20 Things To Do In Crossville, TN

Crossville is a small city on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with a population of less than 13,000. Despite its size, it has plenty going for it, especially if you love the outdoors or are a history buff. With parks, hiking trails, and museums on offer, there’s enough to do in Crossville to keep you busy. Crossville is also known as the ‘Golf Capital of Tennessee’, and there are nine championship golf courses within 32 km (20 miles) of the city, so there are plenty of opportunities in Crossville for golfers.

Crossville sits on a hill with beautiful views, and there are lakes to enjoy on the outskirts of the city. Among others, there is Lake Tansi to the south, Lake Holiday to the west and Lake Byrd in Cumberland Mountain State Park. The headwaters of the Obed River travel through the city, and there is a 3.2-kilometre (2-mile) trail following the river. If you have been tempted to visit Crossville, read on to find out the best things to do in Crossville. 

Crossville, Tennessee

20 Things To Do In Crossville

1- Enjoy The Outdoors At Cumberland Mountain State Park

Cumberland Mountain State Park is 9 km (5.6 miles) from the centre of Crossville and is a beautiful park with plenty of activities on offer.

It covers 1270 acres and houses Lake Byrd, a man-made lake constructed in 1930. 

You can fish, swim, paddleboard, take a boat out or kayak.

There are several kilometres of hiking trails in the park, mainly following Byrd Creek and the park also has an 18-hole golf course.

You can have a picnic in the park, but I recommend the Homestead Harvest Restaurant, which is on the banks of Lake Byrd.

The restaurant is open Tuesdays through Sundays and serves seasonal southern dishes.

The park is open every day from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., but there are campsites for RVs and tents, as well as furnished cabins that you can rent if you want to stay the night

There are rooms in the visitors’ centre that you can book for conferences and special events like birthdays and anniversaries.

2- Discover Crossville’s Past At The Homesteads Tower Museum

The building was constructed between 1937 and 1938 for the administrative offices of the Cumberland Homestead Community.

The homesteaders were unemployed textile workers, farmers, and miners who applied for one of 250 homes that were on offer for those who were down on their luck.

Now, it is a museum that relates the history of the homesteaders in the 1930s and 1940s and how the government helped them get through the Depression.

You will see artefacts, documents, and photos and some rooms have been reconstructed to look like homesteads.

You should climb the tower, which is 26 metres (85 feet) high and has a winding staircase of 197 steps.

It is worth the climb, as the views of the surrounding area are stunning.

The Homesteads Tower Museum is at 96 Highway 68, Crossville, TN 38555.

3- Catch A Show At The Cumberland County Playhouse

Cumberland County Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts organisation that puts on almost 500 performances and offers 1,600 classes in dance, music, and theatre each year, so the chances are high that you will be able to catch a show.

The playhouse focuses on local talent, although auditions are open to everyone.

The performances include drama, opera, dance based on Tennessee and Southeastern culture, and even comedy shows.

Some artists perform their own work, and you might get to see new and upcoming talent.

The Playhouse is considered to be the top entertainment spot in town.

The Cumberland County Playhouse is at 221 Tennessee Avenue, Crosville, TN 38555.

4- Shop ‘Til You Drop At The Crossville Outlet Centre And The Antique Village Mall

You can buy just about everything you want in Crossville, and Crossville Outlet Centre is a great place to fill your suitcases.

There are small and large stores in the mall, some of which sell branded products, and others sell local items that make great gifts.

The 30 branded stores sell a variety of goods including fashion, furniture, kitchen appliances and supplies, and beauty and health products.

There is a beauty salon, a train museum, and places to grab a bite at the mall.

Activities are arranged to keep children occupied. and there are halls that you can rent for special events or meetings. You can even have your wedding reception here.

The Antique Village Mall has individual sellers selling unusual and unique antique items, such as furniture, accessories, jewellery, vintage toys and glassware.

The prices can be high, but you will find that many items are a good investment.

Crossville Outlet Centre is at 228 Interstate Drive, Crossville, TN 38555. The Antique Village Mall is at 100 Antique Village Drive, Crossville, TN 38571.

5- Have A Picnic At Obed River Park

Obed River Park is opposite the Obed River and has a beautiful arboretum with a plethora of local trees.

The park is a peaceful place to take a walk or cycle along the 3.2 km (2 miles) trail along the banks of the Obed River.

The park houses a picturesque lake, but you aren’t allowed to swim or take a boat out on it, however, you can have a picnic by the lake, and you can camp.

Things to look out for in the park are the place where the railroad once crossed the river and a broken dam from the 1930s.

Obed River Park is at 24 Obed River Park Dr., Crossville, TN 38555.

6- Discover Crossville’s Railway History At the Crossville Model Railroad Club

If you are interested in trains and the history of the railroad, this museum is a must-see and is free to visit from Tuesday through Sunday (12 pm to 4 pm). 

The site has an exhibition that tells you about the history of the railroad in Tennessee.

