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Cookeville TN: Your Guide to the Heart of the Highlands

Cookeville, Tennessee, nestled within the Upper Cumberland region, is a charming city that serves as a gateway to natural wonders and a hub for cultural enrichment. Known for its friendly community and scenic surroundings, Cookeville invites travelers to experience a blend of outdoor adventure and small-town charm. The city’s proximity to Tennessee Tech University injects a youthful energy into its streets, balancing the tranquility of countryside living with the vibrancy of college life.

Visitors to Cookeville can wander through its historic downtown, where an array of shops, restaurants, and galleries paint a picture of the locale’s rich heritage and contemporary spirit. Outdoor enthusiasts will find Cookeville to be a strategic starting point for exploring the myriad of state parks, waterfalls, and hiking trails that the region boasts. Whether it’s a family trip, a solitary getaway, or a quest for a new culinary experience, Cookeville has something to offer for every kind of traveler.

Key Takeaways

• Cookeville combines outdoor adventures with a warm, small-town atmosphere.
• The city’s cultural scene is enhanced by the presence of a university and a vibrant downtown.
• Cookeville serves as an ideal destination for various types of travelers and getaways.

Explore the Sights

Cookeville, Tennessee, twinkles with natural beauty and cultural significance. Visitors will find a wealth of outdoor experiences intertwined with sites of historic interest.

Cookeville’s Natural Attractions

Nestled in the heart of the Upper Cumberland Region, Cookeville boasts remarkable natural gems. Cummins Falls State Park is renowned for its rugged landscape and the magnificent Cummins Falls—one of Tennessee’s most breathtaking waterfalls. Adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts revel in the park’s offerings, from hiking to swimming in the base of the falls.

• Burgess Falls showcases cascading waters plummeting into misty depths, creating an ethereal experience at Burgess Falls State Park.

• Cane Creek Park offers serene trails and a large lake, perfect for fishing, paddling, or picnicking by the water’s edge.

• For those who fancy off-the-beaten-path exploration, Hidden Hollow captivates with its small, enchanting park filled with whimsical surprises.

City Lake Natural Area is notable for its peaceful ambiance and trails that meander through diverse habitats, providing a haven for wildlife and a retreat for city dwellers and visitors alike.

Cultural Landmarks

The city’s rich history is reflected in its cultural landmarks, with structures and sites weaving the tapestry of Cookeville’s heritage.

• Historic Downtown is a vibrant hub where the old meets the new, with restored buildings that now house local businesses, restaurants, and art galleries.
• The Cookeville Depot Museum stands as a testament to the city’s railway heritage, immersing visitors in the days when the iron horse was the region’s lifeline.

Cookeville’s charm lies in the intersection of its lush landscapes and storied past, inviting all to walk its trails and walkways to discover the heart of Tennessee’s natural and cultural allure.

Experience Local Culture

Cookeville, Tennessee, offers an array of cultural experiences, from vibrant festivals to engaging artistic showcases. Locals and visitors alike can immerse themselves in the blend of charming heritage and modern creativity that the city exudes.

Festivals and Events

Cookeville’s calendar brims with festivals and events that celebrate the town’s community spirit. The Craft Beer Festival is a favorite, providing a taste of local brews in a convivial atmosphere. Annual events like the “Taste of the Town” converge on Downtown Cookeville , where food and live music create a magnetic experience for all ages.

• Craft Beer Festival : A showcase of local breweries with live music.
• Taste of the Town : Culinary delights meet vibrant street performances downtown.

Art and Entertainment

Art and entertainment in Cookeville take center stage with a variety of venues and activities. Mural hunting downtown offers a glimpse into the region’s artistic talents. Stroll through the city to admire large-scale murals that illustrate Cookeville’s history and culture.

• Mural Hunting : Discover the artistic murals that adorn the city’s buildings.

For those seeking live performances, Cookeville’s theaters and concert halls feature diverse showcases, from traditional plays to contemporary concerts and live music events.

• Live Music : Enjoy concerts ranging from classical to modern genres in intimate venues.

Culinary Delights

Cookeville, Tennessee offers an array of dining options ranging from traditional Southern fare to unique craft beverages. Food enthusiasts will enjoy the diverse palette that Cookeville’s restaurants and breweries serve up.

Dining in Cookeville

Cookeville is brimming with local restaurants that invite guests to savor the taste of the South. Seven Senses Food & Cheer stands out for its commitment to locally sourced ingredients, offering dishes like succulent catfish and hearty meatloaf, which have become town favorites. For those who enjoy dining al fresco, food trucks pepper the area, allowing diners to experience a variety of flavors on the go.

