Long weekend in Sewanee, TN! What are some fun things to do?
April 6, 2018 7:10 AM Subscribe
My boyfriend and I will be in Sewanee, TN from Thursday morning until Sunday morning. He'll be attending a conference on Friday and Saturday, but I'm just there to have fun. What are some fun/interesting things we (or sometimes just I) should do? We will have a car and we already have accommodations booked.
I am planning to tour the Jack Daniel's distillery and have lunch at Miss Holly Bobo's, and I will probably hang out at the University of the South a bit with my boyfriend (although I'm preparing for him to be out of commission, tourist-wise, while the conference is in session). So far, that's all I've got! Any other recommendations? Anything we can't, or at least shouldn't, miss?
We both like history/culture and want to hike around and spend some time outdoors. We also both have a soft spot for ghost tours.
We are coming in from DC (via car) and I have spent a couple weeks here and there in TN and AL before (vacationing and visiting with a friend), so I'm reasonably familiar with the region. On Wednesday night, we are staying with a friend in Knoxville, and otherwise, we are staying in a motel at/near the University of the South.
I am planning to tour the Jack Daniel's distillery and have lunch at Miss Holly Bobo's, and I will probably hang out at the University of the South a bit with my boyfriend (although I'm preparing for him to be out of commission, tourist-wise, while the conference is in session). So far, that's all I've got! Any other recommendations? Anything we can't, or at least shouldn't, miss?
We both like history/culture and want to hike around and spend some time outdoors. We also both have a soft spot for ghost tours.
We are coming in from DC (via car) and I have spent a couple weeks here and there in TN and AL before (vacationing and visiting with a friend), so I'm reasonably familiar with the region. On Wednesday night, we are staying with a friend in Knoxville, and otherwise, we are staying in a motel at/near the University of the South.
Response by poster: Which Thursday through which Sunday? (Suggestions can be time sensitive.)
April 12-15, 2018
posted by rue72 at 9:43 AM on April 6, 2018
April 12-15, 2018
posted by rue72 at 9:43 AM on April 6, 2018
There's not a whole lot to do in that area - it's pretty rural/small town. You'd be about an hour away from that crazy place in Alabama that sells off the contents of unclaimed airline luggage. The George Dickel Distillery is in Tullahoma, which will be a bit closer to you than Lynchburg. Bonnaroo is held just up the road from Sewanee in Manchester, but when the festival isn't going on there's nothing to see. About an hour and a half in the car would bring you to Fall Creek Falls, which is arguably the most dramatic waterfall in Tennessee. If you're into Civil War history, Chickamauga Battlefield is a bit over an hour away, which you could turn into a day in Chattanooga (which has LOTS to do.)
posted by workerant at 10:41 AM on April 6, 2018
posted by workerant at 10:41 AM on April 6, 2018
In the non-Civil War history spectrum, Old Stone Fort State Park is quite lovely. (Disclaimer, I worked there for a summer out of college) It's got a lot of pretty trails and it's a ceremonial Mississippian era site.
You aren't in town at the right time for the MoonPie Festival, but Bell Buckle is just up the road and there's some cute shops and good food to be found there.
But yeah, there's not a lot to do that's less than an hour away, but it is a beautiful area.
posted by teleri025 at 2:12 PM on April 6, 2018
You aren't in town at the right time for the MoonPie Festival, but Bell Buckle is just up the road and there's some cute shops and good food to be found there.
But yeah, there's not a lot to do that's less than an hour away, but it is a beautiful area.
posted by teleri025 at 2:12 PM on April 6, 2018
Best answer: I went to college there and, yeah, there's not much to do in Sewanee itself, but if you're on or near campus, check with the library staff to see whether the Ralston Listening Library has any open hours while you're there. Otherwise, enjoy a good meal at the Blue Chair (or a beer and a patty melt at Shenanigan's), or even a really great meal at Ivywild, bring a good book and sit outside on the quad and enjoy the weather.
For hiking and such, definitely pick up a guide to the Perimeter Trail and do some exploring. There are some really amazing natural formations along the trail, and some beautiful overlooks. Many of the hikes are short enough to be done over a few hours in the morning or afternoon, if you're not up for a longer hike. This is a nice time of year, too - not too hot, not too cold, and lots of spring blooming - flowers, dogwoods, cherries. (You could also potentially go caving or climbing, or even kayaking in the area, but that might require more advance planning, etc.)
