McMinnville
McMinnville, Tennessee
Natural Attractions Meet Main Street, USA
By: Carley Olenjniczak
DRIVE TIME:
1 hour, 45 minutes from downtown Chattanooga
GREAT FOR:
Outdoors › Families › Culture
BEST IF YOU HAVE:
1-2 days
Don’t be fooled by McMinnville, Tennessee’s country aesthetic. Though it is very much rooted in Southern pride and tradition, this city, the largest in Warren County, has more than meets the eye. With an underground world to explore, a wilderness meditation retreat, historic sites, and plenty of shopping and eateries to meet anyone’s tastes, there’s something for everyone in this quintessential Southern town.
> WHAT TO DO:
Isha USA
951 Isha Lane
931-668-1900
The Isha Institute of Inner-Sciences is a unique mountain retreat that offers yoga, meditation classes and outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and biking. Referred to as a “pure treat to the soul” by patrons, Isha is the perfect relaxing getaway destination. Visitors can stay overnight or take a day trip, with the trails open to the public.
» Isha hosts regular Free Yoga Days, offering free yoga and meditation classes, vegetarian cooking demonstrations and guided hikes.
This 32-mile cave network is an underground labyrinth of fun and excitement. The caverns offer daily walking tours and overnight stays. There are several cave rooms to explore, each ranked according to its navigation and endurance difficulty. There are underground waterfalls and pools to behold, and even live music 333 feet below the Earth’s surface in the Volcano Room, a large, open cave room presided over by a massive chandelier. Upcoming Cumberland Caverns Live shows in the Volcano Room include The Allman Betts Band, featuring the sons of the legendary Southern rockers (June 23), and 90s alternative chart-topper Sister Hazel (Aug. 10).
Called “Tennessee’s Biltmore” by PBS, Falcon Rest is a Victorian mansion built in 1896. Daily tours and tearoom lunches are offered at this historic house, which also serves as a bed-and-breakfast. Guests can enjoy history-related entertainment, a nice meal and the beautiful Victorian decor of the house and garden.
> COMING UP:
> SHOPS TO HIT:
The Vintage Market
208 E. Main Street
931-474-9066
This specialty gift shop takes customers back in time as they browse a collection of vintage and antique items no longer found in most stores. Classic finds like ornate tea sets and old Coca-Cola signs can be seen here, as well as furniture, clothing and handmade crafts dating back decades.
This place has it all: art, music, milkshakes and guns. But the eclectic inventory is only part of the draw. On Saturday mornings, the store hosts an open jam session for those who would like to play or just listen.
The Trendy Trunk
123 E. Main Street
931-507-7544
Offering local artisans a place to sell their wares, this store stocks charm in all kinds of ways: home decor and gift ideas such as coffee mugs and bags, plus women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, all reasonably priced.
> THE GREAT OUTDOORS:
Rock Island State Park
82 Beach Road, Rock Island, TN
931-686-2471
Located at the confluence of the Caney Fork, Collins and Rocky Rivers below Great Falls Dam, this place is known for its whitewater kayaking, but you can also take a more laid-back approach via swimming, boating or fishing in its waters, the highlight of which is the 30-foot horseshoe-shaped Great Falls.
Smooth Rapids
245 Durham Street
931-4-KAYAK-1
This popular outfitter offers kayak and inner-tube rentals for a relaxing float on the river. You can even choose to make a weekend out of it and pitch your tent at one of the facility’s campsites.
» The outfitter hosts an annual Reggae at Smooth Rapids festival featuring two days of music, camping and optional river tours. This year’s event is Aug. 2-3. Tickets are $65.
> WHERE TO EAT:
COST KEY:
$: Under $10
$$: $11-$30
$$$: $31-$60
$$$$: $61+
Cumberland Biscuit Company
114 W. Main Street
931-474-8670
Cost: $
Called the best breakfast and brunch in McMinnville by locals, Cumberland Biscuit Co. serves up classic Southern dishes to die for. Cheese grits, crab cakes and, of course, biscuits and gravy are all must-haves, and everyone swears by the cafe’s famous “chocolate gravy.”
Collins River BBQ and Cafe
117 E. Main Street
931-507-3663
Cost: $$
You can’t go wrong with some good barbecue, and this place is where it’s at. Pulled pork, babyback ribs and brisket, seasoned and smothered in sauce featuring local honey, are just some of the local favorites on the menu. The side dishes, like cornbread salad and Gouda mac and cheese, are also a hot commodity. But save room for the seasonal fruit cobblers.
TOPZ Frozen Yogurt and Metro Deli
104 W. Main Street
931-474-8679
Cost: $
This fro-yo/diner combo in downtown McMinnville is a popular hangout and eatery. The menu offers a large selection of soups, salads, brick oven pizzas and elevated sandwiches along with daily specials, novelty drinks and a plethora of frozen yogurt. Classic flavors like cookies ‘n cream or strawberry and vanilla sidle up to quirky options like chocolate-dipped banana, sweet and sour, and New York cheesecake, along with an assortment of toppings.
This juice joint’s homemade items aren’t just good, they’re good for you — and they aren’t just sippable, either. Alongside fresh-pressed veggie and fruit juices, the menu specializes in lighter fare that’s affordable, tasty and nutritious. Customers rave about the white bean veggie sandwich and the wraps. There are even have healthy desserts! The cloud cookies may just spark some dreams.
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