Another popular spot is Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee House , a charming locale that merges the love of creamy, homemade ice cream with the aromatic allure of freshly brewed coffee. It’s the perfect stop for both sweet and caffeine cravings. Visitors looking for a more comprehensive dining experience will find that Cookeville’s eateries range from cozy, family-owned spots to more upscale, refined dining settings.

Breweries and Distilleries

The craft beverage scene in Cookeville is equally exciting. The town prides itself on its local breweries and distilleries, where they often experiment with flavors and brewing techniques to create unique concoctions. Patrons can tour facilities, sample a range of brews, and learn about the beverage-making process from knowledgeable crafters. The local breweries also serve as social hubs where friends can gather and relax while enjoying a pint of their favorite ale or lager.

Whether they are visitors or residents, individuals will find that Cookeville’s culinary scene offers a wide range of food and drink options to satisfy diverse tastes and preferences.

Educational and Leisure Activities

Cookeville, Tennessee, offers a range of educational and leisure activities that cater to the curious minds and outdoor enthusiasts. From the historical exhibits at local museums to the scenic beauty of the parks, there’s much to explore and learn.

Museums and Historical Sites

Tennessee Tech is not only an educational institution but also a cultural hub, where the Appalachian Center for Craft showcases the region’s artistic heritage through exhibitions and workshops. History buffs will appreciate the Cookeville Depot Museum , set in a restored train depot from the early 1900s, providing insights into the city’s rail history. Similarly, the Putnam County Courthouse stands as a testament to Cookeville’s historical architecture and significance.

• Cookeville History Museum : Offers a deep dive into the local history with artifacts and stories from the past.
• Hidden Gem : While not a museum, the term refers to those special, lesser-known places that locals love, and Cookeville has its share of these delightful surprises.

Parks and Recreation

Dogwood Park is a centerpiece of outdoor activity, with its fountain centerpiece and space for community events. For those who enjoy a blend of nature and engineering, Cookeville’s Water Treatment Plant offers educational tours, showing the intricate process of water purification.

• Walking trails
• Picnic spots
• Playgrounds for children

These activities not only encourage physical well-being but also provide informal educational experiences for visitors of all ages.

Planning Your Visit

When visiting Cookeville, TN, travelers should consider accommodations and logistics, as well as the best time of year for their trip to fully enjoy this gem of the Upper Cumberland.

Accommodations and Logistics

Cookeville offers a variety of accommodations ranging from charming bed and breakfasts to well-known hotel chains. Visitors can choose to stay in the historic downtown or opt for lodging closer to the I-40, which provides quick access to both Nashville and Knoxville.

• Hotels : Check for hotels with amenities like free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and fitness centers.
• B&Bs : Look into local bed and breakfasts for a more personalized touch.

Regarding logistics, transportation is essential, as Cookeville serves as a hub for the region. Renting a car is often recommended, as public transportation options are limited. This allows for easy exploration of the scenic beauty and the local points of interest within the micropolitan area.

Best Time to Visit

Cookeville has four distinct seasons, each offering its own unique experience. However, the months of September and November are particularly appealing for their mild weather and colorful autumn leaves, making outdoor activities a pure delight.

Visitors should note that weather can be unpredictable, so it is prudent to check the forecast ahead of time and pack accordingly.

Common Sense Travel

An alternative, common sense approach to global travel, common sense tours and trips.

Often when travelling it seems like an easy option to book a tour or a trip through your hotel or agency. We have found that sometimes this can be great but more often than not we have saved significant time, money and had a far more enjoyable experience by booking things ourselves.

Common Sense Tours

So, you’ve reached your destination and want to go and see the big hitting attraction. You really have a couple of options, shop around with a few local agents to see who offers the best price for a tour. There are usually two types:

Large tour groups:

Usually the cheapest option. These tours will pick you up from your hotel at some unearthly hour spending a few further hours picking up 50 or so other people and then eventually will hit the road and head for the sight. When you arrive there you will be herded with the scrum for a limited amount of time, and then herded back to the bus as they then have to drop all 52 people back at assorted hotels before the sun goes down.

Private tour groups:

Often considerably more expensive than the above. Again you will be collected from your hotel early in a mini bus or private car and either make a few pick ups or head straight to your destination. You will then spend a little longer than the aforementioned tour at the attraction but inevitably you will have to head back fairly quickly as your driver, guide and any other passengers will have to be delivered to their lodgings by an allotted time.

