Entrepreneurial spirit, civic pride and a desire to focus on its natural setting work to make the sleepy town of Smithville a must-see destination in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee. Just minutes from Center Hill Lake, Smithville sits amidst the rolling hills and farms of Middle Tennessee. Visitors will find plenty of charm at every turn on a road trip to this All-American destination.

A destination for unique shopping

A bright red metal sign adorns the wall on the side of an alley running between Walnut and Main streets in Downtown Smithville.  Strings of small white lights crisscross above this shortcut between downtown businesses turning what would typically be an ordinary alley into something a bit more extraordinary.   

Just a few years earlier not much was happening in Downtown Smithville.  Many of the store fronts were vacant and other than the courthouse and a few special events, there weren’t many reasons to go downtown.  All of that is changing and I have to say I was truly surprised by what I found as Smithville is definitely a great destination for unique shopping. .

General stores were the “malls” of their time. Now in the 21st Century, the concept is coming back at places like the Button Willow General Store.  No need to have a big box store with a Starbucks.  Step inside Button Willow and the selections of items ranging from t-shirts and hats to home décor and cooking supplies might just overwhelm you.  And if you need a cup of Joe, this General Store has a full-service coffee shop which also serves up a tasty Italian Cream Soda. Live music, a year-round Christmas shop and home baked items round out the Button Willow experience.

Speaking of tasty treats, you can get a famous Christie’s Cookie across the street at Monograms by Sherri.  It’s one of only three Christie’s stores anywhere. Continue your shopping at places like 615 Threads or The Market on Main and Magnolia Roots for a great boutique experience. The Vintage Owl mixes relics from yesteryear with today’s creative spirit. And just outside Downtown Smithville you’ll find F.Z. Webb and Sons, a full-service drug store and lunch counter with a fantastic gift shop filling the space between the two.

In the center of Downtown, sits the Dekalb County Courthouse, a model structure in this part of Tennessee. According to the city of Smithville’s website, the Courthouse was built in 1967 as part of a Federal Model Cities program at the request of a local Congressman. There are several monuments and a Civil War Trail marker on the grounds and for two days in July, thousands of people gather around the Courthouse Square for the annual Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival.

A destination for great dining

Whether you’ve spent a day out on Center Hill Lake or checking out the shops, chances are you’ll get hungry.  If so, Smithville’s got you covered at mealtime with a wide variety of options to suit just about any taste.

On the west side of town, a restaurant with an unusual name now serves up a wide variety of options that are all plant-based. The White Possum is the creation of owner, Rawlin Vanatta, a songwriter and entrepreneur with a passion for doing things a bit different. The White Possum name comes from a family story about how seeing a white possum brought good luck. (I had eaten at the former White Possum Grille and was quite impressed, but I have not yet sampled the plant-based menu).

A few more miles down the road in Dowelltown, a place that kind of looks like an Old West saloon on the outside, turns out some wildly great dishes in a truly fun atmosphere.  Twisted Oaks spacious interior includes a full bar, plenty of big screen televisions, pool tables, and a place for karaoke.  But the restaurant doesn’t end there.  Twisted Oaks offers up seating on a screened in porch and a large courtyard perfect for relaxing with a cold beer and friends.

The menu at Twisted Oaks features a wide variety of sandwiches and burgers, dishes like shrimp and grits and the dish I chose, fish and chips with a Calfkiller Beer (from nearby Sparta, TN) batter.  And if you want appetizers, you’ll have plenty of choices including wings, pork rinds with queso, nachos and fried green tomatoes.

Owners, Fred and Debi Sheets have poured their heart and soul into Twisted Oaks.  It’s a family run operation drawing in diners from all over because of the proximity to the lake. It’s difficult not to feel welcome at the restaurant and it’s one I hope to visit again.

Evins Mill, is an historic mill property that’s transformed into a somewhat upscale retreat center.  Surrounded by a wooded area with a large stream running through it, the Evins Mill property also boasts a majestic waterfall. Dining at this retreat is mostly reserved for overnight guests, but there are packages where you can enjoy hikes back in the woods and more along with a picnic lunch or a multi-course dinner.

The Retreat at Center Hill takes advantage of its location on the water to host groups (and individuals) throughout the year. The Hickory Café is the on-site restaurant offering stunning views of the lake and the ridges surrounding it.  During my time there, I enjoyed a good old-fashioned country breakfast buffet along with about 90 women there for a Christian retreat. The Hickory Café doesn’t serve up regular meals to the public but does offer special buffets throughout the year that are certainly worth trying.  

A destination for farm fun

Are you familiar with all the wonders of goat’s milk and just how many products you can make with it?  Harmony Lane Farm just outside Smithville gives you a chance to try delectable cheeses and fudge made with goat milk and that’s just the beginning.  Owner, Julie David can help you learn what it takes to milk the goat herd, give you a look at the nursery where you might just be able to hold a baby goat and introduce you to some of the other animals on the farm.

Country roads take you out to Southern Splendor Farm, a place sharing the farm life with the community, hosting event throughout the year.  When there isn’t an event you can still check out the “Hey Loft.”  This small red barn with a small porch showcases Made in Tennessee products, items made by local craftsman and a wide variety of healthy living essentials.

A destination arts & crafts

At the end of a winding road that twists along a ridge above Center Hill Lake is the Joe L. Evins Appalachian Center for Craft, a satellite campus of Tennessee Tech University.  The gallery and gift shop are the main attraction at the center. The gallery is filled with works by students, and that includes exhibits that are part of the students’ senior thesis project.  The artwork is constantly changing so there is always a reason to revisit the center. 

Many of the students live on this campus and visitors can take tours of the classrooms and get the opportunity to meet students.  After spending time browsing through the gallery and shop or taking a tour, be sure and take time to grab a bit to eat at the Bluewater Grill on the Hill, where on my visit, I grabbed a hearty pork bbq platter, but there are plenty of options for full meals, coffee, tea and baked goods.

A state park destination

Towering high above Edgar Evins State Park, the observation tower helps you see the area around Center Hill Lake in a unique way.  A spiral staircase leads you up to the observation deck making the trip to the top quite fun.  From that spot you can enjoy 360-degree views of the park. The park features a marina, restaurant, a campground and miles of hiking trails, many of which take you along the edge of Center Hill Lake.

Canoe the Caney is a fixture in the area, too.  The canoe and kayak rental company offers plenty of ways to see the area. Since my visit was late in the fall, I didn’t have a chance to go on one of the tours, but plan to schedule time with Canoe the Caney on my next trip.