I moved to Tennessee from Chicago a few years ago. We love the zoo in Louisville and I’d say try and do a cave crawl at raccoon mountain and visit lookout mountain( both near ) with great views train rides an old war field and cafe all near each other. Like a one stop shop. Gatlinburg is my favorite. Take the kids to the carnival strip by margaritaville in pigeon forge it’s all walkable along river, rides and all.