Giles County: History, Nature and Regional Experiences
Accommodation in Giles County
Giles County combines impressive history with nature experiences, regional culinary delights and a variety of excursion destinations. Those looking for a vacation rental can tailor their stay to their own interests: cultural history, walking trails, rural products, water activities and special events can be combined into a range of different daily itineraries.
Historic Sites and Living Culture
A notable cultural attraction is the Antoinette Hall Opera House. It was built in the summer and fall of 1868 and opened on Christmas Day of the same year. Today, it is considered the oldest surviving opera house in Tennessee and one of the oldest in the United States. A 3D virtual tour shows Antoinette Hall in its current condition during the ongoing restoration.
In Pulaski stands the Giles County Courthouse, a neoclassical building dating from 1909. The Pulaski Courthouse Square Historic District encompasses 92 buildings across nine city blocks surrounding the courthouse. The Sam Davis Memorial Museum and Shrine is also part of the region's history; it was built in 1950 at the site where Sam Davis was executed on November 27, 1863. The Giles County Trail of Tears Interpretive Center presents the history and legacy of the Cherokee during the Trail of Tears. The Bell Route and the Benge Route passed through Giles County.
Lynnville also offers historical perspectives. The Lynnville Historic District encompasses 59 properties that are significant to Giles County in the areas of architecture, early settlement and commerce. The county's first Methodist church was founded in 1809 at the site where Lynnville now stands. The Lynnville Railroad Museum offers a self-guided tour during which visitors can enter every railroad car. In the depot, you can see railroad-history memorabilia and an operational model railway depicting Lynnville in the 1930s. The STAAR Theatre adds to the cultural offerings with private or group tours.
Nature, Trails and Active Days
Wolf Gap is described as a center for history and nature education as well as a green space in Giles County. The Wolf Gap campus encompasses 50 acres of green space. The site is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. There are walking trails and picnic areas; exhibitions are added on weekends. The walking trail at the Giles County Agri-Park is open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Agri-Park also offers a venue for honoring the area's agricultural history.
For additional trails, the Pleasant Run Eco-Trail follows Pleasant Run Creek. Those seeking a more athletic option can take the Bike TN Minor Hill Loop, a road-cycling loop with rolling roads and challenging climbs. These differences can help with daily planning: a walk, a picnic, a bike ride or a nature-focused excursion each emphasizes different aspects. When choosing your vacation rental, therefore, compare the locations of the available properties with the activities you actually plan to include.
Regional Products and Special Events
In Pulaski, the Big Creek Winery location offers winery tours and wine tastings. More than 30 wines made from grapes and fruits are part of the selection; the tasting room also offers locally made cheese and snacks. Big Machine Distillery gives visitors the opportunity to fill their own vodka or single-barrel Tennessee whiskey directly from the barrel.
The Giles County Agri Park Farmer's Market offers products grown or made by local farmers. In Lynnville, Soda Pop Junction is a burger restaurant known for generously topped burgers and thick milkshakes. The SunDrop Festival takes place on the second Saturday in June in the historic center of Pulaski. More than 50 arts, crafts and food vendors, along with live performances, shape the event. In April, the Giles County Trail of Tears Memorial Interpretive Center hosts the annual Vicky Garland Memorial Pow Wow; in September, it hosts the Bell and Benge's Memorial Motorcycle Ride.
Water, Country Roads and Excursion Planning
The conditions at the Matt Gardner Elk River Access Area in Elkton are suitable for fishing and kayaking. The historic Elkton Bridge was built in 1924. Alongside the cultural and culinary offerings, this provides another opportunity to focus your stay on activities by the water.
For travel to the area, U.S. Highways 31 and 64 run through Giles County. A recommended stopover route runs between I-65 Exit 27 and Exit 1, with opportunities for sightseeing, dining and shopping. Milky Way Farm offers a historic tour of the 1930s home of Franklin C. Mars, the inventor of the Milky Way candy bar. Tours of the Manor House are available by reservation. Hayrack, barn and farm tours are offered by reservation for groups of 20 or more or as part of scheduled events.
The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans
When looking for a vacation rental, it is worth first determining your personal travel rhythm: Would you like to combine several activities each day, or plan individual excursions with quiet time in between? You can then choose the accommodation's location based on the activities that are particularly important to your travel group.
For further orientation, you can visit the destination pages for Pulaski and Frankewing.
For the broader travel overview: Tennessee.
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