Looking for a peaceful spot to get away from the hustle of the crowded city? Make Crossville and Cumberland County your next vacation destination. Tucked along Interstate 40 between Nashville and Knoxville, Crossville is known for its natural beauty in the scenic Upper Cumberland. Cumberland County's Ozone Falls, a 43-acre natural area with a picturesque 110-foot waterfall, captured the attention of movie producers when it was chosen as a filming location for scenes from Disney's live-action film, "The Jungle Book."
December 17, 2024
Cumberland County's numerous cabins, campgrounds and vacation rentals provide a variety of cozy overnight accommodations, and wineries and breweries, including Stonehaus Winery, Chestnut Hill Winery, Bristow Road Winery, Creekside Brewing Company and Swing On Brewing Company, invite visitors to taste locally made wines and brews. Shop for handcrafted souvenirs created by local artists at Dogwood Exchange Artisan Market or take an art class at the Plateau Creative Arts Center.
On With The Show
When it comes to live entertainment, the Cumberland County Playhouse has put Crossville on the map. One of the 10 largest professional theaters in rural America, the Cumberland County Playhouse attracts more than 145,000 visitors annually for theater, music and dance performances. Established in 1965, the Playhouse draws actors and audiences from across the United States. Past productions have included crowd pleasers such as "Oklahoma!," "Little Women," "Hairspray," "Mary Poppins," "Mama Mia!," "Elf" and countless others.
In downtown Crossville, the historic Palace Theatre has been attracting audiences since 1938 when it opened as the town's first movie theater. After closing in 1978 and falling into disrepair, a group of concerned citizens raised money to restore the Palace Theatre in its original Art Deco style, and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It reopened in 2001 and hosts live concerts, comedians, movies and a full calendar of events for locals and visitors alike.
Elevate Your Golf Game
Crossville and Cumberland County have often been called the "Golf Capital of Tennessee," and for good reason. The area boasts nine championship golf courses for all skill levels on Tennessee's scenic Cumberland Plateau.
Fairfield Glade is home to five spectacular golf courses with a combined total of 90 holes to challenge every player. They include the Druid Hills course, which provides stunning mountain views thanks to its location atop one of the highest points in Cumberland County, Stonehenge Golf Course and The Brae which were ranked No. 2 and No. 4, respectively, in Golfweek magazine's "Best Courses You Can Play in Tennessee."
Other great courses here include the Jack Nicklaus-designed Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park and the Lake Tansi Golf Course, which are consistently rated among the Top Courses in Tennessee by Golf Advisor.
Take It Outside
Yearning to spend some time in the great outdoors? Cumberland Mountain State Park spans 1,720 acres and provides recreation activities galore, including hiking, swimming, fishing, picnicking, camping, cabin rentals and interpretive programs. The park also features a restaurant located on Byrd Lake that serves burgers, sandwiches, salads and hot buffet-style meals.
Car enthusiasts should not miss Flatrock Motorsports Park, a 773-acre motorsports and entertainment destination just off Interstate 40 in Cumberland County. The park has a 3.5-mile Circuit Club track which opened in 2024 as well as a 2.67-mile Grand Prix track now under development. Coming attractions include a certified karting track, clubhouse, hotel, restaurant and campground.
Take your best shot at Crossville Shooting Sports Park, a facility where you can practice competitive and recreational firearm and archery shooting sports. The shooting range is open to the public through funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and offers classes and hands-on training for hunter's safety, archery, personal safety, handgun carry permits and more.
Spend a Day on the Farm
Have you ever met a Yak? At Deep Draw Yak Ranch, you can take a farm tour to learn all about Tibetan Yaks, including their history and what it takes to raise them. The farm is home to more than 25 Yaks along with chickens, miniature rescue equines, ducks and geese. Tours are offered from March through December allowing visitors to get up close and personal with the friendly, furry creatures. The onsite Yak Boutique sells farm merch and Yak souvenirs, and the ranch has two historic homestead cottages for rent on Airbnb.
Don't let the name fool you – Dirty Girls Nursery in Crossville is family friendly. The nursery grows a large variety of plants, herbs, berries, veggies, perennials, roses and much more, and offers seasonal classes inviting guests to make their own Christmas wreath, among other things. Stop in for breakfast or lunch at the nursery's Mud N' Grub Kitchen, which has a rotating weekly menu to feature what's growing on the farm. (Hint: Don't leave without a homemade cinnamon roll!)
Calling All History Buffs
Discover the rich history of the Cumberland Homesteads, a rural resettlement community established during the Great Depression. Local timber workers, miners and farmers living in poverty were given the opportunity to work to purchase homes and land in the Cumberland Plateau, which was a welcome respite for many destitute Tennesseans at the time. Much of the community has remained intact, and the Cumberland Homesteads historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit the Homesteads House Museum, one of the 252 original houses built in the community, to experience what daily life was like for homesteaders during the 1930s.
At Pleasant Hill's Pioneer Hall Museum, get a glimpse of what education looked like for students in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Pioneer Hall opened as a dormitory in 1889, and it gave local students the opportunity to get an education at Pleasant Hill Academy before free public schools were mainstream. The museum houses several artifacts from life on the Cumberland Plateau at the turn of the century.
Learn about Cumberland County residents' involvement in conflicts beginning with the Civil War at the Military Memorial Museum inside Crossville's second county courthouse. Local historians and military veterans started the museum with 110 items, and its collection has grown to include more than 5,000 historically significant artifacts.
Eat Like A Local
When you work up an appetite, Crossville and Cumberland County have many delicious dining options. On Main Street, Express Lunch serves freshly made soups, salads and sandwiches with a side of Southern hospitality. Also on Main Street, Grinder House Coffee Shop is a local favorite for artfully prepared coffee drinks and made-to-order breakfast and lunch dishes.
Forte's on the Square serves pasta, seafood, steaks and burgers in a charming red brick building, while Gondola Pizza & Steak House is known for its pizza and authentic Italian food. Behind the historic Train Depot in downtown Crossville, The Pour House Bistro specializes in handcrafted cocktails, craft beers and creative comfort cuisine.