In addition, there are five model railways in the gauges of G, O, HO, N, and Z.

G, which stands for garden, is the largest and has a layout that changes according to the seasons.

It, together with the O gauge, has a three-metre (10-foot) high backdrop depicting the hills and mountains of the state.

Both the young and the not-so-young will love the miniature stations and trains.

The Crossville Model Railroad Club is at 361 Sweeney Dr., Crossville, TN 38555.

7- Visit The Military Museum

The Military Museum was founded in 2002 in one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was built in 1885, although it had to be renovated after a fire.

The museum tells the stories of the people who served in different wars, beginning with the Civil War.

There are over 500 artefacts and articles about the Civil War on display, artwork, memorabilia and artefacts showing the history of the men and women who served in the wars.

You can also see pictures of prisoner-of-war camps.

This is another free museum, and it is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.

The Military Memorial Museum is at 20 S Main St. Crossville, TN 38555.

8- Enjoy Wine Tasting At Stonehaus Winery Or Chestnut Hill Winery

If you enjoy a glass of wine or two, a visit to one or both wineries will suit you down to the ground. Both offer free tastings, which can’t be bad.

Stonehaus Winery was founded in 1991 and is family-owned and operated.

Many of their wines are produced from the Muscadine grape, which is endemic to the southern states and Mexico.

They also produce fruit wines, such as blackberry and sparkling wines.

You can take a video-guided tour of the winery before or after the tasting.

After your tasting, take advantage of the bar, where you can pair your wine with cheese, chocolate or fudge.

There is a shop where you can buy wine, fudge, and gift baskets.

Chestnut Hill Winery is one of the largest wineries in the state.

As well as tastings, you can take a guided tour and taste fresh wine straight out of the barrel.

You will also be able to see where they produce their own wine bottles.

Chestnut Hill Winery has a wide selection of wines on offer, including three dry wines: Red Onyx. Merlot, and Zinfandel.

The semi-dry wines include Dulcimer White and Gewurztraminer, and they produce some interesting and different wines, including Chocolate-Covered Cherry and Hillbilly Shine.

Stonehaus Winery is at 2444 Genesis Rd 103, Crossville, TN 38555.
Chestnut Hill Winery is at 78 Chestnut Hill Rd., Crossville, TN 38555.

9- Support The Locals At Crossville Flea Market

If you want to mix with the locals, head to Crossville Flea Market in the centre of the city where you can buy local goods and souvenirs at affordable prices.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are sold at the market, as well as some livestock. However, what will probably interest you more are the collectables and souvenirs.

There is work produced by local artists on offer, as well as books, antique comic books, jewellery, baseball cards, toys, CDs, electronics, clothes, and kitchen appliances.

There are stalls selling refreshments, such as freshly squeezed lemonade.

Crossville Farmer’s Market is at 3034 Highway 70 N., Crossville, TN 38571.

10- Experience An Irish Pub Evening At Dublin’s Crossing

If you want a night out and would like to experience something a bit different from Southern culture, head to Dublin’s Crossing, a bar/restaurant designed to look like an Irish pub.

You can just go for a drink, or you can have a meal or staple Irish favourites such as Guinness Irish beef stew and shepherd’s cottage pie.

They also serve killer sandwiches such as the Dublin Depot, which is hot pastrami with Swiss cheese, 1000 Island dressing, and onion on a beer bun, or Guinness-infused bratwurst with sauerkraut.

Dublin’s Crossing is at 1114 West Ave., Crossville, TN 38555.

11- Play Golf At Lake Tansi Golf Course

Tansi Golf Course is one of the top golf courses in Tennessee.

It has won awards, and it is easy to see why.

It is in a beautiful setting and has a player-friendly, yet challenging, 18-hole layout and a driving range.

The golf course is also suitable for beginners, as you can book an instructor. Where better to learn to play golf than at a championship course?

If you want to get in as much play as possible, you can stay at the golf course.

There are 18 rental cottages on offer, all by Lake Tansi with wonderful views.

Each cottage has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a deck.

There are three restaurants within 0.8 km (0.5 miles) of the lake.

Tansi Golf Course is at 2476 Dunbar Rd., Crossville, TN 8572.

12- Take In The Rays At Tansi Beach

Lake Tansi has a beautiful, well-maintained beach where you can relax all day, enjoying the sun.

You do need a visitor’s pass, but it is well worth the money for the tranquillity you will enjoy and the facilities on offer.

You can go swimming in the lake, windsurfing, water skiing, and paddleboarding.

You can also fish, either from the shore or you can rent a boat. Fish in the lake include crappie, bass, and catfish.

There are trails around the lake, so you can get some hiking in if you are feeling energetic.

It is a lovely place to spend the day, as there are restaurants and bars around the lake, so you can take a break for lunch or a drink.

13- Have A Family Day Out At Chuckles Family Fun

Chuckles Family Fun offers activities for both young children and teenagers that will keep them amused for hours, and you might enjoy it as well!

