Overview
Cookeville is a small city in north central Tennessee and home of Tennessee Tech University. Cookeville is the largest city in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee.
3 sights · 4 things to do · 6 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 11 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cookeville
Cookeville Depot Museum
Was an old passenger train depot from 1909, until it was phased out in the 1950s.
State Historic Rock House
Historic way station along a wagon road between Nashville and Knoxville circa the 1830s where Andrew Jackson once stopped, and near the town of Sparta that nearly became Tennessee's state capital.
Cummins Falls State Park
Just a real delight, watching the water roll off the travertine and looking at old weathered buildings in the foliage.
Burgess Falls State Park
And another, cascades here and there and just a real gusher at times.
Window Cliffs State Natural Area
Eroded rock formations form an enchanting presence of palisades and pinnacles.
Cane Creek Park
262-acre park with BBQ/picnic shelters, trails, a playground & a lake for boating & fishing.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Nashville)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BNA Nashville International Airport, Nashville — 66 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CHA Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (Lovell Field), Chattanooga — 80 mi away. Directions
Cookeville is 80 miles east of Nashville, 100 miles west of Knoxville, and 80 miles north of Chattanooga at the intersection of Interstate 40 and Highway 111.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $55–$97 a night (typical $80), from 11 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$260.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning State Historic Rock House, Burgess Falls State Park
- Lunch Crawdaddy's
- Afternoon Window Cliffs State Natural Area, Cookeville Depot Museum
- Dinner World Foods
- Evening Revolver Dance Hall & Saloon
Day 2
- Morning Cane Creek Park, Cummins Falls State Park
- Lunch Spankies
- Afternoon AMC Highland 12 Cinema
- Dinner Cookeville Pizza & Pub
- Evening Red Silo Brewing
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
- Cookeville City Council website
Get in
By car
Cookeville is 80 miles east of Nashville, 100 miles west of Knoxville, and 80 miles north of Chattanooga at the intersection of Interstate 40 and Highway 111.
By bus
See
See State Historic Rock House
Historic way station along a wagon road between Nashville and Knoxville circa the 1830s where Andrew Jackson once stopped, and near the town of Sparta that nearly became Tennessee's state capital.
Do
Do Window Cliffs State Natural Area
Eroded rock formations form an enchanting presence of palisades and pinnacles.
Buy
Eat
Eat Spankies
Cajun and Italian cuisine.
Eat Crawdaddy's
New Orleans-style cuisine and drinks.
Eat World Foods
Wide selection of world cuisines like gyros and pizzas, and cannolis.
Eat India Palace
This is where you can go nom nom on an Indian lunch buffet.
Eat 37 Cedar Restaurant and Bar (37 Cedar)
Understated restaurant offering classic sandwiches & flatbread, plus pasta dishes.
Drink
Drink Father Tom's Pub
A variety of microbrews and cocktails and pub food.
Drink Vinnie T's Restaurant and Bar
Nightly DJ performance. Karaoke on Wednesday and Saturday nights.
Drink Revolver Dance Hall & Saloon
Night club and Arcade Bar.
Drink Red Silo Brewing (Red Silo)
Local craft brewery that hosts live music, trivia nights, and many other events
Sleep
Go next
- Drive a few hours west to the capital of Tennessee, Nashville and visit the Grand Ol' Opry or Opry Mills Mall. You can also take in a Tennessee Titans NFL game or Nashville Cats Arena Football League game.
- Drive a few hours east to the home of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Also nearby are the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the resort towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
- Drive a few hours south to Chattanooga, the Scenic City. This is where you'll find such attractions as the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain and Rock City.
Nearby
Crossville
City / town · 3 listings · 30 mi away
Lebanon
City / town · 1 listings · 46 mi away
Rugby
City / town · 7 listings · 47 mi away
Pickett State Park
Park · 3 listings · 48 mi away
Dayton
City / town · 3 listings · 53 mi away
Murfreesboro
City / town · 9 listings · 54 mi away
Harriman-Rockwood
City / town · 55 mi away
Scottsville
City / town · 8 listings · 56 mi away
My experience
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