[title subtitle=”words and images: Marcus Coker”][/title]
A few months ago I visited the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee as a guest of Tennessee Department of Tourism Development. Nestled in between Nashville and Knoxville, the Upper Cumberland is plush with rolling hills, mountaintop overlooks, record-setting waterfalls, and some of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet. Several locals told me they originally came to the area for vacation and later moved there because there’s just something about it. It’s rich with history and natural beauty. It’s close enough to the big city, but the air is fresher.
The two “big” cities in the Upper Cumberland are Cookeville and Crossville, Cookeville being an hour east of Nashville and Crossville being an hour east of that. If you visit, I’d recommend using one of these towns as your home base, since the Upper Cumberland’s tourist attractions are a bit spread out but mostly within an hour’s drive of Cookeville or Crossville.
For wine, coffee, and canoe and kayak lovers, go with Cookeville. Nearby you’ll find two wineries, a handful of coffee shops, and Canoe the Caney in Silver Point, where you can paddle below an 1800’s train bridge used in the movie The Green Mile. The night I spent in Cookeville, I stayed at TownePlace Suites, where my stay came complete with a kitchen, oversized furniture, and a continental breakfast.
For most of my trip, I stayed on the outskirts of Crossville at Cumberland Mountain State Park. This is the way to go if you’re into retro cabins and cooking all your own meals (or walking or driving a short distance to the on-site restaurant). Plus, there are hiking trails, a lake you can kayak, and even an owl sanctuary where you get an up-close view of these rescued birds. If you’d prefer a play or musical, downtown Crossville is home to Cumberland County Playhouse, said to be the nation’s second Broadway.
Below are my top picks of things to do in the Upper Cumberland. To keep it easy, I’ve divided the region and its activities into three sections—Cookeville, Crossville, and Dale Hollow Lake, which is near the Kentucky border and has its own charms. Whatever you choose to do in the Upper Cumberland, you can’t go wrong.
COOKEVILLE AREA
TownePlace Suites
1250 Sam’s Street, Cookeville
931.510.4306
towneplacesuites.com
Newly built and right in the middle of town, this is the place for any city slicker like myself.
Saltbox Inn
537 Hutcheson Road, Cookeville
931.510.6787
saltboxinn.net
A little off the beaten path and perfect for a bed and breakfast experience, the Saltbox Inn is ideal for small groups or even large events. A former residence has been converted for lodging, and a newly built barn is available for whatever you can imagine.
Broast
17 W Spring Street, Cookeville
931.559.2326
broasttn.com
Start your day off right with locally brewed coffee and a darn fine cinnamon roll. Ask for the cascara tea, which is a cherry flavored drink made from the hull of the coffee bean.
Father Tom’s Pub
32 N Cedar Avenue, Cookeville
931.854.9484
fathertomspub.com
If the weather’s right, have lunch or dinner at Father Tom’s, a laid-back joint with a fabulous burger. Ask for a beer by Calfkiller here or elsewhere on your trip. Calfkiller is some of the finest local brew!
Ebel’s Tavern
104 E 3rd Avenue, Carthage
615.588.1888
Now we’re getting outside, west, of Cookeville. Ebel’s Tavern catered a meal at one of the wineries listed below, and it was some of the finest fare I’ve had in a while— raw and baked oysters, scallops, steak, broccoli, and cheesecake. Delicious!
DelMonaco Winery & Vineyards
600 Lance Drive, Baxter
931.858.1177
delmonacowinery.com
Tennessee is known not only for their sweet people, but also for their sweet wines. Take a tour of DelMonaco, a beautiful winery where you can spend the day or even get married. For a little more adventure, tour the region via a 168-mile train ride that stops at DelMonaco for live music, games, and hayrides. Go to tcry.org, click on Train Rides, and search for DelMonaco Winery Trip.
