UPPER CUMBERLAND PLATEAU ATTRACTIONS

We're proud that the Upper Cumberland Plateau, home of our middle Tennessee B&B, offers natural scenic beauty, historical significance, hospitality, and friendliness that are unsurpassed. Here in Monterey you will want to stop in and visit the Monterey Depot Museum, open year-round Monday to Saturday, 10a.m. to 4p.m., and on Sundays from 1p.m. to 4p.m. Call 931-839-2111 for more info or to speak with Dale Welch - the official unofficial town historian. If you need, we have directions here at The Inn. After your visit to the Depot you will want to take in some ice cream at DQ. Yes - our Cumberland Plateau Bed and Breakfast in Monterey still has one of the few remaining Dairy Queens nearby. If you are looking for dinner, and like authentic Mexican fare, then you will want to visit Los Agaves on East Commercial Avenue. Their phone number is 931-584-0008 but they usually do not accept reservations. They do not have a website; however, you may visit their Facebook page. Should you be seeking an outdoor music festival, located on 75 acres a few minutes from The Garden Inn B&B, The Old Gray is the Upper Cumberland's newest open-air amphitheater. Their premier event was during the 2022 Fourth of July weekend - with additional shows to follow. Check out their schedule at https://www.TheOldGray.com.
Cookeville Tennessee, the Putnam County seat, is home to Tennessee Tech University. Fast becoming nationally known for their art and classes is TTU's The Appalachian Center for Crafts, a unique education facility spectacularly located on 600 acres, overlooking Center Hill Lake. As in most collegiate towns, there are numerous small restaurants surrounding the university - especially on the south and east sides of the college. Worthy of a special visit to Cookeville TN is the fine Italian food and friendly service that you will enjoy at Mauricio's - 931-528-2456. Their website is http://www.mauricioscookeville.com/home.html. Please note: Reservations Are Required.

Newly reopened after a full year's renovations by new owner Michael King,  Bobby Q's is just off the square at 428 E Broad Street. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner featuring some of the items that were used to for the last 37 years, but also some new items. The vibe has changed at Bobby Q's with added windows for more light, counter service, and a patio for outdoor seating.

On "the Square" we recommend Char, a casual grille - speak with the hostess at 931-520-2427 or visit their website at https://chsteaklounge.com. In the Historic Downtown section of Cookeville we recommend Crawdaddy's - a Cajun style restaurant with a seasonal outdoor patio where they will season to your taste. You may also speak with the hostess at 931-526-4660 or visit their website at http://crawdaddysgrill.com/. IF you are a fan of BBQ - and who isn't... three "doors down" and to the right is The Blue Pig where all smoking is done on premises - including chicken. Located at 35 W. Broad Street, the restaurant's new hours are Tuesday through Friday 4-9, and Saturday 11a-9p. For more information, call 931-854-9970 or their website at https://www.bluepigcookeville.com. A short distance away but still in the Historic Downtown area is a hidden gem named India Palace. "Mama" is your hostess and traditional Indian chef.  Open Monday through Saturday 11a - 2:30p for buffet lunch and 5p - 9p for off-the-menu dinner, if you enjoy authentic Indian cuisine call 931-525-1190. If you are interested in a "Classic Pub with New Age Grub" then check out Father Tom's Pub. Located at 32 North Cedar Avenue and open Tuesday thru Saturday, 11a-10p. Phone them at 931-854-9484 or visit their website at http://www.fathertomspub.com. A short walk away on the other side of Cedar is another fine restaurant/bar - 37 Cedar - open Monday through Saturday with varied hours. Phone them at 931-400-0137 or visit their website at https://www.37cedar.com. Of course, there also are almost every national chain restaurant along Cookeville's Interstate Drive - which is fondly referred to as "Restaurant Row" by the locals. Before or after dining at any of these fine restaurants, you might like to stop at - DelMonaco Winery - just west of Cookeville in Baxter, TN.
Other local wineries include the Stonehaus https://www.restaurantji.com/tn/crossville/stonehaus-winery-/ and Chestnut Hill wineries in Crossville Tennessee. Both wineries are open for tasting and tours, although we suggest you check with them for seasonal schedules. Chestnut Hill, which is located at Exit 322 of I-40 and is open Monday through Saturday from 9a - 7p, offers live tours by the winemaker, with the last tour suggested to begin no later than 5p. Please speak with either a member of the Stryker family, or Traci, at 931-707-7878.

After your visit to either of these two Crossville TN wineries, we recommend lunch or dinner at a Crossville favorite of ours that opens with limited hours, Forte's On The Square. Brothers Ken & John Forte are the owners and they open for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11a - 2p, and for dinner Friday and Saturday from 4p - 9p. Also suggested for lunch or dinner is The Pour House Restaurant, located at 42 North St, Crossville, TN 38555. Their "current" hours are Monday 11a - 4p; Tuesday & Wednesday 11a -3p & 4p - 7p; Thursday through Saturday 11a - 3p & 4p - 9p; closed on Sunday - or you may phone 931-456-0066 or visit their Facebook page at http://www.thepourhousecrossville.com/ for updated info. Another suggestion for lunch and dinner is The Beef and Barrel Restaurant located at 1112 West Ave, Crossville, TN 38555. They are open Monday through Thursday 11a - 8p, Friday & Saturday 11a - 9p, closed Sunday - or you may phone them at 931-456-9211. Located next to Chestnut Hill Winery is The Brass Lantern. They are open Monday through Saturday 11a - 3p for lunch and 4:30p - 8p for dinner - or you may phone 931-484-7657 for further information.

