Haunted Attractions in Cookeville, Tennessee

You don't have to wait until Halloween to get a case of the goosebumps from a spooky place. Halfway between Knoxville and Nashville, Cookeville was the scene of Civil War skirmishes and other events that some say left the place haunted. While you'll have to travel 30 miles or more to find a haunted mansion, there are a couple of landmarks in Cookeville creepy enough to scare your socks off.

Crazy George and the Witch

• Two of Cookeville's most famous haunts lie side by side. The Stamps Cemetery on the east side of town is commonly called Witch's Cemetery. Besides the jagged headstones you'll find at any 1800s cemetery, Stamps has two extra-creepy features. Slabs of stone rise tent-like over the area where the bodies lie, while early headstones bear only a pentagram. Near the cemetery, the ghost of an 1800s railroad worker supposedly haunts a bridge over the railroad tracks. According to local legend, he fell onto the tracks and was decapitated by an oncoming train. The site is now called Crazy George's Bridge, and local rumor says that he'll appear if you call his name three times.

March into Battle

• Civil War battle scenes are thought by some to be prime areas for paranormal activity. At a crossroads, Cookeville often found itself the site of skirmishes between the Union and Confederate armies. On the southwestern edge of town, visit the site of the Battle of Dug Hill where more than 40 men lost their lives when Confederates ambushed a Union detachment. The trail through the battlefield begins at the Cookeville Depot Museum.

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Greek Festival in Nashville, Tennessee

The Greek Festival is an early fall festival tradition in Nashville, Tennessee. With the intention of exposing people of all backgrounds to the Greek cultural experience, the festival offers activities for adults, families and kids and is sure to please the palates of Greek food lovers, as well. Whatever your heritage and wherever you're from, you're sure to leave this southern city's Greek festival enriched, enlightened and well-fed.

Adult Activities

• During the festival, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church opens its doors so festival-goers can see the church's wall-painted iconography and learn about the Greek Orthodox faith, which dates to the time of the apostles. The festival also offers shopping options through its agora, or marketplace. There, vendors sell artisan creations like ceramics, Russian nesting dolls and religious icons, as well as clothing, cookbooks, scarves, handbags and accessories.

Family Fun

• Live entertainment is provided all day during the festival weekend. Greek music and dance is performed throughout the afternoon and evening, and there's plenty of open space for dancing by all ages, regardless of skill level. For active kids, the church hosts a petting zoo, opens its playground, offers pony rides and sets up a climbing wall and bouncy house. In the agora, children can also have their faces painted or choose glittered tattoos to apply.

Food

• What would a Greek festival be without Greek food? For visitors hungry for dinner, the festival cooks up Greek specialties like gyros topped with tzatziki -- a mint and yogurt sauce; spanakopita -- spinach and cheese baked in phyllo dough; and moussaka -- a layered beef, cheese and eggplant baked dish. Other festival-goers stock up on the pastries. You can buy your fill of diples -- rolled and fried dough covered with honey and walnuts; koulorakia -- Greek butter cookies; or baklava.

Details

• Running from from morning until evening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Greek Festival is held each year on an early September weekend. Admission is nominal for adults, free for kids under 12 and free for anyone who gets tickets early enough on the festival's website. Even if you don't need to pay admission for the entertainment, you'll want to bring some cash for dinner and to-go pastries.

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Bellevue Baptist Fall Festival in Nashville, Tennessee

With the intention of opening up its Tennessee ministry to new congregants, the Bellevue Baptist Fall Festival is held each year in late October around Halloween. Offering potential churchgoers opportunities to meet and greet current church members and giving those members a chance to volunteer, the Festival is held for young children earlier in the afternoon and teens in the evening. Whether you're interested in checking out a new church, letting the kids get some Halloween candy or participating in a chili cook-off, the Bellevue Baptist Fall Festival will interest the whole family.

About the Church

• Nashville's Bellevue Baptist Church was first established in 1967 with a congregation of 38 parishioners. Since its move to its current sanctuary in 2000, the congregation has grown; in 2012, the church began building more space to accommodate growing Sunday School attendance. A part of Bellevue Baptist's outreach ministry, the Bellevue Baptist Fall Festival was created to bring new members to the church and designed to help children and their families enjoy the season.

Kids Activities

• Before the festival begins, Sunday school classes at the church compete to see which group can collect the greatest amount of candy. In recent years, a winning class collected 87 pounds. During the festival, which lasts for about three hours, from late afternoon until mid-evening, kids can play games, jump on inflatables, win prizes, collect candy and interact with animals in a petting zoo. At time of publication, more than 200 children had attended a recent festival with their families.