Cellar 53 Winery
115 Oak View Drive E, Brush Creek
615.934.3353
cellar53winery.com
Spend an afternoon on Cellar 53’s patio sipping homemade wine and nibbling on cheese. Be sure to ask to play Table Skittles, also known as Devil Amongst the Tailors, where you try to knock down standing pins with a swinging ball attached to a string. It’s harder than it looks!
Edgar Evins State Park
1630 Edgar Evins State Park Road, Silver Point
931.858.2114
tnstateparks.com/parks/edgar-evins
Near Canoe the Caney, Edgar Evins State Park boasts a gorgeous lake excellent for boating or dinner on the pier. Spend the day in this 6,000-acre park or simply unwind on the water after a day of hiking nearby trails.
CROSSVILLE AREA
Cumberland Mountain State Park
24 Office Drive, Crossville
931.484.6138
tnstateparks.com/parks/cumberland-mountain
A wonderful place to stay the night and grill out with the family. Or just come for the day, hike some trails, and kayak Byrd Lake, a project built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Eat some fine down home cooking at Homestead Harvest Restaurant.
Black Mountain Overlook
2000-3398 Black Mountain Road, Crossville
931.484.6138
Nearby Cumberland Mountain State Park, this is the perfect spot for an evening hike. The trail is easy, can be hiked in well under an hour, and ends with a picturesque view that will leave you wondering why you don’t get out of the house more often.
Grinder House Coffee Shop
73 N Main Street, Crossville
931.707.0440
grinderhousecoffeeshop.com
This is hands down one of the top coffee shops I’ve ever been to. The atmosphere is fabulous, and the staff serves up a delicious breakfast with a side of southern charm.
Forte’s Restaurant
27 E 4th Street, Crossville
931.787.1744
fortesonthesquare.com
On the square in downtown Crossville and just around the corner from the Cumberland County Playhouse, Forte’s is a delightful gem of an Italian restaurant where you can lean back, rest your feet, and fill your belly.
Ozone Falls State Park
14563 TN-1, Rockwood
931.484.6138
tnvacation.com/local/crossville-ozone-falls
East of Crossville, Ozone Falls is home to a gorgeous 110-foot waterfall used in the 1994 movie The Jungle Book. You don’t want to miss this!
Fall Creek Falls State Park
2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer
423.881.5298
tnstateparks.com/parks/fall-creek-falls
Southwest of Crossville, Fall Creek Falls is home to two gorgeous waterfalls and one awesome swing bridge (also used in The Jungle Book) that will leave you feeling like a kid again. Spend the morning and afternoon here. Take a picnic Lunch or eat on site.
Dale Hollow Lake Area
Sunset Marina on Dale Hollow Lake
2040 Sunset Dock Road, Monroe
931.864.3146
sunsetmarina.com
If you love the water, spend your time on Dale Hollow Lake at the Sunset Marina, the place Luke Bryan filmed his music video Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset. Rent a cabin or even a houseboat; just don’t forget your sunscreen!
Standing Stone State Park
1674 Standing Stone Park Highway, Hilham
931.823.6347
tnstateparks.com/parks/standing-stone
Like Cumberland Mountain State Park, Standing Stone offers retro cabins, many of which were built by the Works Progress Administration. With its own lake and a large facility ideal for groups, Standing Stone also hosts a world-famous marbles championship each September. Don’t forget to take your shooters!
Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park
2609 North York Hwy, Pall Mall
931.879.6456
tnstateparks.com/parks/sgt-alvin-c-york
Visit the home of Sgt. Alvin C. York, the famous World War I hero. Originally a conscientious objector, Sgt. York is credited with capturing over a hundred enemy soldiers and was the subject of the 1941 movie Sergeant York starring Gary Cooper. Be sure to visit the replica of a WWI trench behind the home.
Highland Manor Winery
2965 S York Highway, Jamestown
931.879.9519
highlandmanorwinery.com
Tennessee’s oldest winery, Highland Manor offers much in both taste and atmosphere. Ask to see the wine cellar, a lovely spot for a picnic or even a wedding proposal!
For more information, visit tnvacation.com, uppercumberland.org, and visitcookevilletn.com.
