A heavy dose of small town charm in Livingston, Tennessee
Clayton Hensley
Weekend Getaways, Road Trips, Small Towns
A quintessential American spirit runs through the heart of Livingston, a town of about 4,000 located in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Region. Sitting in the shadow of a small tree lined ridge, the town’s surroundings provide a welcoming dose of small town charm perfect for people in search of things to do on a road trip through the region.
Here’s my guide for things to do in Livingston, Tennessee.
(I was a guest of the Livingston/Overton Chamber of Commerce and Upper Cumberland Tourism during my recent visit. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.)
The charm of a small town Courthouse Square
Like many other towns across the country, the focal point of town is the Courthouse Square. Built in 1868, the historic Overton County Courthouse is a brick structure rivaling its more ornate counterparts by remaining simple in design and stature. Be sure and check out the monuments and historical markers on the grounds including one hailing Overton County as the birthplace of Bluegrass legend Lester Flatt (who later called Sparta, TN home).
The historic buildings around the square help take you back to a time when the town square was THE gathering place. Today that holds true in Livingston, where you’ll find unique options for shopping, dining and lodging all served up with small town charm.
Unique shopping on the Livingston Square
If you’re looking for Tiddly Winks, Silly Putty, an old-fashioned candy necklace or a Red Ryder BB Gun, you’ll find it and much more at the 1806 General Store. Owner Gene Gantt and his crew work hard to put on the small town charm and make you feel at home. The front of the store is filled with nostalgic items, many of which are encased in old hardware shelves used decades ago in the building when it was a hardware store.
If you work up an appetite while shopping at The 1806 or next door at the Antique Market, the folks there have you covered. The 1806 serves up a wide variety of sandwiches and desserts along with a salad bar and rolled ice cream for a treat anytime. Drinks are even chilled in an old fashioned Coca-Cola cooler with lemonades and iced teas in dispensers above it.
My daughter loves clothing boutiques and specialty shops and follows dozens of them on Instagram. She joined me on this trip and loved what Livingston had to offer.
Sassafras on the Square features a wide variety of clothing, shoes, handbags and beauty items all served up in a spacious setting with a big dose of charm.
The Picker’s Palace is part boutique and part antique store, an eclectic mix of items making it a place that’s definitely worth a visit. And the Picker’s Palace 2 across the street takes it all to another level.
Keaton Place’s upscale offerings include furniture, home décor and inspirational artwork by Milk Moon House (JoAnna Simeone) of Knoxville.
A charming small town art scene
On East Broad Street , a small Victorian style home houses a very modern art gallery (open by appointment only). Julia Bishop owns the gallery, which served as her late husband, Bud’s, art studio. Throughout the year she invites up to six artists to show their work inside this beautiful home.
Where to get wired and where to unwind in Livingston
Just a short walk from the Square there is a place to unwind, catch a concert and let the kids play. Livingston’s Central Park is a relatively new addition, a shining star in the revitalization of the heart of this small town. The multi-million-dollar park shows how a community can work together to turn dreams into reality. Check out the Central Park website for upcoming events and how you can reserve spaces there.
After enjoying the park, why not enjoy some brews and great food at one of Livingston’s hottest restaurants. The Steel Coop serves up burgers, steaks and delectable catfish in a comfortable family friendly atmosphere I’m sure will satisfy just about any appetite.
And while it’s not in the downtown area, a visit to Livingston just wouldn’t be complete without checking out Wired Coffee. This local establishment serves up great coffee, tasty home baked muffins and hot chocolate. To unwind while getting wired on the coffee, be sure and head up the stairs and have a seat in the massage chair or gather around the couches.
To make the most of a visit to the Courthouse Square in Livingston consider spending the night at the Livingston Lofts. During our visit we stayed in the Miller Apartment, a cozy two bedroom space with a full kitchen and a comfy living room. We also spent a night in the Clover Penthouse, a 2000 square foot loft space that sleeps up to eight people, has a pool table, a bar area with plenty of seating and a great view of the historic Courthouse Square.
The charm extends well beyond the town limits
There are many other things to see and do in Livingston and Overton County. One of the most popular spots is Standing Stone State Park, a rustic and rugged park built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Read my earlier post on this great destination.
On the other side of the county, a community heavily influenced by the Amish and the Mennonites showcases the ingenuity and creativity of rural America. That’s why Muddy Pond has long been a destination for people from all over the region. More to come on knoxroadtripper.com about this place and other more unique spots to explore in Livingston and Overton County.
Be sure and follow @koxroadtripper on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and comment below on what you would like to see in Livingston or small towns you think I should explore in the future.
