What to Do and See
The story of Flippen’s Hillbilly Barn is a
story of how a cotton farmer made the switch to a fruit grower in the 1950's and
slowly but surely expanded into the pie industry that would greatly exceed their
expectations! http://www.flippenhillbillybarn.com
 
Davy Crocket Cabin
Davy Crockett came to Gibson County in the Fall of 1822, where he farmed and
reportedly killed 105 bears during a single winter. The cabin includes
many logs used in the original structure. It is furnished with items of
the era, including pieces donated by the Crockett family. For more
information, call 731-665-6195.
West Tennessee Art Center
Oil paintings, several forms of sculpture, silk screens, water colors, pastels,
drawings and lithographs comprise the Caldwell Collection, rotated twice a year.
Items on display represent the works of regional artists and is open to
the public. Form more information, call 731-784-1842.
West Tennessee Agricultural Museum
The West Tennessee Agricultural Museum houses an extensive collection of farming
tools spanning two centuries of farming development. It is a treasure
house of memories representing a lifestyle that has all but disappeared.
It is also home of the No Till Field Day, the nation's largest such event, held
annually in July. For more information, call 731-686-8067.
World's Largest Porcelain Teapot Collection
Trenton, TN is the unlikely home of the world's largest collection of a rare
type of porcelain teapot, the Veilleuse. The collection was a gift to the
city from Dr. F.C. Freed, a professor at New York University and a native of
Trenton. Freed amassed his 500-plus collection during 40 years of
searching around the world. The collection is open to visitors with free
admission during office hours at the Trenton Municipal building with a sign
directing visitors to the fire station next door to gain access. From more
information, contact the Gibson County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 464,
Trenton, TN 38382 or call 731-855-0973. www.teapotcollection.com
Dixie Gun Works
Gun lovers flock to Turner Kirkland's Dixie Gun Works in Union City, TN,
occupying it's own 46,000 square foot building. Dixie Gun Works is perhaps
the most recognized antique gun operation in the world. They deal
primarily in guns made before 1898, but carry all types of original guns from
the Queen Ann's War of the early 1700's, through the French and Indian Wars, the
Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and lots of Civil War guns.
Dixie even has some Civil War cannons and also deal in replicas.
Headquartered on U.S. 51 Bypass in Union City, TN, Dixie Gun Works is a
combination of gun museum, antique car museum and sales office. In
addition to the guns, there are thousands of gun parts, bullet molds,
powder horns, enough powder to blow a sizable hole in Union City and more
ammunition than Daniel Boone used his entire lifetime. For more
information, please call 731-885-0561
Reelfoot Scenic Cruises
The beauty and mystery of Reelfoot Lake cannot be fully appreciated without a
trip on the State Park Scenic Cruise Boats. Tours run each day at 9 AM
from May 1 through October 1, departing from the Visitor's Center.
Experienced lake guides pilot the boats for a 3-hour cruise, stopping for a
brief nature hike and snack at the Indian Mound on Caney Island. For
reservations and information, call 731-253-9652.
Reelfoot Eagle Tours
Reelfoot Lake has one of the largest wintering populations of Bald Eagles
outside Alaska and the return of the eagles has become a major event. The
state park has established extensive guide and information programs for winter
visitors to Reelfoot Lake. The Eagle Tours begin December 1 and continue
through mid-March, except for the Christmas Holidays. The tour is a
two-hour trip around Reelfoot Lake to observe the Bald Eagles. For more
information, contact Eagle Tours, Reelfoot Lake State Park, Rt. 1, Box 296,
Tiptonville, TN 38079 or call 731-253-7756 or 1-800-250-8617.
America's Only Freshwater Pearl Farm
A real working freshwater pearl farm located on the scenic Tennessee River's
beautiful Kentucky Lake near Camden, West Tennessee. Enjoy a pontoon boat
ride to the Pearl Farm, Nathan Bedford Forest State Park's River Folklife Museum
and Old Johnsonville. The mussel Industry Historical Guided Tour includes
Pearl, Mussel, River Folklife Center and underwater diver surfacing with mussel
shells. For more information, contact Birdsong Resort, 255 Marina Road, Camden,
TN 38320 or call 731-584-7880.
Paris Landing State Park & Convention Center
Paris Landing State Park, located on the western shore of Kentucky Lake, is only
16 miles from Paris on Hwy 79. Included in this beautiful state park is a
100-plus room inn, a restaurant overlooking Kentucky Lake, five meeting rooms,
day-use boat dock, tennis courts, marina and service dock with covered slips,
lakeside rental cabins, 18-hole Golf Course and Pro Shop, forty-five campsites
and an 18,000square foot Conference Center.
Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park.
The World's Biggest Fish Fry in Paris, Tennessee
Start with 1,325 pounds of cornmeal, 212 pounds of salt and 10,000 pounds of
fresh Kentucky Lake catfish. Add all of this with the annual Fish Fry
Rodeo, the grand parade, street dances, sporting events, arts and craft shows
and square dances, and you will have the world's biggest Fish Fry! For
more information, contact the World's Biggest Fish Fry, P.O. Box 444, Paris, TN
38242 or call 731-644-1143.
 
"The Highest Point in West Tennessee" - Nathan Bedford
Forrest State Park
When T.J. Whitfield retired from a career of musseling on the Tennessee
River, he never dreamed his boat, "Old Betsy," would come to rest on
the highest point in West Tennessee. The time-worn, wooden boat is now the
centerpiece exhibit of the Tennessee River Folk Life Center. It is located
atop Pilot Knob, an ancient landmark for fishermen and pilots on the Tennessee
River. It is a fitting location for an interpretive center honoring the
people who, like Whitfield, make their living on its waters. The folklife
center is located within the Nathan Bedford Forrest State Historic Area, nine
miles east of Camden on Hwy. 191. For more information on the area,
contact the Benton County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 270, Camden, TN 38320 or
call 731-584-8395.
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