Covington TennesseeATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Covington, Tennessee.
1. Covington's Historic Square
CHARMING TOWN CENTER
Covington's Historic Square serves as the heart of the community with its walkable layout perfect for exploring. Visitors can enjoy a variety of delicious dining options while browsing through unique shops. The square offers a perfect blend of small-town charm and historical architecture that captures the essence of Covington.
2. Tipton County Museum, Veterans Memorial & Nature Center
HISTORY AND NATURAL HERITAGE
The Tipton County Museum, Veterans Memorial & Nature Center offers a comprehensive look at local history and natural heritage. The facility combines historical exhibits with an outdoor nature center, providing educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Its veterans memorial pays tribute to local service members who served their country.
3. Liberty Vintage Marketplace
ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES
Liberty Vintage Marketplace features an eclectic collection of antiques, vintage items, and unique collectibles. Shoppers can discover treasures from various eras while exploring the charming marketplace atmosphere. The marketplace has become a destination for both locals and tourists seeking one-of-a-kind items with historical significance.
4. Cobb-Parr Memorial Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION HUB
Cobb-Parr Memorial Park is Covington's largest recreational facility, featuring a variety of athletic fields and amenities. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, playgrounds, and spaces for various sports activities throughout the year. The park serves as a community gathering place for events, sports leagues, and outdoor recreation.
5. Covington Aquatic Center
YEAR-ROUND SWIMMING DESTINATION
The Covington Aquatic Center features a covered pool that remains open throughout the year for swimming enthusiasts. The center provides swimming lessons, water aerobics classes, and recreational swimming opportunities for people of all ages. Its climate-controlled environment makes it a perfect destination regardless of the weather outside.
6. Highway 51 Music Fest
LOCAL MUSIC CELEBRATION
Highway 51 Music Fest celebrates the rich musical heritage of the region with live performances from various genres. The festival brings together local and regional talent, creating a vibrant atmosphere for music lovers. Attendees can enjoy food vendors, activities, and the sounds of Tennessee's diverse musical traditions.
7. Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
MISSISSIPPI RIVER WILDERNESS
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge is nestled in a bend of the Mississippi River just north of Covington. The refuge offers fantastic opportunities for hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation in a natural setting. Visitors can explore diverse habitats while spotting native bird species and other wildlife that call the refuge home.
8. Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
PRISTINE RIVER ECOSYSTEM
Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge follows the Hatchie River east of Covington, preserving one of the few remaining unchannelized rivers in the Lower Mississippi Valley. The refuge protects diverse wetland habitats that support numerous species of birds, fish, and other wildlife. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, fishing, wildlife photography, and hunting in designated areas throughout the year.
9. Discovery Park of America
INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Discovery Park of America is an innovative museum and educational center located about 60 miles north of Covington. The facility features interactive exhibits on science, technology, history, art, and nature across its 100,000-square-foot museum and 50-acre heritage park. Visitors of all ages can explore everything from dinosaurs and space exploration to regional history and earthquake simulation.
10. Tennessee Safari Park
DRIVE-THROUGH WILDLIFE ADVENTURE
Tennessee Safari Park offers an immersive drive-through wildlife experience where visitors can observe and feed exotic animals from the comfort of their vehicles. The park features over 80 species of animals, including zebras, camels, bison, and various deer species. After the driving portion, guests can explore the walk-through zoo area with additional animals and interactive experiences.
11. Reelfoot Lake State Park
NATURAL WONDER GETAWAY
Reelfoot Lake State Park surrounds a natural lake formed by earthquakes in the early 19th century, creating a unique ecosystem within driving distance of Covington. The park is renowned for its cypress trees, abundant wildlife, and exceptional fishing and boating opportunities. Visitors can enjoy guided boat tours, hiking trails, and the park's nature center to learn about this distinctive geological feature.
12. Fort Pillow State Park
CIVIL WAR HISTORICAL SITE
Fort Pillow State Park preserves the site of an important Civil War fort and the controversial battle that occurred there in 1864. The park features a museum with interpretive displays, reconstructed fortifications, and hiking trails through the historic grounds. Visitors can learn about the fort's strategic importance on the Mississippi River and the significant historical events that took place there.
13. Graceland
ELVIS PRESLEY'S ICONIC ESTATE
Graceland, located just 25 miles south of Covington in Memphis, is the iconic mansion where Elvis Presley lived and is now preserved as a museum dedicated to his life and legacy. Visitors can tour the opulent mansion, view Elvis's impressive collection of cars and airplanes, and explore exhibits featuring his stage costumes and gold records. The estate attracts music fans from around the world who come to pay homage to the King of Rock and Roll.
14. National Civil Rights Museum
POWERFUL HISTORICAL LANDMARK
The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis is built around the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The museum chronicles key episodes of the American civil rights movement with powerful interactive exhibits and historical collections. Visitors gain insight into the struggle for equality through immersive experiences that connect the past to contemporary civil rights issues.
15. Memphis Zoo
WORLD-CLASS ANIMAL EXHIBITS
The Memphis Zoo houses more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species across its 76-acre facility within an easy drive from Covington. The zoo features immersive exhibits including Cat Country, Primate Canyon, and the acclaimed China exhibit with giant pandas. Visitors can enjoy special experiences such as giraffe feeding, camel rides, and seasonal events throughout the year.