Other Activities

• The festival also hosts activities for older kids and their families. Adults can compete in a chili cook-off and distribute their offerings to festival-goers. After the chili has all been sampled, the church crowns a cook-off winner. Once the children's portion of the festival is over, the church hosts a Movie Night for teens. At dusk, seventh graders through college-aged students can watch a movie at the church while eating free pizza, popcorn and dessert.

Details

• Located in Nashville's Bellevue community, the Bellevue Baptist Church, an affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention, is situated at the intersection of Highway 70 South and Cross Timbers Drive, approximately a mile and a half from exit 196 off Interstate 40.

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Roller Skating in Donelson, Tennessee

Perched along the banks of the Cumberland River and intersected by the dramatic curves of Stones River, the Nashville neighborhood of Donelson is a mecca for outdoor recreational activities. The trendy area is just 15 minutes east of downtown Nashville and includes the sprawling Two Rivers Park, a 364-acre green space with an 18-hole golf course and an outdoor water park. While the neighborhood itself does not have any rinks for roller skating, you’ll find some venues in the surrounding region

Madness in Madison

• Rivergate Skate Center in Madison is 15 minutes northwest of Donelson. The rink hosts special events throughout the week, including nights reserved exclusively for adults 21 and older, afternoon sessions set aside for children 8 and younger and evenings with discounted prices for families. A DJ accompanies skaters with a variety of musical selections and special giveaways include glow-in-the dark goodies. Kids who are just learning to skate can rent trainers, or walkers that aid them around the rink. The venue is closed on some nights for private parties.

Bling in Brentwood

• Brentwood Skate Center has four private party rooms for personal use, complete with party packages that include the cost of admission and skate rentals for all of your guests. Some afternoon sessions are geared specifically toward kids and sometimes include games, prizes and trainers, if necessary. The rink’s resident DJ takes requests, but often specializes in Top 40 and oldies fare. The rink is adorned with 100 multi-colored LED lights, mirror balls and strobes. Embark on a trip to the snack bar or try your hand at the arcade’s video and midway games. Brentwood is 20 minutes southwest of Donelson.

Fun Zone

• Based in Hendersonville, 25 minutes northeast of Donelson, Strike and Spare Family Fun Center is home to a tiny roller skating rink. Enjoy unlimited skating with the purchase of the center’s Circus World Wristband pass. The facility provides a host of other recreational attractions, including a 46-lane bowling alley, arcade with more than 30 games, laser tag arena, bungee trampoline, bumper cars and indoor playground. Take a break in the casual bar and grill outfitted with pool tables and six televisions. On some nights, the restaurant hosts live music, karaoke open mike and trivia contests.

Skating in Smyrna

• Smyrna Skate Center has times roped off exclusively for beginning skaters, private parties and home-schooled children. On some nights the rink provides discounted snack shack treats, reduced admission prices for families, free toy giveaways at the door and throwback nights with '70s and '80s music. Smyrna is 30 minutes southeast of Donelson.

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Cumberland Plateau Hiking Trail in Tennessee

For lovers of the outdoors, there are few better destinations than the Cumberland Plateau. Stretching 450 miles along the western edge of the Appalachian Mountains, the plateau is home to striking scenery, diverse wildlife and more hiking trails than can be explored in a lifetime. The Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park -- usually referred to simply as the Cumberland Trail -- bisects the plateau from north to south, providing access to numerous other trails and some of Tennessee's finest state parks and natural areas.

A Work in Progress

• The Cumberland Trail is unique in Tennessee in that the trail itself is actually a long, narrow state park. The trail is also a work in progress, and through cooperation between the Tennessee Departments of Environment and Conservation and the Cumberland Trail Conference, the trail is planned to extend 300 miles between Signal Point and the Cumberland Gap. At the time of publication, about 190 miles of the Cumberland Trail are open to hikers, and you can access segments of the trail through Cove Lake State Park, Frozen Head State Park, Piney Falls State Natural Area and Stinging Fork Pocket Wilderness Area, among others.

Northern Trail Segments

• At the northernmost end of the Cumberland Trail, an 11-mile section, known as the Cumberland Mountain Segment, is open to hiking. This segment includes stunning scenery, including rocky ridge hiking with spectacular views of the Cumberland Mountain range to the north and the Powell River Valley to the south, but the terrain can be difficult at times. Access is available at the Tennessee Avenue trailhead in Lafollette and the Cove Lake trailhead in the Cove Creek State Park.

