Summer doldrums got you down? Looking for something a little different to do this weekend? Take a drive out of the ordinary to these unusual attractions.
WHISKY DECANTER MUSEUM—GRANVILLE, TN
Image: GranvilleTN.com
If you’re wondering what’s so interesting about a bunch of bottles, then you haven’t seen these bottles. The “World’s Largest Limited Edition” Decanter Museum contains some 5,000 decanters, many considered works of art. Don’t miss the Elvis Presley collection, which depicts “The King” in various phases of his career. Open Wed–Sat, year-round.
Bonus: The Granville Whiskey Museum is accessed with a Granville Town Tour ticket, which also gets you a guided tour of the Sutton Homestead and Pioneer Village and a self-guided tour of all the other buildings and museums, including the Mayberry – I Love Lucy Museum, the Whistle Stop Saloon and Ice Cream Museum, and much more.
BELL WITCH CAVE—ADAMS, TN
Image: BellWitchCave.com
Visit—if you dare—one of America’s most haunted locations. In 1817, John Bell and his family started experiencing strange sights, eerie sounds, and even beatings that left the youngest daughter unconscious. When John died three years later, his death was attributed to the Bell Witch, making Tennessee the only state to assign a person’s death to the supernatural.
The reconstructed Bell Cabin includes artifacts from the original one, plus news articles, photos and other artifacts from the time when the Bell family lived there. To amp up the spooky factor, take one of lantern-guided tours of the haunted grounds after dark.
WORLD’S LARGEST CEDAR BUCKET—MURFREESBORO, TN
Image: Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation
It’s big. Really big. So big that at the 1904 St. Louis World’s fair, a beer company leased it, filled it with 1,566 gallons of beer, and built a catwalk around the top for visitors to sample. But why would anyone build such a thing? Advertising, of course.
For years, the Tennessee Red Cedar Woodworks Company was Murfreesboro’s only industry and the only company in the U.S. making cedar buckets. The giant bucket was built in 1887 to promote the company.
These days it lives in Historic Cannonsburgh Village, which represents approximately 100 years of early Tennessee life from the 1830s to the 1930s. Self-guided tours are free, but please call ahead as the village may be closed for a private event.
THE MANHATTAN PROJECT—OAK RIDGE, TN
Image: YouTube
Back in the day, it was a covert mission of the American government—a vital part in bringing the world its first nuclear bomb. Known as the “Secret City”, Oak Ridge was not on any maps. Nevertheless, 100,000 workers were brought to the city to work on a top-secret war project, known as the Manhattan Project.
Nowadays, it’s one of three sites of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. (The other two are Los Alamos, New Mexico and Hanford, Washington.) It tells the stories of people, events, science, and engineering that changed the world. See rare files in the American Museum of Science and Energy and learn more about Oak Ridge’s past at the K-25 History Center, home to over 250 artifacts about the uranium enrichment programs.
A FOLK HERO’S HOME—JACKSON, TN
Image: Pinterest
Relive the life and legend of Casey Jones, an American railroad engineer who died in a crash in 1900 and became an American folk hero. Several artists have recorded songs about his final ride, including Johnny Cash and the Grateful Dead.
You can visit Casey’s former home, watch a film that tells his story, and explore three authentic rail cars before ringing the bell in the engine, just like Casey did on his final heroic ride. Then explore the village, including an authentically recreated 1800s Ice Cream Parlor & Fudge Shop, as well as the Old Country Store, and a rare soda fountain made in the 1800s (and was one of the first 75 ever made!)
One of the great things about Middle Tennessee is that there are so many things to do! Whether you visit one of these spots, go on a different adventure or just enjoy time at home, we hope you have a wonderful month.
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