Tennessee is full of beautiful, small towns that boast hospitality with the heart and soul of the American south on full display. There are many beautiful places to visit within the state, but if you’re looking for a small town with a whole lot of heart, then the oft-forgotten Cookeville, Tennessee, might be the place to go. Learn all about this family-friendly spot below, and perhaps plan a trip for yourself. There’s nothing better than a bit of Tennessee’s small-town charm!

Brent Moore - Flickr The town of Cookeville is known as one of the best spots for nature seekers and outdoorsy folk in the state of Tennessee. The area is rife with a stunning natural topography, and the small-town feel of Cookeville itself is great for slow Saturday afternoons with a glass of iced tea in hand.

Kevin O’Mara - Flickr Cookeville is located in Putnam County, Tennessee, and was settled in the early 1800s. The Nashville and Knoxville Railroad was completed in the city in 1890, and the city is known for its quiet history and southern charm.

Brian Stansberry/ Wikipedia Locals and tourists love to frequent the Cookeville History Museum and Children’s Museum, and a visit to the Derryberry Art Gallery is great for fine art seekers. Head over to the Backdoor Playhouse or the Cookeville Performing Arts Center for a show, or perhaps check out Tennessee Technological University, the most underrated university in the state of Tennessee. Cookeville is also home to the Tennessee Bible College and a satellite campus of the Volunteer State Community College. Editors note: The Cookeville Children’s Museum is unfortunately closed as of March 2020.

Brian Stansberry/ Wikipedia Most folks head to Cookeville to experience the beauty of the wooded hiking trails, canyon gorges, and rushing rivers that run through the area. There’s ample opportunity to go hiking, boating, camping, and even fishing in the nearby area.

Nicole M - TripAdvisor Three state parks are accessible through Cookeville: Burgess Falls State Park, Rock Island State Park, and Cummins Falls State Park. Each of them is well-known for natural beauty and waterfalls.

Tennessee 50 Plus - TripAdvisor Of course, a walk through the town of Cookeville is a great choice too! There’s a myriad of coffee shops and bakeries downtown, and you can catch the game at one of the city’s sports bars and pubs. Cookeville is located smack dab in the middle of the Tennessee Barbecue Trail, so make sure you plan a meal around a meat platter with three sides!

Wikipedia Have you ever been to Cookeville, Tennessee? Leave your tips and tricks for a great visit in the comments below!

You can learn more about Cookeville on its website. Happy traveling, friends!

Brent Moore - Flickr

The town of Cookeville is known as one of the best spots for nature seekers and outdoorsy folk in the state of Tennessee. The area is rife with a stunning natural topography, and the small-town feel of Cookeville itself is great for slow Saturday afternoons with a glass of iced tea in hand.

Kevin O’Mara - Flickr

Cookeville is located in Putnam County, Tennessee, and was settled in the early 1800s. The Nashville and Knoxville Railroad was completed in the city in 1890, and the city is known for its quiet history and southern charm.

Brian Stansberry/ Wikipedia

Locals and tourists love to frequent the Cookeville History Museum and Children’s Museum, and a visit to the Derryberry Art Gallery is great for fine art seekers. Head over to the Backdoor Playhouse or the Cookeville Performing Arts Center for a show, or perhaps check out Tennessee Technological University, the most underrated university in the state of Tennessee. Cookeville is also home to the Tennessee Bible College and a satellite campus of the Volunteer State Community College. Editors note: The Cookeville Children’s Museum is unfortunately closed as of March 2020.

Most folks head to Cookeville to experience the beauty of the wooded hiking trails, canyon gorges, and rushing rivers that run through the area. There’s ample opportunity to go hiking, boating, camping, and even fishing in the nearby area.

Nicole M - TripAdvisor

Three state parks are accessible through Cookeville: Burgess Falls State Park, Rock Island State Park, and Cummins Falls State Park. Each of them is well-known for natural beauty and waterfalls.

Tennessee 50 Plus - TripAdvisor

Of course, a walk through the town of Cookeville is a great choice too! There’s a myriad of coffee shops and bakeries downtown, and you can catch the game at one of the city’s sports bars and pubs. Cookeville is located smack dab in the middle of the Tennessee Barbecue Trail, so make sure you plan a meal around a meat platter with three sides!

