Gilt Edge TennesseeATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Gilt Edge, Tennessee.
1. Gilt Edge Community Park
LOCAL RECREATION AREA
Gilt Edge Community Park offers residents and visitors a peaceful green space for outdoor activities. The park features playground equipment, picnic areas, and open fields for sports and community gatherings. It serves as a central meeting point for local events and celebrations throughout the year.
2. Fort Pillow State Historic Park
CIVIL WAR HISTORIC SITE
Fort Pillow State Historic Park preserves the site of an American Civil War battle that took place in April 1864. The 1,642-acre park features a well-preserved earthwork fortification, a museum with Civil War artifacts, and interpretive displays explaining the fort's significance. Visitors can explore hiking trails with scenic views of the Mississippi River and learn about the controversial battle where Union soldiers, many of them African American, were killed after surrendering.
3. Alex Haley House Museum
LITERARY HERITAGE SITE
The Alex Haley House Museum is the boyhood home of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Roots: The Saga of an American Family." This restored house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contains Haley family memorabilia and artifacts related to the author's life and career. Visitors can tour the grounds which include Haley's final resting place and learn about his profound impact on American literature and understanding of African American heritage.
4. Covington Square
HISTORIC TOWN CENTER
Covington Square is the charming historic downtown center of Covington, featuring a classic courthouse surrounded by local businesses. Visitors can enjoy shopping at unique boutiques, dining at locally-owned restaurants, and admiring the well-preserved 19th-century architecture. The square regularly hosts community events, farmers markets, and seasonal festivals that showcase the area's rich cultural heritage.
5. Café Bistro
LOCAL FAVORITE EATERY
Café Bistro offers a welcoming atmosphere and hearty Southern cuisine in downtown Covington. The restaurant is known for its fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and signature dishes that combine traditional flavors with creative twists. Diners appreciate the friendly service and cozy ambiance that make this a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike.
6. Tipton County Museum
REGIONAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Tipton County Museum showcases the rich history and cultural heritage of the region through engaging exhibits and artifacts. The museum features displays on Native American history, pioneer settlement, Civil War events, and the agricultural development that shaped the area. Visitors can also explore the adjacent Veterans Memorial and nature center which includes walking trails through native wildflower meadows and woodlands.
7. Edmund Orgill Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION HAVEN
Edmund Orgill Park spans 1,100 acres of natural beauty with diverse recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The park features a 35-acre lake for fishing and boating, extensive hiking and biking trails, and facilities for camping, picnicking, and disc golf. Visitors can observe local wildlife in the wooded areas and enjoy the peaceful surroundings just a short drive from Gilt Edge.
8. Old Millington Vineyard & Winery
LOCAL WINE EXPERIENCE
Old Millington Vineyard & Winery offers guests a taste of locally-produced wines in a picturesque rural setting. The vineyard cultivates several grape varieties suited to the Tennessee climate and produces a range of wines from sweet to dry. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tour the production facilities, and attend seasonal events like concerts and festivals held on the beautiful grounds.
9. Green Frog Village
HISTORIC BUILDING COLLECTION
Green Frog Village preserves a collection of historic buildings that have been relocated to create an authentic early American settlement experience. The village features well-preserved structures including a general store, schoolhouse, chapel, and log cabins that visitors can explore and learn about 19th-century rural life. Special events throughout the year showcase traditional crafts, music, and foodways that bring the region's history to life.
10. The Delta Heritage Center
MUSIC AND CULTURE MUSEUM
The Delta Heritage Center celebrates the rich cultural legacy of the region through exhibits on blues music, cotton agriculture, and local history. The center includes the childhood home of blues legend Tina Turner, a 1950s service station, and a cotton museum that tells the story of the crop's impact on the area. Visitors can view authentic artifacts, listen to recordings of regional musicians, and gain insight into the diverse influences that shaped West Tennessee's unique heritage.
11. Helen's Bar B Q
LEGENDARY SMOKE HOUSE
Helen's Bar B Q is a nationally recognized barbecue joint run by pitmaster Helen Turner, one of the few female pitmasters in the South. The no-frills establishment serves mouth-watering slow-smoked meats prepared using traditional methods over an open pit with hickory wood. Visitors travel from across the country to taste Helen's famous pulled pork, ribs, and homemade sauce that have earned features in numerous food publications and documentaries.
12. West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center
REGIONAL HISTORY SHOWCASE
The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center houses multiple museums celebrating the region's rich cultural history, including the Tina Turner Museum and the Cotton Museum. Visitors can explore the restored one-room schoolhouse where Tina Turner attended as a child, as well as exhibits detailing the agricultural heritage of the area. The center serves as a welcome station with information about local attractions and regularly hosts live music performances that honor the area's musical legacy.
13. Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
NATURAL WILDERNESS AREA
Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 11,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands, and agricultural fields along the Hatchie River. The refuge provides critical habitat for migratory birds, with over 200 species recorded, as well as diverse wildlife including deer, turkey, and numerous aquatic species. Visitors can enjoy seasonal hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, and hiking on designated trails that showcase one of the few remaining unchannelized rivers in the Lower Mississippi Valley.
14. The Mindfield
UNIQUE FOLK ART INSTALLATION
The Mindfield is a massive steel sculpture created by local artist Billy Tripp as an ongoing, evolving monument that has been under construction since 1989. The towering structure rises nearly 130 feet tall and spans an entire city block, incorporating salvaged materials and personal symbols that represent the artist's life experiences. Visitors can view this remarkable example of outsider art from multiple vantage points in downtown Brownsville and read about its significance in Tripp's novel, "The Mindfield Years."
15. Woodstock General Store
HISTORIC COUNTRY STORE
Woodstock General Store has been serving the community since 1901 as a traditional country store and local gathering place. The historic establishment offers a nostalgic shopping experience with a mix of practical goods, local crafts, and regional food specialties including their famous hoop cheese. Visitors can enjoy the friendly atmosphere, swap stories with locals at the old-fashioned counter, and step back in time while browsing the eclectic merchandise that fills this charming rural landmark.