Visit Paris, Tennessee for Fun under the Eiffel Tower

No matter the season, you’ll enjoy getting off the beaten path in Paris, Tennessee, home of friendly folks with a slower pace, scrumptious food, memorable festivals, intriguing history and breathtaking natural areas. Located 60 miles north of Jackson, Tennessee, 60 miles west of Clarksville, Tennessee and close to Kentucky’s border, this quaint town is full of memorable activities. 

Sweet Jordan's

Follow the green fields that lead the way to Paris. Just off the main road, stop at Sweet Jordan's, a local bakery that serves each visitor with a friendly smile. You may walk into the shop expecting to just grab a quick cup of coffee and a pastry then continue your journey. However, you’ll find your attention grabbed by the sheer array of sweets from ice cream to cakes, pies, cookies, smoothies, coffee and more, which are all made in-house. A play area, comfortable couch seating and a full dining area make up Sweet Jordan’s. And the story behind Sweet Jordan’s is even sweeter. The bakery is named after a man named Jordan, who is a person with a disability. His parents wanted to create an environment that fostered the continual growth of him and others like him – the store employs over 38 other people with a disability. It's a great way to start your day in Paris. 

Eiffel Tower Park

Just around the corner is a scale-size replica of the Eiffel Tower. If you angle your camera just right, you can snap a photo similar to that of the actual Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. The city is one of 15 other cities named for the French capitol. Christian Brothers University in Memphis constructed this tower to commemorate the 1990 Memphis in May festival. It was later commissioned to make its home in Paris, Tenn. After seeing the Eiffel Tower, you can also enjoy the playground, tennis courts, swimming pool and walking paths. 

Explore Downtown Paris

Downtowns are the epicenter of goings-on. Downtown Paris has charming art, shopping and goods made by local artisans. The downtown area has a variety of photo ops for visitors. At each street corner, you'll see catfish statues symbolizing the Fish Fry Festival and murals painted along the walls of downtown buildings, giving the town a vibrant and Instagram-worthy experience. 

Lunch at Olive Pit

After working up an appetite walking around in downtown Paris, go to the Olive Pit. It's a family-owned business that offers some of the best pasta in town. This may be a catfish town, but you can have amazing Italian food here, too. Order the Spicy Alfredo Penne. The meatballs are a staple here as well.

Perrylodgic Brewing Company

After lunch, venture over to this local brewery to try different beers. Not only can you enjoy a cold brew, but they also periodically host events, including Brushstrokes at the Brewery and Cornhole competitions. You can even grab dinner, like a burger or their delicious grilled cheese while sampling an array of crafted beers. 

Sally Lane's

End the day with even more sweets at Sally Lane's. The most jovial environment welcomes you in with its vibrant colors and sweets jars. This candy shop is a long-time community shop that makes homemade candies and treats that have made their way into mainstream media. The White Chocolate Popcorn was a feature as "Snack of the Day" on Rachel Ray's TV show! In addition to the yummy popcorn, there's a chocolate bar with assorted varieties of bark; the milk chocolate bark with pecans is a popular favorite.

Paris Landing State Park

This natural oasis is the perfect summer getaway. Paris Landing State Park is 841 acres and is located on the western shoreline of the Tennessee River and is home to a marina, restaurants, cabins, camping and more. Many people spend their summer days swimming in the swimming area or the pool. You can also take a hike through the beautiful nature trails. Other activities along the lake include golf, fishing, boating and birding.

Seasonal Festivals and Celebrations

Wings of Winter Birding Festival

January offers the chance to learn about feathered friends during the Wings of Winter Birding Festival on Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Migratory birds on the Mississippi River flyway offer a chance for both seasoned birders and newbies to enjoy a variety of field trips, meals, speakers and local culture. Don’t miss the waterfowl behind sanctuary gates at the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, tours with world-class birders, birding while sailing on an excursion yacht and more during this three-day event. 

World's Biggest Fish Fry

World’s Biggest Fish Fry – the name says it all! Travel to Paris the last full week of April each year to experience nonstop family fun and fabulous food. Twelve thousand plates of mouthwatering catfish are fried up and served with all the trimmings, so get a second helping, watch the exciting bull riding, take a turn on the Tilt-A-Whirl and get cotton candy for dessert. 

Experience the Fish Fry like a local with kid-approved favorites, including the grand parade, junior fishing rodeo, bed races, small fry parade, chalk crawl and the ever-popular catfish races. Enter this outlandish event for your best selfie ever. It’s even considered good luck to kiss the catfish!  

Tennessee River Jam 

If you’re seeking that magical combination of music, water and good times with great friends, look no further than the Tennessee River Jam, held the last weekend in June. It’s not just a concert; it’s four days of live performances with unique backdrops featuring a wide variety of genres from classic country to Americana, R&B to bluegrass.  

The venues are as varied as the musical genres and include family-friendly eateries, hopping bars, classic marinas, local performing arts center and fabulous amphitheater. Set against the shimmering backdrop of Kentucky Lake at Paris Landing State Park, the signature event can be experienced from the water or the riverbank, an incredible night in the making.  

In late July, embrace summer with an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social and Antique Car Show on the courthouse lawn. It’s the perfect setting to cool down with a cold sweet treat, family friends and classic cars. Poke around the oldest working courthouse in West Tennessee. This 1895 showpiece makes a great backdrop for photos.  

Holly Jolly Electric Christmas Parade 

When Christmas rolls around, even Santa heads to Paris! He is the main attraction on weekends and for the exciting Holly Jolly Electric Christmas Parade. With Santa, a marching band, thousands of twinkling lights and delightful, welcoming boutiques, Downtown Paris is like a Hallmark Christmas movie.  

Comfy lodging for every budget, friendly hosts and fun, travel itineraries are just a click away at Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce. 

If you want to experience something different with unique surprises around every corner, make a trip to Paris, Tennessee.