CHICAGO—Graduate Hotels and Atlas Obscura have partnered to create guided tours uncovering hidden gems within the local communities of Nashville and Knoxville. Launched on Sept. 15, with Orientation Tennessee, the multimedia road trip showcases a Tennessee adventure between Nashville and Knoxville. The experience includes immersive city walking tours of each destination, followed by the addition of road trip itineraries in October and hotel storytelling tours at the Graduate Nashville and Graduate Knoxville in December.
“Our hotels are deeply rooted in the power and importance of local storytelling, and we’re honored to team up with our friends at Atlas Obscura to build upon these narratives in such a meaningful and culturally rich way,” said Ruben Navarro, AJ Capital Partners/Graduate Hotels VP, strategy. “Today’s travelers are looking for accessible, yet inspiring, opportunities to experience a new destination, and no one creates these types of distinct experiences better than Atlas Obscura. We look forward to sharing this fresh perspective with guests.”
Atlas Obscura highlights the world’s hidden wonders and inspires curiosity through its storytelling, online experiences led by experts on topics like scientific histories, magic and obscure arts, and its online community has built a global database of more than 21,000 incredible places and foods, according to the company.
“Exploring the roads less traveled and discovering the hidden places and stories that make a destination special is at Atlas Obscura’s core,” said Atlas Obscura CEO Warren Webster. “It’s very exciting to help arm travelers with itineraries that enrich their exploration of Nashville and Knoxville within the Graduate Hotels community and beyond.”
Graduate Knoxville and Graduate Nashville tours uncover hidden gems throughout each hotel from local nods in lobby art to more obscure hints to storied alums and locals incorporated into custom bedroom furniture, window treatments and more. In Nashville, recommendations range from squirrel spotting at Magnolia Lawn at Vanderbilt University and eating at Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish, while in Knoxville guides will lead to a drink at Saloon 16, Graduate Hotels’ watering hole in partnership with NFL legend and University of Tennessee alum Peyton Manning, followed by a visit to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Trips can begin at either Graduate Nashville or Graduate Knoxville and once guests arrive at the hotel, they’ll be armed with an interactive introduction to their corresponding destination. Each road, hotel and destination itinerary will be fully optimized for mobile usage. Access to Orientation Tennessee is provided to guests complimentary throughout their stay. All tour and video content will additionally be available on Graduate Hotels and Atlas Obscura social media and web platforms.