In addition to a relaxed railway experience, Tennessee offers significant, but
different state park experiences from the heavily visited Fall Creek Falls Park on
the mountain above Pikeville, to Cumberland Mountain Park at Crossville, to a
park that is preserving late prehistoric cave art at the head of the Sequatchie
River. And, the Railway Village adjoins the Sequatchie River at the site of the
Mansfield Dam and Mill where today only the dam exists and local fishermen
enjoy fishing.
At the head of the Sequatchie River the 11th Unnamed Cave in Tennessee
contains a rich archaeological record comprising parietal art, human burials,
evidence of clay mining, and complex use of torches for illumination. The cave
art includes all three of the currently known prehistoric southeastern forms:
pictographs, petroglyphs, and mud glyphs. Nine radiocarbon age determinations
suggest that all cave activities were contemporary and occurred during the
Mississippi period.
In addition to these three state parks, the mountains and valleys surrounding the
Village have many other great Tennessee State Park get-a-ways and private
parks to include Cumberland Trail, Burgess Falls, Cumberland Caverns, Rock
Island, Ozone Falls, and Laurel Snow Natural Area.
Additionally, Genesis Gardens in Crossville is a private azalea and rhododendron
garden that is open in the spring and summer, which was developed by Bill Pinkerton.
Local Dining
There is an array of eateries in the nearby areas to enjoy, including Pikeville, Crossville,
Dayton, Dunlap, and Chattanooga. Local recommendations include The Butter Dish, Pizza
King, Piggly Wiggly's lunch and dinner deli, Wooden’s Apple House, Xander's Restaurant, Mi Cabañita,
and Hernandez Mexican Food.
