Tennessee's Backroads
A Southern Middle Tennessee Journey

Welcome to
Tennessee’s Backroads

Beginning as a non-profit organization in the early 1990s as a pilot project under the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this seven-county area in Southern Middle Tennessee will offer you some of the best attractions, festivals and outdoor recreation in the State of Tennessee. Geographically, the Backroads communities cover towns just a short distance south of Nashville or west of Chattanooga. This part of Tennessee allows travelers to truly experience traveling at a slower pace and not be in such a hurry.

You are encouraged to explore this travel guide where you will discover historical and cultural sites, scenic areas, hiking and outdoor recreation, aviation history, artisans, lodging and camping, great restaurants and agricultural sites that show-case farmers markets, equine sites and festivals that will entice you to enjoy a slower pace and experience “off the interstate” travel.

This area is proud to have some of the most well-known festivals in the country such as the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, the largest music festival in the United States, a 10-day horse show in Shelbyville known as “The Celebration”, the Jack Daniel’s Invitational BBQ Cookoff in famous Lynchburg, and the Lions Club “Super Pull of the South” just to name a few. And, there are also unusual festivals like the culinary festival showcasing the famous “Slawburger” that is widely served in the Fayetteville area. There is never a lack of an area festival, music concert or special event in the area.

For the train history enthusiasts, many communities enjoy the sound of “train whistles” that trail throughout the small towns such as Cowan, Wartrace, and Tullahoma. Civil War history weaves its stories throughout the communities with a self-driving tour featuring kiosks that chronicle the 1863 Civil War struggle for Middle Tennessee known as “The Tullahoma Campaign.”

The Backroads area truly has “the best of the best” that Tennessee has to offer. Many tourists come as a visitor and return for a lifetime! We welcome you for a visit to witness true Southern Hospitality and see why our motto is “For Memories That Last a Lifetime.” We promise your first visit will not be your last!