[0]You've probably run up and down I-24 all the time to Nashville, but haven't stopped much along the way.
But there are plenty of vacation ideas between Monteagle and Murfressboro.
And one is the Tennessee Shakespeare Festival this weekend in Bell Buckle.
[0]This summer's production puts Shakespeare in the world of Oh Brother, Where Art Thou.
It's the comedy, A Midsummer's Night Dream, set at an old antebellum mansion in Athens, Georgia in the 1930s.
[0]The idea was the brain child of Director Lane Davies.
The Dalton native is an actor you may have seen in the Soaps and in Prime Time guest appearances.
He talked to Joe Legge this week on News 12 This Morning [0] about the production.
[0]The performances run Friday through Sunday evenings at 8:00 PM.
You can bring your own picnic dinner and enjoy the play out under the stars at Webb School in Bell Buckle.
You can buy tickets & get directions at their website [1].
[1]Bell Buckle is just one of the small towns along I-24 that are worth a visit.
Here are a few spots worth getting off the freeway to see.
Bell Buckle's main attraction these days is the shopping.
There is a collection of Antiques, Arts & Crafts shops at the aptly named Bell Buckle Antique & Crafts Mall. There are 50 exhibitors inside.
[1]If you are not watching Shakespeare under the stars, you might swing by the Bell Buckle Cafe [2] for some country music under the roof.
The music parlour even has it's own record label.
They put on shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, plus a live radio program on Saturday afternoons.
Wartrace (pronounced War-Trace, not Wart-race) is another example of small town Tennessee.
[2]It's best know for Walking Horses and guitars.
The first Tennessee Walking Horse Grand Champion, Strolling Jim [3], lived and died here.
You can see his grave behind the Walking Horse Hotel, and also learn more about how they developed the breed here, not in Shellbyville.
[3]The Gallagher Guitar shop [4] is the other must-see in town.
The Gallagher family has been crafting instruments since the 1820s.
They are good enough for stars like Doc Watson & Neil Diamond, so they ought to be good enough for you.
But bring your credit card.
These guitars cost thousands of dollars.
Manchester
[4]
Old Stone Fort State Park [5]
Come see one of the state's great unsolved mysteries. What caused the Balds in the Smokies, why did Sam Phillips really sell Elvis's contract, and who built the Old Stone Fort? The "Fort" is a circular mound in the wilderness near Manchester that's been there as long as anyone can remember. Did Native Americans build it as a protection or ceremonial place? Did conquistadors from Spain come through here? You can form your own opinion at the State Archaeological Park. You can also hike, camp, fish or play golf at the 9 hole course [6] along the Duck River that's part of the Tennessee Golf Trail.
Tullahoma
[6]Tullahoma is home to Arnold Engineering, the Historic Depot District & the Short Springs Natural Area. But the hidden gem is the Beechcraft Heritage Museum [7] next to the airport. It's dedicated to the Staggerwing design planes built during the 30s & 40s. Their unique design made them the fastest commercial planes flying back in those days. The museum has examples of every model made by Beechcraft. It's open all day during the week, but only from 1:00-4:00 PM on weekends.
Normandy
[7]Tennessee's other Whiskey lives near here. Take a ride over Normandy Lake and swing toward Cascade Hollow. That's where they've been making George Dickel Whisky (no e) since 1870. Nashville resident George Dickel discovered the location on a trip to Tullahoma. in the 1860s. His family ran the George A. Dickel Distillery [8] there until prohibition shut them down. The old distillery sat vacant for 40 years, until Ralph Dupps started it up again in 1958, just down the road. They offers tours of the facility to show you how they make it. But they say that Cascade Hollow is worth the trip in itself.
Lynchburg
[8]Of course, the better known brand is made at the Jack Daniels Distillery [9] down the highway in Lynchburg. This is the nation's oldest registered Distillery, dating back to 1866. While the Dickel tour is more laid back, the Jack experience is much more of a tourist draw. You get animated employees leading you through the facility. It's part comedy routine, whiskey lesson and historical tour. But, alas, no free samples. The best you get is a powerful whiff of the mash. Of course, the irony is that Jack Daniels has always been made in a dry county. The biggest event of the year, here in Lynchburg is the annual Barbeque World Championships held each October.
Fayetteville
[9]Shopping, old homes and canoing are the draws in Fayetteville. Shop at the south's largest fabric outlet, Sir's Fabric Store [10]. Admire the old homes in the historic district, including the steamboat Gothic mansion. Cahoots Restaurant puts you behind bars of a turn of the century jail for a meal. There are two outfitters who can provide a gentle float down the Elk River... Elk River Adventures [11] and Elk River Canoe Rentals [12]. No wild, white water here. Just a lazy river trip for the whole family (kids to grandparents).
That's our tour. All locations are within 45 minutes of I-24 between Monteagle Mountain and Murfressboro.
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