Are you looking for those hidden gems off the beaten path and to meet the locals to discover the real spirit of Tennessee? It's time to take an adventure on one of our Trails and Byways.
If Tennessee's big cities take center stage on your vacation, consider our trail guides as your backstage pass to the back roads.
If you're in the Nashville area, you may want to choose the Tennessee River Trail. Experience life as it springs up around our rivers as well as the history of steamboats, grisly battles, thriving communities and outdoor journeys along this trail that spans Middle and West Tennessee. This route is peppered with quaint historic towns such as Waverly, Linden and Paris, and river overlooks that provide the perfect backdrop to your Tennessee vacation.
While on the trail, you don't want to miss these stops.
In Shiloh, enjoy a fresh catch at Hagy's Catfish Hotel, a third-generation restaurant overlooking the Tennessee River.
Visit Shiloh National Military Park near Savannah, preserved to honor the more than 23,000 casualties of the Battle of Shiloh.
Sing the words of Patsy Cline's best-loved songs when you visit the Camden site of her fatal 1963 plane crash.
Paddle down the famous Buffalo River through Wayne County to Lobelville and beyond. The fishing is great, so bring your pole!
Birdwatch at a Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge location such as Big Sandy or the Duck River Bottoms.
For more outdoor fun, rent a boat and try your hand at fishing at Paris Landing State Park, and keep an eye out for deer and wild turkey as you drive the history-filled Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway through the Land Between The Lakes.
Learn about country music superstar Loretta Lynn at her sprawling ranch in Hurricane Mills. Tour Loretta's famous plantation home and a museum celebrating her life and career.
From prehistoric river life to the Golden Age of Steamboats, experience the Tennessee River's history at its namesake museum in Savannah. You'll also visit Pickwick Landing, the 1800s riverboat stop that is now a state park offering forested hiking trails, biking, fishing, boating and camping. If you're around on July 4th, witness incredible fireworks show at Pickwick Landing State Resort.
These are just a few of the unique locales and stories to discover on the Tennessee River Trail. We hope to see you soon out on the trail!
