Explore small towns, go on a nearby waterfall hike and get a local taste at area restaurants. Plan a couple extra days in Gainesboro and Granville.
Things to Do
Did you know Granville has a rich whiskey history? Dating back to the early 1900s, Granville was home to famous whiskey makers and tells that story through the Granville Whiskey Decanter Museum. Featuring 2,600 decanters filled with Jim Beam whiskey, the museum tells the stories of these decanters. Some are shaped like automobiles, presidents and popular actors.
A short drive from Granville and Gainesboro is Cummins Falls State Park. This rugged park is 282 acres and has been a scenic spot and swimming hole for locals for more than 100 years. Cummins Falls is the state’s eighth largest waterfall and towers at 75 feet high. You can see the waterfall from the overlook or hike down to the waterfall’s base. The hike is strenuous and you will have to wade through water, climb rocks and some may be slippery. To help make everyone’s visit safe and enjoyable, you must acquire a Gorge Access Permit before visiting.
Take a guided tour of the historic home and furniture at the Sutton Homestead, the circa 1880 home of T.B. and Ethel Sutton, and Pioneer Village. Within the village is a blacksmith shop, weaving shop, agricultural museum, 1820s log cabin and homestead, Antique Car & Transportation Museum, Grist Mill Shop and more.
Dive deep into the history of Granville, an historic riverboat town at the Granville Museum through pictures, textiles and artifacts that show what life was like during the years of steamboat travel on the Cumberland River. The Military Room showcases uniforms and artifacts donated by local servicemen and their families. The Textile Room represents decades of Granville’s clothing and textile history. A Classroom of Yesteryear is upstairs and recreates the one-room school, sharing the history of education in the area.
Located on thousands of acres to ride and explore along Cordell Hull Lake, Lake Meadow Farm is the only stable in the nation where trail lesson horses are free of bits and live natural and barefoot. Saddle up on a Tennessee Walking Horse and go one a lakeside natural trail lesson to learn the basics of horsemanship. Along the way, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful natural scenery and maybe even an osprey or bald eagle. Intermediate and advanced level packages are available, pending a short basic horseback riding skills test.
Browse the multiple vendors at the Front Porch Mercantile filled with antiques and home décor in downtown Gainesboro. Furniture, wall art, decorative accents and even bouquets of flowers can be found at the shop.
Where to stay
Located on the banks of Cordell Hull Lake, Salt Lick Creek Campground is just 10 miles from downtown Gainesboro and offers 150 family sites and one large, group shelter. Flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities and a dump station are part of the amenities. Easy access to a boat ramp, playground and visitor center are available for guests to enjoy. You can spend hours watching wildlife including whitetail deer, waterfowl, wild turkeys, quail and more. Go fishing for white bass, rockfish and catfish. Boat, sail, waterski and ride jet skis on the lake. Out of the water, you can go hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking around the lake.
Wake up to waterfront views when you book a cabin, room at the lodge, floating houseboat or airstream at Wildwood Resort and Marina. The Harbor Cottages are a unique stay – tiny houseboats are stationary in the marina and positioned so that you can enjoy some of the bet views that Wildwood offers. The floating cottage has two floors and an upper deck outdoor living area furnished with a bar and seating. A full-size kitchen, dining room, king-sized bed and 2 queen beds and private shower and bathroom bring you lakeside luxury. Live music can be enjoyed at the Lakeside Restaurant. Stroll Tennessee’s longest boardwalk and curate grab-and-go items at the Holston Cabin Café for a day on the lake or while picnicking.
Where to Eat
In downtown Gainesboro, sample Celtic and Southern fare at The Bull & Thistle Pub. A full bar, 20 beers and ciders on tap and live music every Friday and Saturday night makes the pub a popular spot for locals. Grab a table and order dishes like Irish meatloaf, bacon-wrapped salmon, chicken Beaujolais, Jamaican jerk chicken, corned beef and cabbage, crab pasta and more. Hand-cut steaks, burgers and salads are also on the menu. Sides include crispy Brussels sprouts, braised red cabbage, sweet potato hash and garlic cheese potatoes to name a few. Lunch and Sunday brunch are also served.
Enjoy a cheesy pizza and deep dish pan pizza from Giovanni’s Pizza in Gainesboro. They also serve sandwiches like Italian hoagies and Philly cheesesteaks, chicken Stromboli sandwiches and pizza subs. Calzones, lasagna, spaghetti and chicken parmesan are also on the menu. Start your meal off with appetizers like cheese garlic bread, bread sticks, mozzarella cheese sticks or hot wings.
While in the area, sample barbecue from Southern Rock Bouncin’ BBQ. Pulled pork, brisket, pulled chicken and smoked pork shoulder plates and sandwiches are served at this laidback, family restaurant. Get loaded nachos topped with a heaping serving of barbecue; smoked ribs come in half or full racks; and all-you-can-eat catfish is served with hushpuppies and sides. Frog legs, fried green tomatoes and country friend steak and gravy are served up as well. Save room for dessert so you can try the banana pudding, chocolate pie or peach cobbler.
Enjoy the freshest seafood in a warm and inviting atmosphere at Stolen Coin Bistro & Oyster Bar. Enjoy grilled, fried or raw oysters and peel & eat shrimp or a shrimp cocktail. Entrees include local Tennessee catfish, pecan-crusted salmon, ribeye steaks and honey brined chicken. You can also order the Fried Fisherman Platter that includes fried oysters, shrimp and catfish served with fries and Cole slaw. Pecan pie, banana pudding and homemade vanilla ice cream will give your meal a sweet finish.
Faye’s Cafe - Gainesboro
Have breakfast at Faye’s Café in Gainesboro. Open as early as 5:30 a.m., Faye’s Café serves breakfast classics like sausage or country ham biscuits, omelets stuffed with cheese, bacon, sausage or vegetables, French toast, pancakes, hash browns and home fries. Locals frequent this restaurant for breakfast and lunch which includes burgers, grilled cheese and grilled chicken sandwiches, hot wings, shrimp and chicken strips. Stop in Faye’s before adventuring in Jackson County.
