Jackson County, Tennessee might not be the first vacation spot that comes to mind when planning your vacation. Allow a local to tell you about this family-friendly area, why you need to visit and what your trip agenda should include. Jackson County is filled with beautiful diverse landscapes, no matter the season. You’ll find something for everyone; the area has something for every interest. You’ll find an area with lakes, music venues, state parks, museums, local artisans, unique shopping, and the food from gourmet to country cooking.
Historic Granville
Begin your vacation in Historic Granville, a quaint little town located on the Cumberland River in the Southwest corner of Jackson County. Make this your home base, the friendly locals will help you plan excursions. The town has earned the name of Historic Granville: Tennessee’s Mayberry Town because of the simpler life, the slower pace, the quieter pleasures of small-town America. The Andy Griffith Show wasn't really about a time or era but was more about a 'feel of an earlier time'. The local buildings, museums, and artifacts in Granville provide that same 'feel of an earlier time'.
Things To Do in Granville
T.B. Sutton General Store T.B. Sutton General Store stands in the center of Historic Granville. This 1880’s country store has been recognized by Country Living Magazine and Southern Living Magazine as one of the most charming country stores to visit. Museum-quality furnishings and memorabilia are on display and unique items are for sale. The Granville Artisans Gallery, on the second floor, features unique one-of-a-kind locally made items for sale. Breakfast and lunch are available. Come hungry, we have wonderful country cooking, homemade desserts, sandwich and ice cream treats.
Granville Museum This general museum contains a pictorial history with photographs and artifacts that tell the story of life in a small rural riverboat town, a farming community, a ghost town, and a historic destination. The textile section, military room, one room school classroom, and exhibits in the exhibition room contains something of interest for everyone of all ages.
Farm to Table Museum "Step back in time" in this family friendly museum and develop an appreciation for the role agriculture played in our history, as well as an appreciation for the labor-intensive "Farm to Table" process.
Granville Barber Shop and Post Office Museum View the small spaces of a simpler life.
The Mayberry and I Love Lucy Museum This museum preserves the legacy of these two popular television sitcoms and showcases the impact of the shows. Unique items displayed in a professional manner.
Granville Whiskey Decanter Museum The museum houses a collection of 1,800 decanters in fifteen different categories. The wheels collection is the largest category. Our visitors describe it as an “art museum.”
Sutton Homestead An entertaining storytelling tour guide takes you through the historic home. The stories and home décor change several times per year with a significant change annually. Learn something different on each tour!
Pioneer Village The village contains barns and outbuilding which are filled with unusual vintage tools and farm equipment, an 1800’s cabin tells the story of early pioneer life, and the arts and crafts building provides a space to observe local artisans demonstrating and selling their creations.
Antique Car Museum A guide tells stories of the life of the pristine antique automobiles. The cars rotate, you never know what you will see displayed.
Whistle Stop Saloon The town has a history of famous whiskey makers associated with a small riverboat town. These hills have been home to a few not so famous moonshiners through the decades. View artifacts and hear stories of an earlier Granville.
Clemons Car Museum View vehicles from the 1950’s and 60’s. This building is also used as the Event Center and Granville Office.
Veterans Park A nice place for a lakeside picnic or sit and enjoy the view.
Granville Broom Works and Granville Textile Shop Watch a demonstration and purchase a beautiful hand-crafted broom. On-of-a-kind woven textiles available.
Lakeside Grocery A convenience center with bait for fishing, ice, and 24-hour access to gas pumps.
Shopping
Sutton General Store filled with unique handmade works of art. Jam, jellies, and pickles like grandma made. Everything from cookbooks to overalls, a must-stop shopping experience. Shop Granville Gift Shop an upscale boutique with ladies' fashions, accessories, jewelry, and a large selection of gift items. Southern Shops of Granville is home to antiques, home décor, garden art, a year-round Christmas shop, and Mayberry and I Love Lunch souvenirs. Granville Broom Works and Granville Textile Shop offers handmade in Granville items. Visit Lakeside Grocery for snacks, fishing supplies, and convenience items.
Accommodations
Bed and Breakfast There are four B & Bs located in the heart of Granville within walking distance of everything. The Jared House, Carter House, Granville Mercantile, and Clover Lake Cottage.
Wildwood Resort and Marina This hidden treasure tucked away in the rolling hills on the beautiful Cordell Hull Lake is 4 minutes from downtown Historic Granville. Accommodations include, the lodge, the inn, cabins, airstreams, tiny cabins, and houseboats. You’ll also find first rate boating facilities, authentic dining, live music, and a retreat center.
Made in the Shade Campground This recently renovated, peaceful family-friendly RV park is located .4 of a mile from the center of Historic Granville.
