New Hope TennesseeATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near New Hope, Tennessee.
1. Shrine of Our Lady Virgin of the Poor
SPIRITUAL SANCTUARY IN NATURE
The Shrine of Our Lady Virgin of the Poor is a peaceful spiritual site built by Benedictine monks in 1982 for contemplation and open to people of all faiths. Located on a 600-acre farm, this replica of the shrine in Banneaux, Belgium includes a chapel, statuary, stations of the Cross, meeting areas, and picnic facilities. The shrine is open daily from sunrise to sunset, offering visitors a serene countryside retreat that requires watching closely for signs as it's nestled in a remote location.
2. Nickajack Cave
HISTORIC BAT SANCTUARY
Nickajack Cave is a historic landmark visible from the Maple View Public Use Area in New Hope that once served as shelter for Native Americans. Before Nickajack Reservoir flooded it, the cave entrance measured an impressive 140 feet in width by 50 feet in height with a river flowing from it into the Tennessee River. In 1992, it was designated as Tennessee's first non-game wildlife refuge to protect thousands of endangered gray bats that inhabit the cave from late April through early October.
3. Maple View Public Use Area
SCENIC WATERFRONT RECREATION
Maple View Public Use Area offers visitors spectacular views of historic Nickajack Cave and the surrounding waterfront landscape. This public recreation area serves as a prime location for enjoying Nickajack Lake and observing the natural beauty of the Tennessee River valley. Visitors can appreciate both the ecological significance of the area and its rich cultural history connected to Native American settlements.
4. Hales Bar Marina and Resort
WATERFRONT LODGING EXPERIENCE
Hales Bar Marina and Resort offers serenity and respite for visitors to the Sequatchie Valley region. Guests can choose between staying in unique floating cabins on the water or using the convenient RV hookups on land. The resort provides a perfect base for exploring the natural beauty of Nickajack Lake and the surrounding Tennessee River landscape.
5. New Hope Center Y-12 History Center
MANHATTAN PROJECT HERITAGE
The New Hope Center, also known as the Y-12 History Center, showcases the fascinating history of Oak Ridge's crucial role in the Manhattan Project. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits detailing how Oak Ridge transformed from a small town to a center of scientific research and innovation during World War II. Beyond its historical displays, the center serves as a tourist information hub with friendly staff available to help plan visits to the surrounding area.
6. Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway
PICTURESQUE MOUNTAIN DRIVE
The Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway offers travelers breathtaking views of one of Tennessee's most beautiful landscapes as it passes through New Hope. This designated scenic route showcases the natural splendor of the valley, with its rolling hills, agricultural lands, and the Tennessee River. Driving the byway provides opportunities to experience how the Sequatchie Valley region protects and celebrates its natural resources.
7. Nickajack Dam
ENGINEERING MARVEL
Nickajack Dam stands as an impressive feat of engineering built by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the mid-1960s to create Nickajack Reservoir. The dam controls the flow of the Tennessee River as it makes its U-shaped bend around the picturesque town of New Hope. Visitors can observe both the technical achievement of the structure and enjoy the recreational opportunities created by the resulting lake.
8. Raccoon Mountain Caverns
UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE DESTINATION
Raccoon Mountain Caverns offers visitors the chance to explore one of the most geologically active caves in the South, located a short drive from New Hope. The attraction features both walking tours suitable for all ages and wild cave expeditions for more adventurous visitors wanting to explore undeveloped passages. Beyond the caves, the site includes gem mining, camping facilities, and beautiful mountain views making it a complete family destination.
9. Russell Cave National Monument
ANCIENT HUMAN SETTLEMENT
Russell Cave National Monument preserves archaeological evidence of human habitation dating back over 10,000 years in a location not far from New Hope. The cave provided shelter for prehistoric peoples from the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods, offering visitors a glimpse into ancient Native American lifeways. The site features a museum with artifacts, ranger-led programs, and hiking trails through the surrounding forest landscape.
10. Lodge Manufacturing Company Factory Store
CLASSIC AMERICAN COOKWARE
The Lodge Manufacturing Company Factory Store offers cooking enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase America's oldest manufacturer of cast iron cookware directly from the source near New Hope. Founded in 1896, Lodge continues to produce high-quality cast iron products that are favorites among professional chefs and home cooks alike. Visitors can explore the extensive selection of cookware, kitchen accessories, and factory seconds at discounted prices.
11. National Cornbread Festival
SOUTHERN CULINARY CELEBRATION
The National Cornbread Festival is a beloved annual event held each April in South Pittsburg, just across Nickajack Lake from New Hope. The festival celebrates Southern cuisine with a focus on cornbread cooking competitions, food vendors, crafts, live music, and family activities. Visitors can enjoy the small-town charm while sampling various cornbread recipes and other Southern specialties during this weekend-long celebration.
12. Tennessee River Gorge
GRAND CANYON OF TENNESSEE
The Tennessee River Gorge, often called the "Grand Canyon of Tennessee," carves through the Cumberland Mountains near New Hope creating spectacular scenery. This 26-mile canyon is the fourth largest river gorge in the Eastern United States and offers numerous recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The protected area is home to diverse ecosystems supporting over 1,000 varieties of plants, 250 bird species, and dozens of mammals.
13. Cloudland Canyon State Park
BREATHTAKING NATURAL WONDER
Cloudland Canyon State Park features some of the most rugged and beautiful geology in Georgia within a reasonable drive from New Hope. The park is situated on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, offering spectacular views of the canyon with its 1,000-foot deep sandstone cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing, disc golf, and stay overnight in cabins, yurts, or campgrounds throughout the 3,538-acre natural wonderland.
14. South Cumberland State Park
WILDERNESS HIKING PARADISE
South Cumberland State Park encompasses nearly 31,000 acres of environmentally significant land across nine separate areas not far from New Hope. The park features some of the most remarkable geological formations in the Southeast, including Stone Door, a 10-foot-wide crack that drops more than 100 feet into the gorge below. Visitors can explore over 90 miles of hiking trails, stunning waterfalls, and unique rock formations like natural bridges and ancient rock art sites.
15. Lookout Mountain
ICONIC REGIONAL LANDMARK
Lookout Mountain rises prominently near Chattanooga offering visitors three famous attractions: Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway. Ruby Falls features America's tallest and deepest underground waterfall accessible to the public, while Rock City showcases unique rock formations, gardens, and the famous "See Seven States" vista point. The Incline Railway, one of the world's steepest passenger railways, climbs at a breathtaking 72.7% grade to the mountain summit, providing spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.