For our guests with gluten and dairy allergies, we are pleased to recommend Leslie's Sweet Nostalgia for cookies, cakes and pies TOTALLY gluten and dairy free - although not necessarily both at the same time. The bakery is located at 8961 Hwy 70E in Crossville (Crab Orchard) Tennessee. Open Thurs/Fri/Sat from 11a-6p but their hours may vary. Unfortunately, they do not have a phone, but you may reach them at LesliesSweetNostalgia@gmail.com or their FB page https://www.facebook.com/lesliesweetnostalgia.
Crossville TN, The Golf Capital of Tennessee, provides fourteen area golf courses, and the golfer with a diversity of challenges in a variety of mountain settings. The closest golf course to us, Cumberland Cove Golf Club, is minutes away right here in Monterey Tennessee, and golfers who mention The Garden Inn B&B receive a discount off their green fees. After you explore the great outdoors, plan to take in a performance at Crossville's Cumberland County Playhouse. If you prefer, you may call The Playhouse at 931-484-5000 to purchase tickets. Do know that they have a NO REFUND policy so please be certain that we have availability for the date you would like to see a show. You may also want to take in a show at Cookeville Drama Center or visit one of the many festivals in our area. Every year during the first Thursday through Sunday of August, the World's Longest Yardsale, also known as the 127 Yard Sale passes through Crossville on it's 690 mile trek from 5 miles north of Addison, Michigan to Gadsden, Alabama!
A little later in the year in early October, Monterey is home to their annual Standing Stone Day Festival - which celebrates more than 200 years of local color and history. Featured events include laying of a wreath & tomahawk accompanied by traditional Native flute playing at the foot of the Standing Stone Monument, Native American encampments, as well as, Revolutionary War & Civil War reenactors. Downtown Monterey is abuzz with activity all day as vendors along the town's main street join local shopkeepers in offering local crafts and home-made foods. The Monterey excursion train rumbles past the town's Farmer's Market on its way into the newly constructed Monterey Train Depot. The passengers from Nashville de-train to enjoy the numerous shops and vendors of the Festival. New passengers board the train as it continues on up the mountain to the Crawford Branch and back before it returns to Nashville.
Not to be missed on the second Tuesday of November every year, is the Monterey Garden Club annual BBQ Lunch. At the Monterey Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (corner of Holly & Crawford) from 10:00 am -1:30 pm. Tickets were $8 last year and can be purchased from Garden Club members or at the door. The Monterey Garden Club for over 30 years has been sponsoring the longest running BBQ lunch fundraiser on the Plateau. The lunch provided is a delicious BBQ sandwich, coleslaw, home-made baked beans, home-made desserts and a drink. All of the funds raised go toward supporting Monterey community projects, school programs, and the Monterey High School scholarship fund. Takeout orders accepted and/or delivery available to local businesses. Doors will open at 10:00a.m. for the sale of home canned goods and home baked goods made by the members of the club. The Monterey Garden Club Cookbook also is on sale for some sure fire home cooked recipes. Contact Theresa Pugh-Godsey 931-839-3187 for ticket information.
North of Monterey TN, the Mennonite community of Muddy Pond is well known for its family-owned shops featuring baked goods, quilts and leather work. In the fall, visitors can observe the horse-powered sorghum press and watch the raw syrup processed into Muddy Pond sorghum molasses. While at Muddy Pond you can visit the Muddy Pond General Store, with quilts, crafts, natural food and a deli. You may visit their website at https://www.loc8nearme.com/tennessee/monterey/muddy-pond-general-store/4864613/ for current hours and information. Bauman's Harness & Leather Shops, the Muddy Pond Sorghum Mill & Store, where you can watch them make molasses, and Bachen Haus Bakery, offering delicious breads, cinnamon rolls and pies. For more information call 931-445-7829. May we also suggest the Country Porch in Muddy Pond - (931) 445-7370. There is new ownership and we have heard wonderful reviews of their offerings. 
If you like Tennessee Antiques, Tennessee Antique Shops, and Antiques in Tennessee then you will most definitely want to visit Middle Tennessee Antique Trail for the latest info about TN Antique Shops near our middle Tennessee B & B.
Rich in history, the authentically restored English community of Rugby began as a settlement of second sons and daughters of English nobility. Pall Mall is the birthplace and home of one of Tennessee's greatest war heroes, Sergeant Alvin C. York. Tennessee's oldest winery, Highland Manor, is located in Jamestown.
The Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast is located within easy driving distances from numerous parks such as Burgess Falls and Cummins Falls both near Cookeville TN and Fall Creek Falls State Park near Sparta TN, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness. Right here in our backyard is Discover Tennessee's Promised Land Trail. This short video briefly explains The Trail, which is one of 16 self-guided driving tours across the state of Tennessee. We have brochures here at The Inn for our guests to use to plan their tour, if they wish.
We await your visit to The Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast, a Middle TN B&B, and will be happy to assist with your travel plans. Oh - and if you made it to the bottom of our Area Attractions Page congratulate yourself and be sure to stop out for some DQ ice cream while in town at our Bed and Breakfast in Tennessee. As we recall from our youth, "I scream, you scream, we ALL scream for ice cream..."