  A little father south, the New River Segment offers 40 miles of open trail, and you can hike the entire stretch over a two- or three-day backpacking trip, or break off a smaller chunk for a day hike. This segment explores some of the most rugged and remote territory in Tennessee, including the summits of Lawson, Anderson and Cross mountains. The northern and southern trailheads to this segment are located in Cove Creek and Frozen Head state parks, and there are several road crossings in between where you can pick up the trail.

Southern Trail Segments

• The 8.5-mile Piney River Segment parallels the Piney River and Duskin Creek over moderate terrain. The trail throughout this segment is shady and secluded, and highlights include several scenic river crossings and a short side trail that leads to a picnic area. You can access the Trail at the Piney River trailhead on Shut-In Gap Road and the Newby Blanch trailhead on Walden Mountain Road.

  At the southernmost end of the Cumberland Plateau Trail, 7 miles are open to hiking in the Tennessee River Gorge. The Tennessee River Gorge Segment also connects to nearly 27 miles of additional trails, allowing you to take a much longer hike. The terrain ranges from easy to strenuous, and the views from the Snoopers Rock and Ransom Hollow overlooks are among the best on the trail. Access is available at the Signal Point trailhead and at two additional parking areas on Tower Drive.

Keep In Mind

• Trail lengths and access points are subject to change as more of the Cumberland Trail is completed. Overnight camping is permitted along most of the trail. Designated backcountry sites are provided in some areas. Dispersed camping is permitted where designated sites are unavailable, and hikers are responsible for leaving no trace of their presence. In sections where the trail passes through a state park, hikers are required to register if they intend to stay overnight. In general, the only drinking water along the Cumberland Trail comes from springs and streams, and this water mus be treated or filtered before drinking.

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Laurel Falls Trail in Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers more than 800 square miles through the scenic forests, rolling valleys and rugged ridges of the Southern Appalachians along the Tennessee and North Carolina borders, with elevations that range from 875 feet to 6,643 feet above sea level. Smoky Mountains, America's most visited national park, is home to 150 hiking trails and more than 10 major waterfalls, and you can combine both experiences on a short hike along the park's Laurel Falls Trail, less than 7 miles southwest of Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

About Laurel Falls

• Laurel Falls, one of the more popular attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is an 80-foot-high waterfall accessible only via the Laurel Falls Trail. The falls -- named for the mountain laurel shrub that typically blooms along the trail in spring -- has upper and lower sections that tumble down from Laurel Branch, a mountain stream. A walkway crosses the stream between the two cascades, near the bottom of the upper falls. The trailhead for the Laurel Falls Trail and a limited parking area is just off Little River Road, approximately 3.5 miles west of the park's Sugarlands Visitor Center.

Laurel Falls Trail

• The Laurel Falls Trail is 2.6 miles round trip, so plan on approximately two hours to hike to the falls and back. Considered moderate in difficulty, the paved trail features steep sections and other portions with steep drop-offs. Of the more than 800 miles of trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, less than 3 miles are paved, and the Laurel Falls Trail is the longest of four paved trails. Blazed in 1932 to allow firefighters access to the Cove Mountain area, the heavily used section of trail leading to the falls was paved in 1963 to stop erosion. The Laurel Falls Trail is not paved past the falls but continues for roughly 2.5 miles, climbing in elevation before dead-ending into the Cove Mountain Trail near an old fire tower.

Cautions and Considerations

• Because the pavement on the Laurel Falls Trail is rough and uneven in spots and its steep portions can be slippery in wet weather, the trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or children's strollers. Bicycles and pets are prohibited. Carry drinking water and supervise children closely. Once at the waterfall, do not climb on the rocks near the cascades, as they can be slippery. One final caution: Keep an eye out for black bears, which can be active in the trail area, and do not feed or approach them. An estimated 1,500 black bears live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and a hiker on the Laurel Falls Trail suffered minor injuries in 2010 after being bit by a bear, which was euthanized.

