#ettn

Well, friends and followers, Milan was my final destination on the European Tour of Tennessee. I’m thankful to all of you who journeyed with me - physically or in spirit! It was my goal to complete the tour before turning 30, and it appears I’ve made it just in the nick of time, though a summary post will follow in a few weeks. 

So, for now...

For the full review of Milan, click here. In short: 

Things to do and see: 

Milan has a lot of life, but not a lot of tourism.

Stroll main street (I’d suggest a weekday), catch a movie at the Ritz-3, and learn some music history or find a guitar to buy at Elliott’s Music.

Visit the West Tennessee Agricultural Museum

Go for any number of festivals throughout the year

Eating: 

I went to Hig’s Family Restaurant - a classic, Southern all you can eat buffet

Next time, I want to try out the Chow Wagon and will come with my sweet tooth ready!

Why “Milan”?

The pronunciation (say “My Land” without the “d”) at least gives a tale that perhaps the owner of the land that became the town conversationally named it. Somehow, its eventual spelling lined up with the famous Italian city, giving us insight into mid-19th century regional dialects...

Nearby:

The world’s largest rare porcelain teapot collection (really!!) is in nearby Trenton

Dresden, TN

For more details, click here. In short, see below:

Things to do and see: 

Study the WPA mural of Tennessee and Weakley county history by Minetta Good inside of the post office. (image above)

Stroll the town square and learn some history at the county courthouse

Visit the public library and Ned Ray McWherter museum inside

Check out homemade food and crafts as the Saturday farmer’s market

Visit in early May for the annual Iris festival

Eating: 

I went to Milan for that, but did pick up some snacks at the farmer’s market! 

Why “Dresden”?

Dresden, actually, was named for the Saxon city in modern-day Germany. It was the birthplace of the father of Mears Warner, one of the original town commissioners. Dresden, TN was established in the late 1820s.  

Nearby: 

Normandy, TN

Full review is here, see below for the cliff’s notes:

Things to do and see: 

The George Dickel Distillery, complete with tour, tasting, and a warm fire in the visitor’s center while you wait on a chilly day.

Visit Normandy Lake for fishing, kayaking, boating, camping, etc in the Duck River reservoir

Eating: 

You’re plumb out of luck, but both Manchester and Shelbyville are nearby.

Why Normandy?

Bristol, TN (and VA)

Click here for the full post. In short: 

Things to do and see: 

Visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Go to the world’s largest outdoor coliseum: The Bristol Motor Speedway

Check out all of the sculpture around town

Stand in two states at once (multiple times) on the main street, the state line.

Go in late September for the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

Much More!

Eating: 

Blackbird Bakery is a must! It is open 24 hours except for Sunday. 

Otherwise, I followed the locals to Quaker Steak and Lube (which also had live music on a Friday) and The Southern Churn, a fudge shop next door with homemade soft-serve. 

There are many more places ranging from divey to fancy that I wasn’t able to try in my short visit!

Why “Bristol”?

Bristol, like Manchester, was named in the hopes that it would one day rival its “parent” English city in manufacturing. Bristol did alright, especially in the hey day of the railroad, but now like many towns in Appalachia is working to foster entrepreneurship. Unlike Bristol, England, there are no ports in this town occupying the corner of Tennessee’s parallelogram. 

Nearby: 

Johnson City, Tennessee! (I hope you sang that). 

Paris, TN

Click here for the long story. In short, see below!

Things to do and see: 

The World’s Biggest Fish Fry! This annual week-long festival typically takes place at the end of April.

Visit a 60-foot scale replica of the Eiffel Tower 

Enjoy Kentucky Lake, the USA’s largest man-made lake

Walk around the county courthouse and town square

Eating: 

We enjoyed catfish, hush puppies, fries, and slaw in the Fish Fry Tent, and the meal was fantastic! If you go at another time of year, visit the bistro at Paris Winery. 

Paris is quite lively, so do a little internet research and you’ll find something interesting, delicious, and local in addition to several major fast food chains.

Why “Paris”?

Paris, Tennessee was named for France’s capital in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette in 1823. It is one of 15 Parises in the country. 

Nearby: 

Belfast, TN

Back at it! For the full review of Belfast, click here. In brief:

Things to do and see: 

Two sites on the National Register of Historic Places! Walk through the historic J.C. Tate store, seen above. Admire the architecture, the old floors, the cash register from the 1920s, and the incredible original dry goods scales. Today, you can also purchase all of the things you would imagine to be in a rural antique store.

Get a good look at the train depot, which is also on the National Register and looks a bit less haggard than the two store buildings. 

Walk or drive along the historic Fishing Ford Road. Much like Denmark, Belfast is situated on an old Native American trail, which became important to the early settlers of Tennessee, as an already-established thoroughfare. 

There’s a branch of the First National Bank, if that’s helpful.

Eating: You’ll need to go to Lewisburg or Shelbyville. We went with the latter, and I highly recommend Pope’s on the square if you fancy a delicious and authentic meat-n-three. I didn’t save room for dessert, but wish I had! The town will have several other options, too.

Why Belfast? As far as anyone knows, it was indeed named Belfast for the city in Northern Ireland. Nearby Manchester also was named for its British counterpart and this is an area that was heavily settled by Scotch-Irish in the early days.