The distillery tours are fun, so that's a good choice. Rock City outside of Chattanooga is a popular tourist spot.
posted by devinemissk at 7:41 PM on April 6, 2018
For hiking and such, definitely pick up a guide to the Perimeter Trail and do some exploring. There are some really amazing natural formations along the trail, and some beautiful overlooks. Many of the hikes are short enough to be done over a few hours in the morning or afternoon, if you're not up for a longer hike. This is a nice time of year, too - not too hot, not too cold, and lots of spring blooming - flowers, dogwoods, cherries. (You could also potentially go caving or climbing, or even kayaking in the area, but that might require more advance planning, etc.)
The distillery tours are fun, so that's a good choice. Rock City outside of Chattanooga is a popular tourist spot.
posted by devinemissk at 7:41 PM on April 6, 2018
Best answer: The Mountain Goat Trail is quite a pleasant hike. Train tunnels and the whole bit. Not too strenuous. I like the Cowan to Sewanee part best.
There's an old hotel from the early 20th century called Beersheba Springs that's maintained by local churches. Not totally open to the public, but I've never been stopped from enjoying the view from their front porch before.
There are things to do in Manchester, I guess. It's a very small town.
I usually recommend George Dickel over Jack Daniels as far as tours go. Normandy Lake has some nice drives and picnic areas.
posted by 1f2frfbf at 8:23 PM on April 6, 2018
There's an old hotel from the early 20th century called Beersheba Springs that's maintained by local churches. Not totally open to the public, but I've never been stopped from enjoying the view from their front porch before.
There are things to do in Manchester, I guess. It's a very small town.
I usually recommend George Dickel over Jack Daniels as far as tours go. Normandy Lake has some nice drives and picnic areas.
posted by 1f2frfbf at 8:23 PM on April 6, 2018
I used to work at Sewanee. I mostly lived in Chattanooga. There's not much to do in Sewanee although it is pretty. Rock City on Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga is cool. The Aquarium in Chattanooga is worth a visit if that floats your boat. I'd definitely recommend George Dickel over Jack Daniels. There's plenty of outdoorsy things to do if the weather is kindly. It can be a beautiful part of the world.
posted by iboxifoo at 11:24 PM on April 6, 2018
posted by iboxifoo at 11:24 PM on April 6, 2018
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone! I picked the things I actually did as "best answers," but honestly, all the answers were all great -- and a huge help.
We went to Miss Holly Bobo's and the Jack Daniels Distillery, and both were fantastic. On the way down from Knoxville, we also drove into Chattanooga on a whim and walked down to the riverfront. We had delicious brisket and some really fun live music on Friday and Saturday night at Jim's Smokehouse in Monteagle. On Friday, the weather was beautiful, so we hiked the Perimeter Trail and saw Foster Falls, but unfortunately, some of the other cool trails in the area were closed (it wasn't obvious why). Saturday it was too rainy to do much, including explore Sewanee's beautiful campus, but I guess we'll just have to save that for next time. All-in-all, a wonderful trip!
posted by rue72 at 9:21 PM on April 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
We went to Miss Holly Bobo's and the Jack Daniels Distillery, and both were fantastic. On the way down from Knoxville, we also drove into Chattanooga on a whim and walked down to the riverfront. We had delicious brisket and some really fun live music on Friday and Saturday night at Jim's Smokehouse in Monteagle. On Friday, the weather was beautiful, so we hiked the Perimeter Trail and saw Foster Falls, but unfortunately, some of the other cool trails in the area were closed (it wasn't obvious why). Saturday it was too rainy to do much, including explore Sewanee's beautiful campus, but I guess we'll just have to save that for next time. All-in-all, a wonderful trip!
posted by rue72 at 9:21 PM on April 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
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Which Thursday through which Sunday? (Suggestions can be time sensitive.)
Investigate Cumberland Caverns (www.thecaverns.com). About a 25 minute drive for you from Sewanee. Interesting place to visit. Depending on the weekend you will be there, you might be able to catch one of several music performances being filmed for PBS.
Also, it's an easy and scenic drive to Monteagle. Continue east to Grundy Forest State Natural Area where you will find the Fiery Gizzard Trailhead (no kidding).
posted by John Borrowman at 9:41 AM on April 6, 2018