Chuckles has an arcade with games for all ages. With some of the games, you can earn tokens which you can then exchange for prizes.

Other activities include a batting cage, a miniature golf course with a few layouts, electric go-karts, laser tag, and plenty of activities for younger children.

If you have a special event during your visit to Crossville, Chuckles has party rooms that you can rent.

There is a restaurant that serves pizza, sandwiches, salads, and desserts so you can stock up with food from there for your party. Your kids will love it.

Chuckles Family Fun is at 286 Chuckles Pkwy., Crossville, TN 38555.

14- Learn About Crossville At The Art Circle Public Library

If you want to find out about the history of Crossville, head to the Art Circle Public Library, which opened in 1939.

Here you will find documents about Crossville that will give you an insight into the city’s past.

The staff at the library are helpful and will answer any questions you have.

If you have children, there is story time in the children’s library once a week, and there are regular puppet shows with Quakers the Talking Duck.

The little ones will love it.

From time to time, there are events in the library, including concerts and author events.

The library also hosts classes in anything from dance to art. Be sure to check the library’s website to see if there’s anything on during your time in Crossville.

If you need to use a computer, there are some in the library with Wi-Fi. Other facilities include a used bookshop where you can stock up on reasonably priced books to take home with you.

The Art Circle Public Library is at 3 East St., Crossville, TN 38555.

15- Enjoy Sports At Centennial Park

Centennial Park was opened in 1992 and is heaven for sports enthusiasts, as there is a softball field, a baseball field, volleyball courts, a basketball court, a tennis court, and six concrete and clay horseshoe pits.

In addition, there are hiking and cycling trails, a children’s playground with sandboxes and tee ball pitches for younger children.

You are welcome to bring a picnic so that you can enjoy the day here. There are picnic shelters in different areas of the park.

Centennial Park is at 837 Industrial HWY, Crossville, TN 38555.

16- Visit The Native Stone Museum/Steve Norris Weather

The Crab Orchard Stone Company built the Native Stone Museum in 1936 to show how crab stone could be used in the building trade.

Crab orchard stone is a hard stone that is resistant to bad weather.

The construction of this building led to government buildings, churches, and schools being built with crab orchard stone throughout the US.

The museum tells you about the history of crab orchard stone and is open by appointment only.

In the museum, you will find Steve Norris, a weatherman, who has his office there. He will answer any question you have about meteorology.

The Native Stone Museum/Steve Norris Weather is at 39 S. Main St., Crossville, TN 3855.

17- Follow The Cumberland Trail

The Cumberland Trail is a long trail of 321.86 km (200 miles) that passes through Crossville, so you can do as much or as little of it as you want.

It is an attractive trail following ridges and gorges along the eastern escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau.

You will find that some parts of the trail are harder than others.

The part of the trail near Crossville can be described as challenging.

It is popular for hiking, backpacking, and camping, so expect to see quite a few people on the trail especially in the summer months.

There is also a trail for mountain bikers in the area.

The trails are well-kept because the trustees of the Cumberland Trail work with conservation groups and volunteers to improve the paths.

18- Visit The Cumberland County Archives And Heritage Centre

The Cumberland County Archives and Heritage Centre was founded in 1856.

Here you can learn about the social and industrial history of the region from before colonisation up to the beginning of the 20th century.

On display are historical artefacts, relics, documents, and photographs, including the oldest records from Cumberland County.

This is the place to go if you want to know more about the county, and in particular, Crossville.

The Cumberland County Archives and Heritage Centre is at 95 E 1st St., Crossville, TN 38555.

19- Explore Meadow Park Lake

Meadow Park is one of the nicest parks in Crossville, with plenty to do for the whole family.

It is also known as City Lake and was built in the 1930s to provide water for Crossville.

The lake covers an area of 1.08 km2 (269 acres), and here you can rent a boat or a kayak and can fish.

Fish to be found in the lake include bream, crappie, catfish and bass.

You can also hike at Meadow Park Lake.

There are a few trails, one of which is the Soldier’s Beach Trail, a moderately difficult 3 km (1.9 miles) trail amidst pine and oak trees that offer shade for hikers on a hot summer’s day.

There are picnic tables in the park, and you can camp if you want to stay the night.

Meadow Park Lake is at 1437 City Lake Rd., Crossville TN 38572.

20- Have Fun At The Autumn Acres Maze And Pumpkin Patch

Autumn Acres Maze and Pumpkin Patch is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Autumn is the best time to visit when all the pumpkins are big and ripe, but it is open all year as there are plenty of activities on offer.

The farm covers 100 acres with 10 acres devoted entirely to pumpkins. There are corn mazes, waggon rides and an animal farm. 

At the beginning of the autumn season, they put on the Sweet Corn Festival with attractions such as an antique car show and a barn sale.

Other events include a Doggie Maze Day when you can bring your dogs with you.

They also host special events such as birthdays and weddings.

The Autumn Acres Maze and Pumpkin Patch is at 1096 Baier Rd., Crossville, TN 38571.