Other Nearby Trails/Accommodations

• During your visit, you might want to explore other park trails near the Laurel Falls Trail. The Fighting Creek Nature Trail, a self-guided interpretive trail behind the Sugarland Visitors Center, is a 1.2-mile loop that winds along a small creek and includes a historic cabin and a short connecting trail that provides a view of a small waterfall, Cataract Falls. Another path that branches off Laurel Falls Trail is the 4.3-mile Little Greenbrier Trail, which offers hikers scenic views of Blanket Mountain, Cove Mountain and Wear Valley. If you'd like to stay overnight, the Elkmont Campground is the national park's largest, with 220 sites less than 2 miles southwest of Laurel Falls. Gatlinburg, just 2 miles north of Sugarland Visitor Center, has a variety of accommodations, including hotels, bed-and-breakfast inns, cabins and chalets.

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Rock Climbing at Prentice Cooper, Tennessee

Prentice Cooper State Park near Chattanooga features almost 25,000 acres of lush woods, slow-rolling streams and craggy sandstone cliffs. Climbers of varying skill levels come from far and wide to conquer the famed T-Wall, which overlooks the Tennessee River Gorge, as well as neighboring escarpments. Largely developed by legendary climber Rob Robinson, the T-Wall in particular has earned a reputation as one of North America's premier climbing destinations.

Where to Climb

• The Tennessee Wall, or T-Wall, is actually a series of sandstone cliffs and arêtes that formed over millions of years as the Tennessee River cut through the Cumberland Plateau. The T-Wall's main sections include Paradise Falls, The Wastelands, Steepopolis and Orange Blossom, each boasting irregular, acutely-angled faces with corners, cracks, ledges and roofs that make for excellent climbing problems. Few bolts exist on the T-Wall face, so top-rope anchors must first be set. However, since most of the climbs are 100 feet or less, rigging top ropes is fairly convenient. Winter is the most crowded time of year at the T-Wall; as such, many climbers instead opt for smaller ridges and boulders peppered throughout the surrounding area.

Climbing Rules and Guidelines

• The Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division manages the park, promotes safety, and sets rules and guidelines. Climbers are permitted on all bluffs except where "no climb zone" signs are posted. Prohibited areas include Snoopers Rock, Indian Rockhouse and Bluffview at the end of Hicks Mountain. Permanent anchors or bolts cannot be placed in any rock without the Forestry Division’s express permission. The cliffs are open all year long except during designated hunting seasons in the spring and fall; anyone caught climbing during scheduled hunts is subject to a fine. Also, climbers should note that the sandstone becomes weaker and softer after the rain, making it potentially unsafe.
• Necessary Gear and Supplies

• Climbers should bring rugged, loose-fitting clothing that will not restrict movement and climbing shoes with vulcanized rubber soles. Helmets, belay gloves, gear slings and other accessories are optional depending on your needs, style and experience level. A 60-meter rope is recommended for some of the more popular T-Wall climbing routes, while a standard rack with stoppers, tri-cams, assorted runners, carabiners and belaying devices is sufficient. Additional items like bottled water, sun block and a first aid kit are also beneficial. For less experienced climbers, The Adventure Guild offers guided excursions throughout the area to individuals, families and large groups, providing all necessary gear and supplies.

Facilities and Accommodations

• You will not find bathrooms, water fountains, information centers or other modern-day facilities anywhere near the T-Wall. Climbers bring everything they need and carry their trash out with them. Two semi-primitive campsites are located inside the park, however, just a short hike from the cliffs: Davis Pond and Hunter's Check Station. Both are first-come, first-serve and feature fire rings, pit toilets and hand pumps with drinking water. Davis Pond requires all campers to be inside the campsite by dark. For those seeking more plush accommodations, several luxury cabins are available for rent within a five-mile radius of the park.

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State Parks With Restaurants Near Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee, is centrally located to a number of state parks in the surrounding area where you can explore the natural landscape by foot or boat. While many parks offer picnic pavilions, you don’t need to pack a picnic to enjoy a meal in the parks. After a full day of hiking and boating, head to one of the restaurants located inside the parks to dine on the local cuisine.

Montgomery Bell State Park

• About 35 miles east of Nashville in the green hills of Dickson County, Montgomery Bell State Park’s restaurant is part of the park's inn and conference center. A steak buffet is offered on Saturday nights, while an all-you-can-eat catfish option and regular buffet are available on Friday nights. Sip on a glass of Stonehaus Seyval Blanc, which commemorates Tennessee State Parks 75th anniversary, or many other libations from the beer and wine menu. The restaurant is open from 7 to 10 a.m. for breakfast, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 8 p.m. for dinner.

