their visit.

• Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series days, walk the track before the race starts.

More Travel Tips: TNvacation.com (Search “The Gift of Travel”)

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