Overview
Not to be confused with Cowan in Victoria, in which is covered in the Phillip Island article Cowan is a very small town in Tennessee. It has roughly 1,700 residents, and is located at the foot of the Cumberland Plateau between Chattanooga and Nashville. Cowan is oriented around the junction of Tennessee Highway 41 and the CSX railroad heading toward Decherd.
1 sights · 9 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cowan
Railroad Museum
Located in the former depot near the railroad tracks in the town center. Staffed by volunteers, so calling ahead is very strongly advised. Contains all manner of railroad memorabilia and resources; a must for railroad bu…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Dec and Mar. (climate data from nearby Huntsville)
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.
- CHA Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (Lovell Field), Chattanooga — 47 mi away. Directions
- HSV Huntsville International Airport, Huntsville — 57 mi away. Directions
- BNA Nashville International Airport, Nashville — 76 mi away (major hub). Directions
The only way into Cowan is to drive Tennessee Highway 41, which is named Cumberland St. in town.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
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
Get in
The only way into Cowan is to drive Tennessee Highway 41, which is named Cumberland St. in town.
Get around
Cowan is a small town, and it can easily be covered by foot or bike. However, a car is essential for entering or leaving town.
See
Downtown Cowan is largely unchanged from its condition 100 years ago, which gives it a quaint and quiet atmosphere. This lack of big-city bustle is the town's main attraction, but there are a handful of local attractions to interest visitors.
See Railroad Museum
Located in the former depot near the railroad tracks in the town center. Staffed by volunteers, so calling ahead is very strongly advised. Contains all manner of railroad memorabilia and resources; a must for railroad buffs.
Do
- Mountain Goat Trail. Avid mountain-bikers and off-roaders should ask about the Mountain Goat Trail, which runs up the Plateau toward St. Andrew's and Sewanee. The trail follows the route of the legendary "Mountain Goat", the steam locomotive that allowed for the development of towns on top of the steep-sided mountains. The trail narrows after crossing Highway 56, making it too narrow for automobiles, but four-wheelers can navigate it as well as many side roads. Locals can point you to its precise location outside Cowan.
Otherwise, Cowan is not the kind of town you visit to "do" anything. Enjoy the quiet, lazy atmosphere of a traditional small Southern town.
Buy
There are a handful of shops near the center of town, most of which sell antiques and other miscellaneous items. You can easily park your car and reach most of them on foot.
Shop Mitchell's Florist and Gifts
Eat
Eat Corner House
Located in a gorgeous Victorian home, and offers a decent seasonal menu. Tu - Sa, 11AM - 8:30PM.
Eat Sernicola's
Mix of Italian and Southern entrees. Tu - Sa, lunch until 9:00PM.
Eat Monterey Cafe & Welcome Center
Combination tourist bureau/diner located in the town center. A good place to stop and eat if you are also looking for information about the area.
Eat Pancho's Mexican Restaurant
Good, cheap Mexican food in a hip atmosphere.
Eat Jazz and Jambalaya
Cajun restaurant, with everything made from scratch. Open F-Sa only.
Eat Buck's Market
Enjoy traditional homemade barbecue.
Drink
There aren't many places to drink in town; try Sernicola's for wine and Pancho's for beer.
Drink Brown's Poolroom
Local bar and billiards.
Sleep
Stay The Franklin-Pearson House
The only real option if you want to stay in town overnight. A gorgeous, 150-year-old bed-and-breakfast that once served railroad visitors in the center of town. An excellent choice if you don't mind paying a steep (upwards of $100/night) price.
For other options, check nearby towns such as Monteagle, Sewanee and Decherd.
Go next
As is the case with coming into town, automobile is the only realistic way out.
Going east on Highway 41 will bring you to Sewanee; going west will take you to Winchester.
Nearby
Winchester
City / town · 5 mi away
Sewanee
City / town · 12 listings · 6 mi away
Monteagle
City / town · 14 listings · 11 mi away
Walls of Jericho
Park · 13 mi away
Tracy City
City / town · 15 listings · 17 mi away
Russell Cave National Monument
Park · 1 listings · 17 mi away
Tullahoma
City / town · 11 listings · 18 mi away
Lynchburg
City / town · 15 listings · 22 mi away
My experience
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