Lakesite TennesseeATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lakesite, Tennessee.
1. Tennessee River Gorge
NATURAL RIVER CANYON BEAUTY
The Tennessee River Gorge is a breathtaking natural canyon carved by the Tennessee River, offering spectacular views and outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and scenic boat tours through this impressive geological formation. The gorge is often referred to as 'Tennessee's Grand Canyon' and stretches for 26 miles through the Cumberland Mountains.
2. Reelfoot Lake State Park
UNIQUE CYPRESS SWAMP LAKE
Reelfoot Lake State Park encompasses a 15,000-acre lake created by earthquakes in the early 19th century, featuring unique cypress trees growing directly from the water. The park is renowned for its exceptional fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly bald eagle watching in winter. Visitors can explore the lake via guided boat tours, canoe rentals, or hiking trails that showcase the park's distinctive ecosystem.
3. Center Hill Lake
PRISTINE RECREATION DESTINATION
Center Hill Lake is a stunning 18,200-acre reservoir with 64 miles of shoreline offering numerous recreational activities including boating, fishing, and water-skiing. The crystal-clear waters are surrounded by lush forests and limestone bluffs, creating a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy swimming, camping, and hiking while exploring this beautiful natural attraction in central Tennessee.
4. Edgar Evins State Park
SCENIC LAKESIDE WILDERNESS
Edgar Evins State Park is a popular destination located on the shores of Center Hill Lake, offering magnificent views and outdoor recreation opportunities. The park features rustic cabins, campgrounds, boat launches, and miles of hiking trails through hardwood forests. Visitors can enjoy fishing, wildlife observation, and the unique marina with boat rentals for exploring the lake's pristine waters.
5. Center Hill Dam
ENGINEERING MARVEL VIEWPOINT
Center Hill Dam is an impressive concrete and earth-fill structure controlling the Caney Fork River and creating Center Hill Lake. The dam offers panoramic viewing platforms where visitors can observe the powerful water releases and learn about the hydroelectric power generation. Tours of the facility provide insights into flood control, electricity production, and the dam's historical significance to the region.
6. Lakeside Resort
FAMILY-FRIENDLY LAKE RETREAT
Lakeside Resort offers comfortable accommodations with direct access to Center Hill Lake, Tennessee's most beautiful lake. The resort provides various recreational activities including fishing, hiking, and water sports for the whole family. Guests can relax in scenic surroundings while enjoying the natural beauty and tranquility of the lakeside setting.
7. Radnor Lake State Park
URBAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Radnor Lake State Park is a serene natural area featuring beautifully maintained hiking trails around a picturesque lake surrounded by protected forests. The park is known for its abundant wildlife, including turtles sunbathing on logs, diverse bird species, and occasional sightings of bald eagles. Nature enthusiasts appreciate the park's commitment to conservation and environmental education through its visitor center and ranger-led programs.
8. Chattanooga Riverwalk
SCENIC WATERFRONT PROMENADE
The Chattanooga Riverwalk is a 16.1-mile scenic pathway along the Tennessee River offering spectacular views of the city skyline and surrounding mountains. Visitors can walk, jog, or bike while enjoying public art installations, fishing piers, and picnic areas along the route. The Riverwalk connects major attractions including the Tennessee Aquarium, Bluff View Art District, and Coolidge Park, making it a central feature of Chattanooga's revitalized waterfront.
9. Chickamauga Dam
HISTORIC RIVER ENGINEERING
Chickamauga Dam is an impressive Tennessee Valley Authority project completed in 1940 that spans the Tennessee River. The dam features a navigation lock, hydroelectric power plant, and a recreation area with picnic facilities and fishing access. Visitors can learn about the dam's historical significance through interpretive displays while enjoying views of Chickamauga Lake and watching boats pass through the lock system.
10. The Nashville Parthenon
FULL-SCALE CLASSICAL REPLICA
The Nashville Parthenon is a remarkable full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, showcasing classical Greek architecture in the heart of Tennessee. Inside the structure, visitors can view a 42-foot statue of Athena, the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western world, along with an art gallery featuring American paintings. Originally built for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition, this grand monument now serves as the centerpiece of Centennial Park and a symbol of Nashville's reputation as 'Athens of the South.'
11. Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
ELEGANT ESTATE GARDENS
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is a magnificent 55-acre estate featuring meticulously designed gardens, art collections, and a historic mansion. Visitors can explore themed garden areas including Japanese gardens, herb gardens, and seasonal displays that showcase thousands of blooming plants throughout the year. The former private estate now functions as both a public garden and art museum, offering educational programs and special exhibitions in a stunning natural setting.
12. The Hermitage
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL HOME
The Hermitage is the beautifully restored Greek Revival home and plantation of President Andrew Jackson, offering visitors a glimpse into early 19th-century American life. The 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark includes the main mansion, original slave cabins, gardens, and Jackson's tomb on the property. Guided tours provide insights into Jackson's controversial legacy, plantation operations, and the lives of the enslaved people who worked the land.
13. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
MODERN WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere houses over 350 animal species including Bengal tigers, elephants, zebras, and river otters in naturalistic habitats across its expansive grounds. The zoo combines wildlife conservation with family entertainment through interactive exhibits, a jungle gym playground, and a petting zoo area for children. Visitors can also tour the historic Grassmere home and farm buildings that date back to the 1810s, providing historical context to the property.
14. Belle Meade Plantation
HISTORIC THOROUGHBRED ESTATE
Belle Meade Plantation preserves a century of Tennessee heritage through its antebellum mansion, outbuildings, and grounds that once comprised a 5,400-acre working farm and thoroughbred stud operation. Visitors can tour the Greek Revival mansion filled with original furnishings and artwork while learning about both the wealthy plantation owners and the enslaved people who built and maintained the estate. The property now includes a winery, restaurant, and gift shop, making it a popular destination for history enthusiasts and wine lovers alike.
15. Belmont Mansion
OPULENT ANTEBELLUM HOME
Belmont Mansion is a stunning 36-room Italianate villa built in the 1850s by Adelicia Acklen, one of America's wealthiest women at the time. The meticulously restored mansion features original artwork, furniture, and decorative objects that showcase the opulent lifestyle of Nashville's elite during the Victorian era. Guided tours highlight the architectural details, beautiful gardens, and the remarkable story of its independent female owner who successfully maintained her fortune through the Civil War.