Henry Horton State Park

• In the town of Chapel Hill, roughly 48 miles south of Nashville, Henry Horton State Park features the family-friendly Henry Horton Restaurant. Dine on classic southern cuisine and barbecue buffets, or feast on crab legs at the Friday night seafood buffet. A breakfast buffet is available on weekends. The restaurant is open every day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, Wednesday through Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. for dinner and 7 to 10 a.m. on weekends for breakfast.

Edgar Evins State Park

• Edgar Evins State Park in Silver Point is located about 63 miles west of Nashville and includes the Galley Restaurant in the Edgar Evins Marina. Dine on the deck while enjoying the scenic views of Center Hill Lake and passing boats or enjoy a cold one at the bar. Kick back and relax while listening to the live music and enjoy a variety of events hosted throughout the year. Reservations are recommended for dinner and the restaurant is open seasonally on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

David Crockett State Park

• Located 85 miles southeast of Nashville, in Lawrenceburg, the restaurant at David Crockett State Park overlooks the 40-acre Lindsey Lake. The menu offers a variety of home-style meals, and buffets are offered on the weekends. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 to 10 a.m. for breakfast, and 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday for dinner.

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Trails in Elk River, Tennessee

Elk River meanders lazily for 180 miles through the state of Tennessee with calm waters slicing through rocky bluffs, green meadows and shady trees. The shallow, gravel-bottomed waterway is a popular place to angle for rainbow and brown trout, and trails along much of its shoreline give access to hikers and mountain bikers to enjoy the natural surroundings.

Peddling in the Park

• Enjoy 6 miles of paved biking trails connecting the major recreational areas of Tim's Ford State Park. An additional 16 miles of multi-use trails suitable for hiking or mountain biking run along the shoreline of the reservoir, which is an impound along the Elk River. The trails are rated with a difficulty of intermediate. Camp at one of 52 sites with electrical hookups, fire rings, grills and picnic tables at each site. Sites are suitable for tents and RVs less than 40 feet long. Twenty two-bedroom cabins provide full amenities including gas fireplaces, balconies, TV, fully-equipped kitchens and double beds with linens.

Over the Falls

• Steep and rugged hikes will lead you through the towering forests to the site of several tumbling waterfalls near the North Carolina Border. Bring your hiking stick to traverse the trail to Compression Falls near Elk MIlls. The 1.4-mile trail plunges a quarter mile straight down a 60-degree hillside littered with loose rock and crisscrossed by exposed roots. The trail emerges alongside the Elk River a quarter mile below the falls. Rock-hop and wade upstream to reach the falls. Twisting Falls lie another quarter mile upstream. Near the North Carolina Border, Jones Branch Falls lies along the Appalachian Trail south of Buck Mountain, accessible via a one-hour hike along knee-crunching hills just inside the Tennessee border.

Up the Creek

• Set out on a Davy Crockett adventure on an Elk River paddling trail below Tim's Ford Dam. The water trail is rated as Class 1 on the International Scale of River Difficulty, making it a great place for kids and novices to gain experience maneuvering kayaks or canoes. Rent canoes from one of two downstream liveries that provide all the equipment you need as well as overnight campgrounds. You can tailor your trip from 2.5 to 44 miles, taking several days to camp at primitive sites alongside the river if you choose.

Ride Your Horse

• Horse farms near Fayetteville provide miles of private trails to ride along the Elk River and nearby wooded hills. Riverdale Farms has 600 acres with trails, arenas, boarding stalls and hot washes. Bring your horse for the day or park your RV at a shaded, grassy site overlooking 80 acres of pasture. Sweet Dixie Farms has 700 acres of all-terrain riding with similar amenities and horses availalbe to rent if you don't have one of your own.

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The Best Time to Go to Graceland

For dedicated Elvis Presley fans, a trip to Graceland becomes a pilgrimage -- an opportunity to pay homage at the King's shrine. At any time of the year, Graceland’s historic and eccentric exhibits make it worth a visit even for non-fans. For those who want to get the most out of the experience, three annual events capitalize on Graceland’s charms, while another allows visitors to explore the Memphis musical legacy that Elvis helped forge.

