Tennessee pairs the Great Smoky Mountains with a soundtrack, which turns out to be an excellent combination for families. The national park, the most visited in the country, is also one of the most forgiving, with easy trails to waterfalls, drives that all but guarantee a black-bear sighting, and free entry. At its doorstep, the towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg pile on the fun, headlined by Dollywood, a theme park with serious roller coasters and Appalachian charm, alongside cabins in the hills that make the mountains an easy base for a week.

Then there is the music. Nashville and Memphis are where country, blues, and rock and roll were born, and both translate surprisingly well for kids: live music spills onto the streets, interactive museums tell the story, riverfront parks give everyone room to breathe, and a tour of Graceland lands even with children who have never heard of Elvis. Southern food does the rest, generous, comforting, and easy to please a fussy eater with. The accommodation ranges from spacious mountain lodges and lakeside resorts to family hotels in the cities, many with pools and room for a multi-generational group. Tennessee suits families who want real mountains, a genuine theme park, and a holiday with a beat running through it, all wrapped in easygoing Southern hospitality.