Wikipedia

Have you ever been to Cookeville, Tennessee? Leave your tips and tricks for a great visit in the comments below!

There’s more fun to be had in the state of Tennessee, so make sure you visit our site archives for inspiration! 

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Address: Cookeville, TN, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Cookeville, Tennessee September 15, 2022 Chris Dodge What is Cookeville, Tennessee, Known For? This small town near the center of Tennessee is known for a couple of things that are worth noting. First off, it is surrounded by natural beauty and has easy access to three state parks. Burgess Falls State Park, Rock Island State Park, and Cummins Falls State Park are all closer than an hour’s drive from downtown. Cookeville is also known as a college town because of Tennessee Technological University. It is also known for great food, plenty of green space, and friendly southern hospitality. What is the population of Cookeville? According to the 2020 census, the population of Cookeville, Tennessee is 33,922.  What are some other things you can do in Cookeville? Cookeville may be considered a small town but that does not mean it is devoid of fun things to do. In fact, we think spending some time in Cookeville is well worth the visit. You can hike to a waterfall, see a historic train museum, then eat at a delicious pub. It might sound like a full day but that is just the perfect way to fill your time in this small town. They also have one amazing donut shop to visit. Ralph’s Donut Shop comes highly recommended by anyone who has been before. When you are planning on staying the night, we can’t think of a better option than this Idyllic Cookeville cabin on a mini-golf course. You literally will be staying on a 9-hole mini golf course. It most certainly is a unique stay as you explore this small town and enjoy the surrounding area. If you want to live out the rural history we have in our state then you can stay in this picturesque farmhouse. This farmhouse will be like walking through history but all in a cozy way. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Cookeville, Tennessee

September 15, 2022

Chris Dodge

What is Cookeville, Tennessee, Known For? This small town near the center of Tennessee is known for a couple of things that are worth noting. First off, it is surrounded by natural beauty and has easy access to three state parks. Burgess Falls State Park, Rock Island State Park, and Cummins Falls State Park are all closer than an hour’s drive from downtown. Cookeville is also known as a college town because of Tennessee Technological University. It is also known for great food, plenty of green space, and friendly southern hospitality. What is the population of Cookeville? According to the 2020 census, the population of Cookeville, Tennessee is 33,922.  What are some other things you can do in Cookeville? Cookeville may be considered a small town but that does not mean it is devoid of fun things to do. In fact, we think spending some time in Cookeville is well worth the visit. You can hike to a waterfall, see a historic train museum, then eat at a delicious pub. It might sound like a full day but that is just the perfect way to fill your time in this small town. They also have one amazing donut shop to visit. Ralph’s Donut Shop comes highly recommended by anyone who has been before. When you are planning on staying the night, we can’t think of a better option than this Idyllic Cookeville cabin on a mini-golf course. You literally will be staying on a 9-hole mini golf course. It most certainly is a unique stay as you explore this small town and enjoy the surrounding area. If you want to live out the rural history we have in our state then you can stay in this picturesque farmhouse. This farmhouse will be like walking through history but all in a cozy way. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

This small town near the center of Tennessee is known for a couple of things that are worth noting. First off, it is surrounded by natural beauty and has easy access to three state parks. Burgess Falls State Park, Rock Island State Park, and Cummins Falls State Park are all closer than an hour’s drive from downtown. Cookeville is also known as a college town because of Tennessee Technological University. It is also known for great food, plenty of green space, and friendly southern hospitality.

What is the population of Cookeville?

According to the 2020 census, the population of Cookeville, Tennessee is 33,922. 

What are some other things you can do in Cookeville?

Cookeville may be considered a small town but that does not mean it is devoid of fun things to do. In fact, we think spending some time in Cookeville is well worth the visit. You can hike to a waterfall, see a historic train museum, then eat at a delicious pub. It might sound like a full day but that is just the perfect way to fill your time in this small town. They also have one amazing donut shop to visit. Ralph’s Donut Shop comes highly recommended by anyone who has been before.

When you are planning on staying the night, we can’t think of a better option than this Idyllic Cookeville cabin on a mini-golf course. You literally will be staying on a 9-hole mini golf course. It most certainly is a unique stay as you explore this small town and enjoy the surrounding area. If you want to live out the rural history we have in our state then you can stay in this picturesque farmhouse. This farmhouse will be like walking through history but all in a cozy way.