Things to Do...
The South Cumberland region of Tennessee is filled with attractions, events, and activities!
Here are some helpful resources for things going on in the area:
Here are some helpful resources for things going on in the area:
See what's going on in Cowan and the surrounding area!
VisitCowan.com is a great resource with a list of events, activities, and attractions plus links to area restaurants and specialty shops.
If you want to stay to date on area happenings, sign up for the Cowan Clipboard e-mail calendar and newsletter. Click here to sign-up.
VisitCowan.com is a great resource with a list of events, activities, and attractions plus links to area restaurants and specialty shops.
If you want to stay to date on area happenings, sign up for the Cowan Clipboard e-mail calendar and newsletter. Click here to sign-up.
Hiking:
The South Cumberland region is a hiker's paradise! Our extensive network of hiking trails allow you to burn off calories while enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire Southeast. Certain trails are also suitable for bicycle riding.
Here's a quick overview:
The Sewanee Perimeter Trail (7 miles from Cowan) is our most popular option.
The Perimeter Trail offers gorgeous views and excellent terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and running along the bluff of the Cumberland Plateau. The trail features beautiful overlooks, interesting geological features, two lakes, and plenty of upland deciduous forest. Caving and climbing sites are easily accessed from the trail as well. For more information click on the following link for a map and guide: http://www.sewanee.edu/sop/sewanee_hikes.pdf
The South Cumberland State Park between Monteagle and Tracy City (14 miles from Cowan) is a nine-area, four-county, 24,500 acre park with over 90 miles of trails with some going to state-designated natural sites. Click on the following link for more information: http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/south-cumberland
On top of Keith Springs Mountain (14 miles from Cowan) you will find the Tennessee/Alabama Walls of Jericho Natural Area: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/natural-areas/natural-areas/jericho/. You can choose a shorter hike on one of the loop trails, or you can choose the all-day hike to the Walls and back.
For those who want an easier walk (or bike ride) on a paved path, check out Tims Ford State Park (17 miles from Cowan) northwest of Winchester: http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/tims-ford
Here's a quick overview:
The Sewanee Perimeter Trail (7 miles from Cowan) is our most popular option.
The Perimeter Trail offers gorgeous views and excellent terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and running along the bluff of the Cumberland Plateau. The trail features beautiful overlooks, interesting geological features, two lakes, and plenty of upland deciduous forest. Caving and climbing sites are easily accessed from the trail as well. For more information click on the following link for a map and guide: http://www.sewanee.edu/sop/sewanee_hikes.pdf
The South Cumberland State Park between Monteagle and Tracy City (14 miles from Cowan) is a nine-area, four-county, 24,500 acre park with over 90 miles of trails with some going to state-designated natural sites. Click on the following link for more information: http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/south-cumberland
On top of Keith Springs Mountain (14 miles from Cowan) you will find the Tennessee/Alabama Walls of Jericho Natural Area: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/natural-areas/natural-areas/jericho/. You can choose a shorter hike on one of the loop trails, or you can choose the all-day hike to the Walls and back.
For those who want an easier walk (or bike ride) on a paved path, check out Tims Ford State Park (17 miles from Cowan) northwest of Winchester: http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/tims-ford
Museums
We have more museums within a 60-mile radius than you could ever imagine! Set some extra time aside and see something new and interesting.
The museums are listed in order from nearest to farthest from Cowan:
Cowan Railroad Museum: just steps away from the Franklin-Pearson House.
Old Jail Museum, Winchester, TN
Hands On Science Center, Tullahoma, TN
Beechcraft Heritage Museum, Tullahoma, TN
Arrowheads / Aerospace Cultural Center, Manchester, TN
U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
Miner's Museum and Heritage Center, Palmer, TN
Marion County Coal Miner's Museum, Whitwell, TN
International Towing and Recovery Museum, Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, TN
Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga, TN
The museums are listed in order from nearest to farthest from Cowan:
Cowan Railroad Museum: just steps away from the Franklin-Pearson House.
Old Jail Museum, Winchester, TN
Hands On Science Center, Tullahoma, TN
Beechcraft Heritage Museum, Tullahoma, TN
Arrowheads / Aerospace Cultural Center, Manchester, TN
U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
Miner's Museum and Heritage Center, Palmer, TN
Marion County Coal Miner's Museum, Whitwell, TN
International Towing and Recovery Museum, Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, TN
Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga, TN
Railfanning
Cowan is a prime spot for train watching. The park area near the Franklin-Pearson House has all day and all night freight action. This particular piece of railroad is a busy CSX main line connecting the Midwest to the East Coast. It's also home to the Cowan Pusher District, a 160-year old operation that involves extra locomotives helping heavy freight trains get across the Cumberland Plateau.
The Cowan Railroad Museum is located in the park as well and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Further up the line and out of sight to the public is the Cumberland Mountain Tunnel, also a registered historic site and a widely-recognized engineering marvel.
There are other railroad hotspots and rail attractions in our area as well. On the other side of Sewanee Mountain along HWY 56 you will find the quiet railroad community Sherwood, Tennessee. Further up the highway you will reach Stevenson, Alabama with a railroad museum and a busy railroad junction. Add another few miles and on highway 72 and you will reach Bridgeport, Alabama with a unique mission-style railroad depot and museum.
Railfans who stay at the Franklin-Pearson House may want to plan an all day trip to Chattanooga. This jewel of a city has a world-renowned railroad heritage thanks in part to Glen Miller's famous hit song "The Chattanooga Choo-Choo". The Chattanooga Choo-Choo hotel and entertainment complex is one of the city's most famous landmarks and features guided trolley rides and a model railroad exhibit. The Incline Railway on Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum are two other popular and famous railroad attractions. Log on to www.chattanoogafun.com for complete information.
The Cowan Railroad Museum is located in the park as well and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Further up the line and out of sight to the public is the Cumberland Mountain Tunnel, also a registered historic site and a widely-recognized engineering marvel.
There are other railroad hotspots and rail attractions in our area as well. On the other side of Sewanee Mountain along HWY 56 you will find the quiet railroad community Sherwood, Tennessee. Further up the highway you will reach Stevenson, Alabama with a railroad museum and a busy railroad junction. Add another few miles and on highway 72 and you will reach Bridgeport, Alabama with a unique mission-style railroad depot and museum.
Railfans who stay at the Franklin-Pearson House may want to plan an all day trip to Chattanooga. This jewel of a city has a world-renowned railroad heritage thanks in part to Glen Miller's famous hit song "The Chattanooga Choo-Choo". The Chattanooga Choo-Choo hotel and entertainment complex is one of the city's most famous landmarks and features guided trolley rides and a model railroad exhibit. The Incline Railway on Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum are two other popular and famous railroad attractions. Log on to www.chattanoogafun.com for complete information.
