If you’re looking for a serene, wooded getaway, the mountains around Monteagle, Tenn. are a wonderful place to get a little fresh air. The area is quiet, spacious and full of greenery, but you may have the urge to get out for a couple new experiences while on vacation. There’s a variety of local establishments that give the area a unique sense of comfort & hospitality without taking away from the simplicity of mountain living.
The first stop to make is the historic Dutch Maid Bakery. First opened by the Baggenstoss family back in 1902, Dutch Maid stands as Tennessee’s oldest running bakery. The present owner, Cindy Day, continues to provide fresh baked goods daily to the surrounding area and beyond. There’s no better way to start your morning on the mountain than with a fresh baked pastry from Dutch Maid.
If you’re looking more in the way of lunch or midday coffee boost, Mountain Goat Market is one of the hippest places around. Beloved by locals, Mountain Goat Market has a vast selection of sandwiches, pizzas, salads and espresso drinks. It’s hard to miss the artsy, painted exterior of this eclectic eatery.
Missing your favorite hometown bar & grill? Hank’s Corner Grille will be sure to make you feel at home. Though the environment is family friendly, Hank’s is a great place to grab a beer, have a delicious meal and watch the game. If you’re in the mood for burgers, wings or the comfort of your favorite bar appetizer, you won’t be satisfied until you’ve been to Hank’s.
Of course, if nothing listed here is making your mouth water right now, there are so many others to choose from! From pasta to BBQ, the mountain’s got you covered. For an extensive list of other options, click here!
There’s no match to the lush scenery around the mountains, and with plenty of trails to explore, you are sure to get your fill of it. The most notable trail in the area is Fiery Gizzard. Completely open to the public and typically fairly high in foot-traffic, Fiery Gizzard provides access to 9.6 miles of beautiful, natural landscape. The rocky trail is no casual stroll, but for an avid hiker, it’s a dream come true.
If you’re looking for safe fun for the whole family, then be sure to pay a visit to Bigfoot Adventure in Tracy City, TN. Though it only appears to be an incredibly well kept RV park at first glance, there’s much more than meets the eye. Bigfoot Adventure also features an exhilarating zipline attraction and a disc golf course for more casual family fun. They also host the Bigfoot Blues Festival once per year. For more information on the festival, or the rest of Bigfoot Adventure’s features, click here!
For adventure and comfort all wrapped into one bundle, The Retreat at Deer Lick Falls, a local tiny home community, offers luxury accommodations at a reasonable price without stopping you from connecting with nature. One of the favored features of this community is the hiking trail that has been established to Deer Lick Falls’ beautiful landmark waterfall. The Retreat at Water’s Edge is another nearby community that rests along the shore of the Tracy City Reservoir. The two communities share access to the Deer Lick trail, fishing docks on the reservoir, community pool, pavilions, and more, all accessible to anyone renting a tiny home on either property managed by The Retreat By Oakstone.
In the nearby town of Sewanee you can find The University of the South, an astounding and historic place of higher learning known for producing true scholars. While you may not be searching for the perfect academic choice for you, Sewanee offers much more. The school itself is an architectural marvel, founded back in 1857 and largely inspired by the architecture styles of old stone cathedrals. If you have an interest in architecture at all, Sewanee University of the South could be one of your favorite places in the area.
Sticking with the theme of magnificent architecture in Sewanee, any nature enthusiast has to visit the Sewanee Natural Bridge. It’s classifies as a “Natural Bridge Class I Scenic-Recreational State Natural Area” by the Department of Environment and Conservation of the State of Tennessee. The towering bridge stands at 25-feet tall and spans across 50-feet, composed entirely of sandstone and carved by nature itself. This bridge also overlooks Lost Cove, a large karst formation where you can see Lost River flow into Lost Cove Cave.
