Welcome to

Sparta, TN!

Let’s talk about what to do in Sparta in case you visit our charming little town!

If you go to the square in Sparta,
you will find cute shopping!

  1. Jongee’s - A women’s boutique you’ll love. Be sure to say hi to Julia.

  2. Miss Marenda’s - A tea room with some antique shopping on the main floor and upstairs.

  3. Interior’s by Renewed - You’ll want to stop in this beautiful shop for the decorative pieces but be sure to look around at the building. It was an old hardware store many years ago.

  4. Synergy Herbal Works - They house over 489 organic and wildcrafted botanicals. You’ll love browsing through this little shop.

  5. Formaggi - A specialty Italian market with cheeses, Italian meat, gelato, and other gourmet staples. The owners of Marioochi’s, the pizza shop on the square, also own Formaggi.

  6. The Hitch Outfitters - The Hitch offers outdoor gear for your hiking needs as well as lots of cute gifts and trinkets.

  7. The Farmer’s Storehouse - Although not on the square, it is worth the drive across town to browse through this store. They are an organic food co-op, flour mill, and bakery.

If you love the outdoors, the Sparta, TN area
will be a playground for you!

Calfkiller Brewery
A local brewery with outdoor seating. They often have a food truck.

Northfield Vineyards
local winery

Happy Trails Brewery
They have an onsite restaurant and often live music, karaoke, or trivia. 

The Drive-In
our town still has a classic drive-in!

Burgess Falls State Park
This is an easier hike but leads to a view of a stunning set of falls. Be sure to visit Chestnut Oaks Farm Store nearby while you’re out there. You can also kayak from Cane Hollow on Center Hill Lake to the base of the falls.

Lost Creek Falls and Cave
This is a short hike but was rugged the last time I was out there. Since then it has officially become part of a state park so they may have made a more designated trail. There is a lovely set of falls near the entrance to the cave (it was used in The Jungle Book movie a few years ago) and another one if you hike quite a bit back into the cave. Come prepared if you plan to hike the cave

Sunset Rock
A beautiful overlook you can enjoy from your vehicle but you are going to want to get out to truly take it in. Many kisses have been stolen here so be careful. 🥰

Rock Island
There are multiple falls to see in this area so be prepared to take them all in. You can enjoy them from an overlook or hike your way around to get a different view. There’s a nice restaurant out that way called the The Foglight where you may want to stop for dinner plus the Trolley Stop would be perfect for a sweet treat. 

Welch’s Point
If you’re up for a slow gorgeous wooded drive on a gravel road, this may be just your thing. Once you arrive, it’s only a short walk to an amazing overlook.

Fall Creek Falls
Buzz on over to Fall Creek Falls to walk to the overlook or if you are looking for more activity, hike to the base of the falls. You will also find paddle boats available and some fishing on the lake. There is an inn here and a nice but casual restaurant so you could easily make it a whole day. I spent a ton of time here growing up as a child - my dad fishing while we hiked and explored and swam. 

Virgin Falls
If you are an experienced hiker or are in good shape, Virgin Falls is a dream of a hike in spring. It’s 4.3 miles to the falls but the entire hike is enjoyable. This hike is not for the weak so bring plenty of water, some food, and lots of endurance. 

Here is a list of yummy restaurants in our area you can use as a resource!

Breakfast

Farmers’ Storehouse: They have organic pastries (and have added pizza to their offerings) to enjoy as well as a market you’ll love.

The Coffee Collective: Grab your coffee on the square and a pastry with plenty of seating. (They also have lunch sandwiches.) 

CH Donut Shop:  The best donuts you’ll ever eat. 

The Bakery at 1871:  Specialty breads and pastries with all-natural ingredients, super charming just off the square 

Rise & Shine Cafe:  Southern comfort food, big breakfast with all the fixins’, a good local diner

On and around the square:

Miss Marenda's Tea Room:  People come from all around to enjoy this sweet tea room (You can also enjoy some antique shopping. My home is filled with treasures found here.) 

Brothers Tavern: A newer restaurant in town. This was a favorite of my Dallas friends when they visited. 

Marioochi’s Pizzeria On The Square: They have yummy wood-fired pizza with an outdoor patio. Coco and Lovely Laney love the hot honey pizza.

Fil-Thai:  Thai, Filipino dishes, I love their basil fried rice but the boys love the pineapple chicken. (Huge servings.)

Angelie's: This restaurant, just recently opened by locals who named it after their daughter who passed about 15 years ago, offers casual dining with a wine bar and great ambience. 

Other options: 

Yanni's Grille: A local staple, American offerings

Frank’s: Casual food, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, wings, wraps

El Tapatio in Sparta:  Mexican restaurant

El Meson San Pedro Mexican Restaurant: Mexican restaurant #2

If you’re going hiking…

Rock Island has a couple of options: Foglight Foodhouse (a nicer place) and Rock Island Market (a sit down restaurant in a gas station). There is also The Trolley Stop which offers ice cream creations! 

Fall Creek Falls State Park has a nice restaurant that overlooks the water. On your way to and from Fall Creek Falls, you can stop at The Ugly Mug Bar & Grill for American fare and often some live music. 

Burgess Falls has a restaurant and shop, Chestnut Oaks Farm Store and Kitchen offering fresh beef, eggs, and other products. 

Places to stay

Some of you have asked for recommendations on places to book overnight. I hope this helps but don’t hesitate to reach out with any of your questions.

HOTELS:

If you’re going to book a hotel room, I would encourage you to look at hotels in Cookeville, TN (our neighboring city). The hotels near I-40 are the closest. There are several to choose from. You will be taking Hwy. 111 to my house in case that helps you with the area.

Holiday Inn, Cookeville, TN
This is the newest hotel in our area, maybe two years old. They have a rooftop bar and restaurant. It is a little further from my home (about 30 minutes) but still quite convenient.

Fairfield Inn and Suites, Cookeville, TN
This hotel is a little closer to me and is still very nice, although it’s a tad more expensive.

Air BNBs:

Loft in Sparta - This is where my out-of-town family stayed when Coco and Lovely Laney got married. It is located right on the square convenient to everything in Sparta and about 10 minutes from me.

Studio Loft in Sparta - This is the same as above. There are 4 options here.

Home in SpartaRental Unit in Sparta (owned by a close friend!)

Rental Unit in Sparta (owned by another close friend!)

Tiny House - A couple who came to the Garden Stroll last year stayed here and loved it!

Domes - These belong to some friends of mine. I’ve never seen them in person but I’ve heard great things. They look amazing and have a great view. You’re going to feel like you are really out in the country here. If you are interested in hiking Virgin Falls, this is the right direction.

Convenient Home - This home is right next to the parking lot where Cade and Coco will be picking you up and chauffeuring you to my home. The owner is my lovely neighbor! I’ve never been inside but she does all things well.

RV Parks:

I know very little about RV parks so please do your own research here. I’m happy to answer any questions you have though so feel free to reach out.

Here is an RV park maybe 20 minutes from me but very close to Burgess Falls State Park.
This one is probably closest to me.
This one is closer to Virgin Falls.