Celebrate the King's Birthday

• Graceland commemorates Elvis’ birthday on January 8 every year with a four-day celebration. On the birthday itself, Graceland welcomes visitors with complimentary cake and coffee, along with a daylong slate of musical performances and special presentations. Graceland also offers special ticketed events for the occasion such as tours of normally off-limit areas and evening parties. The festivities continue for three days at Graceland and sites around Memphis, with special screenings of Elvis’ films, themed tours of the city and a performance of Elvis’ music by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

Elvis Week

• In August, Graceland and the city of Memphis stage Elvis Week in memory of Elvis’ death. Elvis Week takes place at Graceland and in venues around the city, with special events for members of Elvis’ fan club, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, panel discussions, autograph signings and concerts highlighted by performances on the Elvis Main Stage. The most poignant portion of Elvis Week, the Candlelight Vigil, begins on August 15 and continues into the early hours of August 16. Fans who wish to pay tribute to Elvis' memory line up on Elvis Presley Boulevard for a procession into Graceland’s Meditation Garden.

Christmas at Graceland

• Those for whom Elvis’ Christmas music strikes a special chord will find celebrating the holidays at Graceland a singularly rewarding experience. Graceland kicks off the holiday season the final week of November with a lighting ceremony that fills the grounds and mansion with a festive ambience and remains decked out through the month of December. Guests can tour the mansion to see the Christmas decorations that Elvis himself displayed, including a life-size nativity and artifacts from his childhood. Visitors can also purchase a red poinsettia for placement on Elvis’ staircase, with proceeds benefiting the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.

Beale Street Music Festival

• A trip to Graceland in early May allows Elvis fans to experience Memphis’ premier musical event, the Beale Street Music Festival. Since its beginning in 1976, this festival has celebrated the city's impact on the recording arts and has featured such talent as Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Beck, Elvis Costello, Lou Reed and Cat Power. The festival takes place in downtown Memphis’ Tom Lee Park, a 25-acre riverfront area. While at the festival, Elvis fans can walk just a few blocks down Beale Street to visit the historic Sun Studio where Elvis made his legendary early recordings.

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Top Things to See in Franklin, Tennessee

The site of a bloody Civil War battle in 1864, the city of Franklin sits in the heart of central Tennessee, less than 20 miles south of Nashville. Its quaint brick-paved downtown shopping district plays host to festivals virtually every month of the year according to Travel + Leisure magazine, which once singled out Franklin as one of America’s favorite towns. The city embodies the can-do spirit of the New South in combination with a deep and abiding respect for the rich legacy of its past.

Sites of the Civil War

• Two of Franklin’s historic landmarks bore silent witness to the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. Preserved and operated by the nonprofit Battle of Franklin Trust, Carnton Plantation and Carter House played pivotal roles in the Civil War battle and its aftermath. Confederate forces used Carnton Plantation as a field hospital for their wounded. Carter House, a modest brick home built in 1830 by Fountain Branch Carter, served as a command post for Union forces. Both landmarks are open to visitors seven days a week with guided tours of the plantation available for a small fee.

Stroll Historic Downtown Streets

• At the heart of Franklin’s downtown shopping district is a 16-block area that comprised the city’s original downtown core. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, Historic Downtown Franklin is a shopper’s paradise. Its streets are lined with antique shops, book stores, boutiques and art galleries. The district also contains a number of lovingly restored homes and more than 20 restaurants where you can enjoy a meal or snack. Stroll the brick-paved sidewalks of this historic district on your own or join a guided tour conducted by Franklin on Foot, which also offers a variety of other tours in the Franklin area.

Shop the Factory

• The Factory at Franklin is the brainchild of developer Calvin Lehew, who describes it as a place “for artists and creative folks.” The 12-building retail, dining and entertainment complex occupies 1920s-era structures that for many years served as factory space for a succession of regional manufacturers. The small boutique shops at The Factory, selling antiques, crafts and more, are quite unlike the businesses you would find in the typical suburban mall, and that’s precisely what Lehew had in mind when he developed the complex. Scattered among the shops and restaurants are learning centers where children and adults can make pottery or take lessons in art, drama or music.

Tour Cheekwood Gardens

• Cheekwood Gardens lies roughly midway between Franklin and downtown Nashville. The 55-acre complex includes botanical gardens, a 30,000-square-foot art museum and a woodland sculpture trail. Cheekwood occupies the former estate of the Cheek family, owners of the wholesale grocery firm responsible for developing the coffee blend served at Nashville’s Maxwell House hotel and later marketed nationwide under the Maxwell House brand. Visitors can browse through the museum and gardens on their own or with a docent-led tour. The museum’s permanent collection includes a cross section of American art, including examples of artwork from some of the country’s best-known contemporary artists, including Andy Warhol and Larry Rivers.

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