Tennessee

Valentine's Day is obviously an annual excuse to focus on love and romance, the reality is that any time of year is a great excuse for a romantic getaway. When it comes to the best vacation spots for couples, there's a lot of great options and it is really up to you to make sure it is the perfect fit for the two of you. Here's our picks for some of the most romantic destinations to take your wife this year!

When you are planning your bachelor party, the first question always seems to be "Where should we go?" If you want a fun night out with friends and don't want to break the bank, then this list of 10 cities is for you. From Las Vegas to New York City, these top destinations will make your trip unforgettable!

Few places on earth can lay claim to being the birthplace of some of the most influential music on the globe, but the Mississippi, Columbia and Ohio rivers takes all of the bragging rights when it comes to being the home of some of the most iconic music in history. From Tennessee southern gospel and soul to Kentucky bluegrass, the American Cruise Line Music Cities Cruise is a taste of everything legendary.

The possibilities seem endless when it comes to planning the ultimate outdoor adventure and there are plenty of reasons to do it. As we look back on the craziness of the past year though, sometimes you only need one reason - to celebrate simply being alive. I know that as things begin to return to normal again, I'll be seeking out opportunities to see friends again and while big fancy dinners in our favorite cities might be nice... I honestly can't wait to simply get back out on a trail and see some amazing terrain that I haven't been able to do alone this year.

Race is a difficult topic to explore for most Americans and for far too many people, the word is a trigger that raises barriers that put people in a defensive position where they pretend things didn't happen. As someone who travels constantly, I've learned that this isn't just an American reaction - it is a human one. As I travel I must be open to my views challenged as I experience new things. By talking with different people I've been blessed to see, hear, touch, and taste a lot of different perspectives. Combined with my love of history, experiences like this have given me better context to understand complex issues. Even more so though, it has given me the understanding that most things have many sides. I encourage each and every one of you to make an effort to open your minds, visit sites like these and simply take the time to listen, learn, and explore history when you do.

The Mississippi River is a legendary maritime highway that allowed Midwestern states to prosper. From the 1800's to today, this river continues to generate incredible amounts of wealth leading to culturally diverse cities spanning it's 664 navigable miles. While not quite the romantic castles and palaces that you might find along European rivers, the Mississippi offers an opportunity to explore a different side of American history from a variety of angles including civil rights, food, music, industry, agriculture, and military heritage. I've had the fortune to explore nearly the entire length of this region on road trips but I can already tell you that traveling by boat would be the ultimate way to explore the "Mighty Mississip'!"

Sometimes you need to get away from it all to bond as father and son … and sometimes you seek an opportunity get to it all. For father and son getaways falling into that later category, there are few places better to visit than Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. With family entertainment ranging from shows and thrill rides to the opportunity to opportunities to get out and grab some fresh air on a hike, bike ride, fishing boat, or play a round of golf, there’s something for everyone here.

The National Parks of America offer the mind and body a chance to refocus in our hectic world. The beauty of nature causes us to shift our relationship with the world and our place in it. Time spent exploring gives families the opportunity to reconnect with each other and life on a deeper level. Discovering natural wonders and exploring historic monuments delivers its own set of unique opportunities to broaden the mind, body and spirit.

Last weekend Victor from Male Standard joined me on a road trip from Atlanta to Nashville in an incredibly fun Titan XD truck. Along the way we ate BBQ, drank beer and whiskey (while not driving!), threw axes, and celebrated the boys of fall starting with the College Football Hall of Fame and ending in the Nissan Suite for a Titans game in Nashville.

Traditionally, our wives and girlfriends sit and wait for us to pick a hotel that they want for Valentine's Day - but why can't we turn the tables and do things differently? We scoured the internet looking for epic hotel ideas that will inspire romance this Valentine's Day in a completely different manner than the typical 4-star resort with breakfast in bed!

Each of these motels caters to fantasies or have themed rooms that will make your Valentine's Day that much more fun compared to a eewwey gooey, boring romantic night at a typical hotel with red roses and chocolates.

When most folks think of a guys weekend in Tennessee the first city that comes to mind is probably Nashville, but there is another great city that is located along the Mississippi River just west of there that holds a wide range of awesome opportunities for your next guys weekend.

Pilot Flying J invited me to the NASCAR spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway so we could learn more about the Pilot Flying J #BattleAtBristol. The cool thing about this is we were granted some pretty cool access to things things most NASCAR fans dream of! We were also able to meet Michael Annett, the driver of the #46 Pilot Flying J car. Not only that but we got to watch the race from his pit box!

For those of you that find yourself anywhere near the Lynchburg, Tennessee area, I highly recommend swinging by the Jack Daniel's distillery and taking a tour. Even those who might not be bourbon drinkers (or drinkers at all), will enjoy learning about the rich history of the area. Jack Daniel's has become iconic in American culture and the tour is great for those who might not know anything about the man or for those that do, it will just fuel your fascination.

I have been a BIG fan of Jack Daniel's since my early 20's. The first time I drank it, it was almost as if I had reunited with an old friend. Jack on the rocks quickly became one of my favorite drinks and it has stayed one of my go to adult beverages for many years. I've been desperately wanting to visit the Jack Daniel's distillery ever since that first sip. So, you can imagine my excitement when I was invited to spend two days there and soak up (you see what I did there) the history and culture of this American institution. What I found was a company that has an intense pride and attention to detail that can be found in every aspect of their product. Here are a few things that make Jack Daniel's a little different.

Hunting isn't the only excuse to pack up your backpack and head off into the woods with a few of your friends for a guys weekend. Sometimes it is great to simply enjoy nature by observing one of the most beautiful birds in the world. The American Bald Eagle is thankfully coming back strong thanks to conservation efforts across the country. Few birds match America's majestic bald eagle for inspiring awe. Winter is prime viewing season for these incredible raptors, which often are more visible against the backdrop of the season's sparse landscape. Head to a national wildlife refuge to try to spot an eagle on your own or, better still, head to one of these refuges for an organized tour!

Having seen these amazing birds in the wild, it is an experience that every man should see since these birds are as beautiful and graceful as they are amazing predators and they make amazing photography subjects too, so read on to see if there is a location near you...

The new Margaritaville Island Hotel located in Pigeon Forge on The Island, a shopping, dining and entertainment complex, has opened phase one of the hotel with 55 guestrooms and suites. The grand opening of the 132-room property and event space will be in January 2015. The vacation destination hotel is in the heart of everything the area has to offer and minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park known for its extraordinary beauty, breathtaking views, and abundance of outdoor activities.

If you are considering a visit to Nashville for your next guys weekend, there is a good chance that you are a country music fan. Make sure that the Grand Ole Opry is on your list of things to do!

Man Tripping just got back from a tour of not just the current Grand Ole Opry House, but also the Ryman Auditorium (former home of the Opry), Bluebird Cafe, Country Music Hall of Fame, and we even recorded a song at the historic RCA Studio B where Elvis and tons of others have recorded songs.