Our experience:

We didn’t want to be picked up at 6am to be herded around all day, sitting on a cramped bus for hours waiting for the driver to find each hotel. We had come away to experience the local atmosphere and see the local sights for as long as we wanted, this wasn’t a box ticking exercise.

If we could get public transport to and from our destination easily then we would. Where we couldn’t get there using public transport we began to inquire about hiring a car or motorbike locally. This was cheaper than the private tour and in some cases only marginally more expensive than the cattle tour. If you can buddy up with some other travelers and split the cost of a hire car then you are on to a winner.

In Chile we stopped on the way back from a trip in the desert to just lay down and star gaze for an hour or so. We certainly couldn’t have done this on a tour bus.

Obviously, if you aren’t confident driving or riding a bike abroad don’t risk it, stick with a tour.

Where you can’t go with a car

Sometimes it’s just not possible to hire a car to get to certain places. Crossing the Southern Altiplano for example isn’t possible in a car, you need a 4×4 and a good driver who knows the terrain and more importantly, the way!

When it came to these sorts of trips we did rely on tour operators but did our research first. We didn’t go for the cheapest but researched companies who promoted safe equipment, good quality food and lodgings and fair treatment of staff and locals. Don’t expect brand new Range Rovers, a 20 year old Land Cruiser with 300,000km on the clock is still considered new in Bolivia.

We took the same approach when taking boats to visit Milford Sound or Ha Long Bay, looking for a company with a strong emphasis on safety, fair treatment of staff and locals and decent food.

Using companies who are more responsible often comes with a higher price tag. We didn’t travel in abject luxury, just mid range. We saw overnight tours of Ha Long Bay being advertised for around $25 in Hanoi. Other boats in the bay clearly fitted this price tag, they looked poorly maintained and tatty.

There was a catastrophe in the bay a few years ago and a group of tourists lost their lives. Don’t risk it, book with someone responsible, saving a few dollars here and there really isn’t worth it.

Common sense tour prices

When booking a tour, going to an agency will often result in a higher price.

If you can get hold of the operator directly then do so. Use the same strategy as when booking a hotel. If you are in a low or shoulder season then your position is even stronger.

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Common Sense Travel - Kathy's Tavern

• United States    
• Tennessee (TN)    
• Pulaski    
• Pulaski Restaurants    

“Common Sense Travel” Review of Kathy's Tavern

Best cheeseburger I ever ate... I highly recommend Kathy’s... Our tour group was on their way back from New Orleans and stopped. They got us all fed and everyone raves about their food

• Excellent 11
• Very good 3
• All languages
• English  (18)
• English (18)

4 - 8 of 18 reviews

We just had cheeseburgers and fries at Kathy's and they were as good as a cheeseburger can get. The patty is like more than an inch thick, not greasy, toppings fresh and a bun grilled. The fries were a good quality, hot, crispy and plentiful. This bar has the kind of unpretentious watering hole vibe we love. Our first time but when we're in this neck of the woods, we'll make it a point to come back.

This is a locally owned pub! I go for the best cheeseburger you will ever put in your mouth! Owned by and awesome family who cares very much about their community!

Can't beat Kathy's for the best burger in town. Delivery at lunch is a major perk. The thick, all beef burgers always please!!

Eat in/ Carry out. Best Burger in town! Also known for Live Music. Decor is your typical tavern. Service is good. To get that Delicious Burger- you have to have patience! Made only after you have ordered!

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Browse nearby

Mackinac Island  Sept 17-23, 2023

Tour Mackinac Island by horse and carriage, Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Sault Saint Marie cruise and more.

$75 due upon signing.

$779 per person double occupancy.

Add $219 for single occupancy.

Departs Cookeville 8am

For reservations or more information contact Dean Hutson

p. 931-528-5200

[email protected]

Welcome to Cookeville!

Let us be your guide to Cookeville: we visit all the local eateries, unique events, and know about the area’s best-kept secrets.

Entertainment

Step into Cookeville’s vibrant entertainment scene with us! From intimate theaters and bustling festivals to serene parks and adventurous activities, discover where locals go to unwind and have fun. We spotlight the places that make Cookeville come alive!

Food and Drink

Taste the essence of Cookeville! Journey through a palate of flavors, from hometown eateries to upscale dining experiences. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a gastronomic adventure, our reviews guide you to the best food and drink spots around.

Neighborhoods

From Algood to Baxter and reaching out to Gainesboro, dive into the diverse tapestry of Cookeville’s neighborhoods and surrounding towns. Discover the unique character, rich history, and local charm each community brings to the table. Whether it’s the bustling streets of central areas or the serene corners of nearby towns, we shine a light on the true spirit of our extended hometown.

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