Rye Street RV Park This RV park with a limited number of spaces is located in the heart of Historic Granville in a quiet neighborhood setting.
Indian Creek Campground Twelve minutes from Granville you’ll find a beach and a boat launch at the beautiful Indian Creek Campground.
Food
Granville: T.B. Sutton General Store serves breakfast and lunch. Lunch options include beans, greens, and cornbread, sandwiches made to order, a plate lunch special, homemade desserts, and hand-dipped ice cream. Experience down-home cooking served in an old country store at a community table. You’ll come as a visitor and leave as a friend.
Lakeside Grocery serves sausage/biscuit and coffee and prepares a lunch sandwich special each day.
Wildwood Resort and Marina provides waterfront dining where sunsets never end. High quality, authentic fresh ingredients are used to prepare a “farm to fork” menu. The diverse menu offers fine dining options for everyone. The Holsten Café found at the marina offers a grab-and-go menu, 7 days a week.
Gainesboro
The dining options continue in Gainesboro, check with the restaurant for hours of operation and menu items. The Bull and Thistle Pub, The Stolen Coin Oyster Bar & Bistro, 12 Degrees Tavern, Giovanni’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant, The Charro, Faye’s Café, Seasons Restaurant, and Helen’s Restaurant. There are other fast-food options available.
Entertainment
Sutton Ole Time Music Hour
Each Saturday evening a bluegrass band performs live at Sutton General Store. A delicious down-home Southern meal is served. Reservations required.
Wildwood Resort and Marina
Experience live music and great entertainment in a variety of music styles every week-end. The Summer Concert Series, second Saturday of each month, brings some of Nashville’s best singer-songwriters to Wildwood to share their stories in a listening room concert experience.
Meadow Lake Farm and Stables
“We provide a lakeside adventure not just another trail ride.” Go through creeks, see bald eagles and river otters, and even take a dip in the lake on horseback. Horseback adventures for every skill level.
Granville Paddle and Board
For all your water adventures visit Granville Paddle and Board! Rentals: kayak, stand-up paddle boards, and paddle boats, or book a sunset cruise, historic boat tour, or breakfast and champagne boat cruise.
Other Adventures
Enjoy the natural beauty of every season! Hiding the hills and walking around the lake provides break taking views. Fishing and hunting opportunities are limitless.
Nearby
Located nearby you will find, Golf Courses, Craft Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries, numerous music venues, and more! Nearby Crossville is home to Cumberland County Playhouse, one of the 10 largest professional performing art theaters in rural America. The Craft Center Gallery at nearby Edgar Evans State Park, home to the Appalachian Center for Crafts, showcases artwork created by more than 150 regional and national artists.
Worship
The historic Granville United Methodists Church welcomes everyone to worship at 11AM and Christian Education at 1OAM held each Sunday. (You may get lucky and attend on a day of a covered dish meal.)
Gainesboro
Just 13 miles from Granville you will find another small town (larger than Granville) the county seat of Jackson County, Gainesboro. It is one of the few places in the country in which the entire downtown district is listed on the National Registry of Historical Places. Since the days that it was an Indian hunting ground for the Cherokees it's beautiful hills have played a central part in the lives of many notable Americans. From Cordell Hull to Mark Twain, it seems you can find a Jackson County connection in every aspect of life. Stranger become friends, as you walk through the town square that is proud of its roots while offering everything from mom-and-pop shops to delicious and diverse food options. Continue to make memories in Gainesboro.
The Gaines House The Gaines House is the oldest house in Gainesboro and is the only house still standing that was used as a hospital for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
Veterans Hall Memorial Museum and Jackson County Archives
The Veterans Memorial Hall recognizes veterans from Jackson County. The Jackson County Archives safeguards and preserves the older records from local government offices
Cummins Falls Cummins Falls State Park, 30 minutes from Granville, is the perfect place for an exciting getaway. Explore waterfalls and countryside that are only accessible by water or hiking. Truly, Jackson County Tennessee has earned its reputation for being a nature lover's paradise and one of Upper Cumberland’s hidden gems. @
Flynn Creek Crater An impact crater formed approximately 360 million years ago as a shallow, saucer shaped crater, 2.4 miles in diameter. You’ll find this about 8 miles from Granville.
Fort Blount Fort Blount, about 8 miles from Granville, was a frontier fort and federal outpost located along the Cumberland River.
With new businesses coming to downtown Gainesboro and Granville, the revitalization of tourism and adventure we continue to add to the long list of reasons that Jackson County is fast becoming one of Tennessee's new destinations.
Historic Granville open Wednesday-Friday 11AM-3PM and Saturday 11AM-5PM
